MEMBERSHIP IN TEMPLE
You are urged to support the Temple by
becoming a member of the Temple. In what
follows, we give answers to frequently asked questions related to
membership issues. Please read them carefully and you are welcome to call our Treasurer,
Ashok Gupta, at (517) 332-6285 if
you still have questions.
Q. What is the annual membership
cost?
A.
Any individual or family wishing to become a member must have
a. Donated a total of $250 (excluding membership dues) to
this Temple in their lifetime and
b. Paid annual membership of $150 (family) or $75
(individual)
In order to be eligible to vote in a particular year,
dues must be paid prior to June 30th of that year.
Q. Who can become a member of the Bharatiya Temple?
A.
Any individual or family subscribing to the objectives of the temple and
submitting the necessary dues and donations.
Q. Are there any exceptions to this
policy?
A.
Life members (an individual or family who has donated a total of $10,000 and
honorary members need not pay annual membership dues.
Q. What are the benefits of the
membership?
A. Membership in this great institution is a
privilege. It primarily provides you and your spouse (family membership) a
right to vote in the election of the Board of Trustees and therefore a voice in
the administration of Temple activities.
It also allows you to rent the temple facility for private functions
such as weddings, birthday parties, etc.
Q. Who can serve as a Trustee?
A. (a) Life member
(b) Any individual or family, who has donated a total of $2,000 in
their lifetime to this Temple and has paid annual membership dues.
Q. What type of payments made to
the Temple are tax deductible?
A.
Bharatiya Temple is a tax-exempt organization under
Sec. 501 (c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code. We must use
this status very wisely and follow all regulations. IRS regulations state that
any donations made to the Temple in cash or kind to the extent that the donor
does not receive any value of goods or services back from the Temple are tax
deductible.
The following payments help the Temple activities but
do not qualify for tax deductions as a contribution under the current IRS
regulations: (These are a few examples)
Purchase
of tickets for Temple-sponsored cultural events. (However, if you
sponsor the program to defray the cost, it will be a tax-deductible item.)
Cost
of ad placed in Temple brochure
Purchase
or rental of library books or videos
Any
amount paid towards services such as Priest services for puja
in your home, Sunday school/ BalVihar, Temple rental
etc.
In the event that a fund
raising dinner or program is arranged, the Temple will provide you with the portion of the total
price which will be eligible for tax deduction.
Q. Do I get a receipt for my
contributions?
A.
Majority of the work at the Temple is handled by volunteer workers. It is not
cost effective or possible to send a receipt for every contribution we receive.
Consistent with IRS regulations we will mail you a receipt only when your
contribution exceeds $250 per donation. For donations less than $250, your
canceled check will be your receipt. We also publish a list of all donors for
the previous calendar year in the January newsletter of the current year.
We cannot apply any part of your contribution as
membership dues without your express instructions. Please complete this form
and return it with your payment before the due date to become a voting member.
Name: (Last and first name)____________________Spouse_____________________
Address:__________________________
State:___________Zip________
Dues: Circle one Family $150 Individual $75
Phone: Home__________________
E-Mail________________________
Checks Payable to “Bharatiya
Temple of Lansing” and mail to: 955
Haslett Road, Haslett, MI 48840.