Hi there. It seems that in order to be a thing, we need to incorporate. I'm willing to take this on and it seems that filing it (at least here in Massachusetts) is inexpensive. I will do some more research, but it seems that we need some officers in order to incorporate. Since we don't have a formal web site or a reliable means of voting, I'l suggest that we do it via consensus and volunteer and put in place bylaws for a real election once we get things going.

So, we'll need a:

President
Treasurer
Clerk
Some directors. Perhaps we can start with a few since we're small. Perhaps one in the east, one in the central and one in the west with maybe two at-large (I'm just making this up).

Anyone care to volunteer(or nominate anyone else) for any of these roles? As I said, I think the positions can be interim until we hold a real election.

I don't mind taking the President role unless someone here is really itching to do it, though if I screw up, I guess I'll get voted out come election time. :)

As to the treasurer, there isn't a treasury yet, but we will have one eventually and we'll figure out what the dues should be etc. To start with, I expect the amounts to be pretty small until we gain some traction. The clerk would be the record keeper of the club's activity etc.

We will also need to create some bylaws. I already have a start on this as I've started with CORSA's (Corvair Society of America)'s bylaws and have been paring them down since many of the bylaws do not yet apply to us. I figure I would strip them down to that which is essential for our operation and we can add stuff in as we expand our scope.

Right, it's time to get the club into working order.
I'm not all that great with numbers, so treasurer might not be my thing.

I would look into some of these easy incorporate companies. There are some large differences in state laws and looking before actually filing paperwork is a real good idea.

As an example.
https://www.incorporate.com/incorporate_now.html?promo=fifty1?iq_id=62740448-VQ16-c&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=62740448-VQ16-c&utm_source=google&cid=62740448-VQ16-c&campaign=ppc

http://www.legalzoom.com/sem/business/incorporation/inc-kit.html?cm_mmc=Google-_-Incorporation%20HV%20Phrase%20|%20Search-_-Incorporation_Other-_-professional%20services%20corporations-_-&kid=0475bf66-b392-1ac8-db66-00000ddb53ea&cvokid=0475bf66-b392-1ac8-db66-00000ddb53ea&keyword=professional%20services%20corporations&matchtype=phrase&cvosrc=ppc.google.professional%20services%20corporations

http://www.incfile.com/

Yes, I am researching the best plan for incorporation in terms of state. It seems that there are fewer advantages for non-profits vs for profits.

I'm looking into all the angles before incorporating. My lawyer friend is not an expert in this aspect of law, but I will try to find someone who is, as well as find assistance from existing car clubs.

I have been thinking about the profit vs non-profit orginization thing myself recently. If you are a non-profit orginization, then you gain nothing other than the satisfaction and enjoyment of the club.
If we become a profitable orginization, then we might be able to hire people to help us advertise, or something like that.
Also, I never really thought about this before, but when you say non-profit, does that mean we can't recieve any funds to build a clubhouse/museum? Or fund a site?

There are many reasons you want to stay far away from non-profit of either type. It is not at all necessary if the corporation is properly structured.

I intend to look into the issue further, but the benefits for our type of organization can be HUGE to set it up as a non-profit. Most of our income, such that it is, will come from member dues, and any significant contributions are going to come from charitable sources. If we are not non-profit, we are subject to pay taxes on any and all donations given to us. We can apply for grants also as a non-profit. Donations by third parties to non-profits are tax-deductible. If we want to create a museum or repository of Saturnalia, we will rely on donations not just of money, but also of cars, parts, parephernalia, and even real estate (perhaps someone will donate a part of a building for us to keep an exhibit in). All of these things would be taxable if we were a for-profit, non-taxable if we are non-profit.
Continued....