"Solicit" or "solicitation" means any oral or written request, however, communicated, whether directly or indirectly, for a contribution. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(11).
How does an organization register as a charity?
An organization must file an Application for Registration of a Charitable Organization, along with its organizing documents (e.g. a charter) and, if it has obtained one, a letter of determination of tax-exempt status from the IRS. If an organization has completed an accounting year, it must file also file a Summary of Financial Activities form, an IRS form 990 (if the organization is required to file such), and an audited financial statement if its revenues exceed $500,000, excluding government grants and grants from private foundations.
What is a contribution?
“Contributions" means the promise or grant of any money or property of any kind or value, including the payment or promise to pay in consideration of a sale, performance or show of any kind which is advertised or offered in conjunction with the name of any charity. “Contribution” does not include bona fide fees, dues or assessments paid by members; provided, that membership is not conferred solely as consideration for making a contribution in response to a solicitation. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(3).
How do I change my business address?
You can file form SS-4800 to change the mailing address by mail or in person. A change in Registered Agent or principal address requires filing Articles of Amendment and paying the statutory $20 filing fee. Forms can be found on our the Forms & Fees page for mail and in person filings.
What is a charitable organization?
“Charitable organization” means a group which is or holds itself out to be a benevolent, educational, voluntary health, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, religious or eleemosynary organization, or for the benefit of law enforcement personnel, firefighters, or other persons who protect the public safety, or any person who solicits or obtains contributions solicited from the public for charitable purposes. “Charitable organization” does not include any authorized individual who solicits, by authority of the organization, solely on behalf of a registered or exempt organization, or on behalf of an organization excluded from the definition of a charitable organization.
What are the hours of work?
Normally poll workers report to work one hour before polls open and leave one hour after the poll closes. Check with your county election commission for more information.
What are the qualifications to be a poll worker?
To be a poll worker, a person must:
Be at least 16 years old
Be a registered voter in the county if 18 or older
Be able to read and write in the English language
Not be supervised by a county or municipal elected official on the ballot
Not be a candidate or close relative of a candidate. Close relatives are defined as the spouse, parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of a candidate on the ballot or a write-in candidate
Government Employees Who Can Serve as Poll Worker:
All City, County and Metro employees (unless working directly under the supervision of an elected official on the ballot)
State of Tennessee employees
Federal employees – consult your Human Resources Department to ensure eligibility
A poll worker shall also:
Have strong clerical skills
Be able to solve problems
Be an effective communicator
How do I become a poll worker?
If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, apply by filling out an application form. Poll workers are appointed locally based on need.
What are the training requirements for poll workers?
County Election Commissions are required by state law to provide training. This training provides all the necessary information and knowledge to be a successful poll worker.
Are poll workers paid or volunteers?
Poll workers are compensated for working at polling places at a rate determined by the county election commission and are also compensated for attending any required training sessions. Poll workers may also choose to volunteer their services, but most are paid.
How much does it cost to register a charitable organization?
The initial registration fee is $10 dollars.
Where will I be assigned?
Every effort is made to assign a poll workers to their neighborhood voting site. However, poll workers must be willing to be flexible and consider assignments at other sites in the county based on need.
What can I do if the application for registration is denied?
You can edit and resubmit the registration again and include those items for which the previous application was denied. Additionally, if you believe the application was denied in error, the organization can ask for a hearing. The request must be made within 7 days of the date you receive notification that your application has been denied. A hearing shall occur within 7 days of receiving your request for a hearing. A determination shall be reached within 3 business days of your hearing.
May state employees become poll workers?
Yes. State employees may become poll workers.
Does it matter which officers sign the Charitable Organization registration form?
Yes, the initial registration and renewal forms shall be signed by two (2) authorized officers of the charitable organization, one of whom shall be the chief fiscal officer
What is an Administrative Dissolution?
An Administrative dissolution occurs for the following reasons:
Failure to file an annual report
Being without a registered agent
A foreign entity fails to maintain its assumed name due to a name conflict
Returned payment by a financial institution
What is a Certificate of Existence?
A certificate of existence is a document issued by our office that certifies that an entity is active and in good standing.
Who issues Apostilles and Authentications?
The Tennessee Department of State, Business Services Division, issues an Apostille or an Authentication under the authority of the Tennessee Secretary of State with respect to documents executed, issued or certified by Tennessee County Clerks, the Tennessee State Registrar, and the Tennessee Secretary of State.
If a document needs an Authentication, the United States Department of State must also certify the Tennessee Secretary of State’s signature on the Authentication. This step is not necessary for an Apostille.
How do I get a 501(c)(3) letter?
The IRS grants federal tax exempt status. Contact information and detailed explanations of the tax exemption approval process can be found on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.
What are the responsibilities of a poll worker?
Poll workers conduct assigned duties at a polling site during early voting and on Election Day. Duties can include processing voters, explaining how to mark a ballot, use the voting equipment, or counting votes. Other positions at a polling place include a greeter who assists with answering questions and directing voters to the voting area.
What is an Apostille or an Authentication?
An Apostille or an Authentication certifies the authenticity of the signature, seal and position of the official who has executed, issued or certified a copy of a public document. An Apostille or an Authentication enables a public document issued in one country to be recognized as valid in another country. While they accomplish the same objective, there are differences between Apostilles and Authentications.
An Apostille is a certification form set out in The Hague Convention abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents (1961).
An Apostille may be obtained to transmit public documents executed in one signatory country to another signatory country in which the documents need to be produced. The Hague Convention defines a “public document” as:
Those originating in a court, clerk of a court, public prosecutor or process server;
Administrative documents;
Notarial acts; and
Official certificates are placed on documents.
An Authentication may be obtained to transmit public documents to countries that have not subscribed to The Hague Convention.