The Dragoo Family Association (DFA) is an Unincorporated, Not-for-Profit Family Association?
Simply put, we are a group of individuals who have voluntarily joined together for a common purpose: to discover, document, preserve, and share our Dragoo family history.
The Dragoo Family Association is a membership-supported organization established to serve the shared interests and benefit of its members. As an unincorporated, not-for-profit family association, the DFA has a fundamental responsibility to the members whose financial contributions and volunteer efforts sustain its operations. Association funds, resources, and services are managed in accordance with that responsibility, ensuring that the benefits supported by membership contributions are preserved for those members.
What Does "Unincorporated" Mean?
Being unincorporated means the DFA operates as an organized association of members rather than as a corporation.
The association is guided by its bylaws, which establish its organizational structure, leadership responsibilities, and procedures for conducting association business. Its officers and committees work together to carry out the purposes established by its membership.
The DFA collects membership dues, maintains financial accounts, owns and manages resources, and conducts activities that support its organizational purposes, subject to applicable law.
What Does "Not-for-Profit" Mean?
Not-for-profit means the DFA exists to serve its shared family-history purpose rather than to generate profits for private individuals.
Membership dues and other association funds are used to support the DFA's activities, including genealogical research, preservation of family records, communication among descendants, reunion expenses, and the maintenance of shared resources.
How Is the DFA Supported?
The DFA is sustained through membership contributions, donations, and the dedication of volunteers who generously share their time, knowledge, and experience.
These contributions support the association's ongoing operations and help maintain the genealogical collections, family tree, newsletter, and other resources developed through the collective efforts of our extended family.
As a membership-supported association, the DFA has a responsibility to manage its resources carefully and honor the commitments made to its members.
What Are the Benefits and Responsibilities of Membership?
Membership represents both participation in and support for the association's shared purpose.
Members help sustain the DFA's research and preservation efforts through their contributions. In return, members receive benefits that support genealogical research and strengthen family connections, including access to the DFA's genealogical research collections and shared Ancestry family tree, assistance from Line Librarians, a quarterly family newsletter, opportunities to connect with other descendants through the membership directory, and participation in biennial family reunions.
Because these resources are maintained through membership support and volunteer effort, access to designated membership benefits is generally reserved for members of the association.
The DFA welcomes inquiries from nonmembers and encourages cooperation with family historians and researchers. The Association will assist nonmembers in identifying their Dragoo family line and discovering their place within the larger Dragoo family.
Is the DFA a Tax-Exempt Charity?
No. The DFA's not-for-profit status is not a tax-exempt charitable organization, and is not listed as a 501(c)(3).
An organization may operate on a not-for-profit basis without holding federal charitable tax-exempt status.
Membership dues and financial contributions to the DFA are NOT tax-deductible as charitable donations.
What Are the Limitations of Our Organizational Structure?
As an unincorporated, not-for-profit family association, the DFA operates within certain organizational and legal boundaries.
Nonprofit commitment: Association funds and resources are used to further the DFA's purposes rather than to distribute profit to individuals.
Membership accountability: Officers and committees administer association resources in accordance with the bylaws and established policies.
Membership benefits: Designated benefits are maintained by members, for members.
Tax treatment: The DFA's organizational status does not provide federal tax exemption or make contributions tax-deductible.
Our Commitment to the Dragoo Family
The DFA exists because generations of Dragoo descendants have recognized the importance of preserving their shared heritage.
Our organizational structure allows family members to work together, contribute to a common purpose, and maintain resources that might otherwise be lost to time.
Through responsible stewardship, volunteer service, and the continued support of our membership, we seek to preserve the stories, records, and connections that unite our extended family.
We invite all Dragoo descendants who share this commitment to learn more about DFA membership.