Senior Center Fund-Raising Policy
It has been long recognized that the Friends are the tax-exempt, non-profit, official fund-raising group for the Senior Center. They meet all legal requirements and have served with a record of excellence in promoting the Senior Center mission statement and activities.
In order to continue this record of excellence in the best interests of seniors and the town of Sturbridge, it has become necessary to request a policy to:
- Prohibit or monitor solicitations by outside groups clearly advertising or selling items for profit where profit is the prime motive instead of useful education.
- Prohibit individuals soliciting in the form of planned senior activities or senior bus trips and possibly receiving free admission or gratuities having a monetary value with no known recording of funds received. This is clearly in conflict with the legitimate fund-raising activities of the Friends and in the interest of recording and accounting of funds received.
- The exception to this request for rules and regulations does not prohibit fund-raising activities of recognized charitable groups or organizations such as the United Way, the Cancer Society, or school sponsored activities.
- That all fund-raising activities be approved by the Council on Aging Director and/or the Friends and/or Town Administrator through a written or verbal agreement.
- That all funds or gifts received by the Director to promote Senior Center activities become the property of the Town of Sturbridge and channeled through the town accounting procedures as is currently done.
- In regard to liability - That the Town of Sturbridge will not be held responsible or liable for any unapproved soliciting activity or consequences related to that activity.