Attendance
Attendance is important so please mark your calendars to attend all regular meetings during the term. It is imperative that members sign the attendance sheet at each monthly meeting.
CLE
Members typically receive one hour CLE credit for attending monthly Inn programs that comply with MCLE guidelines. CLE certificates can be picked up in person at each qualifying meeting. The team members who plan and make a presentation are entitled to up to three hours credit for every hour of presentation. Please email the Executive Director, Myrna Perez, if you are missing any CLE certificates.
Guests
Members are encouraged to bring guests to meetings. There is no additional fee. If you plan to bring a guest to a meeting, please provide that information in the RSVP email. If you plan to invite a guest to multiple meetings, please consider nominating them for membership in the Inn.
Nominations for Membership in the Inn
Any member may submit nominations for attorneys, judges, law clerks, and law students to the Board. We welcome nominations throughout the year and may solicit nominations over the summer before our term begins each September.
Name Badges
Name badges are provided and should be worn at each meeting and returned to the sign-in table at the end of each meeting. If lost or misplaced, please contact our Executive Director, Myrna Perez.
Payment of Dues
Statements for the term’s dues are sent to members around late June or July of each year. To reserve your membership, full payment must be received by the dues deadline, which is typically in early September.
501(c)(3) Exemption for Dues
The American Inns of Court Foundation is a tax-exempt organization as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Further, the Foundation has been granted a group exemption ruling that may include any of its “subordinate organizations.”
The Foundation was granted 501(c)(3) status because it is a non-profit corporation of a charitable nature that does not engage in political activities or lobbying. This provides two things. First, the Foundation is not required to pay federal or state tax on its income, except on income derived through activities that are unrelated to its central mission (unrelated business income tax or UBIT). Second, dues paid to and contributions made to the American Inns of Court Foundation are considered tax-deductible.
The Judge Paul R. Michel Intellectual Property American Inn of Court has “opted in” to the Foundation’s group exemption, therefore, it is considered a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and the portion of our dues ($95) paid to the Foundation is tax deductible. Additionally, contributions made to the Foundation or to the Judge Paul R. Michel Intellectual Property American Inn of Court are also considered charitable contributions and are tax deductible. The method by which an individual may deduct these dues may vary depending on individual circumstances, so be sure to check with a tax advisor as to the proper method.
Use of Personal Information
Some Inn members provided confidential information for directory listings. Such information may be used only for Inn business. In particular, use of Inn e-mail addresses must be limited to Inn business. Unauthorized use or distribution by Inn members of information could result in termination of membership.