Formation of ACE Committee(s)

Codyjp said:
I'm certainly on the outside looking in and after the event there is a few weeks of ACE photos that are dominated by drunk people in random places in casinos, clothed drunk people in hot tubs and others passed out. Don't get me wrong, I just don't think I'd go to a networking/career event and then post photos of me drunk online, nor would I want others to do it. I'm most certainly not saying you can't get drunk, I just wouldn't make it the poster child of the main event.

Ok, just went looking. Seems the photo thread has been tactfully cleaned up. Good call.

But here is one example.

I just don't think I'd be interested in interviewing this guy? He is probably a great person, but it'd be hard to take him seriously in an interview after this.
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I see what you mean, and while the point may be valid to an extent, I can't agree. There were a decent number of people clothed in that hot tub, myself included, and wasn't a big deal, that is a very very mild thing for drunk people to do. I didn't see any pictures that raised any redflags from the event. It's funny to think 121 employers would frown on this stuff having been told a bunch of stories from the Embassy Suites Burlingame staff about why a certain regional was banned and now has to use the less classy South City location. I guess its cool if you climb trees without a shirt on an overnight in the lobby and howl like tarzan, go fishing in the pond of the lobby, and get it on with flight attendants in the family pool. But god forbid a future employer ever see's you in a tub with your clothes on! DOOOOOOOOOM!

I just give this a lot of thought as I'm putting a lot of time and energy into chasing my other dream, to be an entertainer, and I don't want to be judged in a 121 interview down the road by what I did on some reality show or some outrageous thing I once said on TV when it is all just for the sake of advancing in a different career. Oh well, such is life.
 
hokuspocus said:
Not sure if this helps or not but I know for non-profit you can't have more than (aprox $20,000) in cash at one time. I was treasurer for 2 awful years on our crappy homeowners assocation board (which is nonprofit) where I learned very little but did learn a few things. So say you could have $50,000 over the course of the year but not a the same time...ie paving roads...we would have $20,000 in the bank, spend that then could get $20,000 more and spend that...as long as it wasn't ever more than that at once. Also there was some kind of random permit type thing we had to pay 10 bucks a year for to keep our nonprofit. No one on the board got paid either, any money we spent went to basically maintence snow, roads, though we did/do a once a year santa fly in in which we put up money for presents and food and such. Not sure if this helps much just my limited experience with a nonprofit.....
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This doesn't really make sense. Many hospitals are non-profit. The one I know of well is a non-profit health system in fact (11 hospitals and clinics throughout the region). The flagship hospital has an annual budget of around $1.8 billion. Hospitals, church's, private schools, museums, labor unions, etc - all non-profit. Do you think the Teamsters, or ALPA, have more than $20k on hand at any given time? This may be more a function of by-laws at that specific non-profit.
 
HR Diva is correct that there are some areas to be careful of when a for-profit tries to solicit volunteers - but it can in fact be done legally. MANY pharmaceutical and medical device companies will enlist the aid of a volunteer "army" to act as mentors, references, etc and even go to trade shows and stand at booths to help explain something or give speechs, etc. All completely legal. Many companies like P&G and others can and do use volunteers. I have an article about this at the office I think - I'll scan and post if I can find it. Premise of the article is how to create a volunteer force if you are a for-profit company. From what I know of the legalities a lot of the determination of "volunteer" is defined by how much control Kristie or Doug have over the activities. If the volunteers are fairly autonomous in how they go about their task it is better than if Doug and Kristie make them punch a time-clock, have a specific agenda of tasks, make them wear a gimp-suit, etc.
 
Bumblebee said:
TAKE THAT RUBBER BALL OUT OF WACO'S MOUTH OR WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO HOT WATER WITH THE FEDS!~
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Seriously though - HR Diva brings up a good point - and it is a slippery slope but CAN be done. I know from experience because I got "in trouble" with this...kind of.

I had a company that wanted to give certain spokespeople a "per diem" as well as things such as speaking fees, etc. The amount of money wasn't particularly of interest to me (compared to the enormous amount of paperwork that I would have to annually file with various entities) so I said "Hey, don't pay me at all, but take that amount of money and direct it to charitable foundation "xyz". They willingly agreed and we went down the road. The attorneys started delving into the matter however and this specific instance came up - because I'd still be a "volunteer" they couldn't tell me where to go or what to do or in any way appear to be the boss of me - because that would skirt employment rules. So, nobody got any money at all - me, the foundation, etc - and I simply went on my way doing these things for free. For example, this company flew me to New Orleans shortly after Katrina for a couple days to meet with local government, school officials, hospitals and deaf-education centers to help re-establish these things after the storm. They were able to pay for my airfare, car, hotel, etc and I was pretty self-directed while down there. It can be done though.
 
It sounds like that they were considering you an Independent Contractor and paying your expenses, and not directing your work (which employers can't do with Independent Contractors). That's how they got around it. http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/flsa/docs/contractors.asp

But, people who hold themselves out as Independent Contractors are also under increased scrutiny as states and local municipalities are after tax money--unemployment, business privilege tax, etc.

What I am saying with regard to volunteers is that, what ever was done in the past notwithstanding, it is getting more difficult to do in the future due to increased government scrutiny.

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/flsa/docs/volunteers.asp

As you can see, tThe Labor Department doesn't offer much guidance in distinguishing "employees" from "volunteers." It simply acknowledges a category of workers who donate their services, usually part time, for public service, religious or humanitarian objectives.

The courts have strictly limited for-profit employers' use of volunteers. Virtually all employers have to pay at least the minimum wage to individuals whom the employer "permits to work." Even people who have absolutely no expectation of payment could be considered employees under the FLSA and state law if they perform "work." That is similiar to the sitiuation exemplified in the previous post.

If a volunteer is deemed an employee, he can't perform the same type of services he normally performs for the employer. For example, an administrative assistant can't volunteer her time to do clerical work for the company, but she can volunteer in a homeless shelter supported by her employer.

Additionally, a company's volunteer work can't replace or block employment opportunities for others and has to be provided without pay, promise of future employment or any other "tangible benefit." For example, if a spouse volunteers in a for-profit health facility in exchange for a waiver of her husband's medical fees, the spouse is not considered a volunteer. Instead, she is an employee and must be paid at least minimum wage.
 
HRDiva said:
Additionally, a company's volunteer work can't replace or block employment opportunities for others and has to be provided without pay, promise of future employment or any other "tangible benefit." For example, if a spouse volunteers in a for-profit health facility in exchange for a waiver of her husband's medical fees, the spouse is not considered a volunteer. Instead, she is an employee and must be paid at least minimum wage.
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Almost all of the for-profit trade shows I've been involved with (quite a few) charge just about everyone involved (speakers, presenters, exhibitors, etc). The only entities getting paid are probably the security guards/caterers/janitors). I doubt any of those groups assist at all with the organization of the events.

The exhibitors and presenters, even though we are typically paying to be there, are also frequently involved with the preparation and planning for these types of events. Sometimes speakers get paid (fairly rare), while the vast majority get a free event pass to give their presentation. The bigger names (like the CEO of my employer) may pay huge sums of money to give a keynote, millions of dollars in some cases.

I would be very surprised if the IRS went after commercial pilots for organizing a commercial pilot conference on their own time. It would make about as much sense as going after lawyers for volunteering their time with the bar association, or engineers with the IEEE (we definitely do not get paid for planning those events - though we often had corporate sponsorships).

But anyway, anything you need - let me know. Happy to help.
 
Of course trade shows charge exhibitors. That's how they make money! But the exhibitors don't work the conference except for themselves. Lawyers volunteer for the ABA because it is a non-profit organization. So is the IEEE.
 
HRDiva said:
Of course trade shows charge exhibitors. That's how they make money! But the exhibitors don't work the conference except for themselves. Lawyers volunteer for the ABA because it is a non-profit organization. So is the IEEE.
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Even then, for profit entities can certainly use their member's time for free. I don't remember my Yacht Club or my Country Club ever offering to pay me (both are obviously for-profits). As members, we do plan events, recruit other members, and the like. We also pay employees to run the kitchen, pour drinks and take care of the grounds. These "for-profit" clubs are always bugging you to volunteer for one committee or another, and a good chunk of the membership are lawyers and judges. Seems kosher to me.
 
Most clubs are organized as either unincorporated associations or non-profits. They can have employees and volunteers. But, if an organization is an LLC or corporation, they cannot have volunteers.

I don't fly airplanes, so I don't give advice on flying airplanes.

I do work in HR at the most senior level for my organization and teach HR at the university level. I know my laws, trends and best practices--because I teach my students to do that as well!
 
Don't give up yet, HRDiva:

How is it legal that flight crews work for free on a daily basis?

I have a trip that starts at 6:00 AM. That means the flight leaves at 6:45.... I start accruing per diem starting at 6.... I have to preflight, look at weather, put load numbers into the computer, etc...

at 6:45, we "block out" and I start my "clock". Up until then, I am not on the clock (I'm working for free, or for $1.40/hr per diem)....

how is this legal???
 
cencal83406 said:
Don't give up yet, HRDiva:

How is it legal that flight crews work for free on a daily basis?

I have a trip that starts at 6:00 AM. That means the flight leaves at 6:45.... I start accruing per diem starting at 6.... I have to preflight, look at weather, put load numbers into the computer, etc...

at 6:45, we "block out" and I start my "clock". Up until then, I am not on the clock (I'm working for free, or for $1.40/hr per diem)....

how is this legal???
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If you have a union contract it's all legal.
 
Bumblebee said:
no need to give up, or feel that way...we are going to investigate how to get what we need done legally and that is thanks to you for bringing it up!
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Great! I just don't want a lot of well intentioned posts to get Kristie and Doug in trouble.
 
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