This FAQ was created to answer some of the most common questions we receive about membership.

Additional questions can be sent through the Contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions About MWB Membership

Click a question to see the answer. Click the question again to hide the answer.

Am I a member of the Midwest Burners Association if I have joined the Midwest Burners Yahoo Group?
No. We have "restricted membership" for the Yahoo Group simply to keep out spambots. Anyone may join our Yahoo Group though. However, you must read the Articles of Association and fill out the online application form to be a member of this Association.
Can I join the group if I'm not from the midwestern United States?
Yes. Most of us are from the midwest but anyone is welcome to join, regardless of geographic location.
How is your organizational structure different from other Burner communities?
You will find the same Burner spirit and freedom in Midwest Burners as you do in all other Burner communities. We have just taken the extra step of formalizing our association. We value civic responsibility and want to be transparent with the government regarding our finances and tax obligations.

We needed to adopt a more formal structure so that government can understand us. Some Burner communities and the Burning Man Organization decided to form Limited Liability Companies in order to address this and other issues. We decided that our group is actually closer to a tax exempt 501(c)(7) Social and Recreational Association. The IRS agreed with us and granted us non-profit status in June 2006. This type of organization is basically about getting together to have a good time and all of the income is used to support this activity.

For more information on 501(c)(7) organizations and Federal law, please visit:
http://www.irs.gov/charities/nonprofits/index.html and
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p557/ch04.html#d0e8085

You can view a copy of the Midwest Burners Application For Exemption Recognition and IRS Exemption letter here.
Why do you have Articles Of Association?
The Articles of Association is the legal document that explains our organization and its purpose. A copy of the original signed Articles of Association are available for members and the public to view.

A scanned copy of the orginal signed Articles is contained within our Application for Exemption Recognition, which can be viewed here.
Are you a non-profit corporation?
We are a non-profit group given non-profit tax exempt status by the IRS under section 501(c)(7). However, we have not incorporated. Incorporation is something we could do at the state level to add more structure to our group and further limit our liability. We do not yet feel that this step is necessary.
Are donations to Midwest Burners tax deductible?
No. Donations to 501(c)(7) non-profit groups are not tax deductible.
What’s the deal with Limited Membership?
We want to get together with people who take the time to learn about our values and who hold them in common with us. The application for membership is simply your statement to this community that you accept our basic principles and desire to participate in our unique culture.

We feel that Limited Membership does not in any way conflict with Radical Inclusion. We welcome you to join our Association regardless of your race, gender, religion, sexual preference, social and financial status, political affiliations, geographic location, pre-existing connections or lack of connections with a MWB member.
Why do you allow guests at members-only events?
It’s natural for people to want to get their friends involved. Many of us got into Burner culture through friends. Sometimes friends are skeptical until they actually experience a Burn. It’s unrealistic to expect these reluctant friends to go through the MWB membership process. We allow guests so that members can show their friends what we’re all about.
Are members required to pay dues?
No. There are no dues. Our expenses come from our larger events. The admission fees to these events cover these expenses.
Why is InterFuse open only to members and their guests?
General Admission events that are open to the public have the disadvantage of being easily accessible to anyone who wanders by, looking for entertainment, without first learning about the community hosting the event or preparing enough supplies. We feel that making our annual Regional Burn, InterFuse, open only to members and their guests will help ensure that participants will be prepared for the event and dedicated to the Burner community.

Another reason InterFuse is members-and-guests only is to simplify our record keeping. In order to stay tax exempt, a 501(c)(7) Association must only get 15% of its income from non-members. Any income over this percentage is taxable. We find that streamlining our admissions process to stay well within the IRS exemption requirements works well with our desire to commune with like-minds.
Are all of your events members-and-guests only?
No. Normally the free informal get-togethers, art project parties, and outings that members organize are open to non-members too. These smaller events are another good way for anyone interested in our Association to be able to meet us and experience our community before they decide to apply for membership.

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