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Category: Corporations

Corporations award nomination cycle now open

Corporations award nomination cycle now open

Do you know of a Washington corporation that’s doing great things in its community? Nominate them for a “Corporations for Communities” spring award now! Secretary Sam Reed started the Corporations for Commmunities program last year as a way to recognize exceptional local businesses making a difference around Washington. Winners receive a National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion – the state’s highest civics award. Last fall, KING 5 Television and Auburn’s Composite Solutions were picked from a statewide pool of…

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Mr. Reed visits the Legislature – twice

Mr. Reed visits the Legislature – twice

While Secretary Reed regularly meets with legislators to discuss proposals and issues impacting the Office of Secretary of State, it isn’t every day that he actually testifies before a legislative committee. This week, he had one of those days. The Secretary of State went before lawmakers not once, but twice, on a proposal to move the Combined Fund Drive, a popular workplace giving program, from the Department of Personnel (DOP) to our agency. Secretary Reed spoke before the House General Government…

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Watch out: Scam e-mails try to snatch Haiti donations

Watch out: Scam e-mails try to snatch Haiti donations

Yesterday our office warned you to be on guard against scammers as you donate to aid the horrific disaster in Haiti. Today, our IT department alerted us to the fact that spammers are already sending out scam e-mails requesting donations to send to Haiti – and these messages are convincing!   Here’s an example of the type of spam you may be getting in your inbox: The best practice, our Charities Manager tells us, is to donate directly to the charitable…

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Help Haitian victims by steering clear of scammers

Help Haitian victims by steering clear of scammers

A powerful earthquake in Haiti has prompted international leaders and aid organizations to urge the public to donate in the relief effort. Right now, you may feel compelled to help the families of thousands of victims there by making a donation. While the Charities program within the Secretary of State’s Office wants you to be generous, it also urges you to not let emotions cloud good judgment when it comes to donating your money.  Often, scammers use tragedies like these…

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Post R-71: Domestic partner registrations boom

Post R-71: Domestic partner registrations boom

In the months since Washington lawmakers expanded the state’s domestic partnership law, the popularity of the program has steadily risen, most notably in the past two months. Officials of the state domestic-partnership registry in the state Corporations and Charities Division say that since the Legislature created the registry three years ago, the average weekly sign-ups have between about 35 or 40.  The registry is for gay and lesbian couples who maintain a household together, and for heterosexual domestic partners where…

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Holiday Giving Tip No. 4

Holiday Giving Tip No. 4

Don’t let all those hot chocolates and candy canes cloud your good judgment! Today’s Holiday Giving Tip: Don’t pay cash and don’t give out your credit card number! Seriously! This may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes when people are in the giving spirit over the holidays, they tend to be trusting of organizations asking them to do some good for mankind. But throw reason and discernment out the door just because there are Santas everywhere!  Pay by check and…

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Holiday Giving Tip No. 3

Holiday Giving Tip No. 3

Today’s Holiday Giving Tip: Don’t be fooled by the name! Are you terrible with names? Well when you’re dealing with charities, you better tighten up!  Often, fraudulent groups will use a name that closely resembles a reputable, well-established charity. Other times, they might try using a very sympathetic name to pull at your heartstring.  The bottom line is: It doesn’t matter what the name of the charity is … you should always check to see if it’s registered and get…

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Holiday Giving Tip No. 2

Holiday Giving Tip No. 2

We’re in prime holly jolly time now, when you are likely being approached each time you’re at the shopping mall with people who ask you to give to a good cause. Our Charities Program wants to keep you from being snookered, and has come up with some easy tips to make sure your donations pack a punch. Today’s Holiday Giving Tip: Ask “What percentage does your organization spend on the charitable purpose”? Why do this? Let’s say a group says it is…

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Holiday Giving Tip No. 1

Holiday Giving Tip No. 1

Holiday Giving Tip No. 1: Know how to use the online Charities Search! It’s the holiday season, the peak time to get asked to donate money, and you’re not about to get swindled, right? To help you from becoming a victim of fraud or unscrupulous practices, we encourage people to check before they give. But what does that mean? And how do you do it? Here is a quick and easy 5 step process that takes a mere 2 minutes,…

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5 Questions with the Corporations Director

5 Questions with the Corporations Director

A new domestic partnership law goes into effect today. Pamela Floyd, Director for the agency’s Corporations and Charities Division, fills you in on how state domestic partnership registrations are impacted by the new law: Q.) Domestic partnerships are registered with your agency’s Corporation Division. Now that the law is in effect, does the process stay the same? The registration process stays the same. Domestic partnerships are still registered with our agency’s Corporations Division. Couples who want to register as domestic partnerships…

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