Company law advice offered to groups

Strabane and District Community Network (SDCN) - funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) - is putting out the offer to the Directors of companies would you like to know more about their responsibilities.

Equally, they are seeking interested parties seeking to set up a company or get charitable status.

SDCN is now starting to support groups in rural Londonderry and Limavady and is keen to involve representatives from groups in these areas on its management board.

A spokesman explained: "SDCN invites all community and voluntary groups from the Strabane, Londonderry and Limavady areas to a workshop on becoming a Company Limited by Guarantee and seeking Charitable Status.

"The workshop will be facilitated by Phil Nicholls Associates and groups have the choice of attending one of two workshops.

"The first will be held on Tuesday 8th February 2011 in Eglinton Community Hall (40 Main Street), Eglinton from 2 – 4.30 pm.

"The other workshop will take place on Thursday 10th February 2011 in Sion Mills Community Association (2 Garden Road, Sion Mills) from 7.30 – 10 pm.

"The session is aimed at those groups who are considering changing over to become a company or setting up a company as a trading arm.

"The session will cover what's involved in changing from an association to a company; setting up a new project as a company and the type of company most appropriate for your project.

"The roles and powers of members and directors of a company will be discussion as well as decisions you may need to make about your company constitution and how to register your company," the spokesperson said.

Groups will also be offered advice on how to identify if their project is eligible for charitable status, what impact the new charity legislation is going to have and how you go about applying for charitable status.

The spokesperson said: "It will be a practical session giving detailed information on what options are available, what decisions you need to make, what documents and forms need to be supplied and what it will cost.

"There will also be an opportunity to ask questions concerning your own particular project. To reserve your place, contact Eileen or Nuala on 026 816 62588 or email [email protected].