How Do I Join the Bay Planning Coalition?
Visit our online membership application and download our dues guidelines. Review the membership categories and dues levels in the Sustaining and Sponsor range. Select your category and appropriate dues amount, fill out the application and write a check for the annual dues amount payable to the Bay Planning Coalition.
Please call the BPC office at 415-397-2293 to discuss your appropriate membership category and dues amount if needed. You should fill in the application and mail with your check after confirmation of the amount with the staff of the BPC. We can mail you an invoice if you wish.
What is your IRS non-profit designation under the IRS code?
The BPC is designated a 501c.4 non-profit public benefit corporation organized for social welfare and educational purposes.
Are membership dues to the BPC tax-deductible?
Membership dues are not tax-deductible as they would be for a 501c.3, charitable or religious organization. They may be deductible as an ordinary business expense as defined under the IRC.
Is the BPC a lobbying organization?
No, we are not defined or registered as a lobbying organization under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1993 or the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. We are not required to identify any part of your dues as lobbying activity expenses. If this were the case, then you or the BPC would have to pay a lobby tax.
How often does the membership get together?
How often do you have meetings?
The Board of Directors meets quarterly on the fourth Wednesday of the third month at the end of the fiscal quarter from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Port of Oakland. Members are welcome to attend these meetings in addition to Committee Meetings which are posted on our website. The BPC holds its Annual Decisionmakers Conference in the spring; the Annual Membership Meeting is held the second Thursday in December; member workshops and seminars are held from time to time.
My permit is held up in the permit review process.
What can you do to help?
The staff of the BPC can provide you with advice as to the appropriate agency personnel to contact and also assist you to develop a strategy for securing your permit. As part of this strategy, if you need technical advice (e.g. engineering, environmental, legal, planning, construction, habitat restoration design), we refer you to our roster of professional service consultants. In addition, the BPC has a complete library with the texts of regulations, laws and agency permit procedures and plans which are available for your review, and you may schedule an appointment to come in to the office.
