Serving as a resource to help strengthen the ability of friends groups to better protect and enhance Massachusetts’ forests and parks since 2007. |
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Last Update: 1/15/2011
Welcome to the Friends Network Resource Library
The material shared on this page is intended to help friends groups, non profits and individuals start, manage and grow a friends group. The information is provided as a courtesy and is not a substitute for legal counsel. The Friends Network does not guarantee the accuracy of the material nor does it accept responsibility for incorrect information (we are volunteers after all). However, friends groups have used the information successfully. We invite friends groups to post information of value to others. Please contact us to report errors or to post helpful information at friend@networkingfriends.net.
If you are thinking about starting a friends group or have any questions regarding friends groups, feel free to contact us at friend@networkingfriends.net. You should also talk to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) park staff and the DCR Partnerships Director Conrad Crawford.
Conrad R. Crawford
Director of Partnerships
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway Street, 9th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Email: conrad.crawford@state.ma.us
Phone: 617-626-4964Please visit the Friends Network Historical Resources Page for information on what you can do to preserve historical sites in your forest or park.
On This Page
Materials developed by friends groups to share with other friends groups
Help for Becoming a Non Profit 501(c)(3)
Where is Our Liability Insurance?
MA Liability Law - An Act Relative to Volunteers at State Parks
Liability Waiver Forms (unofficial—but used by friends groups in the hope that the forms will afford some protection)
Citizens Campaign to End Illegal Off-road Vehicle Destruction of Parklands
Historic Resources in Friends Group Forests and Parks (and how to preserve them)
Helpful links
The Massachusetts Park Watch Program
Historic Landscape Preservation Initiative
"Iron Ranger" Donation Containers
Mass Wildlife Speakers, Information and Calendar and More
Massachusetts Land Trusts and Conservation Partners
The Trust for Public Land Park Equity and Public Health Toolkit
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Materials developed by friends groups to share with other friends groups
Help for Becoming a Non Profit 501(c)(3)
It is not necessary to register as a non profit to be a friends group. If your effort will be quite local and small, consider forming an unincorporated association or club -- have meetings and activities but skip the reporting requirements (an option for groups with annual budgets under $25,000). The best reason for becoming a non profit is LIABILITY.
A private nonprofit is a state corporation that is incorporated through a simple form through your Secretary of State's office. When your agency becomes a state private nonprofit corporation, you can then apply for a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit through the IRS. Once certified through the IRS, any donations to your charitable organization are tax deductible. Most foundations prefer to give to 501(c)(3) IRS certified private non profits. Reasons to become a non profit:
For volunteer groups or charitable trusts, incorporation provides helpful protection against liability.
Having a 501(c)(3) designation allows donors a tax deduction, which may very will increase the amount of donations your affiliate receives.
Many grants and other funding sources require that the organization have a non-profit status as part of the grant criteria.
Being a non-profit will increase the legitimacy and sustainability of your affiliate.
Good sites for information about becoming a non profit organization
Initial Filings for Massachusetts Nonprofit
How Do We Form a Nonprofit Organization? Forming a Nonprofit Organization: A Checklist
Steps for Forming a Non Profit
1. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
2. Register with the state of MA. You will have to write Articles of Incorporation (examples below).
3. Obtain 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status from the IRS
Examples of Articles of Incorporation
Sample Articles of Incorporation
Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Articles of Incorporation
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Where is our Liability Insurance?
In November 2007 Governor Patrick signed into law a bill that gives insurance coverage for friends groups when they hold events and conduct work parties. Friends groups are still waiting for DCR to complete policy that will provide coverage for friends groups.
Law could clear way for parks' revival—Insurance costs impede efforts Peter J. Howe, The Boston Globe, December 4, 2007.
Liability Law - An Act Relative to Volunteers at State Parks
Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation uses these forms; 2nd side is like the first, with the line count continuing for hikes with larger #s of attendees.
Friends of Upton State Forest uses these forms:
More About Liability Release Forms
All friends groups should require liability waivers for their hikes and work parties. When your group conducts cosponsored hikes create a joint waiver so people only have to sign once. Add a disclaimer that includes the "property owner" which could be DCR or the town.
When participants are conditioned to sign forms there is seldom a problem. The waivers should include language that the participant is in physical condition to do the activity safely.
Include a registration period of 15 minutes to half hour before the start of every event and activity. If you advertise a hike starting at 1pm, tell participants that registration is at 12:45. Let people know in notices that a liability waiver will be required and include a disclaimer to wear appropriate clothing and shoes and to consider sunscreen, insect repellant and water.
When you start a hike, find a secure place to leave the clipboard so that anyone leaving the hike early signs out when they get back to the parking lot. Ask everyone to sign out. Then, if someone leaves the hike early you will know that they got back ok. Include a line on the sign in sheet for a description of participant's cars or license plates. If the car is still in the parking lot, you will know that you might have a problem. The form should have contact information too. if necessary, you will be able to make a couple of phone calls to make sure participants are ok. Extra care in the beginning is worth the peace of mind it will provide group leaders!
After the hike, share a copy with the other organization with which you have partnered. An added benefit of registration forms is that you end up with contact info. Ask participants if they'd like to have notices of future events, etc: Sometimes you end up with new members that way!
Keep registration forms/waivers simple and short. Make sure each sign up page includes the full text. That way someone wont' be able to say that they didn't see or read it.
For minors, require a parental or legal guardian signature. If you hold an event with Scouts or other young people, give the leaders the waiver in advance. Let them know that they will need a parent's signature for every child who attends.
It's always best if a friends group can partner with DCR when holding events. Partnering with DCR gives a friends group more protection. However, In today's climate, with all the budget cuts that limit how much DCR staff can do, friends groups can provide controlled learning experiences in a fairly safe manner. Many people feel more comfortable hiking with others and would not get out on their own, so it's a win win situation for everyone when friends groups can help fill the gap!
There are situations where a friends group, as with any other group, will have to ask DCR for a special use permit. Certain activities carry a considerable inherent risk and DCR should not be expected to assume that risk if it is outside the scope of what would be normal use of the particular park. Most of the time friends groups are organizing activities that are considered normal use in a park. There are certain events with carnival type equipment (moonwalks) and climbing walls, providing food, etc., that require special permits. View 2010 DCR Special Use Permit Application.
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FUSF Membership Form
Friends of Upton State Forest membership form has several categories and usually a discount for joining after August 1 for that membership year. Starting Oct 1 through our Jan meeting we offer discounts for renewals also. That gives incentives to get people started and to renew. Having the different categories has worked very well for us. Associate gets no voting privilege or discounts, just the newsletter.Let us know if you have a resource to share.
Helpful links
Links to citizen groups who care about watershed protection for the state's rivers and streams.
Everything you need to know to start or run a friends group can be found in the National Park Service Handbook, Making Friends: An Introduction to Building National Park Service Friends Groups. Simply substitute "State" for "National" and "DCR" for "NPS" and you will find this handbook most relevant. Visit the NPS Partnership web site for more information on Friends Groups.
Massachusetts Park Watch Program
Park Watch is a new statewide program designed by DCR Rangers to help protect forests and parks. Volunteers undergo training for personal safety and learn who best to contact to report suspicious activity. Friends groups working with the Park Watch are hopeful that the program will help curtail illegal and unwanted activity in our forests and parks.The Keystone Project
Invests education and reference materials in Keystone Cooperators, who transfer conservation and land management information and ideas to landowners and decision-makers. The 3-day Keystone training focuses on forest ecology and management, wildlife management and land conservation. In addition to the intensive weekend training, participants are also given a significant amount of take-home resources. Room and board are covered with the exception of a modest registration fee. After becoming a Keystone Cooperator, UMass Extension continues to support graduates of the program through Keystone Reunions and Refresher Courses.
DCR Seeks Artists to Paint "Iron Ranger" Donation Containers
Iron rangers are metal cylinders used to collect donations in 98 state properties. DCR offers artists the chance to have their artwork displayed in their favorite park. Painting the iron rangers helps generate funds designated to benefit that particular park. Please see Press Release for details. Visit Iron Rangers Across the Commonwealth for a list of parks that need iron rangers painted. If you missed the submission deadline it is time to plan for 2011! The DCR site needs updating. Call Sharon Hoey, Trusts Development Manager, Department of Conservation and Recreation at 617-626-1267, for the latest on painting iron rangers.
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (Mass Wildlife) is a good resource for information and speakers on topics having to do with wildlife and recreation. Subscribe to Mass Wildlife News, a free electronic monthly newsletter updating you on research, events, new laws and other agency activities. All you need to do is send an email to: Join-MassWildlife.news@listserv.state.ma.us.
Mass Wildlife serves you from the following offices:
Western District, Pittsfield 413/447-9789; Connecticut Valley District, Belchertown 413/323-7632; Central District, W. Boylston 508/835-3607; Northeast District, Acton 978/263-4347; Southeast District, Bourne 508/759-3406; Mass Wildlife Field Headquarters, Westborough 508/389-6300.Natural Community Fact Sheets— Excellent fact sheets about natural communities in Massachusetts.
Mass Wildlife Calendar of Events
WMA Wildlife Management Areas run similar to the State Forests. Hunting and family visits with dogs on leash are allowed. This is managed by Mass WildLife. You'll find Fall River has 2 sites, Holyoke has a new listing. Wildlife Management Area Maps.
A map with all the resources in the State. (click on outdoor recreation map) Maps & Atlases: Mass Wildlife Recreation Maps
Here is a list of Rare Species habitat lands, and water resources available.Mass Wildlife Natural Heritage GIS Resources
General Laws of MA—Here's how to find any state law on the Web. Go to General Laws of Massachusetts. Look for the chapter you want: Chapter 21 for Stewardship Council, Chapter 131 for Fish & Wildlife, Chapter 132 for State Forests, Chapter 132A for State parks and Chapter 92 Section 33 plus for Urban parks (former MDC). You can cut-and-paste and print anything you need.
Massachusetts Land Trusts and Conservation Partners Alphabetized List by Town.
The land trust groups work with lands that aren't in the state forest & park system and tend to be more restrictive in what activities users are allowed to do. (e.g. similar to Mass Audubon lands which forbid hunting on their properties, or, dogs may not be allowed in some cases).
Here's their map
The Trust for Public Land Park Equity and Public Health Toolkit.
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