Looking for a great holiday gift?

Are you looking for holiday gift ideas for your favorite organist, or for your personal list to give to family and friends? The AGO store has lots of great ideas for you. You might want to try dropping a hint to your church or synagogue as well!

The best news: from now through December 23, AGO members can take advantage of significant discounts! The below information is from Headquarters. Happy shopping!

NEW YORK CITY-The American Guild of Organists (AGO) has discounted its entire catalog of educational resources by 20% for AGO members making purchases now through December 23, 2008. The AGO store offers many educational resources and specialty items that can make the perfect holiday gifts for professional colleagues, organ students, organ teachers, and other organ music lovers. Dozens of books, recordings, and items of apparel, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, and neckties, are offered.

Shopping for Guild gifts is easy. All merchandise can be ordered online or by contacting AGO store manager Harold Calhoun, 212-870-2311 (ext. 4318) or 800-AGO-5115. Additionally, orders can be placed via postal mail using the order form found on page 9 of each issue of The American Organist magazine. All orders totaling $30 or more will qualify for a free gift:
a CD recording of 2006 NYACOP winner Scott Montgomery.

A twelve-month subscription to The American Organist magazine makes a wonderful gift for the new year. Alternatively, a gift of membership for a student, colleague, or loved one will provide all the benefits of membership, including a subscription to TAO magazine. Orders for subscriptions and memberships can be placed online or by calling 212-870-2311 (ext. 7512).

For the organist, friend, teacher, or loved one who has everything, some may wish to consider a gift that keeps on giving: a contribution to the AGO Annual Fund, Endowment Fund, or New Organist Fund in their honor. The contribution will go to work immediately supporting the educational activities of the American Guild of Organists. All contributions to the AGO are 100% tax deductible to the fullest extent provided by law. Contributions can be made online or by calling 212-870-2311 (ext. 4308).

Important IRS Deadline November 15

This important reminder from James Thomashower, AGO's Executive Director, was sent by e-mail to all chapter Deans today, November 12, 2008. If you are a chapter Dean, it is essential that you complete this IRS requirement. If you are not a chapter Dean, offer your help to see that your chapter's tax-exempt status is secure! Thanks - Jan



We are writing to remind you that the deadline for filing the IRS Form 990-N is November 15th. If you or another officer of your chapter has not filled out the online e-Postcard, please do so now to protect your tax-exempt status with the IRS. The original e-mail sent to all AGO chapters earlier this year regarding this new requirement is copied below for your review. As always, don't hesitate to call us at AGO National Headquarters if you have questions. Please contact either one of the following staff members: Jennifer Madden, Director of Membership & Administration, at 212-870-2311, ext. 4304; Jin Kang, Manager of Membership, Graphic Artist, at 212-870-2311, ext. 7512.

NEW TAX FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR AGO CHAPTERS

IRS PUBLISHES FORM 990-N

Dear Chapter Deans and Other Officers:

As previously announced, the IRS has implemented a new reporting requirement for nonprofit organizations with gross receipts of less than $25,000. If your chapter falls within this parameter, it will need to file an annual electronic notice called Form 990-N. Form 990-N is an electronic postcard that is simple and easy to complete.

The due date for the e-Postcard is November 15, 2008. It will reflect the chapter's operations for the July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008 fiscal year. (The due date is technically the 15th day of the 5th month following the close of your fiscal year.)

INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE E-POSTCARD

• Chapter Name
• Chapter Mailing Address (If your chapter does not have a chapter mailbox, you can use your Dean's address)
• Chapter Website (if you have one)
• Chapter EIN Number (This is your Chapter's Tax Identification Number. If you do not know your chapter's EIN, National Headquarters staff will provide it to you over the phone.)
• Name of the Dean and his/her address
• Chapter's annual tax period (See above)
• Verification that your chapter's income is still normally $25,000 or less (You can do this by preparing the Chapter Income/Expense Statement Worksheet that is provided in the Chapter Management Handbook and online in the Chapter Management section here.

Please note that the IRS form will only be accessible online, so if you do not have access to the Internet, you will need to obtain it from a colleague or go to a local library to file the form. Chapters that fail to file will risk losing their tax-exempt status.

You should access this form and complete it after the close of your fiscal year.

You can learn more about the requirements at the IRS website.

If your chapter's gross income during the tax year is more than $25,000, you will need to file IRS Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax). Form 990-N will not replace this requirement.

Nominate your mentor for our Regional award!

At the upcoming Regional Convention - June 15-18, 2009, in Wichita, KS - we will have a chance to honor someone within the ten states as our 2009 Regional Honoree. Who has impacted your musical life? Who comes immediately to mind as the person who most exemplifies Guild's mission?

The AGO mission statement: "The purpose of the American Guild of Organists is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members."

We all have mentors who have inspired us to be active in our profession. These can be formal mentors - organ instructors, choral directors, etc., with whom we have interacted - or informal mentors - composers, performers, organ builders, etc., whose work has influenced ours but whom we have never had the pleasure of meeting face-to-face. Take this opportunity to nominate your mentor!

The nomination form is available, along with the most recent updates about the 2009 Regional Convention, on the convention website.

Act now - deadline for nominations is December 1, 2008.