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Grand Forks animal shelter nears reinstating good standing with state [Grand Forks Herald](Grand Forks Herald (ND) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 23--The Circle of Friends Humane Society in Grand Forks is one step closer to getting back its permit to solicit donations. The animal shelter's board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday night to allow Board President Kelly Hilzendager to sign an application that, if approved, would put the organization back in good standing. In North Dakota, charitable organizations wishing to solicit donations must submit annual paperwork into the secretary of state's office in order to be considered in good standing. The animal shelter's standing as a charitable organization able to legally solicit funds in the state lapsed after an annual report was not sent into the office. The organization legally could not solicit funds as of Sept. 1, according to a letter from the secretary of state's office. On the application, called a charitable organization registration statement, it notes "Executive Director terminated. She did not file necessary annual report." Former executive director Arlette Moen was fired by the board last month. Al Boucher, attorney for the shelter, noted once the paperwork is approved, the organization immediately can begin soliciting donations. "Theoretically, if we do this quick enough, it could go in the mail tonight, they could get it tomorrow and then you guys could be up and running by the weekend," Boucher said. "But I don't know." At a meeting earlier this month, Boucher noted the shelter had not violated the law and has not solicited donations since its registration was revoked. According to the application, the shelter received $146,789 in contributions from the public in 2013. ___ (c)2014 the Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.) Visit the Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.) at www.grandforksherald.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |