Fighting Institutional Violence
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:10:56 +0000
This article was written by Geoff Schoos, President and Founder of RICLAPP.  It appeared on August 19, 2010 in his column in the Cranston Herald. Open Letter to William J. Clegg III, Elizabeth Dennigan, Michael J. Gardiner, Ernest A. Greco, James R. Langevin, Donald F. Robbio, and Mark S. Zaccaria. Two weeks ago, I wrote a column [...]

Do Not Get Fooled Again
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:35:29 +0000
This article was written by Geoff Schoos, President and Founder of RICLAPP.  It appeared on July 29, 2010 in his column in the Cranston Herald. “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.” - Won’t Get Fooled Again by The Who.   For those of us who like geezer rock (and let’s be honest: who doesn’t?) [...]

Federal Judge Rules California Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional
Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:58:17 +0000
This post was researched and written by Karen Taylor, Volunteer Paralegal  On August 4, 2010, Chief U.S District Judge Vaughn Walker issued a ruling in federal court that California’s Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.  Proposition 8 is the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.  The case is expected to be appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of [...]

Small Business Development Program

Every year thousands of new business entities (for-profit and non-profit) register with the Corporations Division of the Rhode Island Secretary of State. Since there are so many ways to organize a business, each with various legal consequences, RICLAPP has a program specifically designed to meet the needs of establishing and developing for-profit and non-profit small businesses. In 2009 RICLAPP launched its small business development program to target aspiring entrepreneurs, establish new businesses, and develop existing businesses.

Non-Profit Organization Services

There are numerous non-profit entities in Rhode Island. Some are large and have attorneys on their boards of directors. However, many are small and have no access to legal services unless they are able to afford to pay an attorney, or if the attorney is able to donate her/his services. RICLAPP is able to provide a stable accessible legal resource to small non-profit entities that can assist with a variety of governance and legal issues that confront many of these entities. Such services include, governance issues (e.g. By-law development, conflict of interest policies, etc.), leases, employment issues.

For-Profit Small Business Services

Since there are so many ways to organize a business, each with various legal consequences, RICLAPP's goal is to assist in their formation by providing guidance as to the appropriate business organization (e.g. corporation, LLC, PC, etc.), the drafting of Articles of Operation, By-laws and agreements, assisting in various licensing procedures, and the development and implementation of employment policies, practices and procedures.

Taking Care of Business

We believe in encouraging new business development. In order to do this, RICLAPP provides opportunities for aspiring small business owners to learn and create solid foundations for their businesses. In partnership with organizations such as Webster Bank, the Central RI Chamber of Commerce, Slocum Insurance, and Kara Abrams Consultants, RICLAPP conducts FREE open informational seminars for small businesses. This includes information geared toward non-profit and for-profit organizations. Topics include, but are not limited to, business planning, fund development, employment policies, governence issues, insurance needs, investments, bank accounts, and more. 

Click Here to Read About Taking Care of Business in the Providence Business News!

Taking Care of Business Series Dates:

September 24, 2009 - Thank you for making our first event a success!

November 16, 2009 - Thank you for making our second event a great event!

February 24, 2010 - Thank you to Webster Bank, Central RI Chamber of Commerce and Kara Abrams Consultants for making this our most successful event yet! Check out our photos below!

May 11, 2010 - Webster Bank: 2100 Warwick Avenue Warwick, RI 02889

Testimonial:

As co-founders of Dress for Success Rhode Island we found the Taking Care Of Business seminar very informative and helpful in many ways. The speakers that were there gave us some helpful tips and enlightened us on topics that we will be sure to need in our new non-profit endeaver. It was also a great networking oppportunity, and we met with people that share in the same passions that we do. Not only did we meet with wonderful people but we met with people that we feel very comfortable with and we will be in good hands working with in the future.

- Peggy Porter and Melissan Finnigan, Co-Founders of Dress for Success Rhode Island

Taking Care of Business Event: February 24, 2010

Geoff speaking to the group.              Geoff and Kathryn at the                  Kara Abrams mingling with

                                                               RICLAPP table.                                the crowd.

Fees

Non-profit and for-profit organizations have two options for fee payments.

     1. New and established for-profit and non-profit organizations can make fee payments on a project by project basis. 

     2. Established for-profit and non-profit organizations are eligible to sign up for a RICLAPP Annual Membership.

Project-By-Project Price List

Small Business Price List

Please click on the link below for a Small Business Membership Form:

Membership Form

Please click on the link below for a Non-Profit Organization Membership Form:

Membership Form

If your business would like to sign-up for a RICLAPP membership, please fill out the membership form and mail the membership payment and form back to RICLAPP. After we receive the membership form, we will contact you to confirm the start and end dates of the membership.