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Stamp clubs avoid it; state and federal bureaucrats thrive on it. I'm speaking of the red tape that invariably creeps in at one point or another to suppress a club activity.

One major piece of that red tape can be eliminated by ensuring that your bylaws include a dissolution statement, a policy for the dispersal of club assets in the event of disbandment.

It can be simple. Here's how it appears in the WFSC bylaws, which typifies the minimum wording for non-profit organizations, including local stamp clubs:

"Upon dissolution of the WFSC, the officers thereof, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the WFSC shall dispose of all of the assets of the WFSC exclusively for the purposes of a philatelic or other organization organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes which shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the I.R.C. [Internal Revenue Code] or corresponding section of any future federal tax code."

In essence, this statement assures that no individual or for-profit organization will receive assets accumulated through non-profit club endeavors.

While you're at those bylaws, spell out the minimum slate of officers required to continue as an organization. Too often, no one will step forward to serve as president at the time of elections. The obvious is to simply go on without a specified leader. The situation becomes the norm and is never resolved. Before long, that dissolution policy becomes essential, not for pursuing a club activity but to actually close the books.

Although inconceivable, there truly are times when an inadequate or token leader is better than no leader at all!