Help!! Help me Mr or Ms Wizard!!!    This isn't exactly tech, but it does have to do with Music! Over 20 years ago, when laws were much less cumbersome, a traditional music society was organized in my area of Kansas. The main focus is teaching traditional music on traditional acoustic instruments, performing around town--usually for free, & a couple of annual events where we go camp out, have a retreat, or hire pros to give workshops--you get the picture. We are a small outfit! This year, when our treasurer went to change the signatures on the bank account due to new officers, she was informed that there has to be some kind of tax id number, or else someone would be required to put their social security number on it. She reluctantly used hers. We have 60-75 members annually, our dues are only $12 a year, and an annual budget under $2000. We are being told by Kansas that they don't know any way we could get a tax id # if we are not a regular business, and that we are required to incorporate (as a non-profit org if we are to accept donations) & get a Federal Tax ID number--going through the state as well as the feds. (Do I need to mention what I--a gal with ancestors who are/were rural dwelling persons in the hills--think of "them durn revenoors"?!!) We barely operate in the black, paying for the place where we meet, & activities & such. I know that there are lots of small organizations out there who do not go through the red tape & $500++++ to have an attorney do all the paperwork & filing & annual documentation, just to have a bank account!! Does anybody know how to get around having to do all this red tape to just have a small-time club bank account? Does every "Little Old Ladies Every Other Tuesday Tea & Crumpets Society" have to do this--I don't believe it! There are a couple of other organizations around whom we have asked, & some of us are members of some of the other clubs, but their people say either 1. "I dunno." or 2. "That's not my department" or 3. don't answer/return email/calls.   This is driving myself (I got railroaded into office!) & our board crazy!! Can somebody please help me, cause I think it would be easier to win the lottery or be struck by lightening!
             Thanks!!
                Kaleea (whose head is soon to be under the water, while she holds up 3 fingers!)