Thank you for your interest in your "local" Fraternal Order of Police.
What is the Fraternal Order of Police:
The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest organization of active and retired law Enforcement professionals in the United States with more than two thousand lodges and over 290,000 members. On a National level, the F.O.P. maintains an office in Washington DC on Capitol Hill, where a full time professional staff actively lobbies Congress and the Administration on the issues most important to rank and file law enforcement officers (like mandatory jail sentences for the habitual criminal, and stronger child and domestic abuse legislation). The National Legislative Program is the most active and comprehensive of any law enforcement organization in Washington. The local F.O.P. lodges are subordinate to the State Lodges, and the State Lodges are subordinate to the National Lodge. Together we are the F.O.P. and we are committed to improving working conditions, community involvement, and employee representation.
Who is F.O.P. Lodge #66
F.O.P. Lodge #66 is your "local" Charlotte County only Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, representing over 340 active and retired law enforcement officers, that live or work here in Charlotte County. Our active members are employed by law enforcement here in the County. We represent the members, not the departments, not as a tax deductible charity, but as a non profit professional organization. We here on the local level, support the projects and programs of our members, that tax dollars do not cover. The work performed by our members (here at the lodge, as well as on a State and National Level) is volunteer, done on off duty time, and paid for with our own money.
Why is there a need for a Lodge
The Fraternal Order of Police require a place to gather outside of the departments, to discuss and vote on issues to be tended to that are important to our members and community and that are not covered by our tax dollars. Besides our own issues to maintain: a blood bank, legal defense, survivor benefits and memorial services (for the beneficiaries of those officers killed in the line of duty), a scholarship fund, and the regular functions and expenses of the lodge itself on all levels; we support/supported many projects and programs throughout our community such as: hundreds of youth sports groups, the say no to drugs program and bumper stickers and educational information to parents, MADD, Girl Scouts of America, Law Enforcement Explorers, local K-9 units, and many others. The lodge membership pays for the cost of the lodge and its continued functions with their own money through their membership dues. All work here at the lodge is volunteered by our members.
Why is the F.O.P. in need of support through local fundraising efforts
All of the endeavors accomplished by the F.O.P. are either physically volunteered or paid for with membership dues income. In order to keep membership dues affordable enough to encourage membership, supplemental income is necessary. The members volunteer throughout the year on several small scale fundraising events which bring revenue to the lodge, as does the auxiliary F.O.P. But the bulk of our general income is obtained through our fundraising campaign which we operate full time all year. With this supplemental income we are able to attain our goals, and afford to give back to our community that has supported us, in return.
What does my contribution pay for
Your contribution to the F.O.P. Lodge #66 is paid directly to the lodge, and the proceeds of the fundraising campaign (after the costs of the campaign are paid for) are deposited into the general operating account. These funds are available to meet the needs of the lodge and the members in all their endeavors. Monthly meetings allow a chance for members to vote on what issues and organizations get tended to according to need and the budget.
Why is my contribution to Lodge #66 not tax deductible
Although the Fraternal Order of Police is a non-profit organization, there are several reason why your contribution to the F.O.P. lodge #66 is not tax deductible, the foremost being Federal Law. According to the IRS (in a nutshell) we do not meet the requirements to be a "charity", therefore we may not except "charitable gifts". Secondly, many of our members are active law Enforcement Officers and the anti-intimidation act of 1990 states that an officer may not except a cash gift from the public. Being a non-profit organization, we can however hold a fundraising event at which we give you something for your contribution, i.e.: the oldies rock and roll show tickets, and the booster member decals for our "say no to drugs" campaign. The profit (or difference between the cost of the item including getting it to you)
and your contribution for the item, is our support.
How much of my contribution goes to a telemarketing company
ZERO. WE DO NOT EMPLOY OUTSIDE TELEMARKETING COMPANIES
Your campaign contribution is given directly to us, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #66, and it is put into a special "campaign account" until all campaign bills are paid including rent, electric, phone bill, printers and postage, etc. Our callers are OUR employees and are associate members OF OUR LODGE, CALLING ON YOU FROM OUR LODGE.
How can I get a copy of the Lodge Financial Forms for last year
You can call us here at the lodge for a copy of last years financial information, or you can call the Florida Division of Consumer Services
toll free at 1-800-435-7532
We hope we have answered most of your questions, but if you would like to know more information please call us or better yet, come on down and say hello, we'd love to have you. We'll give you a tour of the lodge.
We are located in Charlotte Harbor. From 41, turn Eastward onto Harborview Rd., Cross Kings Hwy, Turn right onto Pinnacle,
Come to the dead end and turn left onto Harper Avenue. We are immediately on the left.
