I kinda like the national idea. We could make it a national non-profit organization with chapters in different cities accross the U.S.

I think it could work nationally very similarly to what you've described. There could be a core group for the national level, comprised of two members from each chapter - a primary and secondary (Pres and Treasurer of each chapter), so that there will be at least one person from each area to attend meetings that can address advisory and financial plans.

From a logistical point of view, there could be biannual meetings of the national board (via video conference or straight web conference, depending on availability of web cams of each member)... or if finances allow, perhaps an annual meeting in a central location where all attend in person. :-)

I don't think it would be more difficult setting up the corporation or the charter, mission statement, financial structure, etc. than it would be setting up one - just more detailed in structure. More challenging, certainly. It would require legal counsel and a CPA to go over the structure for compliance with state and national laws, but you would want to do that at a local level as well.

Grants would help with funding the annual events - I'd certainly have to check the legalities, but I believe that most expenses would be covered. In any case, the travel and hotel expenses for a meeting would be something that would be written off in the taxes! ;-) Now we would just have to figure out how many Hurricanes per person can be considered a business expense... LOL

I think it's important to make a national organization a very flexible one - each local group will have their own ideas for how they wish to run their events, based on what works best for their area, local contacts for other types of dancers, etc. As long as the final goals are the same, i.e., representing dance in a positive way in order to do the most good for the cause being supported, and to work together to achieve that end... I believe it would be a success.

I think everyone learned a lot putting on these events (I know I did!), and we all have a lot to share with each other to make the future of the organization, in whatever form it takes, a very successful one.