Number 1: I hope that everyone realizes that the competition is only working as long as there are no financial rewards for the fastest sailors. Prizes have to remain "random" instead of performance based. As soon as you start giving prizes for first place, there is a huge incentive for someone to modify their gps files, which is entirely possible while there are no observers.
Number 2: I am beginning to believe that an annual fee (in the $5 to $20 range) should be paid for participating in the competition. Perhaps participants could get a copy of Realspeed or something as part of that (I am sure the developers wouldn't mind the steady revenue stream.) Taking away the "free" element will be good in the long run, especially if the concept takes off. If you want to be really forward-looking, make the fee payable in Euros!
Dylan.
Doesn't hurt to remind ourselves as Dylan has just done, every now and then. 
)
(yep its mostly left up to Hardie, but then again level headed patient chaps like him and Nebs is what got it all working in the first place
)
On the topic of donations, I went into the bank to try to set up an account, and was told that it needed to be a bona fide business before I could do that!
A business makes money... and all I want is for the GTC to cover costs for things like medals, postage etc.
It looks dodgy if I give out my own personal bank account details for donations, so what's the right thing to do here? 
Set it up like a rec club, make Hardie or Nebs president and the other secretary.
Make the bank acc the GTC Rec Club or something, and you guys sign the checks etc
Every year on presentation day, we vote you back in, easy I think
I think firie is on the right track, but as a sporting club/association, you still need things like constitution, and elected officials to set up a bank account.
Me. I'd be happy with Nebs looking after the challenge piggy bank.
There's not going to be thousands of dollars involved.
But if you guys are uncomfortable with the amount of cash involved, and starting a GTC account is too hard, then how hard is it for you guys to start a joint account?
After all it's only you guys wanting to draw from it.
On the subject of money raising, does this mean that now windwarrior is in charge of the tea shirts you'll no longer be able to make money from them??????
Paypal works really well. I use that for lots of money transfering (ebay etc.) and it's VERY easy to use and set up. Then you can just transer the money you need to your bank account to withdraw when you need medals, trophies and what not.
Bubs
Rec Club works.See your local credit union or Bendigo Bank for advice.They will try to help I am sure.
Paypal sucks,spam & scam emails etc.Direct transfers cheapest and best.
I have no idea how to structure the fee/donation but it will surely be supported whatever form you decide on.We all realise there are costs incurred running the GPS Team Challenge and have to carry the costs equally.
Benny.
I'm surprised there isn't an accountant or lawyer among us who could give us some advice (dont be ashamed you can always use a PM).
All sporting clubs do it so there must be a simple structure that lets you keep the money seperate. Perhaps it needs a constitution etc... and meetings.
Don't know about all the legal requirements of the club, but you would need a constitution with aims and voting rights etc, register the club name and constitution etc. As such you would want to keep the ownership of the concept and software etc separate and legally peppercorned into the club on a yearly basis. Also Insurance is an issue (as could be now) with committee members (there it goes the committee bureaucracy thing) and I suppose you have had the waiver/indemnity clauses in the registration vetted by a shark. The paperchase begins. Here's a link to the WA government Sports site on setting up a club.
www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/sport-and-recreation
PS: Or just do as Choco suggests below - lol 
- but you may still want to look at the ownership/lease thingy, just in case things go awry - then you could always bring it back into line
Here's my 2 cents worth.
Don't set up a club or an association as it may lead to liability etc.
Nebs set's up a register of donations and expenses on the site, he or Hardie then have cash paid into a personal account via bank transfer.
The account should be seperate from whoevers peronal bank account, and by simply making the bank statement available on request, even the most most ardent auditor would be happy.
That way it's all 'Open and accountable'
Keep up the good work guys
I had a look at registering a business name today, seem to remember it was free to get an ACN when I set up my own business, but had to pay to get an ABN. Maybe my memory has faded or something, it looks like it's all state-based so you have to register in the state you live in, and it costs no matter what you choose
Thanks for the support and ideas guys, they are much appreciated.
A long time ago when my mates and I started making surfboards together, we registered as a partnership, not a business.
Can't remember the details now, but I'm fairly sure it removed a lot of complications.
Might be worth investigating
