President Hayes immediately undertook the job of securing recognition. It was true that GRAC had an exempt certificate as a club, and while it appeared there might be a way in which this could be transferred, the process seemed more complicated then simply filing an application for recognition in our corporate status.

During that fall of 1978, with former President John Ham in the lead, a hectic timetable was being faced, and despite the efforts of all of those involved, it became apparent that our efforts to become a legal donee just could not be accomplished within the time that remained.

With the end of the year coming up, John Ham took the lead and set up a meeting with Dr. Maher, the donor, at the Herpolsheimer’s Tea Room in Grand Rapids. Present besides Dr. Maher were the following: John Will, Dr. Gebben, Kenneth T. Hayes and John Ham. On that date, November 1, 1978, Dr. Maher indicated that GRAC, Inc. had his preference as the recipient of the gift, and that he would be willing to allow the procedure of using Michigan Audubon as a “straw man” to accept the legal title in the calendar year 1978, which would give Dr. Maher and his wife the benefit of the tax write-off in that calendar year. The plan was that just as soon as GRAC, Inc. could acquire its own exempt organization status (501 C (3)) that they would accept a reconveyance from Michigan Audubon. This agreement was confirmed in writing by Dr. Maher on November 9, 1978.

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