[pct-l] "Business"

[Jackie McDonnell]

GoalTech/Mike -

Are the Trail Angels operating a business?  Probably, but I'm not sure.  In
my opinion, the Trail Angel situation is very similar to Ned's with two
obvious exceptions:

(1)  To my knowledge, the PCT Trail Angels do NOT have a sign in their
homes nor any mention on the web about a "suggested donation" amount.  The
recommended Trail Angel donation in my book is my opinion only.

(2)  Ned requires his clients/students to fill out an application, get
accepted into the program, then sign a Risk Awareness Statement and Release
of Liability Waiver.  Angels don't do this.  (Dang, I keep getting that
wrong........Ned said the people in his classes are "friends and
acquaintances", not clients/students.  My bad.)

Yogi
www.yogisbooks.com




On Fri, Jul 4, 2014 at 12:08 AM, Michael Irving <michaeljirving at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Yogi,
>
> I have a question that others on the list may be curious about too with all
> this talk about Ned's program and how he may be perceived as a business
> even though he only has suggested donations that are perhaps implied.  I
> know in your book that I bought from you, you talk about making sure to pay
> trail angels that we might choose to stay with and that you basically say
> the expected amount of this donation is $20 per night, per person. My
> understanding is that trail angels can't require payment or they would be
> burdened with requirements and regulations of being a business, even if
> they might have good intentions for their guests.  Certainly the risks are
> different, but I'm sure there are all kinds of potential health issues they
> have to watch out for with so many people congregating in one area.
>
> Is this pretty much the same situation legally that you have a problem with
> Ned's program?  It seems quite similar, but maybe I'm missing something.
>
> Thanks for your great book by the way...great resource for sure...worth
> every penny.
>
> GoalTech/Mike
>
> PS: Thanks to all you trail angels out there (including Yogi at Walker
> Pass). I'm not suggesting any perceived violations here, just wondering
> what the differences might be in these situations. (I understand that some
> trail angel's who can afford it, don't even want donations...amazing
> generosity for sure.)
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
>