1. Policy Statement
Family Promise of Puget Sound (FPOPS) operates under a single legal entity, officially registered as Family Promise of Pierce County. To effectively communicate our mission and reach a broader audience, the organization also utilizes the operational names “Family Promise of Puget Sound” and “getbed.org”. This policy clarifies that all three names refer to, and are legally synonymous with, the same single non-profit organization. Any and all activities, legal obligations, and responsibilities associated with “Family Promise of Pierce County,” “Family Promise of Puget Sound,” or “getbed.org” are those of the same legal entity.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all internal and external communications, legal documents, financial transactions, branding, fundraising materials, program operations, and any other activities conducted by or on behalf of Family Promise of Pierce County, Family Promise of Puget Sound, or getbed.org. This includes all staff, volunteers, board members, and external partners.
3. Guiding Principles
* Clarity and Consistency: Ensure clear and consistent understanding across all stakeholders that these names represent one unified organization.
* Legal Compliance: Maintain strict adherence to all legal requirements regarding organizational naming and registration.
* Brand Identity: Support effective communication and outreach through recognizable and distinct operational names.
* Transparency: Be transparent about the relationship between the legal and operational names.
4. Definitions
* Legal Entity Name: The official name under which the organization is legally registered with state and federal authorities (e.g., Secretary of State, IRS). For this organization, it is “Family Promise of Pierce County.”
* Operational Name: A name used for public-facing communications, branding, and program delivery that may differ from the legal entity name but represents the same organization. For this organization, these include “Family Promise of Puget Sound” and “getbed.org.”
* FPOPS: An abbreviation commonly used internally and externally to refer to the organization, encompassing all its legal and operational names.
* FPPC: An abbreviation for “Family Promise of Pierce County,” used interchangeably with the full legal entity name.
5. Usage Guidelines
* Legal Documents: All formal legal documents, contracts, official registrations, and financial accounts requiring the legal entity name must use “Family Promise of Pierce County.”
* Public Communications: For general public communications, marketing, website content, social media, and program descriptions, “Family Promise of Puget Sound” and “getbed.org” may be used interchangeably or in combination, as appropriate for the context and audience.
* Branding: Branding elements (logos, letterheads, signage) may feature “Family Promise of Puget Sound” or “getbed.org.” Where appropriate, a disclaimer or clear statement of legal entity may be included (e.g., “Family Promise of Puget Sound is a program of Family Promise of Pierce County”).
* Financial Transactions: While operational names may appear on fundraising materials, all checks, official receipts, and financial records requiring the legal name should refer to “Family Promise of Pierce County.” Donors should be encouraged to make checks payable to “Family Promise of Pierce County.”
* Internal Communications: Internally, staff and volunteers may use “FPOPS,” “Family Promise of Puget Sound,” “getbed.org,” or “FPPC” for daily operations, but should be aware of the official legal name for formal purposes.
6. Responsibilities
* CEO: Responsible for ensuring overall compliance with this policy and for approving the use of all organizational names in external communications and legal documents.
* Board of Directors: Responsible for approving the legal entity name and any significant changes to operational names, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and legal requirements.
* Program Directors and Staff: Responsible for understanding and adhering to the usage guidelines in their respective areas of work.
* Marketing and Communications Team: Responsible for developing and implementing consistent branding and messaging that clarifies the relationship between the legal and operational names.
* Finance Department: Responsible for ensuring all financial records and transactions accurately reflect the legal entity name where required.
7. Policy Review and Revision
This policy will be reviewed annually by the CEO and Board of Directors, or more frequently as needed, to ensure its continued relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with legal requirements and organizational strategy. Any revisions will be communicated to all relevant personnel.