1) Do we even really need 501c3? 501c3 is a means to an end. The benefit is that large institutions wont donate or grant to us without it. The downside is that it will cost several hundred dollars and is a PITA from a effort point of view. Smaller institutions can donate to us and get their donations tax exempted as long as they do, (and they can) argue that we are in spirit a non-profit. So we should only get 501c3, if we think other umbrellas aren't easier, and we see big donations coming in later.
1a) we need to determine the probability of getting such a donation from a large instituion in the next year
2) Incorporating. It's not enough to just file papers because in a pinch if we do not act and do all our board meeting officiating properly we could be dismissed as a farce of a incorporation.
3) changing the articles of incorporation has to happen in sacramento and is expensive and slow. it's easier to edit the by laws if possible.