Description of U.S. and Projects List

Answering Our Critics
The Social Contract Press

Description of U.S.

U.S. is a publicly supported 501(c)(3) "umbrella" foundation with very broad charitable and educational purposes. We undertake a variety of projects related to the conservation of natural resources, population, immigration and language policy, promoting national unity, encouraging the study of foreign languages, and such things as the sponsorship of the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions program in our area.

These related projects are collected in this single tax deductible entity for greater administrative efficiency. The Internal Revenue Service permits this arrangement, which allows filing just a single unified annual report rather than filing for each separate effort; applying for only one state license to solicit funds and to be exempt from state taxation, etc. Our small highly experienced central staff administers the business aspects for all projects, rather than each having its own unshared staff, facilities, and overhead. All project employees are on the central payroll of U.S., enabling us to offer health, disability and retirement plans at prices not available to individual projects with smaller numbers of employees.

Each constituent project has its own board and runs its own affairs within the overall supervision of the U.S. board. Projects receive contributions and disburse funds in their own name. Work done by the central staff on behalf of each project is billed to it on an hourly basis at actual cost. We utilize "fund accounting" to keep track of all this activity, and have a full audit each year.

U.S. was incorporated in 1981, founded by me as an antidote to some of the institutional frustrations encountered in thirty plus years of service in the non profit sector. Questions about its structure and projects are welcome.

John H. Tanton, M.D.
Chairman

U.S. Projects List

U.S.ENGLISH - 1983 - June 30, 1988
Our biggest program to date, this national organization was started as a project of U.S., and chose to become independent after five and one-half years.
Raptor Research - 1983-1990
Provided support for the fieldwork of ornithologist Sergej Postupalsky on the great birds of prey in the upper Great lakes region: eagles, hawks, owls, and ospreys.
PROWILD - 1984-1997
A program that promoted the ranching of native animals in East Africa and the dry land parts of the United States, as an alternative to cattle ranching.
Recycle North - 1984-1997
This was a local citizen's recycling program for this portion of Michigan. We were a State of Michigan grantee.
Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions Series - 1985-Present
U.S. sponsors this annual series in our area.
Writers' Workshop - 1985-Present
A series of yearly meetings of writers, academics, politicians, and philanthropists to discuss population, resource, environmental, immigration, and language/assimilation policy questions.
21st Century Fund - 1986-Present
Funds raised specifically to provide support for the public interest work and projects of Richard Lamm, former Governor of Colorado.
American Alliance for Rights and Responsibilities (AARR) - 1987-January 1, 1990
The national organization of exploring the interrelationships between rights and their supporting responsibilities. AARR also chose to become independent after three years under our "umbrella."
Bringing Out the Best in Ourselves - 1987-Present
This is a series of small grants to local public and parochial schools to emphasize and encourage excellence.
Foreign Language Study Groups - 1987-Present
U.S. sponsors study/discussion groups for those wishing to learn or polish their German or French language skills.
Alcohol and Drug Awareness Hour - 1987-2000
A series of public lectures and other programs designed to highlight local drug and alcohol problems.
Donor Directed Fund - 1987-1994
A program authorized by private letter by the IRS to encourage and facilitate philanthropic giving.
Growth and Development Forum - 1988-1994
A public forum and newsletter for the study and debate of growth and development questions confronting the local community.
Citizens Against Road Salts (CARS) - 1989-1991
Explored and encouraged the use of alternatives to salt use during the winter to protect the environment and prolong car life.
The Social Contract and THE SOCIAL CONTRACT PRESS - 1990-Present
The Social Contract publishes a journal of reprinted and original articles, speeches and other information dealing with population growth, immigration, language, and the rights and responsibilities of individuals within society. The PRESS seeks to publish items that would most appropriately come out under the Contract label, as well as pieces that have not been able to find an outlet elsewhere. In addition, it seeks to aid and promote new authors seeking to break into print for the first time.
The Emergency Committee on Puerto Rican Statehood and the Status of English in the United States - 1991
A group of citizens who were concerned about the serious implications of Puerto Rican statehood for national unity and cohesiveness. The Committee was formed to call attention to this immediate threat to national unity.
E Pluribus Unum - 1991-1993
Taking its name from our country's motto, E Pluribus Unum was a citizens' movement to counter the forces of divisiveness and separatism in American public life.
Robert Emmet Committee - 1990-1997
Petoskey is located in Emmet County, named after Irish patriot Robert Emmet, executed in 1803. This committee that bears his name sought to copy an existing statue of Emmet for display in our county. The committee, now separate from U.S., sponsors an essay contest on Emmet, the prize for which is a six-week summer scholarship at an Irish university.
ProEnglish nee English Language Advocates - 1993-Present
ELA is a national membership organization working to have English declared the official language of government of the United States, and opposing bilingualism in public schools and at the ballot box.
NumbersUSA.com - 1997-2001
NumbersUSA.com is built around the work of author Roy Beck. The project runs a website of the same name, coordinates lecture schedules, and produces videotapes, booklets, posters, ads and TV specials about the effects of current immigration numbers on the American people. The website offers the nation's most complete description of congressional actions that affect U.S. population growth through immigration. The Washington, D.C.-based staff promotes and distributes the products, and offers programs of support to writers of newspaper letters to the editors, to local speakers bureaus, and to the organization of grassroots groups.
The North Country Trail Association - Harbor Springs Chapter - 1999-Present
U.S. provides the office support for the Harbor Springs Chapter of the North Country Trial Association. This includes list maintenance, preparation, and mailing of the periodic newsletters and announcements, and covering the cost thereof. The trail runs through our home county of Emmet.
The Conservation News Service - 1999-Present
U.S. provides the office support for the Conservation News Service, including the expenses for maintaining their e-mail and postal mailing lists, and preparation and mailing of its periodic bulletins. The Service is a voluntary effort of some of the senior conservationists in the state. Once a month, a news release on some conservation topic is provided to news outlets throughout the state. U.S. is represented on the Conservation News Service panel by its director, John Tanton, and board member, John Rohe.
Scenic Michigan - 2000-Present
U.S. board member, Mary Lou Tanton, helped establish the Michigan Chapter of Scenic America, an affiliate of Scenic America and served as its first president for five years. It is housed in the U.S. offices, where it can save expenses by sharing office overhead and equipment.
International Dark Sky Association - 2000-Present
U.S. board member, Mary Lou Tanton, is active in the Association's efforts to rationalize night lighting and help keep the nighttime skies dark to enable astronomical observations and for aesthetic reasons. U.S. supports this work financially.
Article IV, Section 4 Fund - 2000-Present
This section of the U.S. Constitution states:
Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against invasions; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
The goals of the effort are:
1. To educate the public and public servants as to the existence of this little-known provision of the U.S. Constitution that the latter are sworn to uphold.
2. Secure promises from public officials to, in fact, uphold the provision, and hold them accountable for their promises.
3. Come to the aid and defense, in the courts and elsewhere, of those who are harmed by insufficient enforcement of this provision.
Second Saturday Salon - 2000-Present
In existence in one form or another since the early 1970's, this monthly event draws together people who like to read for two hours of discussion. The first hour is spent discussing a book or two, and the second hour concentrates on some topic one of the group members has agreed to present, usually with background reading material having been sent out beforehand.
Eisenhower Legacy Project - 2001-Present
Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected President of the United States in the fall of 1952, so that event's 50th anniversary is fast approaching. Some of his colleagues and co-workers are still available, many of whom documentary producer George Colburn interviewed for his 1990s series on the General/President. This project is to recall the importance of that election, at the height of the "McCarthyism" frenzy, and to ponder the consequences of a "cold war" without "Ike" as president and commander-in-chief. Interviews with the surviving participants will highlight the program.
Outdoor Lighting Education Forum - 2001-Present
Outdoor Lighting Education Forum (O.L.E.F.) consists of 15-20 community members who have volunteered to work on outdoor lighting issues. The Emmet County Planning Commission, Signs and Lighting Committee convened the group. The O.L.E.F. statement of purpose is:
To research and disseminate information on good outdoor lighting practices, to promote the efficient use of lighting, offer safety to the public, improve community appearance and protect the night sky environment.
Community Reading Program - 2002-Present
Patterned on community reading projects in such places as New York and Chicago, the objective of this project is to build community, by having a common reading experience. A different book is selected each quarter, and reviewed in a public meeting at the end of the quarter. Lapel pins indicate participation in the program, hopefully promoting discussion. U.S. promotes this program financially.

Description of U.S. and Projects List

Answering Our CriticsThe Social Contract Press