Can someone find me a fairly SIMPLE outline for a non-profit that I
can follow with a mission statement, by-laws, how officers are
elected, how financial information is set-up, how officers are
elected, et al?  It does not have to be too detailed I am NOT applying
for non-profit in the US it is in Central America and I just want to
follow what they have done, an outline.  THANKS

The NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION National Organization has a
rather nice layout describing all the aspects of thier non-profit
organization, with a display of officers, bylaws, constituition and
trustees. It covers all the areas of your quetion rather well. You can
view it at:

http://www.getnet.com/~dickg/nmra/org/nmra_organization.html


The following is a list of example/bolierplate bylaws for non-profit
corpoartions in a couple of different US states.


Bylaws for generic non-profit corporation (Texas)
http://www.dpcacope.org/forms/bylaws.htm

California Public Benefit Corporation Boilerplate
http://www.ringnebula.com/Bylaws/Boilerplate_Bylaws.htm

GEORGIA FORMS - NON PROFIT CORPORATIONS
http://www.atl.mindspring.com/~wmo/nonprofi/checknon.htm

Example of Bylaws
http://www.atl.mindspring.com/~wmo/nonprofi/bylaws.htm

Example of ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
http://www.atl.mindspring.com/~wmo/nonprofi/articles.htm


Just in case you need more detailed information a good place to start
might be here

http://www.bizfilings.com/learning/nonprofitfaq.htm

I hope this answers your question and if you need more clarification
just let us know.

Thanks and have a great day

webadept-ga

I rated this a week ago but did it wrong!  GREAT answer, I used the
first web site provided, created an entire constitution and by-laws
based on the inforamtion provided in 1 day! I also had the answer in
about 30 minutes. Good work!

How-ga: 

By searching on "how to start a non profit" I was able to find these
resources that may be of help to you.

I would highly recommend Idealist.org -- they are an international non
profit resource center, and have materials in english and spanish.
http://www.idealist.org
This page has information on starting, running and funding a non
profit:
http://www.idealist.org/tools.html#SEC2

The Foundation Center has information on Starting a non-profit. 
http://fdncenter.org/learn/faqs/starting_nonprofit.html

About.com's "Starting a Non-Profit's" One Stop Answer Page -- Lots &
Lots of useful links and information.
http://nonprofit.about.com/library/weekly/blonestart.htm

National Council of Non-Profit Organizations:
http://www.ncna.org/

The Internet Non Proft Center has a very comprehensive list of FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions) Regarding the management of a non-profit.
Definitely worth looking at.
http://www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/

The Non-Profit Resource Center
http://not-for-profit.org/

Good luck!
firefly

You might find the non-profit books from Nolo Press (www.nolo.com) to
be of use. "How to Form a Non-Profit Corporation (National Edition)"
(2002, 5th edition) by Anthony Mancuso provides a step-by-step guide
to starting a non-profit. Included are bylaws and meeting minutes that
you can customize for your own use. The documents are also included on
a CD in electronic form. While this book only addresses U.S.
non-profit corporations, it could probably still be of use. For more
information on the book, visit
http://www.nolo.com/lawstore/products/product.cfm/objectID/5C6811EB-C2B2-414C-B126D98C0F5364B4.
The Nolo Web site also features a good deal of information on
non-profit corporations itself (see
http://www.nolo.com/lawcenter/index.cfm/catID/19B45DBF-E85F-4A3D-950E3E07E32851A7/subcatid/CE94A6B3-EFB6-4036-8498D5414328FD73/crumb/5DE04E60-45BB-4108-8D757E247F35B8AB).