The Circle of Light
The Circle of Light, established by Amnesty International USA's Board of Directors in 1997, is a formal recognition society which honors the extraordinary generosity and commitment of individuals who have provided for AIUSA in their Will or trust.
Your commitment to Amnesty is important, and we invite you to strengthen that commitment by joining the Circle of Light. Your membership in the Circle of Light is a lasting investment in our important work, advancing Amnesty's mission and ensuring our ability to assist future generations in their struggle for human rights and human dignity.
Becoming a Member of The Circle of Light
You may qualify for membership in the Circle of Light by providing support for AIUSA in one or more of the following ways:
- Make a bequest to AIUSA through a Will or living trust.
- Name AIUSA as owner/beneficiary of a life insurance policy or as a beneficiary of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
- Name AIUSA as beneficiary of a charitable remainder trust or lead trust.
- Make an estate gift of tangible property; real estate; or a remainder interest in your personal residence.
To become a Circle of Light member, you should notify Amnesty regarding the nature of the bequest or gift plan you have made. Many members, once they have completed arrangements with their lawyer or financial planner, send a copy of the specific paragraph or section of their Will or trust document which specifies their commitment to Amnesty. Although this is not necessary, it can help ensure that your gift will be used as intended.
As a Circle of Light member, you will receive a special Circle of Light membership certificate and a gift-planning newsletter that is mailed three times a year and invitations to AIUSA events in your area. With your consent, your name will be listed as a Circle of Light member in AIUSA's Annual Report and in the Circle of Light Newsletter. If you wish, you may request to be an anonymous member.
When you list your name in these publications, you not only assist Amnesty with its long-range planning, but you also serve as an inspiration for other friends of Amnesty to join you in planning for Amnesty's future.
All information is maintained in the strictest confidence.
Circle of Light - Spring 2009
You can also download a PDF version here. (1,255K)Helen Garcia – Making a mark against violence
Planning to Protect Your Legacy
Certain Income in Uncertain Times
Freedom Writers Network
Planning to Protect Your Legacy
Certain Income in Uncertain Times
Freedom Writers Network
Helen Garcia accentuates the positive in life. For more than ten years, as a successful entrepreneur and personal coach, she has helped people to attain their goals through her business Peak to Peak Coaching and encouraged clients to fulfill their business and life passions. For even longer, as a friend and supporter of Amnesty International, she has been firmly committed to the defense of human rights around the world.
Helen's support for human rights and the work of Amnesty grew from first-hand experience. Years ago, she encountered violence against American citizens when she and other anti-war marchers in Berkeley were brutally attacked while local police stood by. She later experienced the violation of human rights close to home. Her son-in-law's father, a distinguished physician in Nicaragua, was murdered in front of his family by Somoza forces simply because he dared to treat patients without regard to their political views. In another instance, a friend's daughter and her husband-to-be were wrongfully incarcerated in Pakistan and held for over two years by authorities who extorted funds to maintain their prisoners.
Helen saw an opportunity to reaffirm her commitment against such acts when the time came to draw up her will. After providing for her son, daughter, and grandchildren, she named AIUSA a beneficiary of her estate. "As an elder myself, I included Amnesty in my will to make a mark against violence and toward a more peaceful world." While she has suffered losses in the current stock market, she knows that her future gift will make a difference. "Even moderate amounts will add up."
Helen hopes to soon remove the dog-eared sign that she has had in her front window urging the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention center. But she knows that vigilance and action to protect basic human freedoms cannot cease. Her bequest to Amnesty International will help ensure that our vital efforts to protect those freedoms will continue.
Helen's support for human rights and the work of Amnesty grew from first-hand experience. Years ago, she encountered violence against American citizens when she and other anti-war marchers in Berkeley were brutally attacked while local police stood by. She later experienced the violation of human rights close to home. Her son-in-law's father, a distinguished physician in Nicaragua, was murdered in front of his family by Somoza forces simply because he dared to treat patients without regard to their political views. In another instance, a friend's daughter and her husband-to-be were wrongfully incarcerated in Pakistan and held for over two years by authorities who extorted funds to maintain their prisoners.
Helen saw an opportunity to reaffirm her commitment against such acts when the time came to draw up her will. After providing for her son, daughter, and grandchildren, she named AIUSA a beneficiary of her estate. "As an elder myself, I included Amnesty in my will to make a mark against violence and toward a more peaceful world." While she has suffered losses in the current stock market, she knows that her future gift will make a difference. "Even moderate amounts will add up."
Helen hopes to soon remove the dog-eared sign that she has had in her front window urging the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention center. But she knows that vigilance and action to protect basic human freedoms cannot cease. Her bequest to Amnesty International will help ensure that our vital efforts to protect those freedoms will continue.
Planning to Protect Your Legacy
Q. Do I really need a will for my family's welfare?
A. Yes. A will allows you to provide specifically for family and loved ones. Without a will, the laws of your state determine how your assets are divided-regardless of the actual needs of your family or your personal priorities. Lack of a valid will could burden your family with unnecessary delays, expenses, and estate tax liabilities.
Q. If I already have a will, should I review it?
A. Yes. A will should be re-examined on a regular basis. Your will should respond to changes in the tax laws and major changes in your life-marriage, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, divorce or relocation. A current will allows you to distribute your estate according to your wishes and designate beneficiaries like AIUSA, reflecting your values and commitments.
Q. Could I make gifts through my will that would provide financial support for my family and support the work of Amnesty as well?
A. Yes. There are a number of gifts you could establish through your will that would achieve both goals. One option-a charitable remainder trust-would provide income to your loved ones and later help AIUSA. Another gift option-a charitable lead trust-would help support AIUSA for a number of years and then, upon termination, leave principal and appreciation to your loved ones.
Q. If I make a charitable gift during my lifetime, would I be taking money from my heirs?
A. Not necessarily For instance, if you establish a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust while you are alive, you can use the payments you receive to purchase a life insurance policy and establish an irrevocable life insurance trust, naming your heirs as beneficiaries. You would thus be able to "replace" assets for your heirs while furthering the worldwide human rights work of Amnesty
Q. In creating or updating my will, could I name AIUSA as a beneficiary in case something happens to a loved one?
A. Yes. AIUSA can be listed as a "contingent beneficiary" of any asset in the event that your primary beneficiary-a spouse, son, daughter, or other loved one-predeceases you. Assets could include an insurance policy, retirement plan, stocks, bonds, or real estate.
Q. Is there particular language I should use to put AIUSA in my will?
A. Yes. We recommend that you use the following language to name AIUSA a beneficiary of your will:
"I hereby give, devise, and bequeath the sum of $______ [or ____ percent of my residuary estate] to Amnesty International USA, currently located at 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001, Federal tax ID #52-0851555, for its general purposes."
Q. Is there someone to contact at AIUSA for more information about these types of gifts?
A. Yes. Jill Wasserman, Director of Planned Giving for Amnesty International USA, would be happy to answer any questions you have about the gift opportunities that Amnesty offers. You can call her at 1-888-368-9356, or email her at jwasserman@aiusa.org.
The questions above are, of course, only starting points in considering your financial security and that of your family. You should consult with your personal financial or legal advisor to make sure any plan you implement meets your individual situation and goals. However you proceed, now is the time to have a plan that protects you, your loved ones, and your legacy.
If you want to make a gift to Amnesty but need reliable income in these difficult economic times, you should consider a charitable gift annuity. This gift guarantees you a source of payments you cannot outlive, while furthering the lifesaving human rights work of Amnesty. The payment percentage you receive depends on your age and/or the age of another beneficiary. You will also receive a generous charitable income tax deduction for your gift.
Example:
Jane, a 74-year-old retired teacher, is a long-time supporter of the human rights work of AIUSA. She had wanted to make a gift of $10,000 to Amnesty, but she was concerned about giving up income in the current economic situation. From our newsletter last fall, she learned how she could afford to make her gift. By using $10,000 in cash to establish a charitable gift annuity with AIUSA, she was able to gain reliable payments for life and important tax advantages as well.
Cash Back
- She was assured an annual annuity payment at the rate of 6.1%, providing her with a total of $610 per year for the rest of her life.
- She chose to receive this total in four quarterly payments of $152.50 each.
- Part of her $610 annual annuity – $419.68 – is tax-free for 13.1 years.
- She also received an immediate income tax deduction of $4,499.60.
If you are skeptical about the power of the pen, consider the success of the Freedom Writers Network. Launched by Amnesty International USA in 1986, this initiative mobilized members to gain justice for victims of human rights abuse through focused letter writing campaigns. Since then, due in large part to the network's efforts, over 650 prisoners have been freed. Each month, the Freedom Writers Network identifies three different human rights victims. Members are encouraged to send letters based on sample correspondence provided by the network. The personal letters from caring members can bring about a prisoner's release, secure vital information, launch an investigation, or even save a life.
The letters can make a tremendous difference in the fate of individuals-individuals like Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu. Jenni and Magodonga are leaders of a women's human rights organization that has protested the worsening social, economic, and human rights situation in Zimbabwe. Members of the group have been repeatedly harassed, intimidated, beaten, and jailed by authorities in response to peaceful demonstrations.
Jenni and Magodonga were detained in deplorable prison conditions for nearly six weeks for staging a peaceful march. Only three months after their release the two women were re-arrested for leading a protest to demand access to much-needed food aid. The Freedom Writers Network responded to their situation, and the women were finally granted bail after 21 days. However, they continue to face pending charges.
Jenni and Magodonga are just two examples of why your support is so critical in our efforts to build a global human rights movement. For more information about AIUSA's Freedom Writers Network, and all of our other efforts that your generosity and commitment help make possible, please visit http://www.amnestyusa.org/freedomwriters.
The letters can make a tremendous difference in the fate of individuals-individuals like Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu. Jenni and Magodonga are leaders of a women's human rights organization that has protested the worsening social, economic, and human rights situation in Zimbabwe. Members of the group have been repeatedly harassed, intimidated, beaten, and jailed by authorities in response to peaceful demonstrations.
Jenni and Magodonga were detained in deplorable prison conditions for nearly six weeks for staging a peaceful march. Only three months after their release the two women were re-arrested for leading a protest to demand access to much-needed food aid. The Freedom Writers Network responded to their situation, and the women were finally granted bail after 21 days. However, they continue to face pending charges.
Jenni and Magodonga are just two examples of why your support is so critical in our efforts to build a global human rights movement. For more information about AIUSA's Freedom Writers Network, and all of our other efforts that your generosity and commitment help make possible, please visit http://www.amnestyusa.org/freedomwriters.
Recent issues of the Circle of Light Newsletter:
Circle of Light Fall 2008
Circle of Light Spring 2008
