Scientology Missions International
Encyclopedia
Scientology Missions International (SMI) is a Californian
501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, which is located in Los Angeles
, California
. SMI is part of the Church of Scientology network.
While being a corporation, SMI is also a management entity, which is ecclesiastically integrated within the mother church of Scientology
, the Church of Scientology International
. SMI runs on a worldwide basis the so-called ""Scientology missions", which are beginner organizations within the Church of Scientology network. These "Missions" offer basic Dianetics and Scientology
services to Scientology members and to the general public. The official website of SMI states the following about "Scientology missions" and the functions of SMI:
In a 1993 memorandum
by the Church of Scientology International
, the following information was provided to the Internal Revenue Service
with regards to SMI's role, its personnel and its income:
on December 22, 1981 in Los Angeles, California by its Trustees William J. Duckhorn, Edward E. Brewer and Cecilia P. Murray. On June 17, 1982 the Board of Trustees amended the Articles of Incorporation
. The day after, on June 18, 1982, SMI's Board of Directors, then consisting of Roger C. Barnes, Karen Sue Campbell and Howard D. Becker, adopted the Bylaws of the newly created organization.
On September 21, 1993 the following individuals held corporate positions at SMI: The Board of Trustees was composed of Jonathan Epstein, Jessica Pruitt and Pablo Lobato. The members of SMI's Board of Directors
at that time were Jean Discher, Bernard Radburn and Claire Edwards. SMI's President
was Jean Discher, its Secretary
and Treasurer
Beate Gordon and its Assistant Secretary
Bernard Radburn.
As of November 23, 2000, SMI's corporate officers were Richard Fear (Chief Executive Officer
/President), Joi Marchant (Secretary
) and Claire Edwards (Chief Financial Officer
/Treasurer
).
At present the official address of SMI is 6331 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028. SMI operates from the same address as the Church of Scientology International
and other sub-entities of CSI. SMI's official agent is Jeanne Caugan. Her official address is 3055 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010.
On August 18, 1993, SMI filed an application for tax exemption
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
and on September 3, 1993 a request for a "Group Exemption Ruling" for the affiliated Scientology
"missions" in the United States. In 1993, the Internal Revenue Service
eventually granted SMI's requests for exemption.
of the Scientology network, the Religious Technology Center
owns the right to license the Scientology
trademarks and service marks through a so-called "assignment agreement" between RTC and the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard
on May 16, 1982. RTC and CSI entered a license agreement on May 18, 1982, granting CSI, the new "Mother Church of Scientology," the right to use and sub-license certain of the trademarks and service marks.
As a consequence, CSI entered a license agreement with SMI on May 19, 1982, which granted the right to SMI to further license the Scientology
trademarks and service marks to the "Scientology missions".
In the years following the signing of the agreement with CSI, SMI has entered various license agreements with "Scientology missions" around the world over the use of the Scientology trademarks and service marks
of Scientology
, the Church of Scientology International
, SMI is one of 8 sub-units and networks
, which form the so-called "Flag Command Bureaux" (FCB). The Scientology management
booklet
"The Command Channels of Scientology" states the following about the FCB:
Describing the purpose and functions of SMI, the "Command Channels" booklet sees SMI as a "tactical management unit which is
in charge of and fully responsible for the expansion of the mission network."
Furthermore it states:
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, which is located in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. SMI is part of the Church of Scientology network.
While being a corporation, SMI is also a management entity, which is ecclesiastically integrated within the mother church of Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
, the Church of Scientology International
Church of Scientology International
The Church of Scientology International, Inc. is a Californian 501 non-profit corporation. Within the worldwide network of Scientology corporations and entities, CSI is officially referred to as the "mother church" of the Church of Scientology....
. SMI runs on a worldwide basis the so-called ""Scientology missions", which are beginner organizations within the Church of Scientology network. These "Missions" offer basic Dianetics and Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
services to Scientology members and to the general public. The official website of SMI states the following about "Scientology missions" and the functions of SMI:
"[...] [A] Scientology Mission is the entrance point in Scientology for people of all faiths and walks of life. Here, people become introduced to Dianetics and Scientology technology. [...] Scientology missions also preside over naming ceremonies, officiate over marriages and funerals and are there to assists those in distress. [...] To assist missions in these endeavors, Scientology Missions International (SMI) was formed to act as the mother church for all missions. SMI's international offices provide guidance, help and direction for existing missions through a global network of continental offices. Through training manuals, apprenticeships, direct consultation, magazines, newsletters, promotion and a wealth of other materials, SMI provides the wherewithal new and existing missions need to function and expand. [...]"
In a 1993 memorandum
Memorandum
A memorandum is from the Latin verbal phrase memorandum est, the gerundive form of the verb memoro, "to mention, call to mind, recount, relate", which means "It must be remembered ..."...
by the Church of Scientology International
Church of Scientology International
The Church of Scientology International, Inc. is a Californian 501 non-profit corporation. Within the worldwide network of Scientology corporations and entities, CSI is officially referred to as the "mother church" of the Church of Scientology....
, the following information was provided to the Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
with regards to SMI's role, its personnel and its income:
"[...] Missions [...], nearly 100 in the United States alone and over 250 worldwide, minister the lowest levels of
religious services to parishioners within their localities. Missions are under the ecclesiastical authority of SMI, which in turn is under the ecclesiastical authority of CSI. SMI itself has a staff of approximately 26 individuals and an annual budget of approximately $ 2.6 million, based on its annual disbursements for the most recent year for which financial statements are available.[...]"
Corporate information
SMI was incorporatedIncorporation (business)
Incorporation is the forming of a new corporation . The corporation may be a business, a non-profit organisation, sports club, or a government of a new city or town...
on December 22, 1981 in Los Angeles, California by its Trustees William J. Duckhorn, Edward E. Brewer and Cecilia P. Murray. On June 17, 1982 the Board of Trustees amended the Articles of Incorporation
Articles of Incorporation
The Articles of Incorporation are the primary rules governing the management of a corporation in the United States and Canada, and are filed with a state or other regulatory agency.An equivalent term for LLCs in the United States is the Articles of Organization...
. The day after, on June 18, 1982, SMI's Board of Directors, then consisting of Roger C. Barnes, Karen Sue Campbell and Howard D. Becker, adopted the Bylaws of the newly created organization.
On September 21, 1993 the following individuals held corporate positions at SMI: The Board of Trustees was composed of Jonathan Epstein, Jessica Pruitt and Pablo Lobato. The members of SMI's Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
at that time were Jean Discher, Bernard Radburn and Claire Edwards. SMI's President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
was Jean Discher, its Secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
and Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
Beate Gordon and its Assistant Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Assistant Secretary is a grade in the British Civil Service, now more commonly styled Divisional Manager or Deputy Director. In the grading scheme they are denoted Grade 5....
Bernard Radburn.
As of November 23, 2000, SMI's corporate officers were Richard Fear (Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
/President), Joi Marchant (Secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
) and Claire Edwards (Chief Financial Officer
Chief financial officer
The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
/Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
).
At present the official address of SMI is 6331 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028. SMI operates from the same address as the Church of Scientology International
Church of Scientology International
The Church of Scientology International, Inc. is a Californian 501 non-profit corporation. Within the worldwide network of Scientology corporations and entities, CSI is officially referred to as the "mother church" of the Church of Scientology....
and other sub-entities of CSI. SMI's official agent is Jeanne Caugan. Her official address is 3055 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010.
On August 18, 1993, SMI filed an application for tax exemption
Tax exemption
Various tax systems grant a tax exemption to certain organizations, persons, income, property or other items taxable under the system. Tax exemption may also refer to a personal allowance or specific monetary exemption which may be claimed by an individual to reduce taxable income under some...
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Internal Revenue Code
The Internal Revenue Code is the domestic portion of Federal statutory tax law in the United States, published in various volumes of the United States Statutes at Large, and separately as Title 26 of the United States Code...
and on September 3, 1993 a request for a "Group Exemption Ruling" for the affiliated Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
"missions" in the United States. In 1993, the Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
eventually granted SMI's requests for exemption.
Licensing of trademarks and service marks
Within the corporate structureCorporate structure
Corporate structure consists of various departments that contribute to the company's overall mission and goals. The Marketing Department is considered by some business professionals as the most important entity in the corporate structure. Without this department, sales or new customers can not be...
of the Scientology network, the Religious Technology Center
Religious Technology Center
The Religious Technology Center is a Californian non-profit corporation. RTC was founded in 1982 by the Church of Scientology in order to control and oversee the use of all of the trademarks, symbols and texts of Scientology and Dianetics, including the copyrighted works of Scientology founder and...
owns the right to license the Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
trademarks and service marks through a so-called "assignment agreement" between RTC and the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
on May 16, 1982. RTC and CSI entered a license agreement on May 18, 1982, granting CSI, the new "Mother Church of Scientology," the right to use and sub-license certain of the trademarks and service marks.
As a consequence, CSI entered a license agreement with SMI on May 19, 1982, which granted the right to SMI to further license the Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
trademarks and service marks to the "Scientology missions".
In the years following the signing of the agreement with CSI, SMI has entered various license agreements with "Scientology missions" around the world over the use of the Scientology trademarks and service marks
Organizational structure and management
Besides its corporate status, SMI is also a part of the ecclesiastical command structure of the international Church of Scientology management. Integrated within the mother churchMother Church
In Christianity, the term mother church or Mother Church may have one of the following meanings:# The first mission church in an area, or a pioneer cathedral# A basilica or cathedral# The main chapel of a province of a religious order...
of Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
, the Church of Scientology International
Church of Scientology International
The Church of Scientology International, Inc. is a Californian 501 non-profit corporation. Within the worldwide network of Scientology corporations and entities, CSI is officially referred to as the "mother church" of the Church of Scientology....
, SMI is one of 8 sub-units and networks
Social network
A social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...
, which form the so-called "Flag Command Bureaux" (FCB). The Scientology management
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
booklet
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
"The Command Channels of Scientology" states the following about the FCB:
"[...] The Flag Command Bureaux, so named from its origination aboard the Flag Ship Apollo, is the central point of tactical management for all the individual orgs and units of all the sectors of Scientology. The Flag Command Bureaux is the tactical level of management. It gets International Management plans, evaluations and programs done in all the individual orgs and units.[...]"
Describing the purpose and functions of SMI, the "Command Channels" booklet sees SMI as a "tactical management unit which is
in charge of and fully responsible for the expansion of the mission network."
Furthermore it states:
"[...] Its purpose is to get missions functioning as Scientology's spearhead into the society and to hold wide open the entrance gates of the Bridge. This is achieved by getting the missions flooding their community with books, getting a huge volume of new public onto the Bridge through clearly delineated introductory routes with basic Scientology and Dianetics services well delivered, and by driving people further up the Bridge to orgs so they can train as auditors and go Clear and OT.
"SMI INT assists missions in accomplishing this by helping them execute tactical programs provided by the Senior Executive Strata. SMI INT sees that missions get their technical and administrative staff trained in orgs so they perform their functions.
"SMI INT is responsible for keeping missions inethics, in-tech and on-policy so they expand and
fulfill their purpose of being a successful front-lines dissemination activity for Scientology which sends a high volume of new public, having successfully received basic services, on up to orgs.
"SMI INT also sees that new missions are opened and gotten productive. There should be 10 missions around every org, each actively sending a large flow of new public to its local org, thus contributing to its expansion up to and beyond the size of the old Saint Hill in its prime.[...]"
See also
- ScientologyScientologyScientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
- DianeticsDianeticsDianetics is a set of ideas and practices regarding the metaphysical relationship between the mind and body that was invented by the science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard and is practiced by followers of Scientology...
- Church of ScientologyChurch of ScientologyThe Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
- Religious Technology CenterReligious Technology CenterThe Religious Technology Center is a Californian non-profit corporation. RTC was founded in 1982 by the Church of Scientology in order to control and oversee the use of all of the trademarks, symbols and texts of Scientology and Dianetics, including the copyrighted works of Scientology founder and...
- Church of Scientology InternationalChurch of Scientology InternationalThe Church of Scientology International, Inc. is a Californian 501 non-profit corporation. Within the worldwide network of Scientology corporations and entities, CSI is officially referred to as the "mother church" of the Church of Scientology....
- List of Scientology organizations