Who has the list of members for voting purposes to validate all the votes? Unfortunately, non-profits are not required, nor do many choose to retain how members vote, for very good reasons.
The application for 501©3 status requires the articles of incorporation to be in place first, because they are required to be sent with your application. Unless you have mucho money burning hole in the pockets, don't you think that maybe some one among the group has the intellectual abilities to follow instructions and fill out the forms for both the articles of incorporations for non-profits, and then go for official status with the IRS. After the articles of ratified by the voting members, can you apply for the FEIN, so it really is more than a phone call to Kansas.
Not to complicate matters, but shouldn't the group look at some logistics as far as Bank Account Info or are you proposing moving the account around the country as a new Treasurer is elected each term?
I am all for moving forward, but decisions that have not been thought through will have a long standing effect on the group. In pursuing Casper, how much of the groups money has been budgeted for finding him and prosecution. I am not sure about the extradiction laws of Louisiana, but the trial would have to be "within the borders of where the crime was committed and charges are filed." The crime was committed in louisiana, is there someone in Louisiana that has agreed to be the courier for all of the filing, court dates, attorney visits, etc and how much to pursue, how much money? I don't think we need to spend 10K to get 10k, that would be a wash and even after to find him, convict him, get the judgement, you have to collect the money. Are you volunteering to stick with this till the end. I have seen these cases go for several years. Big commitment.
I think the biggest starting point in your list is electing a president to pull the group together and get moving on some the issues. Put together a plan over the next thirty days with the board of directors and get some real support with some of the members to set goals and follow through.
The list above has emotion all over it. If this is business, then make rational business decision based on rational thinking and get the emotion out of the equation or your looking for trouble.
Just my thoughts.