This blog is intended to provide a discussion forum for the class project proposals. A blog entry will be made for each proposal received. Feedback and/or questions can be submitted by making comments on the blog entry. Click on the comments link below each post to discuss the proposal.
This proposal is the most attractive to me because it has the potential to be enduring. It also is most representative of who we are as a class: individuals who enjoy each other's company because of our diverse backgrounds and interests and want our contributions to become part of the fabric of the community. We have the potential to create a mechanism that will provide support for small, meaningful projects that address real needs among non-profit service organizations for many years if we desire.
Well said H. Kevin. I also would like to point out that IF we did something like this we could still help Parsons and donate this year's proceeds from our Event to help them with their greenhouse project. Two birds.
ps - I have my estimating department looking into a more solid estimate for the greenhouse project. I hope to send it out to all by the end of this week.
Regardless of the project chosen, a significant effort in fund raising, marketing, and PR will be needed. The concerns I have regarding the development of a charitable fund include: long term commitment of individuals to maintain the vision beyond the class term, the investments needed to secure the Fund’s legal and tax status (i.e. 501c3 could take a year and $800+), and the effort required to raise money in multiple amounts higher than any one project to ensure seed money for future efforts.
I see an opportunity to blend some of these ideas together through partnerships with existing non-profits. Each of us has skill sets that can contribute to enhancing the network of existing non-profits and improve collaboration of information, resources, and material between these groups. The development of a collaborative portal or community site that connects a targeted set of non-profits together creates an organic network that is self-sustainable and extends beyond our class. Each of us can contribute to the community portal in a way that maximizes our own unique skills, background, networks and talents. We can plant the seeds and develop the framework/processes that non-profits can use for years to come. In addition, future classes could leverage the groundwork we’ve started and continue to add to the body of knowledge and resources for this network of non-profits and LTV alumni and friends.
This proposal is the most attractive to me because it has the potential to be enduring. It also is most representative of who we are as a class: individuals who enjoy each other's company because of our diverse backgrounds and interests and want our contributions to become part of the fabric of the community. We have the potential to create a mechanism that will provide support for small, meaningful projects that address real needs among non-profit service organizations for many years if we desire.
ReplyDeleteWell said H. Kevin. I also would like to point out that IF we did something like this we could still help Parsons and donate this year's proceeds from our Event to help them with their greenhouse project. Two birds.
ReplyDeleteps - I have my estimating department looking into a more solid estimate for the greenhouse project. I hope to send it out to all by the end of this week.
Regardless of the project chosen, a significant effort in fund raising, marketing, and PR will be needed. The concerns I have regarding the development of a charitable fund include: long term commitment of individuals to maintain the vision beyond the class term, the investments needed to secure the Fund’s legal and tax status (i.e. 501c3 could take a year and $800+), and the effort required to raise money in multiple amounts higher than any one project to ensure seed money for future efforts.
ReplyDeleteI see an opportunity to blend some of these ideas together through partnerships with existing non-profits. Each of us has skill sets that can contribute to enhancing the network of existing non-profits and improve collaboration of information, resources, and material between these groups. The development of a collaborative portal or community site that connects a targeted set of non-profits together creates an organic network that is self-sustainable and extends beyond our class. Each of us can contribute to the community portal in a way that maximizes our own unique skills, background, networks and talents. We can plant the seeds and develop the framework/processes that non-profits can use for years to come. In addition, future classes could leverage the groundwork we’ve started and continue to add to the body of knowledge and resources for this network of non-profits and LTV alumni and friends.