Julie, my good wishes for posting and taking the 1st step towards building the forum for not only ideas but also implementations.

As always I see a lot of synergy on our work and would love to help you in connecting the cause to a solution.

Saw the report here which quantifies the achievements of peace wheel/emerging future foundations.

we all feel good to see results in quantified form...at this time I would look towards the Compassionate commerce with a wider horizon to include trade :)

more as we evolve.

Regards

Looks good. There may be a tie-in with what Matt Guynn (and I and others) are trying to do with Democracy Guard -- at least the local focus with concrete outcomes. (He doesn't have a thread up yet, but he will soon, I believe.)

Julie, please let us know what specific changes must occur in the world as a result of launching each of these organizations - which changes would NOT occur unless each of these organizations became individually successful.

Please link the specific changes with each organization.

Saurah... Thank you for offering to help us look at how the trade components of Compassionate Commerce might look. Your work with Community Friendly Movement and COM MART is such a wonderful example of compassionate commerce. And, my experience in ordering beautiful hand made cards from rural Indian women artists for our Peace Park fundraiser was so well received.

Daniel...*, Can you say more about Democracy Guard and the parrellels you see. Also, I'd love to know more about your book, Strategy is Possible. And, will check out http://www.TrainingForChange.org I look forward to getting to know you and Matt better.

Ravi... regarding:

please let us know what specific changes must occur in the world as a result of launching each of these organizations - which changes would NOT occur unless each of these organizations became individually successful.

1. Elko Peace Park Community Foundation creates the cause for a network of resident owned, operated and governed giving centers to form, network and the potential for them to take a united stand around issues they care about. Without this local entity, there would not be a resident owned and operated community foundation working to make Elko even better.
2. NERD creates the cause for a public database, knowledge repository and information exchange pertaining to earth science data that would otherwise be lost or destroyed. And, for such a database to network, connect and become open sourced with other like projects around the globe. Without this entity, much of the data currently being logged would be distroyed or disgaurded.
3. Compassionate Commerce causes a suite of services to be made available to organizers that might not have the resources or wish to operate for themselves (such as entities in Africa) and to network between projects to develop what's needed collectively. Without this entity, quick-startups (response initiatives), small (short-term efforts) or projects without access to IRS infrastructure (youth or those living in other countries) would find it more difficult to set up non-profit entities.

Today... Emerging Futures had another big win!!!

The Elko City Attorney has offered to donate his personal time to structure our Elko Community foundation and NERD entity within our 501c3/509 for the cost of filing fees: $500.

Many of you, including Thomas have asked what our 501c3/509 structure looks like. As I see this an innovative way to structure a network of communities, centers, "NEDS", "LIA's", foundations that wish to be linked together (be it to assist short-term with start-up or long-term because it's easier or needed).

For example, once we understand how to do this we would know how to partner with groups like "LIA" in a way they could take in US dollars and distribute them as their own legal entity.

We will have our first meeting with the attorney and his reccommeded CPA in February. I'm so very excited. This has been on my wish list since August.

Also, our new attorney, Bob Goicoechea has wonderful experience in setting up and serving on non-profit boards that have replicated charters accross the country. He did this for the Basque Association which has charters (some that formed their own 501c3's and others that worked under the parent 501c3 and where the parent Association's role was simply to be there for the collective).

He's excited to play with us and understands both the positives and negatives of this type of structure. As well as, how to generate less complicated networking structures that can do work together legally. For example, financing a network newsletter or a partnership with a business venture.

We will create a space in our Emerging Futures Foundation workspace (which has undergone a major facelift, comments encouraged).... to keep everybody posted about what we learn.

As many of you know this is a structure groups like "Peace Tiles" or "Sufulla" or "NED's" or ???? may wish to replicate in some form.

:^) joy, joy, happy, happy, joy, joy :^)

Julie, according to your own vision, here are your missions for the three organizations:

1. Elko Peace Park Community Foundation ultimately exists to ensure that Elko is residents also get to enhance Elko.
2. NERD ultimately exists to ensure that earth science data is secured and widely accessible.
3. Compassionate Commerce ultimately exists to ensure that the setting up of non-profit entities becomes easier for: a) quick-startups (response initiatives), b) small (short-term efforts), and c) projects without access to IRS infrastructure (youth or those living in other countries).

Are you certain that these ends cannot be accomplished without calling these organizations into existence?

Hi Julie,

sounds exciting -- and now it's on my most recent list! ;D

AFAIK, these organizations exist already -- is that right? Ravi seems to be concerned about calling overhead into existence which already exists (or is he rather wanting to chop it off? ;P).

:D nmw

ps

interesting link pos disc 20

The beauty of "calling these entities" into existance is that they don't have to become their own 501c3 (although they may choose to at a later time).

1. Elko Peace Park Community Foundation might be able to find a different fiscal house to take in funds, however, there are no other organizations in Elko, Nevada; that I know of, that are people based (as in supporting individual/collective visions) vs sector based (art, education, healthcare, youth only). And, the local community coalition functions as a clearing house for sector based stakeholders to move their individual/collective agendas.
2. There is nothing like NERD in the state of Nevada, which is the 3rd larger gold mining site in the world. And, no public repository of the kind they wish to build. Their aim is develop a pilot in Nevada and then replicate the concept by working with individuals in other parts of the world to grow a self-organizing network (following the concepts of Dee Hocks (www.chaordic.org) and Nevada Fireside councils which now consists of 40 chapters)
3. Compassionate Commerce: While other entities such as the Tides Foundation offer such services, they are a fairly large entity and focus more on helping family foundations to allocate their funds according to the trust's mission. I don't see Emerging Futures Foundation becoming a vetting organizations, but rather an entity that supports others to organize and then network together in ways that would be difficult to do alone. I see the concept of compassionate commerce being able to replicate a network of services that will be owned, operated and governed by an infinate number of affiliates. It will grow based on trust and recognition systems. And, given the intimacy of shared accounting, imagine such replication happening because someone knows someone, vs yellow page advertisement.

Is this what you are asking?

nmw said:

AFAIK, these organizations exist already -- is that right? Ravi seems to be concerned about calling overhead into existence which already exists (or is he rather wanting to chop it off? ;P).

:D nmw

These are new entities that already have champions (friends) behind them and who we have personally agreed to work with to pilot the Emerging Futures concept.

And, we are open to replicating the idea with more and more friends..., including the entire concept which would then become part on afiliated network (probablly with their own 501c3 or LLC's or C-CORPS...). The attorney we are working with set up a similar structure for the Basque Association, which I believe is now called the Federation of Basque Clubs . He did this twenty odd years ago, so our structure may be an evolved version.

Talked to our newly identified CPA, who confirmed the efficiency of this type of organizing. And, for those entities that would like to become affiliates of Emerging Futures Foundation, we would file one annual 990 with the IRS. The costs for individual 990 is the same as one filed as a group of affiliates which runs between $600-$1,500 to file.

It's also possible to set up on-line donations that go into a joint bank account (very good friends). Mobilizing America's Youth does this with and for their community organizers.

The affiliate organizer receives 501c3 affiliation, a bank account, debit card and on-line donation service that goes through Mobilizing America's Youth. And, their accountant deposites the incoming donations into their affiliate bank accounts. The reason for joint access is for Mobilizing America's Youth to monitor activity and to pull data needed for the annual IRS filing. They charge between 7-10% for this service (7% for checks received, 10% for those coming in through on-line donations as the on-line service takes 3%). These fees are then used to cover accounting and IRS filing fees.

(edit to add: Mobilizing for America's Youth uses Networkforgood as their on-line donation vendor.)

Julie: came over at your invitation and REALLY like Ravi's reframing. Did he capture what you had in mind?

This may seem coming out of wide-right field, but I swear it's directly related to the conversation.

A few decades ago corporations are given the "rights" of peoplehood under the law. It was snuck in during the successes of civil rights groups.

Nowadays, starting a new 501c3 takes a lot of energy. In a way it's like calling forth a new life form.

Nonprofits, however, at their brightest and best are not new life forms but the pot that holds the swirl of energy, passion and zest in a community on some issue or action. (Corporations, too!) They should die when the swirl is gone; and they should thrive in the midst of the swirl.

So, if I hear you right, you're trying to set up a "pot" that can hold a multitude of related swirls related to community projects?

If that's right, there's another model out there like that which is the Alliance for Global Justice (AGJ), which years ago I actually helped found, though can take no credit for them. They share overhead; share bookeepers, offce space, and other resources.

Yes, Ravi did a good job of narrowing in on part of our focus. We are definately about getting behind ordinary people (individuals and groups of individuals)to support NOT only people discovering their own power to make good things happen, but too actually help them get there together.

Be it through connections, peer to peer mentoring, coaching, supporting their process, providing opportunities to contribute.

We are NOT about doing "it" for someone. Sometimes it's about holding space and sometimes it's about holding hands or offering support in ways they can't do it alone.

For some setting up a 501c3 is too dauting, for others it's about helping them to see how their idea may be bigger than them and connecting them to resources they have identified as needing.

During my Casey Fellowship I was able to identify a set of qualities and indicators associated with sustainable and replicable community youth development initiatives. I call these qualities The Web of Connection (chart is on the last page of the 5 page document).

Ravi, would supporting the development of these qualities be what you are refering to as the socio-ecconomic process?

One of things I'd like to see Emerging Futures be able to do is to encourage/support individuals and learning teams of individuals to grow these qualities individually and ultimately together.

Perhaps this is what Ravi means by socio-ecconmic process. Something I'm learning how to be as well.

However, Emerging Furtures does NOT wish to replace all other kinds of processes currently generating socio-economic outcomes and results.

Ravi wrote, COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND NETWORKING COLLABORATIVES to gradually and eventually replace all other kinds of processes currently generating socio-economic outcomes and results.

In fact, I see Emerging Futures Foundation as working with folks in order to better connect and bring their voices and actions into play with existing entities. It's what the city of Elko likes about our Peace Park initiative! That we want to work in partnership with them.

The Friends of Elko Peace Park community foundation will be about empowering the 80% that don't typically engage, mostly because theire is NO support in place to engage them. It's what Stand for Children does to engage people to take action around their deeply felt concerns pertaining to children, youth and families. Emerging Futures is different in that we would help an individual form an entity like a "Stand for Children" chapter. Only Emerging Futures is not about one particular issue, or group or activity. However, we would love the opportunity to faciliate others around these deep rooted passions and concerns to connect and grow networks that can ultimately take collective action together. Peace Park is a small example of this.

What I think Ravi is talking about here:

COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND NETWORKING COLLABORATIVES to flourish and proliferate and gradually become able to address all the necessary kinds of socio-economic outcomes that are currently being accomplished by top driven processes such as corporations and governments.

Julie says:

"Ravi, would supporting the development of these qualities be what you are refering to as the socio-ecconomic process?

"One of things I'd like to see Emerging Futures be able to do is to encourage/support individuals and learning teams of individuals to grow these qualities individually and ultimately together.

"Perhaps this is what Ravi means by socio-ecconmic process. Something I'm learning how to be as well."

Yes, Julie. These any any other structures and processes that exist to enable individuals or groups to accomplish desired outcomes - are what I call socio-economic processes.

I feel strongly that all forms are neccessary, even ones we don't understand or that some consider evil or dominant. The way we label these forms is unimportant to me.

Ultimately my belief is that we need many forms. It's more an issue of equinimity. Corporations and Governments have a role to play, as do Community Projects and Networking Collaboratives.

Emerging Futures is about supporting the passion of individuals to connect with what they belief is important to benifit others in a deeply felt way.

If Emerging Futures were wildly successful, I'd see us as a key contributor to both coporations and governments, as well as to children, youth and families.

One of our underlying principles is to build upon the strengths of what is.

Thank you for helping me to seek clarification.

I'm seeking input on our one-page Emerging Futures Foundation overview as well as our O.NET Lost in the Food Chain workspace

To keep this thread open and inclusive, I'd like to reccommend that we keep posts to one screen length or less. Or, create a link to a workspace and we can continue a more indepth conversation there. If anyone would like to talk with me by phone so we can go deeply into the philosphy of these ideas, please drop me a PM.

I feel like I've done alot of philosophizing about Emerging Futures Foundation. And, now I'd like to focus on practical next steps and developing our 1-3 year plan.

Daniel,

Yes, we want to be a pot of gold! Or, better yet, a pot of gold made of light. Some of the light comes from being affiliated with the Pot of Gold (Emerging Futures affiliates) and some of the light comes from other entities networking and co-creating with Emerging Futures affiliates to create a web of light!

Can you say more about what you did with the Alliance for Global Justice ? Also, is this link the same group? They didn't have a direct link, however it appears they have affiliates all over the place (one in Seattle, another in Iowa).

What was your role in founding the organization?

And, a bit more about Democracy Gaurd?

Like the AGJ, Emerging Futures would like to share overhead; share bookeepers, offce space, and other resources. It would be great to see networks of bookeepers, attorneys, accountants, organizers, retailers, producers, media folks that come together...

And, to be able to share knowledge, innovations and celebrations with those in the affiliation and those outside the affiliation.

I also agree that forms need to be designed to morph as they evolve. If Emerging Futures Foundation is wildly successful, one day we will dissolve and our affiliates will morph into a global networking commons, made up of several other entities like Emerging Futures Foundation.

Julie, the process of sharpening your definition of the specific outcomes that your projects must accomplish is not philosophizing. It is extremely practical.

You can't just arbitrarily say - "now I'd like to focus on practical next steps and developing our 1-3 year plan.", as long as you are not really clear about what must change in the world as a result of the success of the Foundation. Those specific changes in the world - are the very purpose of the Foundation. They are your destination.

It's like saying: "I have thought enough about where I want to go. Now I just want to start the journey."

The world is already full of well-meaning people spinning their wheels (and their vehicles) just in order to be "engaged in doing something good"

Julie,

This is what you need to do:

First of all, you must distinguish the foundation from the projects. The foundation has entirely different purpose than the projects.

Secondly, let's look at the foundation. You already have too many workspaces for the foundation. This confuses people, they don't know what is expected of them. Then you must articulate its purpose with as much clarity as you can.

Thirdly, you need separate workspaces for each of the projects, ELCO, NERD, etc. Otherwise people who might be interested in each won't know how they can contribute. Here again, the purpose of each project must be articulated as clearly as you can.

Fourthly, you need a separate champion (who reports to you) to promote and advance each of the projects, so you can keep focusing on the foundation. For the time being, you are the champion of all these projects. And this makes some of them stepchildren.

very good points, Ravi -- and very concisely stated!

insightful link 1 nmw pos 1

insightful link 2 nmw pos 1

Thank you Ravi,

These are good points.

I'm the lead organizer of the Friends of Elko Peace Park (because I need to learn how to set this type of organization up. It's the local prototype needed to be able to replicate later)

(1) Steve Kulinski is the champion of NERD. He's a good friend of my husband (both geologists) and he got what Emerging Futures was about the first time I shared the idea with him 2 years ago. In fact, he explained it so my husband could understand, something I couldn't do before! They've been playing with a bunch of different ideas (NERD, setting up a foundation for geology student scholarship, putting on a gold show to raise funds for these ideas...).

Then 2 weeks ago my husband announced that another one of their friends has been asked to submit for 2-3 million dollars in funding to develop a geology data base and let Steve know about. Steve contacted the guy and he's very excited about the thinking Steve's been doing about NERD.

That's when Steve realized he needs Emerging Futures Foundation and offered to take a funding request to his corporation for us to get some startup funding to develop our 1-3 year development plan, board...

(2) Laure Dillion, one of Emerging Futures Foundation co-founders is the champion of the Council of Grandmothers. She just got laid off in December and will be coming on board to help develop Emerging Futures Foundation (of which Friends of Elko Peace Park will be our pilot "giving/peace" center that's part of what she needs as support for the larger Council of Grandmothers initiative.

(3) Compassionate Commerce has a few different champions, including myself, Ted Ernst, Melissa Martin, and Laure Dillon, and we'd love others to jump in. This will be the "hub" of supports folks can access to support their organizing activities. Also to be designed as an affiliate that can replicate itself wherever...

CC also has plans to spin off into a technology service, knowledge repository and other shared resources that can be accessed either by our members and the general public. This will expand as more and more champions come on board.

Your correct about the foundation having a different purpose than it's affiliates

Emerging Futures Foundation comes into being because of these champions and acts as a legal shell, an organizing space and set of guiding principles with the purpose of supporting champions for a better world.

Susan Megy shared a wonderful comment discribing the good works of the Women’s Building in San Fran (Jean’s lead) that really expresses a piece of what I hope to accomplish in Elko with our community foundation/giving center.

If we are really lucky an angel will bless us with the ability to buy the land and build a community center next to the park. I see this community center, much like the Women’s Building with a coffee shop, NED and perhaps a Montessori essential education school (starting with a pre-school that eventually births a charter elementary school).

What Emerging Futures will replicate are the organizing qualities (socio-economic process), however the look, the outcome, the “it” will be different according to location, need, culture…

Julie,

Let us know when you have initated separate dedicated discussions for the Foundation and each indvidual project (complete with links for each).

I hope you and the respective champions will articulate the separate purpose of each of these organizations in terms of the change that each exists to accomplish (and which change would not occur without a successful project).

I will then continue to support you on the Foundation, and offer occasional suggestions for the projects.

You will find that various of your other supporters will join you behind the individual projects that interest them.

Thanks Ravi,

I will focus on getting the separate sites up as time permits. This week my focus is on the 509 IRS filing, and the city hall approval for Elko's Peace Park.

Then off to New Mexico for a week with my husband Dave, then to meet you and others face to face at the Building Communities Worth Having conference.

When I return, Laure and I will be working full throtle on next steps for Emerging Futures Foundation. Not sure which champions will participate here at O.NET though. So, far it's been tough to bring others into O.NET from the world beyond, especially my friends that are face-to-face organizers.