Event:2014/09/13 Community & Fundraising

last meeting notes from 8/11

=AGENDA=

1–2:30pm Saturday at Omni!

1. crowdfunding campaign


 * estimate needs and goal
 * cost to open Omni (permits, construction, improvements, facilities & equipment) by Dec 1
 * $70k?
 * announce initial goal of $44k, assuming for now that we can raise $55k via crowdfunding + $30k via grants
 * targets (high net worth individuals)
 * projections (how many individuals, how much $ donated on avg., and what % likely)
 * create and develop the campaign concept
 * pitch exercise
 * tagline
 * schedule and budget the campaign effort
 * personal outreach before launch to refine concept
 * public outreach
 * events

2. other revenue sources

crowdfunding is just one method of raising money!
 * ballroom and building space rental
 * grant spreadsheet (public/state/municipal, foundations, corporations, etc.)

=MINUTES=

Attending: Laura, Scott, Sarah, Danny


 * for today, explore ideas for the campaign concept - that consists of
 * context – the realm/realities we're coming from, the challenges and opportunities that exist
 * transformation – our potential achievement above and beyond mere problem-solving
 * some personal story about how we came to Omni
 * discussion summary
 * recognizing Oakland's history of rich cultural production and the threats of gentrification
 * responding to rising inequality, migration, mobility
 * Omni represents care and support
 * overcoming alienation and isolation through community
 * fighting the culture of disempowerment
 * generosity in all directions
 * spirituality at a social level
 * change through belonging
 * change through mutual aid
 * this is an experiment and a model
 * polyculturalism over monoculture
 * politics come second
 * "Omni is the rose on the thorn in the side of Capitalism"
 * "Out of Many, Omni"
 * identifying what we would like to prioritize as well as what we find uncomfortable... implications for language?
 * frame ourselves as a critical alternative - e.g., polyculturalism instead of multiculturalism (source: http://www.againstthegrain.org/program/914/wed-40914-problem-multiculturalism - listen! It's educational & funny!)
 * accessibility with specificity - e.g., name "gentrification"
 * use plain language!
 * action items
 * draft written request for all Omni organizers to share their own personal story that includes their context and transformation with Omni [Danny]
 * do the same for groups, where a representative from each group tells the story of their collective context and transformation with Omni [Danny]
 * for both requests, include mention that the responses will be used shape the language we're using to describe the Omni [Danny]
 * send spreadsheet for listing low/medium/high potential grants [Danny]