Elena-- Your proposal reminds me of the Mason County Idea Fair. The first 3 meetings were not really a fair, but an annual meeting for the community to talk about issues and choose some priorities. For the fourth Fair, we opened with a fair for all local NGOs and service clubs to exhibit their work. Then we had discussions--not Open Space, but quite good anyway.
We started with no money, and when the planning committee disbanded after five years, we had $12 left in a bank account. We chose a banker, and when we needed funds he asked for donations from businesses, but mostly we just had in-kind donations of paper, photocopying, mailing, meeting space (in the high school cafeteria). A community group with a food-services license prepared box lunches, and participants paid a small charge for lunch. No fees for anyone, and I donated flipchart paper and pens. We were always able to have what we needed, and many people felt a connection with the project because they had made some contribution to it. In fact, on the first meeting we asked so many people to help that we thought that if no one else came but the helpers, we would have a good group for our discussions. But people did come, and the project had a good impact in the community. So I think it can be done--with or without money. And no time and energy going to meeting the requirements of a grant! Doing the project without a fee does not put bread on your table, I know, but it does help to make your work known close to home--not always easy to arrange. So I wish you well (and I like your OS theme!) Joelle * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu, Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
