March 30 meeting

Celeste and Mel sat and discused weekly progress. Celeste has arranged for her culinary instructor to get involved and donate time, facility and students to prepare product for future bake sales with the purpose to raise funds for the re-intergration side of Community First.
Thank you Celeste.

Today's Accomplishments

Hey Everyone,

Today was a great day. I feel like we accomplished a lot. Thanks to Ben, Mel, Celeste, and Michelle for a job well done today. At the meeting we all decided on tasks for each of us. This will help all of us for a direction to go for the week. Michelle and I went to Restart and they would like to eventually send us clients that will fit our parameters when we open. Yeah! Another avenue to receive and help people that want that hand up. Ben is going to work on flyers for our first fund raiser. Mel is going to call and see about doing bakesales in front of local businesses. Michelle is going to work on getting business cards together. I am going to work on getting the logo digitalized, work on a domain name/web page, and revising the power point. Thanks for everyones help and lets welcome Celeste, a culanry student who's willing to help with preparing meals. Welcome! Thanks everyone for all your help and support.

Amanda

Stephany called me today to start going over the exact role im going to play at these Eric Anderson concerts which I think is pretty sweet way to promote the project.

-Ben

Meeting

Hey Guys,

Everyone is doing a great job getting things done. Thanks so much to Stephanie, Mel and Michelle for meeting with the lady from Bank of America on Friday. I would like to met with everyone this week to go over plans for the fundraiser as well as take a detailed look at the hotel. I would like to get a list together of things we need/have for the hotel take an inventory of everything. How does that sound to the rest of you? I was thinking Monday at Java, time depends on you guys I am open all day. Thanks for all that you do and keep up the good work!!

Adios For Now!!!

Amanda

Welcome Ben Brown

I know I speak for the whole C1 team when I say welcome Sir, and that it is great to have you on board Ben. The program we are creating for Ben will entail a little desk set up at Eric Anderson concerts, events like Earth Day, etc. In time one of our most valuable assets will be our database of volunteers, donors, civic partners, and so on. Ben will spearhead our initial foray into this realm by establishing a presence at our fundraisers, and at concerts that allow us to set up and mine data.

Hi my name is Ben Brown I was contacted by Luke to help at some concert. Sorry if my first blog is a little vaig...I think thats how its spelled but im still a little unclear what it is that im doing or going to do. He did mention the idea of getting businesses involved to me. I have a friend who is starting his own tile & granite business and mabey he would be interested in starting some kind of apprenticeship program to help make new jobs. People could get work experience in a skilled trade and have a good referance for when they apply with other companys. You can contact me at (775)378-7608

Goin Gangbusters

Good stuff ,

Steph and Mel, I love the idea of being a green distributor of Xtremely Green products in Reno. Could you expand a bit on what your thoughts and feelings on this idea are? Ben Brown will be coming on board as one of our younger team members. He contacted me today and wants to develop email databases for for us at our events, and Eric Anderson 's concerts. Eric and I have discussed this and we seem to be on the same page. Phil Zubillaga, our host team member, has developed an awesome opportunity in the form of a professional photographer who is generously willing to help us get out brochures to a much higher professional level. The silent auctions are simplicity themselves. Card tables are set up with a description of each item to be auctioned with a set minimum bid. Bids are then silently filled out on cards and placed in boxes set up on each table, at the culmination of the event we announce who won each auction and withhold the actual amount paid (decorum). We have developed two auction items in the form of clothing from Patagonia, and dinners for 2 from The Family Basque Restaurant. Thank you Kim Jardine and Phil Zubillaga for your generous contributions. A special "Way To Go!!" to Steph, Mel, Michelle,Phil, Kim, and Ben for your contributions to C1 today. Very inspiring.

L

Silent Auction

Our friend Robert Day has offered us to include a silent auction fundraiser at his bash coming up April 10. There will be 7 or 8 bands, hosted drinks and yummies such as la bussola cupcakes.

We need to work on what exactly the auction will consist of.

Also, I want to ask Robert to use Xtremely green products fpr his catering. I also think a basket of goodies from them might be a good candidate for the auction. For example, a "x" month's supply of green household items such as trash bags, paper cups, napkins, fair trade coffe, organic tea, etc.

I also think we might get some art to auction, I have some ties I need to work with more on that.

I am meeting Robert this Saturday to learn more. The space is limited but I am hoping that all of us can be there. I will let you know if the guest list is still open.

Green products

I was in Grass Valley yesterday, which, as fate wuld have it, Melvin needed to come to GV to rescue me, as my car died literally across the steet from my interview. I have established contact with a fanastic unique distributorship of all eco-friendly green products. Mel and I had the opportunity to sit down with the owener/operator as well as his sales manager. We have a gazillion fabulous ideas about distributing green products in the reno market, and Xtremely Green is jazzed about a Reno partnership.

We are hoping to develop a promotion vehicle that can promote both Community First and Xtremely Green, along with green clients, as an added bonus for paying that extra nickel for alternative products. You name it, he can get it, in a version that is post-consumer, easily biodegradable, not oil-dependent. Even plus some stuff you wouldnt think to name. You'll be hearing more as things develop.

Greetings from Atlantis

Hey Everyone,

Chief Gopher made it to the Atlantic and got feet wet at one in the morning EST. WOOOHOOO!! When i was going through my reintegration process, i always told myself that when i finally was looking at the ocean in person, swimming in it, i would then know that somehow i had made it. That i had successfully reintegrated. Well sports fans, tonight was it, although in an entirely different ocean than i initially had in mind. How freakin cool is that?!! i know that as i do, so can others. i am extremely encouraged that you all are making the BOA business of the month opportunity come to fruition. April is our shot. Timely; as it coincides with virgin fundraising efforts, and inertia continuity. i throw down the creative gauntlet, manifest rudimentary printing, and i will develop a registration "teaser" gift. More to follow.

L

Intake process

We have been discussing ways to a certain which needy people are going to take occupancy.

We are currently able to shelter 44 men.

We intend a written application that includes agreement toi rules of house and terms as well as a financial and personal background assessment

We intend a face to face with those chosen from the intial round of paper apps

Tenets
sobriety
broadbase population - eg not all from court ordered release we want to be inclusive
a can-do attitude
a passion for the principles of community service and self empowerment

Rules of the House

Special Thanks to Dave for inspiring this post. Dave mentioned how this also overlaps with the hostel model and I think that is an important idea to keep in mind. We seem to be melding halfway home with hostel-style concept although of course we dont want europeans to start showing up (:

Lets brainstorm-list the rules for occupants of Santa Fe

1.) Food only in the dining rooms (avoid varmints)
2.) Guest policy - needs to be meted out: we dont want this to turn into a hangout where guys always bring there riends to the rooms, can lead to illicit activities

etc what else can we think of?

Morning Meetings

Eco Servants,

Great meetings this morning!! Kudos to Smell, David, Michelle, Stephanie, Amanda, and Chief Gopher for attendance. An extra special thanks to Phil Zubillaga of The Family Basque Restaurant, Elizabeth Dorway of Family Promise, and Bob Fulkerson of PLAN for all of their energy, guidance and support. Positive developments all around and the grass roots movement grows exponentially every day!!

Cracklin Connectivity

Hey Ecos,

Allright!! I was telling somebody what we did the other day and they commented that " wow you have had a busy week!" I was gratified to know that what someone thought was a busy week had actually occured in one day. Today was a day like that. The good folks that own the new Lounge Bar called Se7ven in the freshly rennovated West Market Square, have generously committed to holding se7veral fundraising events for Community First. Also Tyler Stafford and Eric Anderson, the (in my humble opinion) best new talent in Reno, have agreed to perform at some of the events pro bono. More to follow!!

Family Promise

Hi All,

Elizabeth from Family Promise wants to meet with us tomorrow Wednesday 11th 9:00am at Java Jungle. Kudos to Stephanie for setting up the initial contact-GOOD JOB RED TEAM-GETCH YA CASE OF BEER FOR THAT ONE!! I am very excited to work with Elizabeth and Family Promise regarding feeding the underserved.
Also Cheif Gopher will be in Florida until the 31st so we need to get the team together to figure out who feels comfortable doing what for the next few weeks.

Lukabrazzie

Recreational Therapy

Hale Eco Servants,

Today we are meeting with Ted of Sierra Tours, and Java Jungle to discuss a liaison regarding Recreational Therapy for Veterans. Ted is a very experienced professional kayaking guide and a valiant Veteran of the middle east conflicts. He has a passion for helping Vets and wants to use his particular specialized skill sets to be of service to our Heroes in The Armed Services. The Meeting is at 10am at Java Jungle if anybody would like to attend/participate.

Respect,

L

FYI City of Reno HMIS data entry

FYI Recent correspondence to city of reno homeless coordinator Krista Lee:

>>> stephaniekbuckley 03/09/09 09:05 >>>


Hello Krista:

I left you a couple of random messages last week. You can disregard my
voicemails, I found what I was looking for, thank you so much for being
a contact person. I am gradually getting closer to preparing meals for
those who are in need.

Dave Baker mentioned the data entry you do for HMIS. I would be able to
help with that a couple of hours or so this week.

I am curious how many hours of data entry you anticipate over a week or
month. If it can help you, I would like to establish a schedule and
share the data entry among a few people, depending on the load. I hope
this could free you up for more of the good work of your position.

I have asked a colleague of mine, Luke Stella, to be in touch with you,
and cc'ed him here. His non-profit, Community First, has just entered
501c3 status. He is establishing a work force of persons who are
reintegrating. He has secured an historic hotel to be housing for up to
44 men. In partial exchange for shelter, food, and mentoring, including
career development, these individuals will provide community service.
He would like to get your feedback to see if this service can benefit
you.

Please be in touch, at your convenience, so we can discuss the data
entry.

Best regards,
Stephanie Buckley
619-517-7716

Sounds Good

Rastaman Vibration YEEEAAAAH!!
Positive Vibration YEEEEAAAAH!!

First blog

Sounds great!!! I also know someone who receives day old bread on a regular basis and I will find out how and where they get it. Awesome. This is so exciting!

Hi Everybody,

Please feel free to join in on this initial staff blog for Community First.

L

Combining community service with career development

Brainstorm of ideas for community service projects that can also develop career skills:

All of these need to be critiqued thoroughly, just throwing stuff out there right now

1) data entry for the HMIS
2) baked goods - 100% to nonprofit - division of labor skills: preparation, distribution, supply, general ledger, team management
3) teaching & coaching eg sports or nature activities, creative arts, etc etc provided to underserved populations
4) ecofriendly products - eg post-consumer paper products to local events such as street fairs. 1. sales 2. provision 3. customer service 4. team leadership
5) installation of hydrogen and fuel cells
6) sober ride/dial a ride
7) Community Garden tending plants and composting - can provide fresh produce to the santa fe and local meal missions. create soil can sell starter "black gold" to city or private gardens.
8) Laundromat and storage - old cleaners closed on 5th and keystone, lets staff it and do fluff and fold for shelters etc alongside create a locker storage



????? lets make a super long list so we can be critical and cross stuff off too (: How many swings does it take to get a home run?

Affiliations

Hi Eco Servants,

Today we opened a dialougue with Joe Ferguson and The Food Not Bombs Program. For 15 incredible years Joe and his organization have been herorically feeding the hungry. They prepare the food, set up, feed, breakdown, and leave before any officials know what is happening. Feed the hungry terrorism!! How cool is that! Community First is going to work with Joe to set up a food collection/storage/preparation mechanism to facilitate the great work FNB is doing. We also hope to ultimately develop a location to operate a soup kitchen on Sundays to cover the day no one else is feeding the public in need.

Respect,

Luke Stella

Welcom Communit First family and friends

Hi Everyone,

I felt as if this might bbe a convieenient way to share ideas, notes, feelings, and in the immortal words of young people all over WHATEVER!

Abundanza

L