I'm in an odd "in between" space. As so many of us are, I'm in pain about the nearly incomprehensible tragedy in Japan, Libya and, really, everywhere to varying degrees. Again, as so many of us are, I'm in the midst of personal crises as well, taking life one minute at a time.
Breathing.
I must move forward, however, with Wishadoo! I still absolutely feel compelled to do so, in spite of -- or perhaps because of? -- the ongoing crises here, there and everywhere.
I hope you'll indulge me focusing on this here, requesting your feedback once again, in spite of the much more important headlines and such.
Things are moving along again after a technical setback recently. Now I absolutely MUST focus on the legal structural setup for Wishadoo! (it was previously incorporated in Delaware by my former partner but I intend to incorporate now in North Carolina, where I currently live).
After much deliberation, research and discussion, I intend to set it up as a legal corporate entity (LLC) with a true member-owned co-op structure, rather than a nonprofit. Perhaps a nonprofit division can be formed down the road, and members of Wishadoo! can weigh in on that decision, but for now, a community-owned nonprofit is an entity that is NOT easy to set up, at least not in North Carolina. Too many restrictions and limitations. Because I don't intend to request funding from foundations but instead will be focused on truly grassroots funding, with member ownership, and because the amount of said funding will be around $25 which is not enough for most people to be concerned about as far as it being a write-off, I see no need to attempt to be a nonprofit at this point. I realize there are higher tax implications, but I don't want to shirk that responsibility, even if our current tax system is deplorable and patently unfair.
Furthermore, The UN General Assembly announced "The year 2012 is the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC). The United Nations designated the Year in order to recognize the role cooperatives play in social and economic development. The theme of IYC—“Cooperative Enterprise Builds a Better World”—reflects the valuable contribution cooperatives make."
I've been drawn toward this model for over 20 years and feel I should dive in head first to make it happen in a multitude of ways, beyond the traditional food/agricultural and utility co-ops Americans are familiar with. With
Wishadoo! as the foundational entity -- and via the tools and members who shall gather at the new
Wishadoo! Community site -- we can create a multitude of subchapter co-ops.
Imagine a publishing co-op (books and music); professional co-ops (perhaps listings in the
Resource Directory can be a separate marketing co-op in and of itself?); a healthcare co-op where local providers offer services to co-op members; and so many other types of co-ops.
As I've mentioned before, other countries are WAY ahead of us as far as co-ops; in fact, as of now the US hasn't even signed on as being a partner country for the IYC. :( I will lobby for this via Wishadoo!, however.
We complain (well, I do...lol) about the lack of integrity and inequality in the structures and systems, especially here in the States. Co-ops can truly bring things back into balance. Imagine how we can reshape daily life if we were to focus on creating co-ops, especially in our local communities. It's very empowering, imho.
Still, it's a legal entity and thus a good foundation has to be set if, according to my big vision, multiple types of co-ops are to be launched and seeded via Wishadoo! and its members.
Here's a good summary of co-ops:
Co-ops typically are formed when the marketplace fails to provide needed goods or services at affordable prices or of acceptable quality. Among other things, cooperatives provide:
Business services, such as personnel and benefits management, and group purchasing of
goods and services
Childcare
Credit and personal financial services
Equipment, hardware and farm supplies
Electricity, telephone, Internet, satellite and cable TV services
Food and grocery services
Funeral and memorial service planning
Health care
Housing
Insurance
Legal and professional services
Marketing of agricultural and other products
Cooperatives follow seven internationally recognized principles as the basis for doing business:
Voluntary and open membership
Democratic member control
Member economic participation
Autonomy and independence
Education, training and information-sharing
Cooperation among cooperatives
Concern for community
With all of this in mind, I have rewritten and condensed the Mission and Vision Statements:
OUR MISSION:
Wishadoo! is a social visionary enterprise committed to and infused with the core values of integrity, respect, and compassion, providing a foundation to 1) connect people who share these values; 2) foster innovation and creativity inspired by these values; and 3) initiate and support efforts focused on the creation of compassionate, cooperative communities.
THE WISHADOO! VISION:
Wishadoo! is a personal and community awakening, a social (r)evolution. It’s the Community of Tomorrow built on your dreams and visions of today.
Wishadoo! provides a foundation which empowers each and every person to dream a better world and supports them in a variety of ways to act upon their dreams.
The intent is for Wishadoo! to be self-sustaining, and to create jobs and income opportunities for others through a cooperative model of mutual benefit, supporting and sustaining The Common Good.
We are shifting the traditional model of “profit-only corporation” to “mutual-benefit cooperation” with the social vision of the creation of compassionate, cooperative communities being the guiding force.
You can read more
here. I hope that with the above wording you'll be able to see that Wishadoo! is the foundation, whereas the Wishadoo! Community site is just one of many "rooms" to be built upon this foundation. Actually, the Wishadoo! Community site is the gathering space for All Things Wishadoo! :)
I need to get this set up as soon as possible, as I'm facing a June 25th legal/financial deadline and need to raise funds to satisfy this contractual obligation, as well as raise funds to take care of these startup legal costs and to continue to develop the site.
By working with other businesses and entrepreneurs devoted to "creating compassionate, cooperative communities," there are some solid benefits to becoming a cooperative member of Wishadoo!, as well as the symbolic investment in (and active voice within) creating this New Way. I'm thinking membership could be $25.
Thoughts, comments....hugs of support? ;)
:grouphug:
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