Fwd: Enterprise ideas

[Larry Dansinger]

From Brad Sherwood: Please reply to Brad and, if you want, to this list. 

Begin forwarded message:

From: Brad Sherwood <sherwoo...@yahoo.com>

Date: March 26, 2013 8:08:52 PM EDT

To: Larry Dansinger <ro...@psouth.net>

Subject: Enterprise ideas

As I talk to people it becomes obvious that though there are many organizations and programs throughout Maine that are working to bring out positive social and economic change, these efforts thus far have not been embraced by the general population and only get minimal attention from the press.

What is it that needs to be done to cause a larger impact?  At the moment I am thinking we need a strong brand, or trademark, that can become recognized by everyone.  Also, we need a cooperative infrastructure to provide marketing, distribution, a revolving fund for start ups, a research service, and a master database that connects all the groups in an easy to use and access format.  

I would like everyone to think about why it is that we have not thus far reached out beyond those who are now active, to convince others to get involved, and then to post their reasons, or write to me directly.  I am currently formulating the concepts of a state wide organization to address this problem.  Our society needs to change the way decisions are made and implemented, and that can only happened when we have the attention of a larger portion of our population.

Below is a list of enterprises that I think offer potential for coops to invest in.  Whenever anyone has a vision, a concept, and a viable plan to form a cooperative enterprise, wherever they are, we need to make it possible for them.  I would be glad to hear more suggestions.

Statewide food producer coop

Electricity provider similar to Electricity Maine

Restaurants 

Grocery and wholesale club

Meat processing

Fast food healthy restaurant

Pet food

Disrtribution companies.  Could have trucks with message of the goodness of democracy through   cooperatives.

Quality used auto sales and auto service

Truck and bus wash facility

Fuel

School bus services

Elder care and transportation (handicap transportation also)

Retirement homes ( purchase motels then add lobby and operate under bed and breakfast regulations.)

Factories

Electricity

Recycling

Software

High end home furnishings and decor

Housing

Handicap and equipment rental

Health and fitness equipment

Health Services provider

 

Strip malls for democratically operated enterprises

Film production

Marketing and advertising

Excellence is never an accident

Brad Sherwood 

[Nanne Kennedy]

There are several third party certifiers.  I think Green America is the best fit here (for which I have the Gold Standard) the frustration is that there are few buyers locally for what we offer so our costs must include national outreach.  Yes, lots of talk here about all good things green and not enough gold to sustain our businesses on the preferred marketing footprint.  Does this help?  MANY of us do the right thing.  MOST of us cannot afford to buy it...  Thank goodness Walmart and Reny's has an organic section?  From China?  (I hope you know I am being sarcastic...)

~N

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce" listserv of Cooperative Maine ( http://www.cooperativemaine.org ) *
 
To post to this group, send email to cooperat...@googlegroups.com
 
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com
 
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en
 
========================
 
To subscribe to the Cooperative Maine detailed nuts & bolts working group listserv, visit:
 
http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en
 
========================
FMI on Cooperative Maine:
 
http://www.cooperativemaine.org
 
in...@cooperativemaine.org
 
========================
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cooperative Maine" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

Nanne Kennedy

Meadowcroft Farm, Washington, Maine

h207.845.2587 c207.542.2587

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."  ~Albert Camus

[Jane Livingston]

Go Brad go!

If you can sustain this level of energy, positivism and clear thinking, and you are a good organizer and leader, you could just be the answer to our prayers.

In re the question of "why hasn't Co-op Maine gotten more done?" note what Nanne says below. As far as I know every single person on this listserve is very actively trying to make Maine and the world a healthier, happier place for all. It doesn't mean some of us can't find or make some space to help out but please remember we all have our shoulders to the wheel.

Best to you, Jane

 

 

----- Original Message -----

[Noemi]

Hi Brad.

On the topic of a central database that connects all groups -- Cooperative Maine was the very first member of the new Data Commons Cooperative (see datacommons.find.coop), an effort to connect all kinds of different groups that manage listings of what is in the cooperative/solidarity/green/local/generative/rooted/what-have-you economy. If you are aware of other good groups that should join the Data Commons Cooperative, to contribute to a *distributed, decentralized* database of entities, please let me know. We are looking for a broad range of members, from hyper-local/specialized to broad umbrella. FYI, hOur World based in Portland is another recent new member. 

Besides making it easier for participants in the new economy and the general public to discover what is out there, we hope and trust that making a directory like find.coop available will also raise general awareness. 

Best,

Noemi Giszpenc

ngis...@cdi.coop

[Erbin Crowell]

The National Cooperative Business Association has launched an online database specifically for co-ops in the US, including a smart phone app for finding co-ops.

http://www.cooperateusa.coop/

-Erbin

[Nanne Kennedy]

Just pulled out the Changing Maine Directory, fifth edition from 2001.  "A Statewide Directory of Grassroots Social Action/Service Groups and Green Businesses."  Does anyone know if this HUGE effort is still happening?  Larry...  it seems you would know;~) 

On Mar 27, 2013, at 8:28 AM, Larry Dansinger wrote:

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce" listserv of Cooperative Maine ( http://www.cooperativemaine.org ) *
 
To post to this group, send email to cooperat...@googlegroups.com
 
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com
 
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en
 
========================
 
To subscribe to the Cooperative Maine detailed nuts & bolts working group listserv, visit:
 
http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en
 
========================
FMI on Cooperative Maine:
 
http://www.cooperativemaine.org
 
in...@cooperativemaine.org
 
========================
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cooperative Maine" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

[Larry Dansinger]

It was updated in 2009 (needs updating again) at www.changingmaine.org.

Larry

[Jane Livingston]

Does the 2009 version of Changing Maine by any chance include an email list that could be used to invite everyone to the HOPE Festival and Cooperative Maine Annual Meeting?

Thanks for reserving the room, Mike. I'll bring some fresh bread (assuming we can have food?)

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Larry Dansinger

To: cooperat...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2013 8:51 AM

Subject: Re: [Cooperative Maine] Fwd: Enterprise ideas

[Michael Howard]

No problem bringing food.

Mike

Michael W. Howard

Department of Philosophy

The Maples

The University of Maine

Orono, Maine 04469 USA

tel. 207-581-3861

fax 207-581-2928

Michael...@umit.maine.edu

http://umaine.edu/philosophy/meet-the-faculty/howardm/

[crl...@fedcoseeds.com]

The reason it hasn't happened is that maybe we don't need a centralized statewide
organization with branding, trademarks, advertising and all the accoutrements of
advertising campaigns that actually turn many of us off. Maybe the real strength
is in all these decentralized efforts that are currently taking place and quietly
growing and thriving, i.e. Fedco takes care of its own outreach because we know
our products, our markets etc. and works in areas where we have expertise (such
as helping seed savers or getting seeds into schools) to bring about social
change. I'd rather concentrate our efforts into building our own organizational
strengths at Fedco than into building another organization that will require
major resources and duplicate some of what we already have. I do agree with the
need for ongoing communication and coalitions between these different efforts,
such as the current legislative campaign for labeling GMOs that needs broad
grass-roots support, coalitions that can be developed on an as-needed basis. I
also think a group could study and look for concrete needs that aren't being met
(a revolving loan fund for start-ups could be one such idea) and then help
identify (and possibly initially fund the people who develop the expertise to
carry those concrete ideas forward into becoming new successful institutions.)
–CR Lawn

On Tue 04/02/13 8:51 AM , Larry Dansinger ro...@psouth.net sent:

> It was updated in 2009 (needs updating again) at www.changingmaine.org

> [1].

> Larry
> On Apr 1, 2013, at 8:27 PM, Nanne Kennedy wrote:
> Just pulled out the Changing Maine Directory, fifth edition from
> 2001. "A Statewide Directory of Grassroots Social Action/Service
> Groups and Green Businesses." Does anyone know if this HUGE effort is
> still happening? Larry... it seems you would know;~)
>
> On Mar 27, 2013, at 8:28 AM, Larry Dansinger wrote:
> From Brad Sherwood: Please reply to Brad and, if you want, to this
> list.
>
> Begin forwarded message:

> FROM: Brad Sherwood DATE: March 26, 2013 8:08:52 PM EDT TO: Larry
> Dansinger SUBJECT: ENTERPRISE IDEAS

> As I talk to people it becomes obvious that though there are many
> organizations and programs throughout Maine that are working to bring
> out positive social and economic change, these efforts thus far have
> not been embraced by the general population and only get minimal
> attention from the press.
> What is it that needs to be done to cause a larger impact? At the
> moment I am thinking we need a strong brand, or trademark, that can
> become recognized by everyone. Also, we need a cooperative
> infrastructure to provide marketing, distribution, a revolving fund
> for start ups, a research service, and a master database that connects
> all the groups in an easy to use and access format.
> I would like everyone to think about why it is that we have not thus
> far reached out beyond those who are now active, to convince others to
> get involved, and then to post their reasons, or write to me directly.
> I am currently formulating the concepts of a state wide organization
> to address this problem. Our society needs to change the way
> decisions are made and implemented, and that can only happened when we
> have the attention of a larger portion of our population.
> Below is a list of enterprises that I think offer potential for coops
> to invest in. Whenever anyone has a vision, a concept, and a viable
> plan to form a cooperative enterprise, wherever they are, we need to
> make it possible for them. I would be glad to hear more suggestions.
>

> Statewide food producer coopElectricity provider similar to

> Electricity Maine
> Restaurants Grocery and wholesale club Meat processing
> Fast food healthy restaurant Pet food
> Disrtribution companies. Could have trucks with message of the
> goodness of democracy through cooperatives. Quality used
> auto sales and auto service Truck and bus wash facility
> Fuel School bus services
> Elder care and transportation (handicap
> transportation also) Retirement homes ( purchase
> motels then add lobby and operate under bed and breakfast
> regulations.)
> Factories Electricity
> Recycling Software High end
> home furnishings and decor
> Housing Handicap and equipment
> rental Health and fitness equipment
> Health Services provider Strip malls for
> democratically operated enterprises Film productionMarketing and
> advertising

> _Excellence is never an accident_
> _Brad Sherwood _

> --
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce"

> listserv of Cooperative Maine ( http://www.cooperativemaine.org [4] )

> *
> To post to this group, send email to

> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> For more options, visit this group at

> http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en [7]

> ========================
> To subscribe to the Cooperative Maine detailed nuts & bolts working
> group listserv, visit:

> http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en [8]

> ========================
> FMI on Cooperative Maine:

> http://www.cooperativemaine.org [9]

> ========================
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Cooperative Maine" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,

> send an email to .

> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out

> [12].
> Nanne KennedyMeadowcroft Farm, Washington, Maineh207.845.2587

> c207.542.2587"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me
> there lay an invincible summer." ~Albert Camus
> --
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce"

> listserv of Cooperative Maine ( http://www.cooperativemaine.org [13] )

> *
> To post to this group, send email to

> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> For more options, visit this group at

> http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en [16]

> ========================
> To subscribe to the Cooperative Maine detailed nuts & bolts working
> group listserv, visit:

> http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en [17]

> ========================
> FMI on Cooperative Maine:

> http://www.cooperativemaine.org [18]

> ========================
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Cooperative Maine" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,

> send an email to .

> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out

> [21].

> --
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce"

> listserv of Cooperative Maine ( http://www.cooperativemaine.org [22] )

> *
> To post to this group, send email to
> cooperat...@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at

> http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en [23]

> ========================
> To subscribe to the Cooperative Maine detailed nuts & bolts working
> group listserv, visit:

> http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en [24]

> ========================
> FMI on Cooperative Maine:

> http://www.cooperativemaine.org [25]

> in...@cooperativemaine.org
> ========================
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Cooperative Maine" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,
> send an email to cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out

> [26].
>
>
> Links:
> ------
> [1] http://www.changingmaine.org
> [4] http://www.cooperativemaine.org
> [7] http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en
> [8] http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en
> [9] http://www.cooperativemaine.org
> [12] https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out
> [13] http://www.cooperativemaine.org
> [16] http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en
> [17] http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en
> [18] http://www.cooperativemaine.org
> [21] https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out
> [22] http://www.cooperativemaine.org
> [23] http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en
> [24] http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en
> [25] http://www.cooperativemaine.org
> [26] https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out
>
>

[Larry Dansinger]

Easier to just type changingmaine.org into a web search engine.

Larry

On Apr 1, 2013, at 8:27 PM, Nanne Kennedy wrote:

[Larry Dansinger]

As I mentioned, it's easier to access by typing changingmaine.org or Changing Maine Directory into a search engine. Someone would have to create a list, and some of the information in the directory needs to be updated.

Larry

Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce" listserv of Cooperative Maine (http://www.cooperativemaine.org ) *

 
To post to this group, send email to cooperat...@googlegroups.com
 
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com
 
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en
 
========================
 
To subscribe to the Cooperative Maine detailed nuts & bolts working group listserv, visit:
 
http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en
 
========================
FMI on Cooperative Maine:
 
http://www.cooperativemaine.org
 
in...@cooperativemaine.org
 
========================
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cooperative Maine" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email tocooperativemai...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

Nanne Kennedy

Meadowcroft Farm, Washington, Maine

h207.845.2587 c207.542.2587

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."  ~Albert Camus

-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google

Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce" listserv of Cooperative Maine (http://www.cooperativemaine.org ) *

 
To post to this group, send email to cooperat...@googlegroups.com
 
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com
 
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en
 
========================
 
To subscribe to the Cooperative Maine detailed nuts & bolts working group listserv, visit:
 
http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en
 
========================
FMI on Cooperative Maine:
 
http://www.cooperativemaine.org
 
in...@cooperativemaine.org
 
========================
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cooperative Maine" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email tocooperativemai...@googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google

Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce" listserv of Cooperative Maine (http://www.cooperativemaine.org ) *

 
To post to this group, send email to cooperat...@googlegroups.com
 
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com
 
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en
 
========================
 
To subscribe to the Cooperative Maine detailed nuts & bolts working group listserv, visit:
 
http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en
 
========================
FMI on Cooperative Maine:
 
http://www.cooperativemaine.org
 
in...@cooperativemaine.org
 
========================
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cooperative Maine" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email tocooperativemai...@googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google

Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce" listserv of Cooperative Maine (http://www.cooperativemaine.org ) *

[HB Garrold]

Brad, I agree with Jane, you have incredible energy and your ideas are good.  But I would like to add a little perspective.   I grew up here in Maine and joined the Belfast Co-op when I got back home from college in the late 1970's since then the progress toward co-ops being bigger and better has been slow but steady.  

Maine is one of the most progressive states in the nation and we are lucky to live here.  There are lots of great people doing great work.  I would suggest you network with them and sign on to help with the movements that are doing this good work instead of re-inventing the wheel. 

I am not a patient person so I have no right to counsel you to be patient.   But I would advise you to acknowledge the progress and just keep doing the work.  Fragmentation is our enemy.  Things are a lot better in so many ways even if they are worse in others.

Sorry this is kind of a word salad but do feel fairly strongly about not fragmenting the progressive energy any more than we already have.   Working with Co-op Maine is a great option.   Maybe you are the person to re-energize it and make it the organization that it could be.

Hope this is helpful.

 

Betsy Garrold
The Populist Farmer
http://thepopulistfarmer.wordpress.com/

---

From: Jane Livingston <jane_li...@myfairpoint.net>
To: cooperat...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 4:23 PM

[Kira Pilot]

This email address was spammed. Please remove this email from your mailing list immediately.
Thank you.

---

From: ro...@psouth.net
To: cooperat...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Cooperative Maine] Re: Breaking bread after HOPE
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2013 13:30:03 -0400

Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce" listserv of Cooperative Maine ( http://www.cooperativemaine.org ) *

[Kira Pilot]

This email address was spammed. Please remove this email from your mailing list immediately.
Thank you.

> To: cooperat...@googlegroups.com
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2013 09:25:24 -0500

> Subject: Re: [Cooperative Maine] Fwd: Enterprise ideas

> From: crl...@fedcoseeds.com

> Groups "Cooperative Maine" group * the general "news & announce" listserv of Cooperative Maine ( http://www.cooperativemaine.org ) *

>
> To post to this group, send email to cooperat...@googlegroups.com
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com
>
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/cooperativemaine?hl=en
>

> ========================
>
> To subscribe to the Cooperative Maine detailed nuts & bolts working group listserv, visit:
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/co-op-work?hl=en
>

> ========================
> FMI on Cooperative Maine:
>
> http://www.cooperativemaine.org
>

> in...@cooperativemaine.org
>
> ========================
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cooperative Maine" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cooperativemai...@googlegroups.com.

> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
>
>