Re: MSP Work Plan

[Lucas Shapiro]

Thanks for this Bedel!

I'm CCing the rest of the MSP Core so that folks know where these conversations are headed and so others can add their own thoughts/questions into the mix.

Details of the event this Sunday in the link from my previous email: http://www.facebook.com/events/271321956320808/

It's at 388 Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn from 1-4pm.  Would love to have you guys there.

We have people with direct experience running orgs and bar-cafe spaces in our orbit, but not in our core right now.  We're working to recruit one or two more that have these skills.  If incorporation takes longer than we'd like, we already have a friend who has offered to be a fiscal sponsor for the MSP in the interim.  She's working on a rural/retreat project with many of the same values of the MSP and also helped run Bluestockings and is on the board of the Brecht Forum.  We'd be curious to explore the parameters of fiscal sponsorship if major fundraising needs to happen sooner than later.

Look forward to seeing you guys on Sunday.  There will be a quick breakout session on resourcing/business planning that it would be great for you both to participate in.  Perhaps an outcome of that could be arranging a sit down meeting with 1-3 people with experience running spaces (including a bar/cafe/club) to sit down with all of us to explore the tricks of the trade.

xx

Lucas

On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 1:31 PM, bedel.t...@live.law.cuny.edu <bedel.t...@live.law.cuny.edu> wrote:

Hey,

I'm glad to hear that the core group is excited to have us aboard. The potluck community gathering of the MSP group sounds like a great opportunity to meet those involved. Please let me know where and when the event is to take place. 

I am available to present to the group on Sunday, Nov. 11th at 5pm. The research that I've conducted thus far focuses on corporate forms and the tax implications of each. At the risk of dulling your upcoming retreat, the group might want to discuss how they envision MSP's revenue affecting their individual tax liability. IRS corporate designations classify business entities as either "pass-through" entities or as those taxed at the corporate level. The classification has a dramatic impact on an organizations ability to raise capital and create internal finance structures. Just something to think about. Other than that, I would suggest that the group discuss as many plausible ways to generate revenue once MSP has incorporated. Who on the core group has business experience? Who has successfully managed and operated a bar/cafe?

The meetings were Kunal and I could chat with people who currently or have previously run similar spaces sounds like a good idea. I can  make myself available to meet with anyone who is available.

Sincerely,

Bedel

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From: Lucas Shapiro [lucas....@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2012 10:54 AM
To: kunal....@live.law.cuny.edu
Cc: bedel.t...@live.law.cuny.edu

Subject: Re: MSP Work Plan

Hey fellas,

We had a MSP Core Team meeting last night and everyone is excited to have you both on board.

We wanted to make sure you had two dates on your radar.  The first, is this Sunday, when we're having a potluck community gathering of the MSP.  I would be happy to quickly introduce you guys to the people in attendance if you are able to attend.  Should be a solid group and an engaging event.  Let me know if you're able to come.

The next is the first Core Team meeting after our Nov. 4th leadership retreat.  It would be on Sunday, Nov. 11th at 5pm.  We are hoping that you can present what you've come up with so far at that meeting.  Does that work?  If you have preliminary items you'd like us to share prior to the 11th that you think would be valuable for us to discuss before or at our Nov. 4th retreat, please let us know.

As far as the items that fall outside of incorporation (liquor licenses, rental agreements, etc.) maybe we could identify which of those items are "low hanging fruit" that don't require extensive research so that we chip away at some other areas that might need clarification sooner than later?  I don't know what those items are, but given your developing expertise, feel free to share if some seem easier than others to tackle, even on a cursory basis.

One other possible area of synergy is if time permits, we could help arrange meetings where either or both of you were able to chat with people who currently or have previously run spaces (community, arts, bar, club) that are sympathetic to our aims.  Perhaps the right person who has already confronted/conquered many of these hurdles before could help guide us in the right direction.  I can explore this option if either of you think it could help us move forward collectively.

Talk soon!

-Lucas

On Sun, Oct 7, 2012 at 6:26 PM, kunal....@live.law.cuny.edu <kunal....@live.law.cuny.edu> wrote:

Hey Lucas,

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I think there is a little confusion about what the work plan is. Bedel and I created and sent to you an outline of what we want to do for you and a timeline for doing it - subject to additions and small changes. I'm sorry if you wanted something else.

Bedel and I were thinking that we would outline the incorporation options in a presentation to the core group. Our work plan lists (1) the kinds of organizations we plan to research and (2) characteristics that we think are most relevant in deciding how to incorporate (governance, membership, mission, fundraising and so on). Our plan is to present a clear comparative analysis of these organizational forms so that the core group can make an informed decision about incorporating.

We're not sure when you want us to make this presentation. We remember you mentioned a retreat and we thought that it would be good to give this presentation before your group's retreat so the group has a chunk of time to really think about incorporation together. That is just our thought about it but you know best. If you want us to do this presentation, when is best?

As for the issues of getting licenses to make or sell food, sell liquor and rent equipment, this will require more time for us to research. We also think it will be much easier to deal with these issues once your group has a clearer idea of the legal form your organization will take. I understand that you're capable of doing more than one thing at a time, but it's a lot to handle all at once for us. We're planning a clear but thorough presentation.

What do you think about all of that? I'm sorry for the length of this message and please let me know if I'm still being unclear.\

Thanks,

Kunal 

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From: Lucas Shapiro [lucas....@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2012 11:39 AM
To: kunal....@live.law.cuny.edu
Subject: Re: MSP Work Plan

Thanks for this!

Sounds great.  Would the presentation to the core group be once we have the incorporation options outlined?  Or would it be to outline the plan you just sent me?

I'll be passing this along for feedback.  I suspect folks will appreciate the focus on incorporation, but also be looking for an some outline of other legal/regulatory questions we have about lease/rental issues, food service, renting equipment, etc.  We'll be launching the working groups later this month or early November, and we'll need some basic guidelines for fundraising options and real estate scouting.

Please put Sunday, Oct. 21st from 1-4pm on your calendars.  That's when we're having a potluck community gathering for the MSP at the Commons space on Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn.

xx

Lucas

On Thu, Oct 4, 2012 at 10:01 AM, kunal....@live.law.cuny.edu <kunal....@live.law.cuny.edu> wrote:

Hey Lucas,

I have attached our work plan to this message. Take a look at it and tell us what you think. We'd like to set a date to make a presentation to the core group (if you'd like us to make the presentation to the entire group). We've outlined the information we'd present in the work plan.

Thanks,

Kunal and Bedel

--
Lucas Shapiro
address:  70 south elliot pl., brooklyn, ny 11217
cell:         917.385.1254
work:       718.852.2960

--
Lucas Shapiro
address:  70 south elliot pl., brooklyn, ny 11217
cell:         917.385.1254
work:       718.852.2960

--
Lucas Shapiro
address:  70 south elliot pl., brooklyn, ny 11217
cell:         917.385.1254
work:       718.852.2960