Leadership Development in Communities of Color

One of the most profound issues facing Oregon today is the marginalization, discrimination and profound inequality and disproportionality across all aspects of life experienced by communities of color in Oregon. The Million Dollar Idea provides an opportunity to address this issue by funding leadership development in communities of color.

Oregon has a long-standing profile as being overwhelmingly White. But this naming of Oregon as “overwhelming White” serves to deeply marginalize and render almost invisible the more than 750,000 people of color who live here. The visibility of communities of color is at the heart of equitable treatment and invisibility works to stifle innovation in Oregon.

Meyer Memorial Trust can help change the tone of the conversations in Oregon and jumpstart action that again makes our state a place where ideas begin and grow by funding the development of human capital in communities of color. In so doing, Meyer will be increasing the diversity of voices in Oregon resulting in richer, more creative thinking.

Funding for communities of color is needed to self-organize, network, develop pathways to greater social inclusion, build culturally-specific social capital and provide leadership within and outside communities of color.

Oregon cannot become a place where new, creative thinking flourishes until it becomes a place that provides for the opportunities necessary to make the invisible, visible and empower communities of color.

Sexual assault is a problem that affects ALL Oregonians. The CDC reports that one in six women in Oregon has been a victim of rape in their lifetime. According to the Justice Department, more than 93% of all sexual assaults are perpetrated by men and 10-20% of men will be sexually assaulted in their lives. Despite these facts, there is a striking lack of work being done to engage men in sexual assault prevention. While most perpetrators of sexual assault may be men, most men DO NOT sexually assault. Those of us who are not violent have a responsibility to do something about it! Men who are not violent have the capacity to prevent sexual assault by challenging attitudes and behaviors that support violence. If we, as a state, seek to prevent sexual assault in our communities we MUST engage men in the effort. One million dollars could go a long way in supporting programs throughout the state that engage men in sexual violence prevention.

MMT should fund Drive Oregon, a coalition of Oregon companies and interest groups engaged in the electric vehicle industry, and in issues surrounding transportation electrification – with an emphasis on job creation and economic gardening. Drive Oregon’s mission is to catalyze the growth of Oregon’s electric vehicle (EV) industry to ensure Oregon develops and maintains its competitive advantage and maximizes the economic development potential of this emerging industry.

Drive Oregon is a collaboration of Oregon companies, public entities, and other stakeholders in the process of forming a formal tax exempt organization with the following high-level goals:
• Attract existing federal resources and private financial support to enable local companies to overcome commercialization barriers for clean vehicles, EV and EV-related products and facilitate opportunities for external collaboration.
• Leverage and connect Oregon University System institutions, utilities, state and local government entities and Oregon electric vehicle (EV) industry stakeholders to efficiently develop and commercialize next-generation transportation technologies.
• Foster collaboration between Oregon's existing clean tech, advanced manufacturing, software and high technology sectors to participate in the EV supply chain, both locally and globally.
• Aid in the creation of skilled, family-wage jobs to build the next generation of transportation solutions.

Context:
Oregon is at the forefront of Electric Vehicle (EV) deployments, having garnered attention internationally as an early-adopter market as exemplified by our high hybrid electric vehicle concentration. Transportation Electrification represents the transformation from a fossil-fueled, combustion based transportation system to one that increasingly powers vehicles with electricity as the motive force. Electric vehicles have much higher energy efficiency than internal combustion powered vehicles and are significantly cleaner. Beyond the environmental benefits of EVs, there are significant benefits from energy security and retained wealth in the local economy not transferred to purchase petroleum. While there are undeniable regional benefits for being an early EV market, so called “green dividends,” as well as transitory job creation through EV charging installations, there are significant long-term benefits available to Oregon. Seed funding from Ideas 4 Oregon can enable focus Oregon’s efforts on transformative economic development.

Oregon’s vision is to be a leader in EVs. Governor Kulongoski recognizes EVs in his climate change and sustainable transportation agenda; having issued Executive Order 08-24 creating the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure Working Group (hereafter AFVI). The group produced a report issued in February 2010 providing recommendations to the Governor.

Cited within the report of the AFVI Report is the recognition of an Oregon electric vehicle cluster and a call to action to support this cluster for long-term sustainable advantage. The AFVI Report contained well over 6 pages dedicated to job creation opportunities and recommendations. Highlights include opportunities in the component and subsystem level for existing local companies; software and embedded electronic systems for Oregon firms, recognition of Oregon's advantages in "niche" vehicle segments; development and manufacturing of EV charging infrastructure (actual charging stations and the associated grid connectivity, communications and control); as well as job creation including design, engineering, analysis of software, systems and process to integrate into hardware, networking and devices that support the evolution of smart grid and on-board services. Furthermore, the AFVI Report also advanced recommendations for creation of a “world-class, multi-disciplinary transportation electrification and “smart mobility” center of excellence” as well as a “center of excellence for Smart Grid integration of electric vehicles.” Funding from MMT would provide seed / development funding to leverage federal funds, state funds and other private sources to start up such a center.

Oregon has a strong manufacturing capability and expertise throughout the region to support a clean vehicle industry, with a correspondingly robust supply base in existence that serves commercial trucks (i.e., Freightliner/Daimler in Portland and PACCAR in Washington) as well as recreational vehicle makers. There are opportunities for existing Oregon companies -- or people-- to diversify, create new divisions, start new companies, or join emergent companies. Despite the economic downturn and scarcity of capital investment, Oregon’s pioneer spirit has launched in excess of 14 local companies over the last several years as evidenced by the cluster formation through start-up entrepreneurial activity. Oregon already has well over 40 companies actively working on transportation electrification and vehicle efficiency technologies, many are listed at http://DriveOregon.org/members.

By harnessing the resources of this broad array of companies, fostering collaboration and attracting additional complementary firms, Oregon is well positioned to capitalize on the growth in the electric vehicle sector. Meyer Memorial Trust’s support as an economic gardening approach will create local jobs and bolster an emerging local industry. Now is the time to Drive Oregon towards a prosperous electric vehicle future.

Meyer Memorial Trust should leverage its investment with a $1 million "challenge grant" that will serve as a catalyst to attract other dollars; especially one-time start up funds from other foundations, private industry sources, and key federal granting agencies. A MMT placement can position Oregon in a leading position to secure a portion of the $11 billion in federal funding through the Electric Vehicle Deployment Act of 2010 co-sponsored by Senator Merkley. A Meyer grant will also send a strong message to the Governor, Legislature and the Oregon Innovation Council that future jobs in Oregon will depend on public/private investments in clean vehicles, clean energy and technology.

Clean transportation, green jobs and livable communities. Drive Oregon.

$ONE hundred NEW Oregon Businesses!
$TWO thousand NEW Oregon Jobs!
$THREE thousand NEW Oregon Creative Projects!
in ONE extraordinary month (1/2011)

THE ADVENTURE
Three Oregon cities collaborate and compete to change Oregon’s economic landscape in 30 days. The engine that drives this economic renaissance is fueled by Oregon startups: ShopDragon, the evolutionary small business ecommerce platform and Plan-it You Oregon, a social productivity game designed to mobilize groups & individuals to play their way to solutions for current economic, environmental & educational challenges.

The startups team with a network of established Oregon businesses and organizations to mobilize communities to take action at a local grassroots level.

THE CITIES
Ashland, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Portland, Oregon

THE EVENTS
Get Ready! Oregon $ONE-TWO-THREE New Economy Meetups
3 informational kickoff events

THE PROGRAM
Get Set! Oregon $ONE-TWO-THREE New Economy Startup

January 2nd is the start of the one month NEW Economy Adventure leading to the creation of ONE hundred new business, TWO thousand new jobs, and THREE thousand new creative projects in Oregon. The program provides participants with
 weekly Web TV with Oregon business leaders and mentors
 Small Business e-commerce platform
 Daily social productivity and project management game

THE RESULTS
StartUp! Oregon $ONE-TWO-THREE New Economy Roundup and Celebration
ONE hundred new business, TWO thousand new jobs, and THREE thousand new creative projects are announced and honored in a live simulcast in the three cities. The program can then be replicated in cities across Oregon in 2011.

Subtitled:
“It’s gonna take the government (stupid)!” and
“As it did with Oregon's pioneers, it takes WITTs, not YOYOs, to succeed.”

The Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) proposes a coordinated, strategic campaign to change and act upon the public perception of the proper role of government. The goal is twofold: (1) to enhance Oregonians' trust, respect, and support for the role of government in the lives of Oregonians , and (2) for Oregonians to recognize that, as it was with the pioneers who established the state, the “we’re in this together” people (WITTs) will be more successful than “you’re on your own” people (YOYOs) in bringing about and maintaining the policies that make Oregon special.* The long-term success of Oregon’s progressive public policies rests on it.

Veteran pollster and public opinion analyst Adam Davis refers to Oregonians’ gross misunderstanding and widespread distrust of government as key components of a “perfect storm” of public opinion that impedes long-term progressive change and threatens Oregon’s past accomplishments.

This sad state of affairs did not arise spontaneously. From Ronald Reagan’s oft-quoted 1981 inaugural claim that “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem,” to right-wing strategist Grover Norquist’s stated goal to cut taxes until government was “down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub,” conservative propaganda has molded public perception of government and fostered an unhealthy number of YOYOs who derail policies that would improve the common good.

The public’s negative perception of the role of public structures is a liability. Social justice advocates not only bear the burden of demonstrating that a particular problem can be ameliorated, but also must go the extra round and show that government is the appropriate and necessary agent for change. Until the public understands that government is “we” – not “it” or “them” – and that government serves a critical role in creating opportunity, problem solving and leveling the playing field, progressive change-agents are fighting with one hand tied behind their backs.

Misunderstanding and distrust of government has already taken its toll on Oregon’s public policy agenda. The Oregon Health Plan is a prime example. The plan was whittled to an endangered species status by budget-cut driven policy choices from a legislature and electorate unwilling to support the program. The plan was (and is) popular, but it fell victim to the distrust of government. Efforts to again make Oregon a leader in health care policy are ultimately doomed, unless the public’s perception of the role of government improves.

The tenuous nature of Oregon’s land use system is another example. In the 1970s when the land use system was created, government was seen as a problem solver. Today government is painted as the problem-maker and the land use debate rages on. The Measure 49 win will be short-lived unless the distrust of government is addressed.
Distrust of government in the last 15 years led the legislature and voters to establish supermajority requirements for raising revenue, saving unanticipated revenues for rainy days, and spending reserve funds in fiscal emergencies. The public will never remove these power-to-the-minority fiscal handcuffs until they recognize and appreciate the important role of government and that we’re in this together.

Yet the time may be ripe for turning Oregon into first state in the nation where the public supports the role of public structures and evidences a WITT mentality in our policies and actions. Events such as Katrina, the health care crisis and the Great Recession have revealed to many that the conservative mantra has led us down the wrong path.

In Oregon, things can look different here if we support public structures and recognize that we're in this together.
----
*The terms WITTs and YOYOs were coined by Jared Bernstein in his book "All Together Now: Common Sense for a New Economy."

Think of Facebook for non-profits, to communicate (campaign) general and or specific needs real time. One stop shopping for givers to shop for a cause they wish to support, with categories of institutions. Each institution creates and maintains their own customizable presence, with hooks for leveraging other social networking sites (API's for Facebook, Twitter, Twitpay, etc.) and tools, giving the institutions yet another marketing tool. Givers and non-givers alike could "follow" an institution, linking to their personal Twitter/Facebook/etc to build a following growing potential givers.
Also with the available option to send a donation online, with givers accounts only for giving purposes so they can receive yearly tax statements of money given.
This type of site could also be duplicated very quickly once the initial IP (software model) is developed, so I imagine a similar site for research projects, where researchers can post a customizable presence detailing their project(s) and needs to solicit funding with interactive updates and communication to followers, again with one stop shopping for givers to land and search projects they might be interested in.
This type of site would concentrate these institutions into one place so they don't just end up becoming white noise in the huge social networks presently online.

Although I hope the one or two really visionary yet practical and financially feasible ideas for effectively leveraging $1M are in here somewhere, the noise is somewhat overwhelming to a casual observer like myself. In my opinion, the best ideas come from people with a vested interest in seeing them through. That interest may not be purely wealth but for recognition and for responsibility in bringing the idea to fruition. So there may be some reluctance on the part of people with really good ideas to post them in such a public forum. This is a noble experiment, but the description does not make clear what participation a winning idea's creator may expect in carrying it out. So with all due respect to the intentions of the staff of the Meyer Trust, if you find that $1M can not be used to further every political and social agenda embodied by the ideas posted here; if you want new ideas with a long term potential to change Oregon; if you want ideas with background consideration of financial feasibility and statewide financial impact, then my idea is that you re-start this project. Make it a true competition with grants to the winners allowing them to try to implement their idea. (Perhaps even quit their job for a year to see it thru.) Require only brief 2-3 page (750 word) submissions and promise to keep the submissions private. I dont think that reserving the right to limit the number and value of awards based on the quality of the submissions would be very discouraging and would leave you a way out if no submissions fit your mission.

Tens of thousands of Oregonians are willing to step up right now and help meet critical needs across the state. They just don't know how to do it. Investing in a statewide volunteer infrastructure would energize this tremendous, sustainable resource. By linking Oregonians with opportunities to volunteer to meet real community needs we would create a low-cost, sustaining source of help for a myriad of needs, from education to social service to the arts. The models for how to do this are out there and working in select communities. Oregonians want to help. All we need is investment in creating volunteer opportunities and in connecting people with them. This is a straightforward yet powerful idea to help Oregonians help each other.

There are many pressing problems in Oregon. I would put unemployment near the top, and I like the idea of incubators, but it doesn’t do any good to start a company, and then have it fail later because lack of capital to take it to the next stage.

The best use of funding would be to use it as leverage to greatly multiply its effects. My idea is a variation and an expansion of the MMT’s own contest idea. The idea is to channel the vast cognitive surplus of the world to solve real problems. See:
http://www.ted.com/talks/clay_shirky_how_cognitive_surplus_will_change_the_world.html

People of the world have over a trillion hours a year in free time. How large is the untapped market of brilliant, creative people, with time on their hands? While it’s good to exercise your brain, think of the millions of people that use their cognitive surplus to only “solve” crossword or seduku puzzles everyday?

My idea is to create a website to assist people to collaborate on solving meaningful world problems.

After the initial startup and development costs, the website would be self sustaining. The website itself would create jobs in Oregon, and could also spin off new local startups, but Oregon would also benefit directly and indirectly as world problems are addressed. Any problem that needs to be solved is fair game - political, social, technological, etc., but the focus would be much more than a sounding board or brainstorming forum, it would focus on taking solutions past the “good idea” stage, and making them happen. The website could be hosted and run anywhere in the world, but by having it in Oregon, we would be best placed to access and reap the rewards of the words brain reserve.

The website would basically be a forum type of website where registered members join for free and can suggest a problem to work on, or help solve listed problems. The website would be highly structured and organized to allow for easy scanning. It would use hierarchical nested replies, and have other useful features, like, interesting topics and replies are automatically moved to the top (as voted on by members). I like the nested topic/reply format found on many websites, but to be more useful for real collaboration, the information bandwidth has to substantially increase. In addition to text and links, the replies also need to be able to support embedded graphics, videos, logic diagrams, flow charts, stored files, etc – everything needed to do real innovation.

Contributors would participate for several reasons:
1) They are contributing to making the world a better place.
2) People are motivated to increase their “rank” and social worth. Doing tasks to get a merit badge, advance to the next karate belt, or increase your characters “hit-points” are all motivators using the same principle. On the website, people increase in social worth by getting points by contributing good ideas (or even supplying a reason why an idea won’t work). Points are given by other members (votes from members with higher points carry more weight).
3) Unlike some inventor websites, where an inventor has to pay to submit their good idea, small prizes and money can be awarded to people with the “best” idea, or as they reach certain point levels, as determined by members. Substantial prizes and money could be awarded by sponsoring companies.
4) The website would make use of the standard social networking tools, like allowing members to network with chosen friends, having private chat and messaging, etc. The usual stuff.

For real problems that are being solved, members can offer good ideas, suggest critical feedback, play off of other good ideas, and even revise or rework the problem statement. True collaboration requires the problem and solutions to morph as needed, and the website would graphically track the changes so that a topic doesn’t become overwhelmingly cluttered. The website would go much farther than just developing good ideas, the website would help to link up solution providers, investors, other contributors, NGO’s, non-profits, etc., to turn the idea into reality, and then continue to track it’s success.

I can’t list all the great features of the website in this pitch, but one suggestion is that if a user registers him/herself as an expert in “x”, they could choose to be directed automatically to problems that need their expertise.

Once the site is up, it can be self supporting in several ways:
1) Advertisers: A collection of “creative people actively participating in solving world problems” is a demographic that many advertisers would like to tap into.
2) Sponsors: For a fee (sliding scale), non-profit and for-profit companies can have their own “problems that need solutions” featured.
3) Since the website is designed to be used for innovation collaboration, “private rooms” with encrypted data could be rented to companies for private use.

Oregon certainly has the resources to make this website happen, and it could start immediately. This is a shovel ready project. And, once the website is up, it could be used to refine and implement all the other good ideas submitted in the MMT contest. Everyone’s a winner, here.

School kids (middle, high, college) could receive recognized school credit for a community service specifically for the aging/disabled community who want to remain at home, but cannot afford private-pay resources (ie: landscape companies, home health agencies). Examples: yard work (partner with nurseries or landscape companies); simple, non-medical care (partner with CNA schools, American Red Cross, home health agencies); simple repairs/tasks (partner with hardware stores, contractors), meal prep (partner with cooking schools, Loaves & Fishes, restaurants), grocery delivery (partner with stores), pet care/grooming (partner with shelters, vets, animal hospitals), etc. Services would be free or low-cost, based on Aging/Disabled individual's income/assets, and would be paid to that business (in exchange for training). Credit could be towards one of the corresponding career paths (healthcare, landscape, etc). Time commitment from student could be a full semester or full year. It would benefit all parties, and would be self-sustaining (there's always going to be a need, a student who wants to beef up their resume, and businesses willing to give-back and in doing so, generate more business).

Oregon needs to exploit its unique position as a lead state in developing clean energy. We have already invested billions of tax dollars to attract companies to develop our renewable resources. However, we invest almost nothing to develop a world class talent pool that will provide the innovation and technical skill necessary to make our state the ‘go to’ place for renewable energy education, research, and innovation for the foreseeable future.

A team of citizen volunteers have been working on a proposal (OESTRA) that follows the recommendations of the Pew Charitable Trust and uses some of the best from successful programs in other states like Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina. Tobias Read, Chairman of the House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee, is preparing legislation based on this proposal. The proposal would bring eminent scholars to Oregon to teach top decile students, establish applied research labs that will employ and train graduate students, capture Federal grants, and stimulate investment in renewable energy innovation and technologies. At a cost of $4 million/year it will establish Oregon as the center for renewable energy innovation, provide a basis for reducing utility costs, lowering dependence on fossil fuels, and building an economic development model based on clean energy and family wage jobs. A significant part of this proposal is the inclusion of an ROI model that can measure the benefit from these investments.

The American Innovation Council, let by Bill Gates and Jeff Immelt, has embraced this approach. The Obama Administration is in the process of implementing the Council proposals. The recommendations include putting an additional $16 billion into renewable energy research and development projects that will enable us to become energy independent and reduce our carbon footprint. The next six years will be a critical time for Oregon to capture these research investments and build an important public/private partnership. This alliance will elevate our higher education system, provide job growth in applied research around clean energy, and grow the number of technology based companies so necessary for Oregon’s future.

Meyer should leverage its prominence in Oregon's non-profit community with a $1 million "challenge grant" that will serve as a catalyst to attract other dollars; especially one-time start up funds from other foundations, private industry sources, and key federal granting agencies. A Meyer grant will also send a strong message to the Governor and Legislature that future jobs in Oregon will depend on public/private investments in clean energy and technology.

Josh Bratt, CIMA®
Vice President | Wealth Advisor
Senior Consultant, ICS
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney | Global Wealth Management Group
1001 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 2200
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: +1 503-552-3368
Fax: +1 503-221-8602
Toll: +1 800-767-7824

Despite a growing economy between 2000 and 2007, the poverty rate in Oregon remained constant. It is now rising, thanks to the recession and a high unemployment rate. Our state suffers from a long-term failure to reduce the poverty rate – the key to assisting not only those living in poverty, but to a healthy economy for every Oregonian.
Each year Federal and state governments provide $500 billion in tax incentives for higher education, home ownership, business and retirement savings. The lion’s share of these tax incentives flow to the top 20% of tax payers, while less that 3% reaches the bottom 3/5 of American families.
Yet, we know from 20 years of rigorously evaluated demonstrations that given the opportunity, low-income and even very poor families will save, learn, work and invest and ultimately, go to college, start businesses, buy homes, save for retirement and craft economic futures for their families and their country.
I suggest that the Meyer Memorial Trust take the bold step of establishing a matching saving program that will address the long-term needs of Oregonians living in poverty. This program would leverage the savings of low wage workers and attract additional funds from individuals, corporations, institutions, and foundations.
The successful Save Together model would serve the state well and has already been tested in Washington and Massachusetts. Bringing this model to Oregon would not only assist individuals and families struggling to get out of poverty, but would increase education levels in the state and make it more attractive for businesses, expand the number of Oregonians able to purchase a home, contribute to financial literacy, and strengthen the economy of the entire state.
Here’s how the Save Together program works:
Low-wage workers committed to becoming financially secure save their own money toward a specified goal, such as higher education, a home, or a small business. Their stories and photos are featured on a website and social media to inspire other people open up economic opportunity for all Americans.
Their savings are matched by everyday people to multiply their savings. Each dollar donated by an individual is matched again with funds from an experienced non-profit partner organization. The partner organizations would be chosen and funded by Meyer Memorial Trust to implement the Save Together model to select, train, and advise the participants. A website and social media are then used to spread the word and create networks of Oregonians willing to help. Donations designated for a specific saver are distributed to the partner organization that is supporting that individual (a 501(c)3 organization to provide a tax deductible contribution) and is deposited into the pool of match funds that is used toward the creation of new matched savings accounts at that organization. Savers are encouraged to become donors once their savings goals are met and they are financially stable.
This unique model of community-enhanced savings and investment strengthens economic and social ties. It builds social capital at the same time that it builds individuals, families, economies, and the state.
For over 20 years, non-profit organizations have offered matched savings programs and proven that when given the opportunity, low-wage workers will work, learn, and save to buy homes, start businesses or pursue higher education. A matched savings program provides secured savings accounts, along with matching incentives and financial education classes, for low-wage workers.
Modest savings can mean life changing opportunities. For my immigrant grandparents, working in factory jobs, their savings meant that they could buy an apartment building and collect rent from tenants – and forgive rent payments for tenants who were out of work. For myself, a savings account meant a college education and access to well-paid work. For others, it may mean having a predictable mortgage payment instead of an unpredictable rental situation, being able to attend community college, start a small business, or repair a car that is key to transportation to a job and livelihood.
Meyer Memorial Trust plays a leadership role in introducing the Save Together program and leverages its role as a leader in the nonprofit community and a catalyst to motivate other foundations and individuals to participate. As a funder, a partner of many of Oregon’s nonprofits, and a facilitator and convener, MMT has a role to play in directing a laser beam on poverty in our state and the life-changing role that even modest savings can make in helping Oregonians out of poverty . Most importantly, a public campaign, social media, and a high profile focus will leverage the ability of Oregonians to assist Oregonians, creating a stronger and more robust economy for every citizen of our state. The poverty rate is measurable. I think this kind of campaign and a $1M investment would go a long way toward helping us identify an achievable, measurable, goal that we can all participate in achieving – lowering the poverty rate in Oregon.

(Building upon: http://www.ideas4oregon.org/forums/59917-million-dollar-ideas/suggestions/896147 and http://www.ideas4oregon.org/forums/59917-million-dollar-ideas/suggestions/888059)

I've been building websites for NPOs for the last 5 years, before that I spent 8 years as a NPO organizer and fundraiser - as a "consumer" of these technology tools. There's been a lot of great advances in open source social networking platforms and CMS tools, such as Drupal. I agree with the two posts above that there's a significant opportunity to package these tools to provide a lower barrier to NPO's adopting them. But releasing these tools is not enough. I tell all my NPO Drupal clients to budget at least an equal amount of time and resources for training and staging content on the sites that I build with them.

To really help NPOs leverage open source web tools, the tech community needs to invest in packaging these tools - as well as the training and messaging/marketing materials that these organizations need to use them effectively.

My company partnering with two national river conservation organizations, East Coast funders, and an NPO messaging company called Water Words that Work, to build out a Drupal distribution and training program to help local watershed groups bootstrap the release of robust online communications, fundraising, e-advocacy, and volunteer management tools. You can read about the Drupal release here: http://drupal.org/project/drupalrivers.

What's unique about this approach is that we've coupled written training materials and the Drupal distribution itself with a one-day "boot camp" in which we will be helping 20 watershed organizations build and staging content on their new Drupal site. This formula allows us to dramatically cut the costs for organizations to launch these tools (our market price for installation of the release, a year of hosting with a reputable shared hosting provider, the training and 2 hours of subsequent support) from upwards of $10K for one group, to just $2K apiece for each of the 20 organizations participating in the camp.

This formula also immediately creates a network of peer organizations who can assist each other in training and support. And, it creates real deadlines and goals for these organizations to focus and launch their new sites quickly.

Developing similar boot camps and Drupal distributions for other NPO sub-sectors would be relatively easy-to-do. Partnering with TACS and NTEN (two national NPO technology training organizations), we could easily connect and coordinate with folks working in other NPO fields.

What's really awesome about this approach is that it's highly cost-effective. To be honest, it's economically viable without the support of MMT. What MMT could do to help this model substantially would be:

* To help us incubate additional Drupal releases and boot camps.
* To provide matching scholarships for NPO organizations that would like to participate in the boot camp program.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

Cheers,
Sean Larkin
ThinkShout.com
760.223.0589(c)

On the OPB program, the Meyer Trust's CEO said that in this difficult economic environment, we need to develop new models for delivering scarce social services. There already is a great model for this in Portland that is bringing tons of new Federal dollars into the city, but it is only available to a couple of agencies and should be replicated throughout the state. The model is simple: Get disabled folks the Social Security Income they need by changing the "rules" of the application game. Instead of two thirds of SS applicants waiting two years to be denied their benefits, this new model has shown they can get 90% of applicants their benefits in only 90 days! And for each person who gets their benefits, they receive a minimum of $674 per month that goes INTO the local economy for housing, health care, food and basic needs, and there is ONE LESS person needing local safety net dollars. This stretches these scare resources to more people. How do they do it? Instead of handicapped people trying to play the SS application game without knowing the rules, a specialist takes control of the application process. They fill out the forms FOR SS instead of simply providing information and they arrange medical evaluations rather than relying on SSA doctors. These and other "shortcuts" have earned the local B.E.S.T. program 100% increases in funding from the county this past year. The county increased their funding because every dollar that is spent on benefits specialists, returns an estimated 4 dollars in Federal Funding into the local economy. A huge number of disabled people, and their families, are homeless. 25% are veterans and many are children, and the numbers continue to grow. Now there's something we can do about it. I saw a friend's life change when they got SSI, and the medical treatment they needed. There is a pile of money that we can gain access to for our most vulnerable citizens if we expand this model. I would give a million dollars to to train more specialists in this innovative process for every county in Oregon, which would generate approximately 4 million in Federal dollars. The ripple effect in local housing , health care and social services agencies could not come at a better time. This concrete and measurable work results in restored hope and restored lives.

No open source software is better suited to helping nonprofits than Drupal. From a small site that does nothing but tell you about a nonprofit and accept donations, through community sites to powerful sites with a CRM to help nonprofits better use and mobilize their supporters, donors and volunteers... Drupal does it all. And Drupal puts the maintenance and ownership of these websites into the hands of nonprofits and takes it out of the hands of expensive developers.

A small software team could use a fraction of that money to set up and maintain three (or more) Drupal distributions, one for each of those scenarios. What does this mean? It means a powerful website is within the reach of most nonprofits for a fraction of their current costs. Each distribution will be more than software, but will also contain extensive configuration, and it is the latter that usually costs the most. Currently, a nonprofit seeking a web presence can lay out $3,000 for something basic, all the way through to tens of thousands. These distributions will make it possible for all nonprofits who don't require extensive customization to get the same websites for a cost of hundreds of dollars, or possibly thousands if more customization is required. At ***** it will save most nonprofits thousands of dollars.

And why do they need a web presence? Because it helps them get their word out, shows people that they mean business and are capable, helps them get more donations and helps them make better use of the people who help and support them. The result is better-organized, more-effective nonprofits. Further, Drupal is almost endlessly extendable, so they can make it even more powerful, as they grow and their needs change.

An added benefit is that while these Drupal distributions would benefit most nonprofits in Oregon, they will be free and open source and could also be used/customized by nonprofits, NGOs and charities anywhere in the world. This would mean that while we make Oregon a better place, we also make the world a better place, which in turn would bring prestige to Oregon and help us to think of ourselves as innovators and trendsetters, rather than just a struggling State.