Also, given that Thanktuary has been used out there eventually as a name, I'm still in the way of making up new words for a charity registration search.

Panjoicement is one of my favourites, but I'm sure it will be taken too by the time I / we get there. So, just keeping it on that theme, of words that never existed but have soul to them.

♥Jacki

 And why not put out my latest budget projections as well? I have considered this before current inflation rates rising for home renovation supplies, and so on, however during a market crash or recession, some used goods and floor models will still have the same price point as the high-end guesses I have laid out here. The point is really to get networking with folks who would rather donate an appliance or equipment or tools, for some kind of giveback anyway. Take a look.

 

Here is a diagram of how I forsee some team leaders interacting with each other and the whole project. I have chosen a selection of interests per leader, three interests each, meaning that each team has three members and each person has three teams. I am sure it will vary based on actual interests of persons involved, but I imagine also that knowing the whole job is important so per annum it may also vary who leads which department as a triumverate.

Project Strategy

Project Timeline and Action Plan:

The project is a nine year Multi-phase Project.

In year 1: The leadership team is formed and trained, funding is raised and land acquired.

In year 2: The land is rented cheaply for a cash crop and infrastructure is planned, funds are raised and hospitality opens.

In year 3: Hospitality expands and core, permanent programming is planned and implemented; infrastructure expands.

In year 4: Cash crop contract ends, we develop our own agriculture and CSA. Green tech. installations begin, funding continues.

In year 5: We go open-source with the business model, continue improving infrastructure through programming. We throw a huge summer party to celebrate.

In year 6: We break even. Temporary programming expands. Marketing expands to national level.

In year 7: We begin to pay back lenders with any profit. Marketing expands to international level, basic infrastructure 'completion'.

In year 8: We continue to pay back lenders with any profit. More green tech installations.
In year 9: Resort status achieved, conferences begin. Epic year-end party to thank everyone.



Year One: Meeting Schedule

Jan : Orientation and Structuring

1st week - Getting to Know You, Led by Jacki

Hand out personal information forms, to ask about values, talents and abilities, interests, favourite books, etc etc. Icebreaker games, learning about each other, discussion of mission and vision, everyone shares their ideas of where this project could go and we write down a brainstorm of hopes and dreams for this project. Calendar is passed around and people choose five dates for contribution: lesson, snack, story, game and music. Breakdown of Group Dynamics to expect. (Forming, storming, norming, performing.)

2nd week - Values, Led by Jacki. Discussion - we rank and challenge our values and come up with a list of group values to apply to the business. We try to create a value creed as a group and discuss ways we can use this in practice, and how we can create awareness and encourage each other to behave according to these standards. How do we address conflict based on people not holding their own weight and finishing their tasks... punishment and reward system, or other? Calendar passed around again, final dates chosen for participation, anyone who hasn't chosen will be assigned.

3rd week: Specialization: Led by Jacki - Finalized Calendar distributed, Management Roles discussed, everyone picks top 2 they would like to do, and top 3 reasons why they would be best at it. (These are handed in at end of session, Jacki later looks at resumes, applications and info forms from first day, and makes final cut). We discuss what would be needed in each role - the skills and duties, one by one. We start a preliminary list of necessities per department, everyone fills out a list for every dept. (To be finished at home.)Lesson: Specialization - what it takes to focus, how to have trust that other departments are holding their own. Game: trust game, cooperative, assembly style?

4th week: Departmentalization/Organizational Structure: Led by ?#1 - Jacki proposes a list of who will wear which hat, to be negotiated and finalized in session. Lesson: different organizational structures (heirarchy, consensus, veto power, etc) , benefits and disadvantages. Discussion: which will work best for this group and why. Will we be a proprietorship, partnership, corporation C- or S- style, limited liability company, not for profit, charity, etc etc. Managers, directors, staff, strategic alliances - power dynamics. Who makes decisions? Assigning tasks, performing tasks, distributing authority. Problematize tasks vs. clearance. Centralized, decentralized, tall, flat, etc. span of control for departments.

Feb: Big Issues: Legal, Financial,

1st week: Discuss givebacks. List of potential ways to give back to donors, lenders. eg. newspaper articles, dinners, etc. Get creative. Legal - Led by ? each person comes up with a report on legal issues regarding their department, incl provincial and home, hotel, farm issues, business reqs, charitable donations, how to be a charity or NFP status - list licenses and permits required for running this type of organization in this area. What is our relationship to the governement at federal, provincial and local levels?

2nd week: Budget - Led by ? each person comes up with a budget for their department, research the cost of various materials, products and services required. research: taxes, wages and invoices (eg lawyer, real estate), and list of suppliers for needs. Budget also drawn up for givebacks.

3rd week: Fundraising begins Led by ? - estimated fundraising goal calculated from budgets. Each person comes up with a list of potential sources for funding, and starts making calls to these potential sources, filling out forms etc. Personal, Corporate and Event fundraising discussed.

Mar: Meta Skills: Communication, Conflict resolution, Delegation and asking for help, Community Building/solidarity/loyalty

1st week: Interview skills workshop - Led by Jacki. Mock interview with an Actual Business Professional and with each other.

2nd week: RETREAT : Communication and Conflict Resolution activities, indoor - in a large cabin on an ecovillage or similar. Speaking, listening, memory tools, vocabulary. Implementation strategies: How to go from plan to action. First program evaluation.

3rd week: Leadership and Delegation - Led by ? what is a good leader? Managing self and other people. Keep in mind: The nature of the work to be done. Match the job with the skills of workers. Make sure the person chosen understands the objectives he or she is supposed to achieve. Make sure workers have the time and training necessary to do the task. Problematize: Feelings that subordinates can't do things as well as managers OR will show them up, fear that something will go wrong when another takes over a job, lack of long-range planning due to daily tasks, a sense of being in the dark about industry trends and competitive products because of the amount of time given to daily operations, the desire to keep as much control as possible, lack of knowledge on how to delegate. Talk about "new management" where we don't just do what the boss says because it's what the boss says, but we question and give our true opinions and expertise.

4th week: Building strong community and maintaining networks - Led by ? Event planning begins for May. Discussion about importance of being thankful and of seeing lessons where disapointments happen. Focus on small wins/gains and learn to compliment and congratulate each other, as well as building self confidence and techniques for encouraging others. Planning for June week long retreat in groups

Apr: Special Projects

1st week: Involving the community - Led by ? re: temporary installations on the land - who to ask, what to begin with: strategic collaborations with various groups/orgs. What we would like to see annually, seasonally, etc. as temp installations. Drama, crafts, outdoor activities, for example.

2nd week: Marketing and PR: Led by ? Different faces for different folk - brochure collaborative, text and art, create membership packages eg. day pass, annual, weekend retreat etc.

3rd week: Programming and entertainment: Led by ? Planning facilities in phases, list of potential programs from simple to complex and approaching experts or hobbyists to lead them.

4th week: Recreation and education - Led by ? planning facilities in phases, list of potential programs from simple to complex and approaching experts or hobbyists to lead them,

May: permaculture and core systems and structures

1st week: Hospitality - Led by ? The ins and outs of hosting people - Minor fundraising event - dance? auction?

2nd week: Agriculture - Led by ? Plans for farms, gardens, greenhouses, etc. organic? biodynamic? permaculture? what do they mean, how are they done?

3rd week: Technology - Led by ? whose stuff and how? when? geothermal, solar, wind, etc. generators, biotech, farm tech, etc. what's current and what's new?

4th week: Development - Led by ? Buildings and infrastructure overview. Yurts, geodesic domes, teepees, long houses, log cabins, earthships, straw bale. Insulation and building materials, recycled, salvaged, raw - from the land, and manufactured / new. Up to code - plumbing, electricity etc. on a green level.

June: Details, Details

1st week: RETREAT: Scouting land. Week long. Second program evaluation.

2nd week: Transportation - Led by ? Overview, sources, parking, fuel sources. Event planning for major fundraiser in July.

3rd week: H.R. - Led by ? Overview: job analysis and planning, forecasting supply and demand for labour and planning/executing. Planning for fundraiser.

4th week: Logistics - Led by ? Overview. What do we want and need that we haven't yet discussed. Holistic - overview, who do we invite, what services do we want as permanent installations, etc.

July

1st week: Review of financing Led by ? Big push for funding - major asks in final stages. Final plans for big fundraiser.

2nd week: Major Fundraising event, auction, party? something creative?

3rd week: Policy writing for using space and facilities. Led by Jacki

4th week: Review of budget, Led by ? Individual budgets and lists of needs finalized (everything from lumber and tarps to toilet paper and printer paper)

Aug: Strategy and implementation

1st week: Review of phases over next 8 years and planning for next retreat, Sept. Final report assigned for each department.

2nd week: Annual plans for all departments finalized

3rd week: Monthly plans for all departments finalized

4th week: Weekly plans for all departments finalized

Sept: strategy and implementation

1st week: Daily plans for all departments in a working format.

2nd week: RETREAT: minor - weekend: activity - working on a farm, etc. Practical skills workshops. Third program evaluation.

3rd week: Staffing issues, Led by ? Consider visitor-volunteers, boarding workers, paid staff, duties, responsibilities and expectations for all - all departments

4th week: Training people, Led by ? how to present yourself as authority to gain respect without being an overbearing dickhead

Oct: Innovation and problem solving

1st week: Adaptability, Led by ? Flexibility, innovation, change, being dynamic. Real estate stuff begins with hospitality, legal and logistics teaming up.

2nd week: Staying on track - Led by Jacki, holding the vision, building and unfolding goals, *final reports / presentations due in hard copy*

3rd week: Final presentations to each other - 3 per meeting. stakeholders who are still undecided are invited.

4th week: Final presentations to each other - 3 per meeting stakeholders who are still undecided are invited.

Nov: Claiming the Land

1st week: Final presentations to each other - 3 per meeting - stakeholders who are still undecided are invited.

2nd week: Final presentations to each other - 3 per meeting - stakeholders who are still undecided are invited.

3rd week: Thank you dinner to everyone who donated - All real estate stuff finalized - taken care of by legal, hospitality and logistics team.

4th week: RETREAT - indoor - on OUR land, winter activities planned by everyone - snowshoeing, icefishing, tobogganning, fire spinning, etc. and GRADUATION! - final program evaluation! You are now Coordinators!

Dec

1st week: Givebacks - newspaper, magazine, radio, internet ads, podcasts, etc. letters of reference, certificates, etc. printed up for investors.

2nd week: Givebacks - continued - any further work TBD - finances settled and organized, books up to date and in order.

3rd week: Givebacks - continued - any further work TBD - negotiations with builders, plumbers, electricians, etc to get main house up to code and ready for extension.

4th week: Givebacks - continued - any further work TBD - negotiations with potential cash crop space rental.

Organizational Structure

Management Positions:

Executive Manager

Responsibilities:

• oversees the project
• works with coordinators to make decisions and execute plans
• chairs meetings
• mediates disputes, conflict resolution
• has final say on budget
• signs official documents and cheques

Sample Tasks:

• organize planning meetings, send out invitations, collect RSVPs
• photocopy documents for those attending initial meetings
• generate interest through social networking media and word of mouth
• create a list of meeting topics
• create a calendar for group members to sign up to as presenters

Coordinators:

Public Relations Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• marketing,
• web presence,
• presentations

Sample Tasks:

• finalize business plan's mission and vision
• write newspaper articles thanking contributors for their specific contributions, 
• write articles about the project for newspapers, magazines, 
• Create podcasts, 
• write radio and online ads
• do interviews

Finances and Economics Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• treasurer/accountant
• budget/expenses
• fundraising
• competition
• current trends

Sample Tasks:

• research the costs of land, green tech, locally sourced building supplies
• research a list of potential lenders and grants

Hospitality Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• food
• room bookings
• waste management
• housekeeping

Sample Tasks:

• research kitchen requirements
• research room requirements
• research room rates
• develop a house policy for room usage and bookings (library, dining area etc)

Recreation and Education Coordinator

Responsibilities:

•     core programming
•     basic maintenance of associated facilities

Sample Tasks:

• compile list of programs to develop, and facilities required ie tennis court, library, bird observation area, and their needs (internal)
• develop a policy for core facility usage and scheduling

Logistics Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• security
• property maintenance
• odd jobs

Sample Tasks:

• compile a list of duties and tasks that are not covered elsewhere

Human Resources Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• taking applications and hiring staff
• training coordinators, workers and volunteers
• connecting coordinators to workers and volunteers

Sample Tasks:

• Retreats
• Socials

Programming and Entertainment Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• arranging/ booking temporary programming (speakers, shows, new tech., etc.)
• acting as liason to visiting presenters/professionals
• basic maintenance of associated facilities

Sample tasks:

• research potential presenters 
• research going rates for booking and current charge for attending conferences/conventions
• develop a policy for facility usage and bookings

Legal Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• business and contract law
• land laws and bylaws
• permits, licenses

Sample Tasks:

• talk to a lawyer about liability disclaimers, confidentiality agreements, business requirements before we approach investors and go too far without covering our backs 
• get a bibliography of stuff for tort, business, corporation vs co-op and land issues

Development Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• infrastructure construction and maintenance: renovations, buildings, stages, park areas, vendor stalls, etc.

Sample Tasks: 

• list infrastructure: buildings, special areas, waste and drinking water locations, etc. 
• get plans and blueprints for several structures, greenhouse, cabins, sauna, outhouses, etc. 

Agriculture Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• farming
• gardening
• farmers markets
• community supported agriculture (CSA)

Sample Tasks: 

• decide what to grow, where to get seed etc
• research soil needs and conditions, equipment, etc
• plan symbiotic arrangements (3 sisters) and rotation schedule
• contact and negotiate with farmers to rent our land cheaply for their crop until we are ready to do our own farming

Technology Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• green tech. elements
• electricity
• plumbing
• computers/electronics

Sample Tasks:

• research up and coming tech to install
• talk to developers who are working on this stuff and arrange to install it on our land

Transportation Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• acquiring company vehicles
• maintaining and storing vehicles
• maintaining parking area

Sample Tasks:

• figure out how we can get a cube van or similar vehicle and who can drive it
• arrange for insurance
• figure out licensing requirements for different types of vehicles
• mileage considerations

Holistic / Transformational Coordinator

Responsibilities:

• creating and maintaining space for healers and healing practices
• creating and maintaining space for spirituality
• acting as liason for healers and spiritual leaders/groups

Sample Tasks: 

• compile a contact list of healers - massage therapists, reiki practitioners, nutritionists
• network with nature based and ecologically minded spiritual groups

Vision Statement

Thanktuary is an Eco-Resort where the world's environmental elite find rest and relaxation, inspiration and opportunity in each other's company.

It boasts a beautiful, self-sustaining Canadian property of 100 acres, a welcome alternative to cliched Five-Star beach resorts.

Here, the privacy and freedom of nature come together with the excellence of an intentional community of visionaries.

Thanktuary provides an unbeatable educational retreat, where the fusion of work and play leave visiting members feeling fit, healthier, relaxed and equipped with a better understanding of what it takes to live and work in an eco-friendly lifestyle sustainably and comfortably.

Thanktuary is in operation year-round with a roster of rare, seasonal, cultural programs including local traditions, workshops, art shows and performances.

Furthermore, it is a showcase of the latest and greatest in green, eco-friendly and sustainable technologies and innovations at use in realtime.

Thanktuary is the destination of choice to see the leading thinkers, leaders and innovators of the eco-revolution speak their minds.

Join us! Come for the weekend or stay for the year.

Mission Statement

Mission:

Clients and Members (ie Target Markets)

1. For "greenovators" green elite, investors, thinkers, journalists, and other people and organizations in the movement,

a) To develop upon existing trends and projects in the movement through services, opportunities, and contributions.

b) Networking. Skills training in new technology. Floor models / show room in the actual setting; a place to display wares in their element. A place to speak to a high-end crowd via conferences, etc. with a resort atmosphere and a hands-on learning approach.

2. For Urban business owners, foreign diplomats, speakers, teachers, officials,

a) To provide a safe, private place to relax in a natural Rural Canadian setting.

b) The cottage experience for those who aren't from Rural Ontario or Quebec,

c)The camping experience for those who don't tent or don't have forests to explore,

d) A way to experience life in an eco-sustainable dwelling and see how life in an intentional eco-village would operate and how people interact differently with each other and with their environment there.

3. For Youth groups, Religious groups, Families, campers, travellers, etc.

a) To provide space for a behind the scenes experience, where they actively participate in the operation of the resort,

b) to gain hands on experience of the labour, challenges and rewards that arise in daily life on a farm/campground/retreat center type village.

c) real work experience that can be transferred to other endeavours

d) space for events that involve being in nature/rural/agrarian settings or camps.

4. For Middle class specialists, travelling workers with skills to share; (nutritionists, nurses, earthship builders, wwoofers, playwrights and musicians, veterenarians, social workers - stress management, at risk youth, etc - , smiths, artisans,)

a) A place to come and practice the work they already do in a novel/new/fresh/stimulating setting,

b) to develop a different, more diverse client base for themselves through cooperation with the resort,

c) to do environmental projects on an experimental/trial basis, find apprentices, etc. by contributing something to the organization on a medium-term.

Programs, Products and Services

1. For Trade-show style exhibitions of technologies and services in the green / eco-sustainability stream.

a) space will be rented or bartered to vendors, for example a percentage of earnings, a flat rate or a one-time donation of goods.

b) for vendors who sell something the resort would benefit from, the showroom program will be offered, for example a heating and cooling professional might install a geothermal unit as a floor model, and someone at the resort will give a demo on operation and maintenance to anyone interested in purchasing or investing, with the agreement that they will do business with this person.

c) Unlike a one-room show, we will set up a wooded clearing for booths or mock shopfronts for those whose wares are portable.

2. For campground facilities.

a) there will be outbuildings, cabins for campers to come stay in, youth groups, religious organizations, outers' clubs etc. and space for people to pitch tents and a few shared firepits.

b) unlike a campground, there will normally be some free activities ongoing, for campers to participate in. Some of these will be labour and maintenance jobs. Some will be nature hikes along trails, in caves, etc. or birdwatching, plant and fungus identification, etc. led by residents.

c) There will be a swimming area.

d) The fee will be low for campers, because they are low maintenance. Outhouses will be maintained.

3. For farming, gardening, greenhouse and indoor cultivations.

a) there will be an organic farm component (or biodynamic, etc) which will focus on feeding residents and workers, high-end clients and trade with other farms in the neighborhood (CSA) as well as shipping excess product to farmers' markets.

b) this will include greenhouses, a field to rotate several crops, animal areas, as well as herb and flower gardens. All outbuildings will have gardens. We will focus on native species and any plant that will be used for manufacturing projects, such as hemp.

c) this will include a security strategy against wild animals who would threaten the crops, such as foxes, raccoons, hawks, hares, but not to the point where insect pests are dominant because of a shift in the food chain

d) a compost area will be essential, and not secure against animals.

e) all visitors, without exception, will work a shift on farm activities. This may include fertilizing, weeding and watering, at one extreme, to preserving, brewing and cheesemaking at the other. Signups happen the morning of their arrival.

4. For resort facilities.

a) The main farmhouse will be a bed and breakfast type motel. it will have large living, dining and recreation areas. It will have a professional kitchen, several bedrooms of various sizes and capacities, and a few bathrooms for patrons to share. It will include a sauna, bar, library, billiards, etc.

b) it will cater to a high-end crowd who are visiting for conferences, guest speakers, retreat organizers, greenovators, etc. to network with other business people for their own ventures, and to invest in the technologies or services they provide.

c) It will include gardens outside, a hot tub, tennis court and patio outside in the main farmhouse area. It will be surrounded by fruit trees, rose bushes and herb gardens. There will be a small campfire area. There will be a view of the farmland and bike trails leading into the wooded area. It will be accessible to the road and ample parking. Wind power will be near parking.

d) It will have wireless internet. There will be secure lockers on site at the farmhouse and guests will be encouraged to leave electronics and valuables behind before going onto the land, both for relaxation and to be prepared for changes in weather.

e) All visitors will participate in 4 hours of volunteer shifts on the land during their stay. No exceptions.

f) On a few-hour, sign-out basis, things like drums, inner tubes, etc. will be made available.

5. As an Eco-village.

a) the resort will be planned as an eco-village where permanent residents will maintain their own sustainable, eco-friendly dwelling somewhere on the grounds.

b) there will be a 'downtown' area in the forested area beyond the greenhouses and animal barns. This area will be used mostly for lumber and will become parkland with a few strategic trees remaining. There will be lawn, benches, solar lamps and flowerbeds. Empty stalls will be available for temporary vendors and special events, to serve multiple purposes when there are no vendors occupying the space.

c) Permanent and semi-permanent structures will be erected for craftspeople and crop sales, eg. metal smiths, jewelers, arts and crafts, clothiers, etc.

d) permanent residents work full time on the land and contribute monthly and annually to taxes, bills, maintenance and other core expenses.

e) Experts from other eco-villages in north america and around the world will consult for us.

6. As an educational organization

a) although no certifications will initially be given to students, a learning environment will be fostered as a core element.

b) specialists will be encouraged to take on apprentices and all visitors will learn skills as a part of a volunteer shift.

c) guest speakers and teachers will be a large source of generating clients and a library will be installed in the main farmhouse recreational area.

d) Educational tours, including birdwatching, identifying plants and fungi, trailblazing and marking, swimming lessons, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, crafting and snowshoeing workshops, to give some examples, will be available seasonally.

e) Spiritual leaders from various traditions will be invited for eg. meditation retreats, and healers of many alternative streams will teach visitors how to improve their bodies and lifestyles.

f) There will be no 'tuition', classes and programs will be by donation and sliding scale, or included in the price of the admission package.

7. As a sanctuary

a) a place for travellers, at risk youth and persons in spiritual need to find their feet and move onwards and upwards.

b) a multi-faith temple for persons of nature-based and eco-conscious spiritualities.

8. As a networking hub

a) visitors will get to know each other during a volunteer shift where a necessary task is assigned in the visitor's desired department (kitchen, logistics, etc.) and they will work co-operatively with other visitors and staff.

b) meals will be served three times a day in a common area where visitors and staff are encouraged to mingle with each other as they enjoy their meals.

c) participation in programming will give visitors more opportunities to network with each other and staff.

d) one of the goals of gathering a diverse group of individuals together on the resort is to help each other help the world.