Communications Configuration

As the communications systems are either very ridged or very loose at this church it makes it tough to implement tools like email distribution lists, web site and configure things like the phone system.  Sometimes there are very ridged lines and committee/s oversight that only a few people know about, other times it is adhoc or the Vestry who oversee but they only meet once per month normally.  In developing a communications plan and simplifying the process for certain things like approving use of Church facilities by groups inside the church --  we need an online system that can function and handle facilities scheduling.

I created an org chart to try and make sure organizations fell under the right hierarchy but really need to have it blessed and get some additional feedback so I can help make sure I configure things to help facilitate better communications.

I did create a distribution "Action List" that send to the Vestry Ex-Com, Judy and for the short term myself so that we can clear out and take to a point of resolution long standing complaints/issues/ideas people in the church have so we can track them to resolution which in many cases will be the "why" we can't or are not able to move forward but in an official response.  My hope is that this will help clear the deck of baggage so that we can help people begin to move forward.

Book Trading Network

Trying to get kids reading in the city.  Honor system based lending and exchange/trade points at churches and other spots of books that have been "tagged" with a simple sticker that could be printed from any laser/inkjet.  So anyone could tag their own / favorite books and leave them at an exchange site or someplace out into the community (bus / bart / etc) with a tag saying you can return this to the nearest exchange site go to the web address.

Goal would be to have kids who may not have access to kids books and new kids books get them into their hands.   If they really loved a book they could keep it.  If they liked it they could be encouraged to write a message to the next reader and leave it inside (possibly on a bookmark).

Potential Donor for Signage

Vestry talked about signage issue -- Fr. Williams brought my vendor / rough pricing outline to the Vestry.  A potential donor from a while back's name came up.  Working today to followup with someone who knows her better before I directly/indirectly reach out.  Montauk Signs will get back to me with a draft design by this weekend.

Easter Package?

Blanket 10K piece mailing of a postcard in the selected zipcodes
First newly moved X # of a postcard in the selected zipcodes
500 post cards for members mailing handled by TA
2,500 door hangars for the immediate neighborhood
1,500 tent/business cards for the congregation (Car Windshield)
1,000 post cards for members to mail/distribute
2 Exterior banners with same look & feel (On Front of church, One side)
1 Interior banner to carry through the campaign
2 sandwich board sized prints with same look & feel
2 Sign Shakers
Artwork for print advertisements & Email Campaign / Website Posting

Potential Targets Newspapers

Oakland Tribune
NEED PHONE
NEED EMAIL

Need the other contact information from the board for the African American "Sunday Morning" papers.  Need to call and get pricing info / ad requirements.

The Globe Newspaper Group

3051 Research Blvd

Richmond, CA 94806

510-297-4412

www.globenewspapers.com

The Post

405 14th Street #1215

Oakland, CA 94612

?

?

Sunday Morning News

337 17th Street, Suite 210

Oakland, CA 94612

510-268-1121

SundayMorningNews@sbcglobal.net

Black Radio

AM1100

www.kFax.com

Christian Radio

KMEL

KBLS

Lighting at Night

One of the areas that I talked to Robin & Ken with on Sunday beside "signage lighting" was spotlighting the church itself at night from the outside to draw attention to the architecture.  I am wondering now what the large "rose" window should actually also be spotlight at night from the inside out as well.  Will need to see how that would look.

Sexton Position

One thought for having a Sexton position would be to purchase a condo or apartment building in the general area of the church and have free room/living quarters in exchange for the position instead of pay or in combination with only minor pay.  This would allow us to turn an expense into an asset that over time could increase.

Disaster Preparedness - Community Preparedness

Using website, phone and church buildings in case of emergency. 

Website to post news of neighborhood and church community for those looking.  Using telephone system to handle incoming calls / outgoing as if it is voip/digital then systems are in place for redundnacy if local and cell service is out.
Using the building as shelter -- food, blankets, cots, sleeping bags, emergeny radio, PA system, etc. pre-placed and trained volunteers in the neighborhood.

Would require interfacing with existing preparedness efforts.

Community Banks / Investor Information

http://oaklandbusinesscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=43

List of SBIC Investors in Northern California
http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_program_office/inv_sbicca.txt


Getting Equity from SBICs (Small Business Investment Companies)
The SBA has a program that finds interested investors for small businesses, then licenses, regulates, and provides financial assistance to these investors, called SBICs.  This program helps make it less risky for investors to support small businesses.  SBIC investments are only available to businesses that are considered small by SBA standards (Generally the business net worth is $18.0 million or less and its average after tax net income for the prior two years does not exceed $6.0 million.) Check out the SBIC website to find local investors and get more information.
Getting Equity from Community Investors
Small businesses may find community investors a good option, as these investors seek out local businesses that provide jobs and wealth to the local economy, are open to slower growth businesses, and do not expect the high returns on investment that typical venture capital investors expect. Learn more about community investing
Local organizations that do community investing

Pacific Community Ventures
Pacific Community Ventures, LLC provides capital and resources to high growth California businesses that bring significant economic gains to low-to-moderate income employees as well as deliver exceptional financial returns to business owners and to our investors. PCV invests in businesses with $5 to $50 million in revenue, and makes investments of $1 to $4 million.RSF Social FinanceRSF Social Finance makes loans to and investments in businesses and organizations that have a mission to improve our society and environment, including both nonprofit and for-profit social enterprises. RSF builds a strong relationship between businesses, investors and lenders, and has developed thorough social and environmental measures of their work. For profit borrowers must have revenue of over $1 million. Their mezzanine program offers financing in the range of $500k to $1 million.
SJF Ventures
SJF focuses on the cleantech, premium consumer products, and technology-enhanced services sectors. The fund seeks companies that require $1 million to $5 million in equity financing to produce rapid expansion.
Alliance for Community Development
Alliance for Community Development offers the Bay Area Equity Fund, which invests in companies that generate both market rate returns and positive social and environmental returns and that are located in or near one of a number of targeted low-income neighborhoods in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. The fund has has two tiers -- one for businesses that need $3-5 million in equity and another for businsses that need up to $1 million. 

Getting Equity from Venture Capitalists
The National Venture Capital Association provides education about venture capital.  Their website has section of venture capital resources for entrepreneurs, including model documents, books, and more. The site also has a directory of their member venture capital firms for sale.
Getting Equity from Angel Investors
Angel investors are high net worth individuals who invest their own money in (usually) start-up and early stage businesses with the potential for high growth. Angel investors generally invest between $5000 and $100,000 - much less than venture capitalists.
The Angel Capital Education Foundation offers information toeducate business owners about Angel capital, including what angel capital is, what types of businesses are suited for it, and what to expect when seeking investment from angel investors. The organization also provides lists of Angel Groups to help entrepreneurs find angel investors.
Angel Financing Do's and Don'ts
The Kauffman Foundation's Entrepreneurship website offers this article to help businesses get ready to approach an angel investor.

Oakland Business Development Corp

OBDC is an option for financing under certain programs they have -- we might qualify for financing especially for service oriented efforts like a daycare, after school, summer camps, food program/cafe, etc.

http://www.obdc.com

SEP Incentive Program at ACHire.gov

Yes non-profits and churches qualify as long as there is no "worship" prostilizing.  So orgnaizing, back office and support of congregations all count.  San Francisco has a similar program.

“As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 the Alameda County Social Services Agency and its partners are able to offer you a unique opportunity to either fill an existing opening or expand your current workforce.”
Reimbursement of 80% of the employee’s wage from the date of hire until September 30, 2010. This program ends September 30, 2010.
Alameda County Hire - Subsidized Employment Program.

Subsidized Employment Program - Fact Sheet

Eligibility Determination Form

SAMPLE - Subsidized Employment Program Employer Agreement - p1

Sample - Subsidized Employment Program Employer Agreement - p2

Sample - Subsidized Employment Program Employer Agreement - p3

http://www.omlf.org/?p=374

Business Zone Information

http://www.business2oakland.com/main/broadway.htm

This is the business zone that the church is in.

More info for street improvements here:
http://www.business2oakland.com/main/commercialdistrictincentives.htm

http://oaklandbusinesscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=86

More info:
There are very few grant programs available to small businesses in Oakland or anywhere in the U.S.  Most grants are for non-profit organziations.  However, the City of Oakland does offer a matching grant program, and some organizations provide grants to business owners who complete their business training programs. 
Facade Improvement Matching Grant Program
The City provides matching grants to businesses in designated areas to renovate their exteriors. Free architectural assistance and 50 percent matching grants of between $10,000 and $30,000 are available to property and business owners for eligible projects. Grant funds can be used to rehabilitate and repair exterior
commercial building facades and exterior improvements. The program also covers up to $5,000 of architecture fees.
Contact the Commercial Property Façade Improvement Program staff for more information:
510.238.3015 (Downtown)
510.238.3699 (Neighborhoods)

Tenant Improvement Grants
If you are renting a space for an entertainment or retail business in one of the targeted areas of downtown, central, west, north and Coliseum areas, you may be eligible for a Tenant Improvement Grant. Grants cover 50 percent of tenant improvement costs, up to $10 per square foot. The program also covers up to $5,000 of interior design/architecture fees.

Oakland Connections

Community Business Development Corp?  Does one exist in our area
Chamber of Commerce (Church/Faith Membership / Council)

Afgan WiFi & DIY Wifi

http://gizmodo.com/5486016/jalalabads-fab-fi-how-junk-was-turned-into-a-high+speed-wireless-network

Definitely worth looking into this -- maybe getting Make to help us out and document what we are doing.

Article in Make about setting up an outdoor WiFi
http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol07/?pg=121

Peter

Street Party Permit?

Can we get a street party permit for Pentecost Sunday?

Peter

Demographics for 94609 (and nearby Zip Codes)

Oakland Zipcode Map
http://www.city-data.com/zipmaps/Oakland-California.html


94609 (We are in the western most edge
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/zip/94609

The Economics

• Average House Value: $256,700
• Average Annual Household Income: $47,724
• Businesses: 685
• Employees: 10,091
• Annual Payroll: $457,215,000 

Demographics

• Total Population: 21,093
• White Population: 7,464
• Black Population: 9,432
• Hispanic Population: 2,063
• Asian Population: 1,624
• Hawaiian Population: 30
• Indian Population: 144
• Male Population: 9,938
• Female Population: 11,155
• Median Age: 32.8
• Median Age of Males: 32.2
• Median Age of Females: 33.3

94612 (Closer to downtown)
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/zip/94612

The Economics

• Average House Value: $135,400
• Average Annual Household Income: $29,131
• Businesses: 1,828
• Employees: 36,866
• Annual Payroll: $2,052,346,000 

Demographics

• Total Population: 11,700
• White Population: 2,753
• Black Population: 4,628
• Hispanic Population: 1,319
• Asian Population: 2,931
• Hawaiian Population: 23
• Indian Population: 101
• Male Population: 6,138
• Female Population: 5,562
• Median Age: 39.2
• Median Age of Males: 39.1
• Median Age of Females: 39.3

94607 (Closer to Bay Bridge)
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/zip/94607

The Economics

• Average House Value: $158,600
• Average Annual Household Income: $35,938
• Businesses: 1,327
• Employees: 21,611
• Annual Payroll: $1,071,419,000

Demographics

• Total Population: 21,048
• White Population: 2,381
• Black Population: 10,689
• Hispanic Population: 2,647
• Asian Population: 5,626
• Hawaiian Population: 40
• Indian Population: 119
• Male Population: 10,305
• Female Population: 10,743
• Median Age: 33.7
• Median Age of Males: 32.8
• Median Age of Females: 34.8

Internet Connection Pricing

AT&T Business DSL
1.5 MB down 512MB up (currently $30 on our bill)
6MB down and 768MB up is $60 + Cost of a phone line.

Comcast Business Internet
12MB down / 2MB up $59.95 - $20/nonprofit rate is $39.95 (2 Outlook + $6.99/month/additional user)
22Mb down / 5MB up is $99.95 - $20/nonprofit rate is $79.95  (8 Outlook + $6.99/month/additional user)
50Mb down / 10MB up is $189.95 - $20/nonprofit rate is $169.95 (8 Outlook + $6.99/month/additional user)

If we want a connection in the church proper we could either setup wireless sharing (which can be problematic) or we could install in both locations and take advantage of the $20/per line discount.

Questions:
Cost of modem rental too?
Size of Outlook email box?  1GB or more?


Includes Outlook & Outlook Web Access supposedly includes mobile access as well.

Kids attraction activity - Paper airplanes from balcony in Bakewell Hall.

One thing I know trevon would love to do is have a paper airplane competition in Bakewell sending planes off the balcony and judign whose flew furthest, fastest, highest, longest, etc.  Might be another fun get kid sin the area excited events.

We could have a workshop time, a testing time, refinement time and then competition.  As a former pinewood derby winner -- something like this is much easier to do and we could get outside support from engineers and others.  Could be a great annual event.

Free WiFi for the local community around the church

Community Free WiFi?

One idea that Ed and I have discussed a few times is providing Free Internet to the nearby community.  Hardware investment would be greater than just solving our own problem but we might be able to get a grant for this directly/indirectly.  

One local new potential community partner in this is the Teen Green & Media Center that opened a block down in the former Covenant House location.   Our steeple / building height (would need to be done in a way not to hurt the building or the historic status of it) might be a good place to locate it while they might have access to funding sources or donors.

If there is a reticence to making the church itself a community center physically there very well may be ways to do it virtually and give something back to the immediate area.

It could also be an advertising tool as people could be forced to see a landing page (that could have things like our calendar, etc.) and agree to certain terms before gatewaying out.  Similarly a code could be required that we then used to force them to interact with us like on a weekly basis.

Yes we could limit the access to adult sites.  Yes we could do some bandwidth management that keeps enough bandwidth for our uses in the church i.e. technically run 2 different wifi networks giving priority to the private network first.