Signage

Finally was able to get my head back around to the Easter Signage.  Designed a sign myself as time was short and the graphic design firm I was talking to may not have been even able to slot us any longer in time to make a deadline for Good Friday.  We ordered an A-Frame/Sandwich board/Standee and an extra print to go into the case & over the current sign letterboard/felt.

We still need a temporary 4x8 pole pocketed banner for the front area with general church info to be there temporarily as we try and raise funds for the new permanent sign.

I had to deep six the other more ambitious Easter plans for time and money.  Saving those ideas for the next round.

A-FRAME FINAL COST for purchase of A-Frame and 3 - 24"x36" prints was: $350 including $135 of that being for the A-Frame itself and $80/for signs when done on a longer lead time.  The A-Frame is reusable we can either create a  standard design with a "blank area in the middle" that we can then print and post or run entirely new signs from time to time.

YARD SIGNS for weekend post/take down:

Yard signs & wire stake
(25)   $30.78 ea. (plus tax)
(50)   $22.80 ea. (plus tax)
(100) $15.75 ea. (plus tax)


TEMP BANNER/SIGN -- to sink the cement boots, buy the pipes and print a 4' wide by 8' double sided banner with pole pockets is 776.80.  Replacement banners would be $480+tax and we could run them as needed after the permanent sign is made and installed.


Temporary Banner & poles
$ 603.00   (1)ea. 4'x8' banner & poles
    58.80    tax
  115.00    Install labor
$ 776.80

Cheap Banner Printer

http://www.todaysprinter.com/Banners/Economy-banners?gclid=CIPZkeSPr6ACFQYoawoddymHZg

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.

Credit Card Processor Discussion Goes to Finance Committee

Vestry assigned it to the Finance Committee to come back with a recommendation next month.  Need to talk with Don White on it.

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.

Signage Permitting

Spoke with a very knowledgeable person at the Oakland Business Assistance Center

Recommended that I speak with Zoning/Permitting @ 510-238-3911 in regards to the signage.  There is a one page application.

Also said depending on temporary signage i.e. banners on site we may need or be helpful to talk to Marketing @ 510-238-2136

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.

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.

Montauk Signs Info

http://www.classic-church-signs.com/portfolio.html

AWESOME sign company each one is hand crafted not machine made.  Use HDU instead of wood makes them last much longer.  Company has been in business for 37 years.

4x6 doublesided is about $5K including Gold Leaf work
5x8 doublesided is about $8K including Gold Leaf work
18" x 24" Episcopal shields are $350
Raised plaques for Vinyl Lettering of service info/changing info is $300-$400 per plaque
They offer cabinets underneath for static letter boards.
They recommend getting a local rep if we went electronic and to ave them size it first then we could pick the sign size to match.

montauk@yahoo.com

Solar Spotlights for Sign/Front of Church

http://www.frontgate.com/jump.jsp?itemID=21140&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1,2,145,1824,&iProductID=21140&K=ZZ51120

http://www.solarlightstore.com/solar-spot-lights/flood-lights/8ledsolarspotlightgreen.cfm

http://www.ycasolarlightstore.com/Super_Bright_High_Intensity_Solar_Spot_Light_p/sb-01.htm?gclid=CLCvl7bLoqACFRkcawodnUNQaA

Also might want to look into a streetlamp type LED/Solar that can be bolted down.
http://www.outdoorsolarstore.com/solar-lamp-post-lights.aspx

Printers we've used & Signs

SuperPrint (Suzy & Peter)
- No Profit Rate
On Franklin

Sign-a-rama
- have done our vinyl signs in the past for ed
- signs are in sacristy on vestment closet

Oakland Connections

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

Greening / Solar Power for signage

One of the things we need to consider is having night time lighting on the sign in front of church and/or electric out to the sign itself.  Definitely wan to consider "green" or solar spotlights and/or small solar panel with battery to offset the cost of the electric if we have an electric sign out there.

Signage & Branding Needs

Front sign 2 sided preferably digital bottom
Historical marker sign
Episcopal church welcome sign
Episcopal church logo for side door area &/or smaller signs for Trinity & Bakewell
Banner for easter
Weather proof literature rack
Sign and literature rack inside the narthex
"Ballot Box" to collect new visitor cards instead of welcome book.
Sandwich Board or A-Frame sidewalk sign
Sign Shakers for street marketing
T-Shirt (CafeePress/Threadless)

Signage Providers

http://www.traditionalsigns.org/episcopalsigns.html
 - Portfolio: http://www.classic-church-signs.com/portfolio.html
 - Episcopal Portfolio: http://www.traditionalsigns.org/episcopalsigns2.html

http://www.advantageledsigns.com/led-signs/led-church-signs/

Official Episcopal Church Signage:
http://signs.episcopalchurch.org/

CHEAP Printing & Signs:
http://www.vistaprint.com

http://www.fastsigns.com/ProductsList.aspx

http://www.ezsignsonline.com/?gclid=CJmQjNq8oKACFSpeagodMlwzag

http://new.speedysigns.com/signs?gclid=CMG6_N28oKACFRGlagodRyt-ZQ (Has Sandwichboard)

http://www.displays2go.com/Category.aspx?ID=2281 (Lots of signage and display options for cheap)

http://www.signoptix.com/church-signs/smartronics-signs/spx282-e18.html

http://www.bluepondsigns.com/?gclid=COLpyb7BoKACFSZHagodsC9UZw

http://www.buildasign.com

http://www.signsonthecheap.com

http://sarsign-px.smrtlnk.com/?af=1

http://www.stewartsigns.com/church-signs.php

http://www.buydirectsigns.com/

http://www.churchsupplywarehouse.com/catalog_categoryItem.asp_Q_categoryId_E_64_A_subcategoryId_E_302_A_Church_Signs_E_Church_Signs



Sayings for Church Signs
http://www.sayingsforchurchsigns.com/




Christian

LIFE IS SHORT PRAY HARD	DON'T MISS HEAVEN FOR THE WORLD	RESURRECTION GOD'S RECYCLING PLAN	IN CASE OF RAPTURE DRIVER WILL BE ABSENT
NO JESUS - NO PEACE KNOW JESUS - KNOW PEACE	SO MANY IDOLS ONE TRUE GOD	IT'S NOT A CHOICE IT'S A CHILD	HEADED THE WRONG WAY? GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS
PRAYER JUST DO IT	CHRISTIANS AREN'T PERFECT JUST FORGIVEN	JESUS DONT LEAVE EARTH WITHOUT HIM	READ THE BIBLE THE PATHWAY TO LIFE
CHRISTIAN THE ONLY WAY TO BE	SMILE JESUS LOVES YOU	GOD LOVES YOU AND I'M TRYING	SALVATION DONT LEAVE EARTH WITHOUT IT
HIS ANGELS ARE WATCHING OVER ME	MY FATHER IS A JEWISH CARPENTER	ETERNITY... SMOKING OR NON-SMOKING?	NOT SPOILED JUST BLESSED

Digital Signage Options

http://www.bigbrite.com/outdoorledsigns.aspx

http://shopandprice.com/App/User/ProductSearch.aspx?PNM=sunbrite%20hd&CNM=

http://www.insightdigitalsignage.com/

http://ezinearticles.com/?Waterproof-Outdoor-LCD-TVs-For-a-Fraction-of-the-Price&id=3556034

http://www.deset.com/led/produkte_banner.php

http://www.sunlightlcd.com/