Subject: Fwd: New Umbrella Organization for the Kalamazoo River Watershed From: Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 13:19:26 -0600 To: ----- Original Message ----- From: 'Doug Carter' To: '' Sent: Thu Jan 26 14:39 Subject: Fwd: New Umbrella Organization for the Kalamazoo River Watershed I am scheduling a meeting of all of you that have worked on this issue for the past year, as well as those that indicated an interest at the October forum. A small group of us has organized the critical tasks over the next eleven months as follows: Work Group # 1 - Vision, goals and objectives · What will this new organization be, what will it do, who will do it, and how will it be done? Work Group # 2 - Constitution and bylaws, and file as a Michigan corporation and 501c3 non-profit · Investigate filing processes and assemble forms · Develop constitution and bylaws · Complete filing documents and submit Work Group # 3 - Membership and dues structure, including partnership agreements · Identify categories of membership, eg. o Non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) o Corporate o Business and industry o Government o Educational o Individual o Donors and sponsors · Develop dues structure for each membership category · Draft partnership agreement · Identify critical partners · Seek approval of identified partners Work Group # 4 - Initial budget, transitional staffing and fundraising · Develop a budget for the transitional period of 6 months – one year, to cover: o Transitional staffing o Training for Board of Directors o Development of strategic, business and communications plans o Travel and meetings o Office space, equipment, supplies, services and overhead · Identify possible funding sources and pursue start-up funding o Grants o Donations o Endowment Work Group # 5 - Long-term, sustainable funding, processes and leadership · Begin to identify how this organization can become and remain sustainable I would like to know from you two things: 1. Your availability for an evening meeting on February 6, 7, 8 or 9 2. Your interest in taking a leadership role (not necessarily the chair) in one of the five work groups outlined above. Please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks! Doug Douglas D. Carter Michigan State University Kellogg Biological Station Extension Land and Water Program 3700 E. Gull Lake Drive Hickory Corners, MI 49060-9516 269-671-2412 ext 227 carter74@msu.edu