Author Topic: BBM Foundation: What to do with all of these positive feelings  (Read 3848 times)

Offline tamarack

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Friends,

As there were a number of questions in PMs by those of you who wanted to know more precisely what we proposed to do with the BBM Foundation - If You Can't Stand It You Gotta Fix It, we thought we would give you an update of our discussions so far and the ideas that have been put forward. We are thinking of launching a website. For the time being, more information can be found on http://bbmfoundation.org/forum/.

We will make updates here to give you the opportunity to stay informed of what is happening, but don't let that stop you from going to the link above and adding your thoughts. We know that there are a lot of good ideas out there. Don't be shy about letting us hear from you. Comments are welcome on here as well, but we would like to keep the real discussions over on the Foundation forum so that everyone can be involved. As you can see, we are exploring all options at this point.

WHY?
Why does the Foundation needs to exist?
There are already many organizations and charities working in the field of human rights and anti-gay discrimination. Our identity should be clearly defined and unique. We would see ourselves as filling a gap rather than covering the same ground as others. When there is overlap, we may want to consider supporting others by joining forces rather than mounting our own initiatives, especially at the beginning.

WHAT?
What is this Foundation going to be about?

We are at an exploratory stage and nothing has been ‘decided’ so far, apart perhaps from the fact that we would like to concentrate on BBM-related themes, to include rural gay issues, and that the Foundation would, over time, work on an international basis. It was also said that although gay issues would be very important, other relevant issues could be tackled as well. In this regard, there is an ongoing discussion on what the Spirit of BBM is, and much was said about the embracing/accepting qualities embodied in Ma Twist.

Main ideas explored so far
Education/information that might include:
Scholarships
Grants for book-writing and for scholars
Conferences & seminars
Publication of study packs
Promoting the story itself (book/film and its creators) and taking its message forward
Continuation of book/dvd library donation
Direct help for victims of rural homophobia. This could include, among others, youngsters and their families. Mention has been made of the needs of elderly gays and the feasibility of helping them without outing them.
A 'one-stop-shopping' website geared towards gay runaways (putting together resources in the kid's state/country that they might be able to use to help their lives...things like rehab that takes teens, counseling, or half-way houses)

Being political or not?
The majority seems against it as it could be divisive and make it difficult to obtain the 501 organisation status.

Doing advocacy or not?
This could include the pursuit of a campaign to get the Nobel prize for Annie (already started some time ago by a small group of Brokies) How narrow or wide a scope to cover?

As we need to educate ourselves before we can help or educate others, an Information thread: All them things that we don't know has been established. This is really helping us, as none of us is a specialist, far from it.   

WHERE?
Where would the foundation work?
Geography:
We decided on an international scope.
Rural and small town communities could be the main setting. However, we bear in mind that BBM deals with a geographical setting that is highly relevant in the USA for being particularly neglected but whose relevance may vary according to the country or culture.

Constituencies/target groups:
Depending on the scope adopted by the foundation, constituencies could be limited to victims of rural homophobia or to people we want to inform and educate (maybe particular groups like straight males, teenagers, etc.), or both. We could also draw allies to our cause e.g. mothers (Ma Twist was suggested as our honorary patron/symbol).

WHO?
Who will do the work?
This will depend largely on the type of action(s) chosen. A preliminary discussion has just been launched
 
HOW?
How will the Foundation reach its goals? Be run?
One of the hardest parts will obviously be finding funding. We have a fund-raising thread, “Money is a good point, Jack said. And Ennis had to agree”, but this thread is not very active yet.

There is also the question of the type of organization that will be set up: a foundation indeed, or another type of entity?

WHEN?
When will the Foundation do what?[/color]
Again, discussions on strategies and time lines will start once we have a more precise idea of the role of the Foundation


Offline lovelyamazing

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Re: BBM Foundation: What to do with all of these positive feelings
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2008, 12:56:58 am »
Hello Friends,

I'm posting on behalf of the Organizing team from The BBM Foundation-If You Can't Stand It, You Gotta Fix It"

The first Newsletter in PDF format  is ready.

You can  read it here:

Looking forward to your feedback and to having many more people join us!!!

Cheers and Love from
Lovelyamazing(Incognita on the Foundation forum)





Offline Front-Ranger

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Re: BBM Foundation: What to do with all of these positive feelings
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2008, 11:52:04 am »
Thanks for posting a link to the newsletter, lovely! It is a great thing you are doing here.

"chewing gum and duct tape"

Offline lovelyamazing

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Re: BBM Foundation: What to do with all of these positive feelings
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2008, 11:52:56 pm »
Thanks for posting a link to the newsletter, lovely! It is a great thing you are doing here.




So glad you have joined Front-Ranger :)