Greensboro HIVE

Reorganization: Clustering at the HIVE

Dave Reed — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:42:15 +0000

What: We envision a network of organizational “clusters” as a new way to manage the HIVE. These small teams will hopefully provide a combination of shared responsibility for the overall project with individual accountability for specific tasks. We hope that this structure will diminish frustration and improve communication within the HIVE as well as with the community.

In the immediate future, clusters begin with 2-3 people willing to organize around a specific issue or task as written in the list below. There are 10 suggested clusters. If we have two people for each cluster when we begin, we need 20 volunteers. (Plus Open Hours Volunteers – see below, but we may re-evaluate our ability to maintain open hours 5 days/week.) However some clusters may not need 2-3 people to begin.

Each cluster will begin by brainstorming its own expectations and responsibilities, and how it needs to operate in order to achieve them. Once each cluster has brainstormed its own outline, we can combine them all into a HIVE book… the HIVE memory. Referring to this guideline of history and precedent will allow us to operate more efficiently, and to waste less time in re-deciding and re-planning things we have already done but were forgotten or not clearly communicated.

Brainstormed Stages: (Begin ASAP or Early-Mid May)

Stage 1: Set Up (3-4 weeks)

Effort to organize enough individuals for clusters to be filled.
Clusters meet individually and draft a set of guidelines according to its purpose/role. (Level of Commitment: 1-3 hrs/week for 2 weeks)
All clusters meet as one group. The individual drafts are amalgamated into one document, and edited for overlaps and oversights. As this document develops, it becomes easier to recognize the ways in which clusters relate to each other and will work together. This draft becomes the working document of the HIVE that can be edited and changed as we see fit. If everyone that has ever been involved disappears one day, a new group of people can see what has been done, what works and what does not. (Level of commitment: At least 2 meetings 1-1.5 hours each)
A group of people volunteer to combine all drafts into one document and make initial attempts at editing. (Level of commitment: 1-3 hrs/week for 2 weeks?)

Stage 2: Operation

The clusters are responsible for communicating and meeting as often as needed to get their job done. 1-2 individuals volunteer to be the cluster reps, the “go to” people. Once the clusters become consistent and solid, they would commit to drawing in more volunteers. It is a reality that people are going to have varying levels of commitment and time. Affinity groups within clusters can form, which are groups of individuals within the cluster reflecting its level of commitment Low-High affinity groups correlate to low-high commitment level. Someone can feel good about giving 1 hour of time or 10 hours of time.
The clusters meet at least once a month as one group. There has to be at least one representative from each. In addition, there is ideally one representative from each partner that would attend 1 meeting/month. Opinion thus far has said partners should not have to be involved in the organizing at the hive. Partners contribute a significant aspect of the hive, and thus should have a rotating representative that comes to an organizational meeting 1x/month.

Stage 3: The Whole Perspective (something resembling a Board of Directors)
A group should exist to consider the entire operation of the HIVE, to observe and notice how all the pieces and parts work as a whole. Alongside with the clusters, this group would help to develop and document the HIVE’s presence. This group is made up of representatives that have familiarity with the HIVE’s struggles and successes. It allows for people who have encountered similar situations before and have learned great lessons to contribute on a as needed basis.

Stage 4: Sustaining the New System
The first HIVE fundraiser begins with the clusters. Each volunteer contributes whatever they are able to give, from $1.00 to $100. It is up to the person what she feels comfortable with. This would increase a sense of ownership and investment in the process. This money can be used to move forward on the 1st community fundraiser, as the Fundraising Cluster determines.

The Clusters (The description of each cluster below is an initial brainstorm. The exact descriptions would be determined by the cluster reps)
Having a clear outline of the needs and responsibilities of the HIVE makes it easier to recruit new volunteers and suggest where they can direct their energy. Each cluster can map out levels of commitment and time required for varying tasks. One thing that is continually voiced is the need for 1 distinct leader or go to person. There can be multiple leaders with distinct roles clearly delineated.

Cleaning/ Physical Space: Responsible for cleaning the main room, bathrooms, hallway, outside grounds, taking out trash on a weekly basis, changing light bulbs, stocking toiletries, maintenance, etc.
Events: Maintaining the online and written calendar, in charge of opening and closing the space after an event, seeing event conflicts, managing online request forms, works closely with external communication cluster.
Intergroup Communication: It is able to direct new people to the appropriate contact person, to refer issues to the appropriate cluster, and to pass information between clusters (and partners). It also organizes monthly meetings, and sets the agenda. It documents decisions, and adds anything necessary to the HIVE memory book.
Open Hours: All of the volunteers would be in this cluster; however there could be 2-3 people that are main coordinators. It helps to keep contact info up to date, monitors comments in the volunteer log, and makes sure there is someone to regularly cover all shifts. Greets visitors, answers the phone, refers inquires to communication cluster, carries out phone and computer policies, Trains volunteers to keeps the HIVE open and accessible to the public. Coordinates meetings amongst volunteers to sort through any days to day questions/things to be addressed. We will need additional volunteers (more than the 18 stated above) to fill many Open Hours that the OH cluster determines that we can sustain.
Outreach/External Communication: External publicity, press releases, communicates to the neighborhood, other community groups, maintains website, maintains listserve.
Finances/Accounting: Collects money and pays bills. Communicates with Fundraising cluster to make sure the HIVE is financially secure.
Fundraising/Donations: Accepts donations and organizes fundraisers.
Technology: Keeps computers working properly, and makes any necessary improvements.
Library: maintains library organization, logs and shelves new books, keeps track of books checked out.
Peace: Conflict is inevitable. This group is focused solely on helping to facilitate good communication and to sort out misunderstandings/conflicts. It would be used on a as needed basis.

Other positions:

Paid positions: It is important to consider that there is administrative work at the hive that volunteers may not be able to complete on a regular basis. There seems to be a day to day need to have a consistent presence at The HIVE. However the job description needs to be carefully thought through, because of the conflict that may arise between a paid staff person and unpaid volunteers. In addition, there should be steps taken to prevent this person from being seen as “the leader” of the hive. Rather than being the “spokesperson” of the hive, he/she makes sure administrative details are not lost.

Maintaining transparency about the work this person does is important and he/she should be in line and familiar with the culture of collective decision making that has been central to the creation of the HIVE.

Our first fundraiser could be aimed at hiring 1 person at minimal time. If they get paid $10/hr for 10 hrs/week, that is $400/month. Consider taxes and that may increase to $600/month (maybe more) that we need. For a full year, that comes to $7200. Before we hire someone, we should have this money already secure in our account.

Comments about incorporating:
Incorporating as a federally recognized nonprofit potentially creates more frustration. Previous comments that question incorporating are referenced below:

The resources and time it takes to chase grants and not being certain that we would get them in the midst of a strained economy.
Grassroots organizations give up some power when they become 501c3’s.
The ongoing requirements and work it takes to maintain status.
The time and money it takes to incorporate in the first place. Someone has mentioned it can take months and the basic fee is $700.
Placing a new legal structure over our organizational problems would not solve them; rather make them administratively more complicated.
The concern that nonprofits merely end up mimicking capitalist structure they seek to change.

As listed in comments on the website, not being a 501-c3 does not stop us from grassroots fundraising. Depending on how much we raise, we may have to report this as profit to the IRS, but if we spend it all on program and operations, we won’t pay taxes on it.

Reorganization: 501(c)3 Inocorporation

Dave Reed — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:51:24 +0000

Below is the proposal that we discussed. All of you can read through it and you can find the notes from the meeting after the proposal.

This proposal will be up for discussion for 1 month. the next meeting is May 6 at 5:30pm. Potluck at 5:00pm.

Meeting notes from April 1, 2009
People Present: Dave, Liz, Susan, Marilyn, Fahiym, Susan B., Kammaleathahh, Miriam
Purpose: Discussion of proposal to reorganize HIVE as a 50l(c)3 nonprofit organization
Next meeting: Wednesday, April 8 at 5:30pm

PLEASE READ AND COMMENT

Reorganization Proposal

Proposal: Reorganize the HIVE as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. This will include developing a board of directors and creating two part-time paid staff positions.

Goals
Re-organizing the HIVE as a traditional 501(c)3 will make lines of responsibility and accountability clear. By creating a board through a deliberative and consultative process, we can bring new voices into the HIVE community who represent a variety of communities and efforts in the area. The original organizing effort had hoped this would happen organically, but it has not materialized. The part-time staff positions will provide clear, central points of information and motivation for the various requirements of operating the HIVE. The end goal of a well organized and vibrant institution in Greensboro that serves as a platform for a spectrum of cultural, social, and political organizing can best be met with this more traditional structure. The 501(c)3 model will remove the burden of some basic organizational obstacles that have manifested within our efforts in the last year.

Board
A smaller advisory panel will be tasked with developing the initial board. Members of the advisory panel will not be eligible to serve as an initial board member, but will be eligible to serve on the board at a later date. The board will be made up of representatives from the partner organizations, local neighborhood residents, and interested members of the larger Greensboro community. The board will meet regularly to receive a report from the staff on the current state and activities of the HIVE. They will provide oversight and strategic planning for the future growth of the HIVE.

Staff
There will be two part-time staff positions created. They will be 20-hour a week positions paid the “living” wage set by the Raise the Wage campaign. The salary cost for these two positions for a 48-week year comes to 18,854.40.

The general manager will be tasked with maintaining the finances of the HIVE, overseeing building maintenance, partner communication, updating the website, and serving as a “spokesperson” for the HIVE. They will be required to maintain regular weekly office hours.

The event coordinator will be responsible for assisting groups hosting events at the HIVE as well as identifying and programming original events. The event coordinator will be responsible for announcing the event calendar to local media outlets and distributing physical calendars around Greensboro.

Funding
The HIVE finished its first full year of operation in 2008. The total cost of running the HIVE for one full year was just slightly over $20,000. Our income during last year totaled $21,403. There were approximately $3,200 in donations. Re-organizing as a 501(c)3 will give potential donors the incentive of a tax deduction for donations to the HIVE. The HIVE has never applied for a grant of any substantial size or for general operating costs, nor have we carried out an organized fund raising campaign. Having this designation will also allow us to access a wider range of grants.

Conclusion
The HIVE began life as a radical collective experiment. For a full year a core group of organizers worked through a consensus decision making process that resulted in a flexible, progressive, & radical Vision Statement that continues, despite some organizational issues, to underlie our efforts at The HIVE. This new structure should not be seen as a “defeat” for that earlier collective process, but rather a recognition that the work required to maintain The HIVE and grow it to meet new needs and new communities is greater than what that process is able to handle at this time. the benefits of the 501(c)3 structure outweigh the negatives in relation to our needs and can thus be seen as an opportunity to grow The HIVE in new and more functional directions.

Meeting Notes

Discussion of small amount of people present
Timing of meeting. We may need to switch the meeting time again for people. Wednesday at 5:30 was previously voiced as a good time, but may no longer be.

Proposal
Organizing committee is basically nonexistent. We have to get serious about fundraising, and have a core group at all times. We should formalize a board of directors that is representative of the community, and develop The HIve as a community instiution with memory and stability.

Some Concerns raised

We may become locked into grants/funders criteria.
Does this kind of structure provide the kind of flexibility we want as a collectively run space in accordance with the original vision statement?
What is the role of people being paid at the HIVE?
Will people feel like they can come into the leadership roles?

Discussion

Lots of grants exist specifically geared towards radical collectives/organizations. With this status we can get tax deductible donations and have more incentive to organize fundraising events.
We need to better document events here to build HIVE memory.
A nonprofit structure can still allow us to run the space collectively. We can run the HIVE horizontally. Create an advisory panel that meet on a regular basis, not paid, but provide oversight and direction.
2x/year or on quarterly basis hold Community Meetings.
Possibly open board meetings.
We want communities represented. We don’t want voices left out. We need to reach out to a variety of people as we work on this.
There will need to be a process of creating bylaws. Ideas thrown out for possible simple process: 1) organize board, 2) create bylaws committee, 3) take back to board for review
Contact Donna Newton from Nonprofit Consortium for guidance on creating nonprofit. Other community resources for consultation? Marilyn has experience going through the filing process.
Lines of Accountability: the culture of the board should reflect that “we are accountable to those we serve”.
Transparency: open board meetings as often as possible.
Number of hours for staff people: 20 hours goes by quickly. 10 hours is too little.
The HIVE is a valuable resource for people and many of us have come to depend on it.

Website upgrade

Dave Reed — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:14:03 +0000

The HIVE website is going through some changes, please bare with us.

Hello world!

Dave Reed — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:36:47 +0000

Welcome to Gsohive.org. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

An Evening of Wellbeing

Dave Reed — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:28:23 +0000

Please join us for “An Evening of Wellbeing” at the HIVE – tasty treats, hot tea and live music by Will Ridenour.

In our first year as Sustainable Health Choices we have met and worked with a fascinating array of committed, thoughtful people who are deeply engaged in caring for others. Part of our mission is to help sustain those people so they can do their own work better.

In February we will expand a group program called “Touch of Wellbeing” that began with the Center for New North Carolinians. Join us on January 7 to learn more about this exciting project, meet some of the other wonderful people we are connected with, and help us introduce our work to other people who might benefit from what we do.

Price of admission: Bring at least one person who does not know SHC yet!
Date: Wednesday, January 7
Time: 5:30-7pm
Location: The HIVE, 1214 Grove St

Check out SHC in the Guilford College Alumni Magazine

Dave Reed — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:39:24 +0000

See SHC featured in an article in the Guilford College alumni magazine, making the connections between supporting and empowering people trying to make lasting sustainable changes in their communities.

Philanthropic Futures: Life After Guilford Without Forgetting What You Learned

Updated Holiday Gift Ideas from SHC

Dave Reed — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:30:49 +0000

Group Health Counseling Program
In January 2009, SHC will kick-off a 6-Month group counseling program for women!! Sign up NOW by emailing Miriam at Miriam@sustainablehealthchoice.com This is a great present to gift someone or receive for yourself. Sign up before 12/31/08 and receive one month of the program free!

Gift Certificates
Gift certificates are also available for individual health counseling programs and massage sessions. Prices range from $30-$90 for massage sessions to $25/person for a group cooking class – a great gift idea for a circle of friends or co-workers. Holiday Special: Purchase 3 Massage Gift Certificates and receive 25% off.

Private Classes:
These are very affordable gifts for someone who is having a baby soon (or has recently delivered) or someone who would like to expand their cooking abilities. For only $45, Kammaleathahh will teach a private infant massage class. Miriam will provide all the food and create a scrumptious menu for a private cooking class for $100.

Office space available for community-based social justice organizations in Greensboro

Dave Reed — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:44:14 +0000

The Greensboro HIVE community space has one office space available immediately to progressive organizations/groups whose work corresponds to our Vision Statement.

The HIVE is a collectively run community space in Greensboro’s historic Glenwood neighborhood committed to community empowerment, grassroots organizing, and democratic development. We officially opened our doors on October 1, 2007 and since then have hosted a wide variety of programs and events. The space also contains several offices. Our long-term partners in these spaces include:

The Fund for Democratic Communities, a non-profit foundation supporting community-based initiatives and institutions working to make communities better places to live through authentic democracy. (http://f4dc.org)
Sustainable Health Choices, a health counseling and massage therapy practice focused on serving communities that do not traditionally have access to alternative health therapies. (http://gsohive.org/partners/sustainablehealth)
Farm Labor Organizing Committee, which empowers workers through collective bargaining and gains in worker health and safety. (http://floc.com)
Food Not Bombs, whose Greensboro chapter has been feeding the community for many years, has built a new kitchen where they will be cooking.
North Carolina Occupational Safety & Health provides referrals for injured workers, publishes factsheets in English and Spanish for workers about legal rights and job hazards, and conducts trainings for employees and employers about many occupational health and safety topics.
The Bike Me! Collective operates from a shed in the back parking lot where they have open bike workshops every Sunday.

Application Process
The HIVE Organizing Committee makes decisions through consensus. Once an application is received, it will be discussed at the following HOC weekly meeting and possible questions or concerns will be collected. Members of the HOC will then be asked to meet with the applicants to have a face-to-face meeting, discuss those questions and concerns, the role of the applicant in the HIVE, and the commitments the HIVE makes to the partner organizations. After that a decision will be made and the applicant notified.

If this community of social action sounds like its the right place for your group, please fill out the Partner Application (.pdf) and return it, either electronically or by mail (addresses are in the packet), to the Greensboro HIVE Organizing Committee.

Holiday Gift Ideas from SHC

Dave Reed — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:35:51 +0000

SHC is proud to offer many ways you can give the gift of health to people in your life. Read below for some amazing opportunities and discounts!

Group Health Counseling
For $100/month you or someone you care about can participate in a 3 or 6 month Holistic Health Counseling Program. This is a great way for individuals who have a common focus/concern to come together. The group structure allow you to receive support not only from Miriam but also the other participants. You can purchase 1 month of counseling (or more) for someone. Or you can request this as a gift for you!

Creative Gift Giving:
SHC offers a variety individual and group cooking classes that will inspire seasoned cooks as well as those just learning; gift certificates are also available for individual health counseling programs and massage sessions. Prices range from $30 for a 30-minute massage to $25/person for a group cooking class – a great gift idea for a circle of friends or co-workers.

Health Counseling Packages:
Share the gift of wellbeing in 2009! Our exclusive health counseling packages, available in 3 or 6 month programs, include two 60-minute counseling sessions a month, recipes and tips on cooking, and support catered to your individual needs with the option to add things like massage, kitchen assessments or cooking classes. Packages begin at $100 a month and can be done in person or on the phone. End-of-year special: Purchase a SHC health counseling package before 12/31/08 and receive a 50% discount.

Massage Packages:
Purchase one massage package and divide it for multiple gift-giving. Buy five 60-minute massages for $255 (a $45 savings) or ten 60-minute massages for $500 (a $100 savings) and have five or ten gifts ready in one purchase! Individual SHC gift certificates included.

:::Please contact Sustainable Health Choices for more information:::

One-Year Anniversary Celebration

Dave Reed — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:02:04 +0000

The HIVE is celebrating it’s one-year anniversary with an all day party! Come over Saturday, October 18, to take part in all kinds of different events.

10am-2pm: Really Really Free Market in the parking lot. Need some stuff? Take some stuff. Have some stuff? Give some stuff.
2pm-5pm: Art’s Cool in the main space. All ages arts and crafts fun.
3pm: Glenwood Community bike ride. The Bike Me! Collective is sponsoring a relaxed all-ages ride around Glenwood. Enjoy a nice ride and see some parts of the neighborhood you didn’t know about.
5:30pm: Potluck & cookout in the parking lot. Food Not Bombs is making vegetarian chili. Bring a dish to share (especially desserts). We will also have a grill available for hot dogs and burgers.
7:30pm: Movie night in the parking lot. Hang out when the sun goes down and enjoy a family-friendly movie right on the side of the building!

(All of this will be inside if the weather doesn’t cooperate with us.)