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Rhode Island

thank you to the many who have responded to my earlier post regarding the formation of the orange angels foundation

all who have shown interest will receive email shortly regarding our start up / organizational meeting.

pls think about the following subjects before hand

1. how will the organization be structured?
personally im leaning towards a board of directors represented by one person from each state that has a fundraising group in the foundation.
that states representative on the board will head up the foundations activities and fundraising efforts in their state? attends meetings and represents his /her state on all matters of discussion or vote.

2. fifty percent of funds genereated will remain with each states director for distribution (as there group feels is needed )----in the state where funds were donated.

the other fifty percent goes into a national general fund to be use for one or more, yearly college tuition assistance grants.
to be eligable student must be a reletive of a grower in the giant pumpkin growing community and in need of assistance.

3. fundraising suggestions ?

4. elected chain of authority ( national )
president
recording secretary
treasurer
recruiting and development director

5. board of directors (regional)
one board member/local president from each participating
state. responsible for coordinating fundraising efforts
and volunteers in your state.

6. do we also create a position at the national level for
someone to work on searching out and developing new
sites and national sponsors ?

hopefully with the right communication and message many of the hundreds of pumpkin organization out there will also want to partake in this worthwhile cause. think about that for a minute.

all it takes is one person from each club to take an interest and the ball is rolling. a small raffle here a cake sale there, etc.

thanks, pap

4/3/2007 7:31:36 AM

Montoursville, PA

Funny the initial concept was Orange Angels to help a grower in need. Now the concept shifts to college scholarships as far away as any relative of a grower. Maybe it's good to think big but this organization will have to crawl before it walks. It should be patterned to work within financial concepts it can maintain. Impressions are earned by acton not talk and promoted images. No auditor would authorize split and scattered held moneys. There needs to be one organization and one national budget including such considerations as may apply to it's parts. Tradition would indicate many helping a few when anyone's angels are considered. Find a hundred or more growers that will grow and sell one pumpkin to kick this off. This must come from individuals not existing clubs that can barely run a budget let alone show large profits to share.

I suggest that if this just gets to half a dozen serious leaders within the first year and that group expands to opening an account and begins to recognize inhouse contributions you will have done a fine job.

4/3/2007 9:32:54 PM

Montoursville, PA

All I now see is organizational structure. Let's see some emotional early Orange Angels concept setting aside some bucks. Lets grow the organization from the bottom up not the top down. My two cents.

You as part of GPC called for national accounts not long ago. Nothing or little happened. Has a single large national support account been attracted? How could Orange Angels expect more without proving it's worth first.

"all it takes is one person from each club" are we working the already hard working pumpkin orgnizations or are we forming the elementary steps from within using people that can do more and who may step above the existing with no intent of milking the existing organization?

Just a few days ago you said something to the fact that you would gladly work with others........however now the worm seems to have turned. You now seem to have the whole ball of wax all figured out or nearly so. I dont' get it!!! You keep pushing like this and the world is likely to become a very quiet place. The initial idea was fine. It motivated a handfull to show interest.

4/3/2007 9:36:05 PM

Rhode Island

sorry you have read so much into a couple simple comments.
id did not know everythibg that is said (or suggested) would be put under a scope.

possibly its the knee jerk reaction comments like those above that drive people away from doing anything good.
lets not drive people away by giving off the impression every word will be examined and then commented on in public.

all i made were suggestions , food for thought for our first meeting.something to think about and discuss at that meeting. nothing else.

needles to say the o a foundation would not be able to work with anyone who cant keep there emotions under control.

if the o a foundation is to be successful it will do so without the need for sea lawyers.

it needs people who are willing to share info and work for a common goal. not tear apart and or record and review every word thats spoken.

dick wallace

4/4/2007 6:50:10 AM

Bristol,RI,USA.

Any organizations that are worth there weigh have started with two things, a group of people with a common goal and a well organized plan. The ideas that have been put on the table are sound lofty goals that have great thought and passion behind them .I am impressed and honored to even know the man that started the process. These are the types of thinks that bring America together to help each other. Every body has dreams but some people stay awake long enough to accomplish them. Inaction breeds doubt and fear action breeds confidence and courage .If you want to conquer fear do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy! You go PAP I am behind you al l the way!!

Michael J. Oliver

4/4/2007 4:43:14 PM

Montoursville, PA

Pap...........you are always under the eye of the public when you publish information on the net. If you can not stand that perhaps you too have some questions unanswered. Count me out for the time being. I wish you well with your intent. Maybe I do not understand. Maybe this great new organizational effort will come to pass. More important the organization will hopefully be successfull by attracting inhouse, so to speak money first, which will in turn lead to the eyes and minds that write grants and gifts to other organizations.

I'm maybe a bit old to be an organizational trooper but my life experiences of conception, developing and leading more than one national organization to ten year sucess levels with regional and state chapters might have been worth some consideration. Had you picked up the phone instead of being defensive this might have been a very different day.

I compliment the people who ran the BP charity auction for a good cause and even more so the folks that donated and then bought the seed to make it happen. This is where the idea started and got under way.

4/5/2007 11:33:57 AM

[email protected]

I think Pap's ideas are genuine and from the heart, and I for one will back his endevors 100%. My understanding of what I read, was to make this a very well ran Charitable Organization, and I believe his intentions are meant to be bigger than him, so the legacy of the Orange Angel continues into the future, and passed down to others, when Pap decides to leave.
If for whatever reason, this fails, and I sure hope it doesn't, We will at least have given it an honest effort.
Just my 2 cents
Eddy

4/5/2007 2:10:35 PM

Central Pennsylvania [email protected]

Ditto what Eddie said! The only way we'll find out if it will be sucessful is if we put forth a good honest effort to make it work. I'm sure that by the end of this year we will have enough funds saved up to get it kicked off right by next year.

If we concentrate on fundraising this year then we should be able to start helping people next year.

I am concentrating on fundraising ideas right now as funds are what will be needed to get it going.

If by some reason the Orange Angels Foundation never gets going or if it goes and fails, at least I'll know that I made an honest effort to try and get help to people in a time of need and that is all the payment I need for my efforts.

Besides, good things happen to people who help make good things happen! It's a Karma thing.

4/5/2007 6:39:36 PM

Rhode Island

thanks for the support eddy. people like you are what will make this thing fly.

yes my intentions were to help those who are in need, nothing more. not looking for any glory just satisfaction that i was able to help make a difference.

i know the sngpg could have done something on their own but that is not my intention, if any clubs want to get involved thats great. but this is someything i wanted to do as an individual. and, with the help of those that have replied to me already we will have some form of fundraising in the future.

i do like the idea of having different charter memberships of groups from different areas of the country all working under the banner of o a foundation.
i like the fact that people will work hard to raise money for those less fortunate especially if they know that part of the money they raise goes right back into the community where the charter is based.
i like the fact that part of the fundraising proceeds may go into a national oa foundation fund for dispursment as the voting charter members see fit.
i dont think given the scope of things that just one large orange angels foundation would work because of the distance between members etc.
but, many such state or charter foundations working to help the needy in their areas would. all under one umbrella so to speak.

something we can talk about at our first meeting thats for sure.thanks again to everyone. ill be in touch
thank you
pap

4/5/2007 6:59:15 PM

San Jose [email protected]

I will donate $100.00 when you get your non-profit number, I do not have the time/energy to be on any comities.

[email protected]

4/5/2007 8:28:24 PM

Hanover,Ontario,Canada

Dick: I'm behind you 100% and if it encourages new young growers even more so. I agree with Eddy and I know where your heart is. Dave

4/6/2007 7:57:44 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Raising money for charities with our pumpkins is something I'd like to see our members get more involved in. I think this is an idea that could work well for both parties. Pumpkin growers would get good exposure in the press & the charities would receive some much needed funding. I've been thinking of putting together something similar for our GVGO members, only 100% of the money will stay with the charity that helped raised the money. Only the total amount & name of charity would be reported to the club so we can see how much money the club members were able to raise for different charities in 2007. I hope to have details posted in the next GVGO newsletter. Good luck Pap, I wish you all the best in getting the OA up & running.

Phil

4/6/2007 9:44:05 AM

Bristol,RI,USA.

well to start on a local level, all of us have pumpkins that are culls or are left in the patch because we have many bigger. why don't we action them off at the weight offs and the funds go to the orange angles i think people will be glad to help

calcubit

4/6/2007 12:32:31 PM

[email protected]

What ever it takes dick. There are always folks in greater need than us. Even a small step is better than doing nothing especially when we know our own potential.

4/6/2007 9:40:04 PM

Santa Cruz, CA

Once the discussion takes place and the mission of the Orange Angels Foundation (O.A.F.)is set, I think it would be a good idea to set some yearly fundraising goals. I think it would be fine to have all the funds go into one pot and have the selection committee decide on who needs the money the most. Maybe that committee could have representation from each state interested in helping with the effort. I think it is very important to have all the money issues worked out ahead of time. Ie: Who is eligible to receive the money. Should it go to growers and their families or to a college fund for growers and their immediate family or reach out even farther. The mission could be broad or narrow. It would be a good idea to work it out clearly early on. The mission of the Rotary Club is world peace and most of what they do is inoculate children against different diseases. Their broad mission works and they get a lot done too.
This all sounds like fun and work....much like pumpkin growing. Keep me posted as to when the working committee will chat.- Kristine

4/10/2007 1:46:58 AM

Plymouth,ma

normally we see Pap being the voice of reason, and resolving differences. As a reader of this BP stuff i find it unique to see our patriarch under any fire. i think Docpipe brings realistic views to this discussion, not a negative fight against. his opinions and advice could be a big help. certainly at this stage, all help counts.....and i think that is what Pap is suggesting. its a noble idea, anytime folks help other folks its good. in any capacity. Pap your on to something, and its understood your intentions are for betterment of others in need. Docpipe should have another crack at stuff. tone of voice and sound and context is hard to convey with only a keyboard. take the time to say it all and hear it all...like it or not , it brings out the best of ideas. just some thoughts....

4/10/2007 9:47:43 PM