Loomio

Launching the CIC

DU Public Seen by 80

As we get ready to launch our community interest company this is the place for offers of support, questions and comments, and all creative ideas that will step up the pace of planting!
All the relevant documents will be posted here too. Those who feel strongly the CIC is but an interim, even the wrong step, or didn't yet vote, don't feel the debate is over. We have a mandate to move for now, but the world is constantly changing! No work done now will be lost.
If it's useful here is one summary of the differences between a CIC and a charity

RL

Richard Luff Tue 12 Mar 2019 2:12PM

Thanks for this link Paul. I personally voted for CIC as an interim vehicle for then moving to a charity (CIO). I voted for this to keep options open, but recognise this may or may not happen, depending upon energy of people around to do this. My own commitment is to get something going not to have a CIO per se, though I would be supportive of a majority if they wanted to do this in the future. Thus I am very happy that we can now create a CIC and take things to the next level.

DU

Sun 28 Apr 2019 3:06PM

Dear forest garden enthusiasts all,
It's likely we will finalise our incorporation as a CIC this month. This means the chance to promote forest gardening as a valued skill. So far only Rachel (from Oxford) has sent in a pic and biography for posting on our website.

If any of you with these skills, or someone you know, would like more paid work please do send your details by the end of next week.

Your name is likely to get quite a wide audience. Our latest tweet announcing our FG Principles was retweeted by many opinion formers including George Monbiot. Over 300 people clicked through to the 'Principles' page on the site. And we now have over 200 followers.

Have a look at our twitter feed - it's on the website page at the top right.

After the next shadow board meeting on 11th our next tweet is likely to announce our forest garden services: in other words you lovely forest gardeners out there ready to sell your expertise.

We are also advancing plans to test a 'Forest Garden in a Box' to see if it could be a national success. I've found a brilliant and skilled project manager who loves the idea and wants to get behind it. If anyone knows nurseries who could be interested in supplying such a scheme please say.

So watch this space. And send in your profiles! :slight_smile:

NT

Nick Turner Mon 29 Apr 2019 5:57AM

I will need time to add any profile text/images to the websie so please send any information for this as soon as possible if you want it to be onlne when the announcement is made.

DU

Mon 29 Apr 2019 6:26AM

Nick's been doing great work by the way - he designed and put up the Principles page; he's added a 'donate' button to the front page; and will add a sign-up link to loomio to take advantage of the new interest we've created out there - and of course he'll be adding your profile.... :wink:

DU

Mon 13 May 2019 6:48PM

Dear all a brief update: we met on Saturday for the last time as a shadow board. Next time we hope it will official - as a Community Interest Company
There are some key roles that it would be fantastic if those of you out there with the expertise, or someone you know who could join our network, could take on.
In each case each role would have an assigned person on the Board as a support:
1. # Membership lead.
As soon as we launch officially, everyone will need to complete a short membership form. Questions relating to membership, recruiting more members, and organising the AGM are the main tasks for this role.
2. # Fundraising lead.
This is an important one if, at the very least, we want to continue running this network, updating the website, hiring venues for our AGM, funding expenses for the Board to meet, and developing products like 'A Forest Garden in a Box'. This could be expanded to be a Business Development role. And what if we could win a scale of funding that would support several communities at once planting forest gardens??
3. # Marketing and Communication lead.
At the moment I'm doing this in an instinctual way. It definitely needs someone who understands the social media universe. I'm happy to be the liaison with the Board for whoever would like to lead on this!

Please say what draws you. Any questions as always, please post :pray:

DU

Mon 29 Jul 2019 9:53AM

Dear all I notice there isn't energy for this at the moment. Could I please ask for some specific help with launching the prototype 'Forest Garden in a Box'? We need some funds to pay a designer. So many young people are struggling, particularly over the summer, that Rosie (our amazing project manager) and I don't feel we can our ask the students Rosie knows to do this for free. Could anyone step up and run a short crowdfunding campaign for a few weeks? Or knows of a quick and easy source of funding they would have the time to apply to? We are officially a CIC now by the way! :clap: Thanks so much. :slight_smile:

DU

Mon 29 Jul 2019 7:48PM

Rosie kindly set this up in double quick time: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/forest-garden-in-a-box Remember people she is volunteering her time. Please support as you are able and share with your networks. If we can get it off the ground it means work for forest gardeners! Thanks.

NT

Nick Turner Tue 30 Jul 2019 9:59AM

Good work Rosie. I've posted on some FB sites and will try to put something on the website

DU

Tue 30 Jul 2019 11:27AM

Thanks so much Nick :thumbsup: