Defining the Non-For-Profit (HELP Needed!)
- The size and scope of the project still needs to be defined:
---- Do we build it to be certified as a car, motorcycle, or custom experimental (as registered by the DMV in all states, on a broader scope...countries)?
---- Do we band together and build it to have options or focus on a single build...then branch out (ie. electric, hybrid, ICE, different mold of body shapes, ground up build or using a modified donor vehicle, etc...)?
---- Do we structure the Non-for-profit to facilitate
other DIYer "green energy" options in the future (solar, hydro, wind power), or stick with one mission....the automobile.
---- Do we structure the Non-for-profit to be focused on Global Change or only on the "local" North American culture
---- Do we structure the Non-for-profit to be able to encompass/support many of the other Open-Source builds that are going on globally (in everybody's garages) or keep it more closed with a defined end product?
- We still need to define "who" all will be on the board and work together on a business plan, mission statement, etc...(although I'm willing to take on the majority of the work/research).
Here's what I truly envision.
1.
Make a significant impact on the world by assisting others to make the same impact (ripple effect).
2. Give
clear and concise direction to other DIYers who are looking for affordable "eco friendly" transportation options.
3.
Be an education organisation.
4. Since I'd like to open source the project/projects, I think that nonprofit would not necessarily be the "producer" of the vehicle or the parts (maybe some of them) but
allow the participants who have donated their time to the mission of the project to monetize their time/effort. (ie. Somebody designs a bolt on body that incorporates solar panels for regeneration, let them produce and sell it to anybody that is looking for that functionality. If somebody designs a better charge controller, let them sell it...rather than the nonprofit organization owning the rights to the sale of that piece or part, etc, etc...)
- 4.1. The nonprofit WOULD be able to help negotiate manufacturing deals, parts alliances, etc.
- 4.2. The nonprofit would hopefully own the license to the "end product" if the nonprofit wanted to build and sell them/it as a complete package.
5. I feel it needs to be
a place where engineering students, graphic design students (even law students), etc...can come together and exercise their ability and build their portfolio.
6. I'd love to see this take off because of dedicated, hard working people who care about the planet we've been entitled to and we
all want to make a global impact on society.
7. I see the
whole organization as an open source project.
Again I say, I don't know the legalities of all of this stuff.
Who's involved? I have one solid verbal commitment other than me.
I'm working on some others however, I can't say that I have them in my pocket...yet...
-- A couple of others that I'm talking to already have "solely" made significant progress on a design and prototype and need exposure, direction, or funding.
-- I also have calls into some that are current business owners that supply the EV/Hybrid industry with products that are needed with a build of this nature.
Me - I'm not a business expert, rather a visionary, a do-er, a front man...willing to make all the pieces and parts work together and sell the idea and product to the public. Take a look at my LinkedIn, I don't outline much of my experience previous to the sales experience but while I was working as an EMT, I went to Nursing School for my RN. When I was in the Construction field, I learned many of the valuable fabrication skills that will be needed to help on the "shop floor" and on the "build" of the vehicle. I also managed large scale construction projects while working as a superintendent. This alone is invaluable experience for managing an ever changing, volatile environment in real time.
The Verbal Commitment - Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, minors in Physics and Computer Science from the College of Idaho, MBA from University of Phoenix, and inventor.
Ok, where do I make money?
Where do you make money?
Why a nonprofit?
The answer to the latter is simple for me, because of the nature of open-source, because of the direction of my mission (mission statement to be defined), because of the NEED for others expertise other than myself, because there are greater funding opportunities, because (local and global) community involvement is crucial to the success of this project, because it's easier to attain sponsorship, and the list goes on and on.
Nobody on the board will INITIALLY profit from this venture (I need enlightened on some of this more). Eventually, myself and all of the board members should be compensated but because of the initial "lack of" compensation everybody needs to be passionate about the value that we can provide to society. I'm really looking for ALL of the board members to be passionate about "green, eco-friendly" energy options and better yet be passionate about providing safe, affordable, energy saving transportation education and solutions to low and middle class Americans.
Does this interest you?
Where do you fall within the above statement?
Why should you be involved?
Will you "stick it" out for long haul?
Where can you help from a business development perspective?
Additional Board Members - We will be in need of an accountant and secretary at minimum and an individual that's educated on business plans would be a huge plus.
Additional help needed - Someone to assist with methodical research to pull together a complete data set of other similar projects, potential partners, etc..., web designer/programmer, website hosting (hopefully find one locally to donate this for the first year), auto cad/engineer, donation of shop space (depending on where we decide to make ground zero), local machine shop that is willing to participate in small parts manufacturing, social media manager, etc...
I can and will provide several links to others that I think have a successful open source project going, why they are successful, etc...
I can and will provide links to open source projects that failed and why I think that they failed.
I can provide assistant with all of the research I mentioned above because I'm getting a good handle on it at this point. (I've also talked to an individual in Charlotte that is willing to help with this and already has a head start due to past research).
I want this to be BIG.
I need some help to make this happen.
Once we have the non-for-profit in place we'll be able to start the funding process.
Please Let Me Know If You're Interested In Helping Me With This Venture
- Open to all ideas, criticism, praise, and otherwise.
All the best,
Wayne
SC