We
are an informal group of Northern Michigan citizens seeking to have more local
impact and connectedness with our money. We gather once a month for a
potluck and to meet local entrepreneurs and learn about their projects.
During our meetings, we also share ideas for how we might keep more of our
money locally and invested for triple-bottom-line returns (financial, social,
and environmental). This is an experiment of sorts with exciting offshoot
possibilities, including the spawning of a more formal local investing
club. For now, though, those interested in pursuing local investments
with other group members or presenting entrepreneurs may do so independently of
this ALAP group. Our meetings are open to any individual, although we
request that you RSVP so that we can assure sufficient meeting space.
A BIG thanks to all who played a part in our second monthly As
Local As Possible (ALAP) meeting! We
took a first stab at our new format at Michigan Land Use Institute HQ (thank
you MLUI!) with several fresh faces in attendance. Our meeting kicked off with an opening hour
of networking and potluck yumminess after which we heard presentations from two
local entrepreneurs.
Up first was group member Bruce Odom of Odom Re-Use. Bruce provided us with a snapshot of his
successful reusable building materials business based in Grawn (www.odomreuse.com). He described possibilities that he is framing
for local investors interested in 1-year promissory notes where interest would
be partially (or fully) payable in the regional currency Bay Bucks. Those
with an interest in learning more should contact Bruce directly (reusebruce@charter.net, 231 276-6330).
Following Bruce was Susan Shields of Good Harbor Farm. Susan discussed a variety of ideas she is
considering for her beautiful operation in the heart of the Sleep Bear Dunes
National Park. She is particularly
excited about expanding a successful day camp there (www.explorerdaycamp.com) and is
interested in bartering for legal work (501c3 formation), and other supplies
that would allow her to serve a greater number of campers in 2012. For those who would like to follow up with
Susan, she can be reached at GoodHarborFarm@gmail.com
or 231-866-1079.
During our final hour, the group decided that for our next
meeting on January 12, we will revise our agenda to feature one “main event”
entrepreneur-presenter preceded by a ten-minute window for folks interested in
making a 2-3 minute “burst” pitch on a project or business idea they are
working on. The first hour will remain
potluck/networking time with the third hour allotted for group discussion of
the entrepreneur presentation and planning for the next meetings. During this planning time we will prioritize
the review and selection of future entrepreneur-speakers.
A revised entrepreneur-presenter submission form is attached
with the hope that anyone with a prospective presenter in mind can have the
forms filled and submitted to Bruce or Zach for redistribution to the group. The goal is that we will have several such
submissions to review during our January meeting.
Thanks again to MLUI, to Barb for moderating last night, to
each of the potluck-chefs, to our entrepreneur presenters and to all who joined
and have an interest in ALAP. The momentum
underway is terrific!
