As Local As Possible Meeting #2 Recap

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!