November 23, 1997

Members Present

Bean Amerika (Dave Haber)
Eugenia Criss
Dmitri Donskoy
William Gale
Sam Liebowitz
Ed Nash
John Perry
Carol Senall
Greg Zsidisin

Introductions

Review of FMF elections

A review of the recent elections for the Board of Directors of the FMF. For the benefit of the members who were not at the Conclave this year, we reviewed how all but one of the previous Board of Directors resigned, due to problems encountered with obtaining tax-exempt status from the IRS. There had been three positions known as 'Founding Directors' which were all held by members of the Savage family. With the resignation of all of these members of the Board, we would be able to have a Board that was more representative of the membership, and would look less suspicious to the IRS.

The results of the election are as follows:

Tami Savage
Scott Halbert (Thor)
Dave Cunningham
William Gale
Sam Liebowitz

Richard Crews remained on the Board, and is still the Executive Director

In order to help prevent future problems with obtaining tax exempt status from the IRS, Tami and Gale are currently working on setting up another non-profit corporation which will refer to a wider body of literature that deals with ocean and space colonies. It is hoped that with a different name, and without depending solely on The Millennial Project as a statement of purpose, that we will be able to obtain the desired tax exempt status.

Current Project Review

Next, a review of the current FMF projects was conducted.

Polypond - there had been some work done for creating a research project for the basis of the idea of mariculture. A Polypond is a large aquarium where multiple saltwater species of fish would be raised together. While some of the previous FMF Board had visited a research facility in Hawaii where such research could be done, the FMF needs to raise $50,000 in order to conduct it. Until such money is raised, that project is on hold.

Seacreate - upon investigation of the sources cited in TMP, it was discovered that there was a miscalculation in the amount of time needed to accreate sea-cement. Because of this, it is necessary to reproduce those experiments and do further research into accreation using sea water. So far $125 has been donated specifically for that research, but the monies have not yet been used.

SEE - Gale gave us a brief update on the developments at SEE. He is currently working with lawyers in Texas to get the paperwork done for the cooperative. The current plan is for the first settlers to move in towards the end of May or the beginning of June, which gives the initial settlers a little more time to get things in order. For the initial housing, it was found that used mobile homes are the most cost effective structures to use. After reviewing the property site, Gale suggested two designs for the layout of the houses, one of which would make the best use of the land, the other of which would provide a better view of the trees that are growing in the center of the property.

Business Basics

For this Month's discussion, instead of reviewing an article from a business magazine, we decided to take stock of our own skills, talents, and experiences, and how they might help us in promoting the FMF.

Greg - experience in managing a voluntary organization need to keep people motivated need to have clear goals and to stay focused on them social contacts are very important for a voluntary organization, need to keep renewing these Tri-state area might focus on sponsoring relevant speakers, such as on OTEC, and advertising them well more of a plan is needed just what are goals? SSI is a model of effectiveness for research goals towards space Carol - experience with teenagers and teaching Eugenia - experience as office manager, experience in public relations company could be applied to publicity for events sponsored Ed - experience is technical, computers, experience with problem analysis could be applied to developing a more coherent plan Dmitri - strength is to choose a job and stick with it until done example is welcome wagon work Doesn't expect anyone else to do something besides yourself. Considerable computer experience. Life is precious, the broad FMF goal is to get it off the planet and not subject to local disasters Gale - recent experience in developing SEE might be used for commercial development not necessarily relevant to developing communities on ocean or space, because a lot of it is about dealing with local regulations Bean - long term computer experience, professional for last few years wants to study architecture more architects and poets needed Sam - great strength is facilitation: helping others accomplish their goals motivate people talk about FMF everywhere. Observation: everyone brought different skills and perspectives and all will be useful in carrying out projects

Outreach

We had talked about developing a brochure. Sam found that the FMF has thousands of the first brochure, "Introducing the Millennial Project", and it remains a useful brief introduction. It does not have mention of current projects, especially SEE, and Sam has designed a trifold to complement and extend the brochure.

Sam has found that the personal approach works for him. Greg related an incident he observed of a personal approach being effective.

Greg: Presenting specific plans and accomplishments are very important. SEE is main specific FMF action. Notions around SEE: living very cheaply to work on broader goals. Colonize Space: move to Texas.

Literature on planned communities must be there and be relevant to SEE and other possible colonies. Look for commercial developers, and perhaps architects or architectural students.

On Splitting the Chapter

Pro: Dmitri and Bean find people won't come from Connecticut without knowing what the meeting is about, and won't know what the meeting is about without coming. It would be useful to try meetings held in CT.

Con: Several central members of the Tri-State chapter expect to be moving to Texas. The remainder would make a chapter, but should not split.

Synthesis: No reason for not having a meeting in CT or NJ also. Sam might be able to get out to speak, lend strength. Such meetings might lead to people coming into a central meeting.

Greg comments: a very cut and dried agenda for the first few meetings in a new area would be helpful. The Maplewood, NJ, library has meeting space that non-profit groups can rent for $20.

Next Meeting

December 13, at the Thai Health Cafe. It will be a joint party with the SFS.

contact the author of this home page: Dmitri Donskoy
Last modified: Sunday, December 28, 1997

Home