Family Meeting!! (Project Update)

Posted by Cate Bolt on 22 August 2009 | 2 Comments

Tags: charity

I made the mistake last week of saying I didn’t understand the concept of “putting up ones feet”. Here I am now, ordered off the tools by my dictator of a husband and forced to put my feet up. Allegedly it’s for my own good. Personally I just think its boring and a waste of time. I mentioned to those of you who follow me on Twitter that I had a sharp pain in my heel – probably not so coincidently the part of the heel that rests on the concrete floor for many hours each day as the rest of the foot is on the sewing machine pedal. Combine that with the discovery of a superficial, yet very painful blood clot in the upper half of the same leg from sitting long hours on the hard wooden kitchen chair and … hey presto, here I am… putting my friggin feet up.

So I figured, since we’re all here, that I’d blog and give a bit of an update on what’s been going on, and also include some FAQ’s which seem to be on people’s minds. Firstly, an update on the registration. With a lack of consistent and helpful legal advice, Mr Bolt has spent much time reading all the available information and after speaking with a few other charities we’ve decided to go with the structure of Incorporated Association – at least for the short term.

The official charity name will be Project 18 (Inc). Eighteen has significance to our family as we have one girl and eight boys, and the village when we are finished will have 18 homes, each housing 8 children.

The logo for the charity is finally on the drawing board, with the very talented Bronwyn from Beni Creative very generously donating her time for this, plus the design of the business cards, letterhead and flyers! Woot Bronwyn! You rock!

I’m thrilled to also announce the addition of some very important team members. Firstly, Karen Morris from Inscriptions who will be taking on the role of Public & Media Relations Manager. Karen has already been ever so kind as to set me up with a magazine feature, which is REALLY stretching me way beyond my comfort zone. But in the spirit of the charity I’m going to “cop it on the chin” and frock up in Brisbane in September for the QCG Magazine feature. Make sure you get a copy because the likelihood of seeing me a) in a dress and b) glammed up again in the future is probably 0.

Also, Susan Wallis joins the committee. Most people who know me through Twitter or Facebook probably already know who Susan Wallis is. For those of you who don’t… what an amazing woman you’re missing out on. Susan has an absolute wealth of knowledge and experience in NFP organisations and we are absolutely thrilled to have her as part of the Project 18 team.

Carol Barry, who is a very dear friend, savvy business owner, ideas woman and compassionate soul who still hasn’t worked out after 10 years how to say “no” to me LOL, joins the team. Carol has already been instrumental in securing nearly 50KGS(!) of donated fabric for the sewing project AND then managed to negotiate free freight for the whole lot from Victoria to Queensland. Carol is a woman who doesn’t take “no” for an answer… in fact, I’m pretty sure she could sell ice to Eskimos AND get a thank you email and repeat order a month later. She really is the nicest person in the world!

Website – I believe we have a new web developer, but I feel I may have given him cold feet by being unreasonably over demanding, giving him a ridiculously short time line AND a list as long as your arm of requirements. I have faith though that he will come to love my overly demanding ways and get back to me with a “Sure Cate, I can do that” any second *wink* No pressure.

Graphic Design – I also have a very long list of graphic designers who have offered their services. Hang in their guys, as soon as I have this logo, I’ll be asking you all to do some web banners for me. We need a stack! Printing – I have two very lovely ladies and their husbands negotiating for free printing services. I have absolute faith that it’s only a matter of days before we get a green light on this.

Exciting NEWS! The very kind and generous Bev Rolt (have you sent her your old mobile phone yet?! HURRY!!) Has offered to take some of my bag patterns over to Bali and have her very beautiful Balinese staff work on sewing some for me. This comes as a HUGE relief to me, as one woman with two hands cannot make bags and bits in the quantities that we require – and still do everything else that is currently required. Especially with my “feet up”!

So from my wish list, I’m really only lacking a solicitor and tax accountant. How ironic that two of the most highly paid professionals can’t find time or compassion enough to donate, yet dozens of mum & dad businesses across the country can. Shame, shame. OK, on to some of the FAQ’s that people keep throwing at me. I’ll post these separately so this doesn’t drag on forever.

Until then, be good to yourself, be good to your earth and live with PASSION!!!