Gumballs, Candy, Oh my! Plan B!

I tried to get images of gumballs and candy here, but it didn't work, oh well *sigh*  New and green to the blog world I suppose.  I suppose most of my efforts are elsewhere?  Their with these guys....my inspirations!

he he :) maybe.  So as I am anticipating for my meeting, I have been tweeking my by laws and incorporations to hopefully sound, look, feel as intellectually legal as can be, all the while staying true to the mission and purpose of D.O.G.S  I say to my mentor " I have my paper work together for the IRS"  She says let's get your 'business' paper work together first OK?  OK...perhaps too eagar.  I know that this may take awhile so I am prepared for time and being denied 'non profit' status after the long wait of 6mos to a year.  In the works are business cards and a website all thanks to google of course and a great friend! :)  Just in case things go a different direction I am still prepared, because I AM going to help rescues, I AM going to do what I set forth to do!  It's going to happen come rain or shine, mostly shine because my heart and passion is in it.  The gumballs and candy well just in case I have worked up a plan B too, just in case no business, person, or whatever else doesn't want to support a gumball machine where all profits go to D.O.G.S  Who knows not all will be on board...it's OK though because where there is a will there is a way.  From benefit parties, donation request, to my own expenses it's going to happen D.O.G.S is going to fulfill its mission somehow!  Stay tuned for plan B to be revealed...Until next time dog world, keep listening, keep trying and keep your heart smiling.

Woof! Best,

...In the meantime...

Hi everyone! :)

Hope all is well in this dog world! :)  In the meantime while I am waiting to meet with my mentor/non-profit attorney in a couple of weeks to go over all the IRS paper work, I have been doing some more research!  Just to back it up a little...this non profit idea has been in my mind for about 4-5 years, but never was able to bring it anywhere near fruition besides daydreaming about it and whimsically talking about it :) However NOW I AM doing something about it, no matter how little the steps.  LIL' STEPS = BIG EFFORTS! :) he he.

Anyways, I figure I would call on my awesome designer friend www.simplyyvonne.blogspot.com to help me design some business cards and help me with a website.  Got to love Google because all is free and user friendly, hence this blog as well!  Thank you!  If my first crack at the IRS doesn't land me a "non profit 501c 3 status", it is OK I still am going to do this and keep trying to get the status, so I figure I probably need a website and cards way before it all starts right?  I don't know just a thought. I always say I rather try then not, mistakes are meant to be made as long as you learn from them! I have a card design in mind, but I am not tech savvy enough to show you here...:(  maybe soon I can!  If you all know how, help!  I have the image on my phone...
Until there here is Jasmine posing for the cameras. 

Nope not working....

Take 1!

Hi everyone!! My apologies on the delayed blogs, my one and only excuse-life!

I am finally done with the final drafts for Dogs of a Good Society's Article of Incorporations, Bylaws, and Mission statement.  I think I must of went through several drafts of each and feel pretty good about this last one, well not last, because I am sure my mentor/non profit attonery is going to make several corrections.... The joys of it all...but it is worth it.  And this part is somewhat fun, because it is a different challenge for me.  Who knew I could write in this fashion!  It's been a learning experience and best of all there are several helpful resources out there like http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=123028,00.html  sample of articles of incorporation for non profit


For you veterans out there who already have all this done and are established I would love to hear your input on this phase of the process.  Right now for me I kind of feel like an island hoping someone will come travel my way  to say 'hi!' or even to find me! :)  Every day I go to my new job and say to myself "I did the right thing to quit my career to be able to work on D.O.G.S, focus on the big picture" and every day it gets easier.  It's been an adjustment period, though I am grateful for my new position which is less emotionally intensive, however is a complete 180 from what I have been doing for years (social services)!  All things come with time they say.  Luckily I have learned to be oh so patient over the years with my professional life :)  Here goes it!  Meeting with mentor scheduled.  Until then...Board of Directors assertive recruitment must start.  

Until next time everyone, have a fantastic time! :)  Thanks for following, spread the word, would love to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Love animals! 

What's in a law? A by law.

Hi everyone! Hope you all are spreading the word! I have not kept up with blogging as much as I have hoped, however trying really hard. I would love to hear your input and connect with you. You know what they say the more you speak and seek, the louder the voice! What is in a by law? Well lots of legal details that I do not understand much about. Its a lot of legal jargon and concepts that I am still pretty green about. Although I have started on working on it I feel a bit lost....I have had the opportunity to hammer it out at work and some at home. Between trying to complete a first draft to family, volunteer commitments and work I feel somewhat overwhelmed...I think only because I place too much pressure on myself then I should (guilty) of this all the time :( I can't finish something in one night, but would like to....I have been a part of the beginning phases of another non profit about three years ago that took over a year to create by laws, granted it was not heavily focused on by the board. Why so much angst towards my own? I don't know....well would like to reach my internal deadline with this, if not we will just have to see....thanks all for your support! Till next time!

Take 2 or 3 or 4 or more!

Hello fellow blogger peers and interested parties!

I apologize it has been awhile...I have been so busy with having family over to visit, I have not had time to blog!  Also getting settled with my new job has also taking some time away from blogging.  I did however have the time to work on D.O.G.S mission statement some more and have came up with a few to submit *fingers crossed*.  Trying to work from the end result to the beginning has been a bit challenging for me.  Starting with assisting rescues to turning that into a rescue has got my mission statement all over the board.  I think I got it now though!  I just had to stay focus that whichever way I write it up, the end results is still the end result that I am shooting for.  Focusing was somewhat challenging these past couple of months from resigning from my position to taking on a different position.  My mind has been through somewhat a mental and emotional roller coaster.  I am better focused now and can place the energy more on D.O.G.S.  Next step By-laws...with some experience in this area ( I assisted with by-law writing with another non profit).  I hope this will be more go more smoothly due to the nature of the writing.  More to come!  Thank you everyone! :)

In honor of just starting out on D.O.G.S...here are some puppy pictures of my joys as pups.  

Mission Possible...

Hi Everyone!
After reading several books, researching, and networking I finally have my steps down (I think). First off what is my purpose and mission. Right now I am having challenges in completing my mission statement. I have had several drafts of mission statements over the years (Side note: this has been 5 years in the making  for an opportunity allow me to get to this point).  However after meeting with a non profit attorney, whom I have had the opportunity to intern with a few years back; has given me some guidance and suggestions. It turns out my mission statement(s) may not work for the 501C 3 status I am aiming for.
I guess I should start from the beginning. My goal is to be able to operate a non profit animal rescue down the line that aides in the rescue of high kill shelters, pounds, etc. Currently I am working on building a non profit that will benefit animal rescues, by way of resources and eventually build into an animal rescue. In a nutshell the idea is to have vending machines to collect resources for animal rescues.  This idea also allows me time for other things in life; family, work, and time to obtain space, resources and efforts to build a rescue shelter.  However the idea becomes too much like a foundation (more stringent paper work and more difficult to get started from what I have researched).  In order to steer away from a foundation I have to coordinate a service with it. I have brainstormed buying resources with the funds (no go)and offering the funds to go to a direct service. However with research and guidance this will not work either.   My brainstorms continue with several other ideas, but I want to stay on the track of what my ultimate goal is-a rescue down the line. Brainstorms to be continued... 

On another note, IF I had to choose a favorite breed, it would be the Pit bull due to such great misunderstandings and misconceptions they endure. All in all they are just sweet babies!!!! :) Here are two of my babies, Leche and Jasmine awwww....but I LOVE ALL dogs!   :)

Beginning with PASSION

Hi Everyone! 
This is my first blog ever!  I am greener then green about blogging.  I am not very creative nor tech savvy, however I wanted to start blogging to network, learn more and most of all share with people on what I love so much- DOGS.  And helping wherever and whatever I can for dogs and  the society that they live in.  

 I have had this long term goal (5 years counting), plan if you will, of building a non profit that benefits animal rescues and I would like to share these steps, experiences, ups and downs, and all the moments in between about my journey to chase these dreams and goals into reality.  I have made major changes in my life to get to this point.  I recently had the opportunity and made the decision to go further with this goal.  It's now, not later anymore!  I resigned from my FT career as a social worker to pursue this other side of non profits, the side where you start from the ground up and may be unsure of the journey, however can be sure of the destination.  The destination that will be that I tried my very best to accomplish this goal and hope that in the end I do.   I hope you  all will follow me in this journey!  I look forward to talking with you, learning from you and most of all spreading the word out there that dogs ARE great, beautiful, loving, trusting, innocent creatures who deserve our voices to help them be heard and our love to help them live.  Thank you!  Here goes..... :)