I’ve always felt peace in cemeteries. Now, I don’t want to be IN one, but visit them frequently. This section marker is at a local one. I just wish life, in general, was as good at marking where to find it.
Peace has always been elusive for me. I strive to reach it but, in the process, end up further away. Peace to me isn’t living without conflict, it’s knowing everything is OK AFTER the conflict is resolved. It’s learning FROM the conflict and passing on what you learned to others.
Doing it in my personal life hasn’t found much success, achieving it professionally, even less. I’m hot and cold. I think I’m making headway, only to take three steps back. It’s frustrating.
For now I’m doing some trainings. This week I’m doing one for some area therapists, and I’ve scheduled 3 additional classes for the rest of the year. It’s something. Not the worklife I’m looking for, but, there’s been times when it was much worse.
So, continue to get things in place. That’s all I can hope for.
I’ve taken a consultant job with a local non-profit agency that works with people who are disenfranchised. They asked me to research grants, funding opportunities.
Their mission is fragmented, in my opinion, needing to be melded more together in a more cohesive message. Dang, I thought it would be easier, lol. They help widows, people who have disabilities, parolees, young adults who have aged out of foster care, the homeless, poor … They help with documents, home repairs, social support, clearing warrants, food, medication delivery, job training, tutoring, can there be more? My bet is the answer is yes.
I know I can do anything in the social services arena. Some take extra effort. This is one of those situations. I’ve not written grants. Yet. I’ve researched minimally. So far. Working diligently on learning more about it. I will succeed.
Getting my ducks in a row as a strong foundation will get me to the finish line. Doing it will help me more in the future to help Join Me.
Baby steps. The first step is asking for a more clear organizational chart.
Taking an online course on advertising small businesses by video. Trying to remind myself to run my non-profit like a for-profit while maintaining a conscious and using the funds appropriately. Money is a tool which allows the work to be done. Working with nothing in the bank isn’t all its wrote up to be, lol.
I have been researching how to deal with the problem of the non-profit status that I truly believe is an issue from the IRS. I posted about the misclassification on a non-profit Facebook page and had 7 responses. Five have had the same problem. I have a problem with the fact that it costs three times the initial filing fee to correct the issue and all it takes is myself going online and filing another form. I also think the initial application should have been denied because, they felt I described a foundation, yet in the form I specifically said Join Me would NOT be granting monies to agencies, the definition of a foundation.
I have researched, and have a plan moving forward. Wish me luck. I have compiled 50 grants that fit the mission. I have work which needs to be done. It will take all the positive energy to get it done.
I contacted my Senator, Tammy Duckworth, to ask for assistance with my conundrum with the IRS. I cannot afford the cost to rectify the error. I hope there is some way to reduce the cost. In the meantime I’m finishing up some projects for Join Me that I’ve been putting off and a few other things I might be able to get some money from, like creating a cookbook from my grandmother’s vegan recipes. Trying to create these numerous income streams people talk about.
After realizing I messed up, I decided to self advocate, for once. Again, I messed up, but for the IRS agent to say several things: 1. It happens all the time. 2. It takes a few simple clicks to submit the corrections. 3. I’ll be doing all this myself. and 4. It is more expensive to correct the problem than the initial application–I decided to reach out to my senator, Tammy Duckworth.
I explained everything, accepting responsibility. I went through how mostly I cover the costs–web site hosting, Zoom, postage, ink…–myself with my SSDI, I have no idea how I will get the funds to correct it. I spoke to her clerk on Friday afternoon. He said the IRS is notoriously slow so it will take at least a few weeks. No promises, but will try.
A short post today. On the application I submitted for non-profit status I checked the wrong box. It caused Join Me to be a foundation, not a charity. To correct costs $700. Mind you it is no where near that cost to apply. Asked if I can just cancel and reapply. “Well that would raise all kinds of red flags”.
Always have someone check your work. Don’t be as full of yourself as I am.
I’ve challenged myself to 3 big goals resolutions, for 2022: 1. Work on deeper relationships with my family, mainly my children and granddaughter. 2. Get Zach to the place where he can move on. 3. Decide if I really want Join Me to happen as a business, or just a meaningful side gig.
Each of these build on the other. My relationships have been struggling for decades because I get overwhelmed. I have worked in reducing domestic violence for decades. I have always recognized that this passion comes from personal experience, but this meme recently woke me up to the amount of problems it has caused. Out of those listed, six are on point, even though those on the “outside” might find that surprising. These have led to the other two issues that have led me to these resolutions for 2022.
Unfortunately affording therapy isn’t in the cards right no, or the bank account. I know someone reading this says it’s always possible, but not right now. It is on the list, at the top, when a few things realign. My biggest challenge is working through some intergenerational trauma. Some questions can’t be answered, unfortunate those who have the answers have passed. (Like why did we have to call my great-grandmother by Mrs. Beers? Even her kids did. Something was up with that!) Working on these things will benefit everyone and everything.
So, I’m going to get started. I have gotten a book on trauma to start the process. I’ve set up my planner on things to do personally and professionally. I’m giving myself daily goals, little and big. I’ve started dreaming.
Personal daily goals–Drink more water. Stand up 10 times a day (for those unaware, I have primary progressive multiple sclerosis and utilize an electric wheelchair). Be more grateful. Watch art videos. Three times a week, do something artistic
Family goals–reach out two to three times a week to all in my immediate circle. Schedule a quarterly get together, at least. Tag them in positive memes, stories on social media.
Business goals–add board members. Get banking things on track. Reach out to a new person once a week to introduce them to Join Me. Create 6 videos this year on strategies to reduce domestic violence. Take the state class on batterers intervention. Blog three times a week, at least.
There, the goals are out there. What are you working on?
I’ve been working to get things done, just not seeing what I had hoped. The stumbling block right now is the necessary bank account. I will say this has put the problems front and center of ru Ning a business with several things–a significant disability, lack of personal transportation, and the winter.
Getting off here now and creating a plan.
We are hosting a toy drive and have lots of things to donate. I need to not overlook that!
Finally occurred. First community event. Join Me had a table at a regional Peace Festival. The project was blank puzzle pieces and attendees were asked to document, by drawing or words, what they are willing to do to create more peace. Oh the experience was phenomenal!
Our youngest was 2. Scribbled saying “heart”. Took it. One young man said peace was “a roof over his head”. He’s been homeless for several months. It was a varied group, Muslim, LGBTQ, military, Black businesses, families, teens… Exciting and the puzzle pieces were as varied.
Lots of people came over after seeing the lines. Success. I learned a long time ago that activities drive your message home. I was asked to participate in two other festivals, will wait for the email information to decide. People who I used to work with in the community came by for hugs and updates. Business cards and Join Me mission paperwork exchanged.
Two volunteers helped make the day workable, an issue I have to maneuver since I’m now dealing with working with a disability. There were more successes than problems. Yay!!!
Performing with three strings. 