Turning MetroJax into an Organization

[Captain Zissou]

There is no other option but to do this ourselves, regardless of who wins the mayoral election.  Metrojacksonville needs to become an actual physical organization that champions historic preservation, environmental stewardship, urban development, and mass transit.  This could take the shape of a consulting firm, a 501C-3, a development group..... anything.  We need to organize and expand our influence.  I am 110% committed to this idea.  If you as well, contact me and we'll make it happen.

This is an excerpt from something I posted in the Mayor thread.  It immediately received very positive feedback, so I wanted to create a separate thread where we could discuss this idea and allow the election thread to stay on topic.

This is an idea that I have had for some time and I have mentioned it on here a few times to varying degrees.  Metrojacksonville.com is a collection of some of the most intelligent and capable people in this city, in my opinion.  The threads on this website contain enough research and wisdom to turn this city around for the better, for free.  We need to take our collective knowledge and energy and focus it into a group that goes out into the city and influences policy, raises funds, creates change, and improves our city.  The public sentiment is starting to tip in our favor, but yesterday's election makes further progress extremely difficult.

Stephen, Bob, Dan, Steve, and Ennis have paved the way for this group to happen by creating the sterling reputation that metrojax has among city leaders.  They are already doing most of the things that I would want our group to do, so we may be able to piggy back off of what they have done to achieve greater success.  Without their help and input, this group will not succeed.  People like Field, Doug Skiles, Noone, PeeJay, and Lucas have all been out supporting the four pillars I mentioned in the previous quote.  Their help will be needed for us to succeed.  Everyone who has offered to join in this endeavor will be crucial in making this happen.

This thread is a place to take all of our ideas and narrow them down into a practical, actionable, sustainable, and feasible organization with a unified vision for changing our city for the better.  I listed my 4 areas of focus (historic preservation, environmental stewardship, urban development, and mass transit), but those are by no means set in stone.  Any and all input is appreciated.  It's time to take our ideas off of the screen and out into the public.  

I would like to have a live meeting about this within 2 weeks, so lets start getting our agenda set.  Make it happen.

[BridgeTroll]

Great post CZ... just a suggestion.  Perhaps add mass transit and subtract "progressive government".  By supporting the ideas of historic preservation, environmental stewardship, urban development, and mass transit you will be supporting "progressive government".

[Captain Zissou]

Thanks BT, DONE.  The idea of progressive government as a needed change has just been on my mind lately....not sure why....

There are so many possibilities and areas of focus that need attention, but for the group to be successful we need to narrow them down. 

[John P]

I like it.

[eharris79]

Would love to help out any way I can. I joined this site just today, just to reply to this thread. I have been reading you guys' material and views for a few years now. I feel that like-minded citizens should band together for a good cause and there is no time better than now to do it. Count me in!

[JeffreyS]

This is a great idea. You may need to vet the plan as to any official affiliation with the site owners as of  a for profit venture.  I know profit may not have been the motivation to start the site but should be considered.

[JSquared]

I'm not the most frequent poster on the boards, but I'd love to help in any way needed.

[Captain Zissou]

This is a great idea. You may need to vet the plan as to any official affiliation with the site owners as of  a for profit venture.  I know profit may not have been the motivation to start the site but should be considered.

I was thinking about that. The site started this whole movement, so I would like to give credit where credit is due, but if we do go the Non Profit route, we'll have to achieve some sort of separation.  A number of people have PMed me today expressing their support.  A few very different ideas have been explored.  The ideas range from just a volunteer coordinating platform all the way to an NGO style group or consulting firm.  

The volunteer coordinating platform could be a web based app that takes various already existing advocacy groups and coordinates efforts.  For example, Riverkeeper, Surfrider, Enjoy the Water Foundation and others could collaborate more easily and pool their resources for a common goal.

Many options have been explored, and many of them can be implemented simultaneously.  I think the natural progression of this established web community is to take our cause to the street in whatever way we're able.

[cracklow]

what needs to happen to move this forward?

[finehoe]

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead (1901 - 1978)

[PeeJayEss]

I think the natural progression of this established web community is to take our cause to the street in whatever way we're able.

I would say the logical progression of this group would be starting in support of the things that are already on the street such as cleaning Hogan's creek, taking tours of parts of town, going to meetings of historical societies and neighborhood groups, etc. For example Hogan's creek. Support the cleanups by organizing dates and coordinating them with the people and other groups or organizations, expanding so that the other creeks are addressed (and involve more people). That way when someone walking by asks who we are, I can say "____ ____, check out our mission/goals at www.___.org" instead of "just a group of concerned citizens that got together on Metro Jacksonville."

Just for simplicity of startup, I think those non-controversial things like cleaning up and supporting neighborhoods are a good place to start while forming the mission, etc of the group.

Also, my thoughts would lean towards a 501c3. It just seems to me that the profit nature of some other options might at some point conflict with what we really want at this point (especially with such a diverse mandate). But I really have no idea how something like Downtown Vision works or is run, so others might have a better recommendation.

I'd also add sheclown to the list. I don't know much about her, but she seems incredibly engaged in and knowledgeable about historic preservation. I'm sure there's plenty others (is Ock one of the guys you mentioned, because he has some real good ideas on this?), but I don't know the peeps here that well.

[JeffreyS]

I would love to be involved. I am going to prioritize time and money to support the Brown campaign and hope many here do the same.

My focus list would be.

1.  Smart Development
2.  Historic Preservation
3.  Connectivity/ Transit
4.  Environmental Watchdog

[Timkin]

+1 Jeffrey S

[Lucasjj]

Although I have never been, a good place to start would be at the weekly editorial meetings MJ has. This way the people behind the site could voice their concern/approval, whichever it may be.

The branding of this site is definitely growing stronger and any organizational group would benefit from aligning with it in some form or fashion.

[jcjohnpaint]

count me in.  I am a professor if Fine Art at UNF.  I  just moved to the area a year ago and love this city.  I really think that art in the community is something that needs addressed and supported.  Here is my email:
jcjohnpaint@gmail.com