Fulfillament Stories

Fulfillment through work. Challenges to COME ALIVE.

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#8 Grant Runner Up: Casey Petz!

caseyThis $250 runner up grant is sponsored (and chosen!) by The Workshop Brewing Co. Thank you Workshop for not only being our host, but for the good work you do in our community and sticking to your manifesto of “Nature, Community, Craft” in all you do!

– NAME: Casey Petz 
– THE BIG IDEA:  To connect those that feel a calling to the majestic inland sea that we know as Grand Traverse Bay with a safe, approachable, and fun way to enjoy sailing.  My big idea is to refurbish a used sailboat and make it available to members of the community that wish to go sailing – to make sailing accessible to any and all that want to feel the power of the wind pushing them around the lake. 
– HOW IS IT PERSONALLY FULFILLING?  Sailing has been a passion of mine since a very young age.  Before I knew how to swim my father taught me how to sail, and over the next 35 years we shared many of the most meaningful moments of my life on the Great Lakes together.  His love of the lakes and for me is something that I treasure…and I want to share that with anyone that has an open mind and passion for water.  For many years, sailing was the only way I could truly experience freedom in my life.  It breathed life into my soul and helped me to become a better person each time I returned back to the dock.  Sharing the power of the wind with others is something that fills me with energy.
 
TWS_logo_3-13-13– HOW DOES IT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY?  During the summer, Northern Michigan is filled with thousands of boats.  The problem I’m trying to resolve is that boats can be expensive to purchase, difficult to maintain, and cumbersome to store – so all those thousands of boats don’t do the average person living in the community much good if they don’t have the means to afford and care for a sailboat of their own.  The positive impact that this idea has on the community is that people who wish to go sailing on Grand Traverse Bay will have access to a sailboat without having to invest money they may need for life’s necessities.
– WHAT WILL BE “PHASE ONE” OF YOUR BUSINESS PLAN, GETTING IT OFF THE GROUND?  Phase One is all about finding the right boat.  I’m looking for a used, safe, and reasonably comfortable sailing vessel between 18 and 22 ft long.  If the boat is not in the best condition, no worries – I’m more than happy to help get an old veteran sailboat fixed up and back on the water so it can enjoy years of use by the community.  The word’s “FREE BOAT” come to mind…I know there are plenty out there.
 
– WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR “PHASE 2” AS YOU MOVE IT AHEAD?  Phase Two is getting the boat in proper working order and back on the water.  My plan would be to raise awareness of this project by documenting the updates with an online blog and “asking politely” for help when I need to it in order to make this idea happen.
 
– HOW WILL YOU USE THE $500?  The money would be used to purchase whatever is needed to get the sailboat working properly, sailing safely, and equipped to handle whatever Grand Traverse Bay might throw at her.
– WHEN DO YOU THINK THIS THING WILL LAUNCH?  I love that you have used the word launch here…it’s perfect.  The sailing season can be a short one, so time is of the essence.  The goal would be to have the boat on the water and ready to be used by July 4th, 2017.  This would allow for several months of use by the community.
– HOW CAN WE (THE AUDIENCE) GET INVOLVED OR SUPPORT?  3 things – (1) I need to find someone with a boat that needs some TLC and a new purpose in life.  (2) The boat is likely to need some work, I’ll need a hand with some of the repairs along with some help in setting up the proper entity to own/manage the sailing vessel to make sure this idea can live beyond a maiden voyage on the bay. (3) In order for this idea to truly be successful, we need people to want to come sail her.  I’ll need some help raising awareness around this idea so that it can attract the right people to go sailing. Get in touch!!
casey.petz@jpmarketgroup.com

 

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Fulfillament #8 Grant Winner: Kristin Cassle

kristinFULFILLAMENT # 8 GRANT WINNER: Kristin Cassle

THE BIG IDEA: My big idea is to have a natural dye studio utilizing local botanical dye plants and common things most people might discard, rusted and old metals for instance can create surprising patterns, hues, and designs. Onion skins, considered to be obsolete impart golden hues. Grape must from wine making can create beautiful magentas and deep purples. In other words, everything can be recycled and reused, supporting local businesses by utilizing their waste. Other dye stuffs can be grown in my personal garden and foraged sustainably from the local habitat as indigenous people did.. All leftover leaf matter can be composted making this business idea nearly, if not completely, waste free. My idea not only includes creating wearable art or dyeing fabric for other textile designers but extends to sharing this with the community through workshops, providing education on sustainable foraging and natural history. Something I consider to be very important as well is introspection through nature and healing through art.  I feel it  is of utmost importance to honor and connect to our deepest selves and place. I believe combining nature and the process based art of natural dyeing to be extremely healing for myself and others.

dyeHOW IS IT PERSONALLY FULFILLING: Being in this process based art of natural dyeing reminds me of a moving meditation. Every action is done with intention and conscientious thought. Plants and fungi from our surroundings have so much to teach us if we listen, and in turn, we help the forest grow. Being in nature always grounds me, gives me strength, makes me believe in magic, and reminds me of that childlike radiance that can so often be forgotten. Unwrapping a piece is always a surprise – a beauty to look forward to. And  special moments like foraging sumac and being surrounded by a family of deer! Sharing this passion and these teachings within the community would probably be an even bigger gift than I can imagine. To further illustrate my passion I would like to share this poem by textile artist, India Flint:

Intimate responses to locality
Within the immensities of landscape
Working in place
Under the open sky
Drawing on country
Rearranging the found as locational landmarks
Or poetry of and for this place
Gentle interventions and encounters
Beginning and ending with walking
Ephemeral and largely impermanent
Marking time
Exploring topophilla

HOW DOES IT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY: I think there are more than a few ways my idea can benefit the community. First, I think it would support local businesses by utilizing their waste as dye matter or purchasing material from local sources.  Also benefiting community would be the hands-on workshops and classes exploring the craft-learning from the local habitat and healing through art.  I think it is important as well to bring to light the small choices we make that can have a big impact in our world.  A small part of that is what you choose to put on your body. So many of the clothes that we buy are made in sweatshops or factories using chemicals, synthetic fibers and dyes, without sustainable practices and no thought of the ecological impact.  I want to give a story with each piece that I handcraft that would  illustrate “slow fashion” and conscientious and sustainable thought.  Intentional choice. And last, but not least, is the fact that I feel my passion and perspective of the natural world is unique and important and worth sharing, benefiting those around me.

WHAT WOULD BE PHASE I OF YOUR BUSINESS PLAN, GETTING IF OFF THE GROUND: Tools, gaining knowledge, and practicing the craft of dyeing and eco-printing. I am in the beginning stages and there is a lot of technical stuff I still need to learn (like chemistry, LOL), and obtaining the tools needed.  It also includes determining interest levels within the community and establishing working  relationships with local businesses and community members.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION OF PHASE II AS YOU MOVE IT AHEAD: It’s a vision that is still very young and evolving daily. Right now it looks like this to me:  Creating an on-line presence to gain interest and perhaps an on-line shop; contacting local businesses in regards to selling my wares (I’ve already had offers!); beginning to do workshops; and perhaps finding studio space suitable for those workshops and growing production.  It looks like more time at the studio and less time at my real job!

HOW WILL YOU SPEND THE $500: Tools:  vessels (copper, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, iron) which all provide different color responses. Cellulose and protein fabrics from sustainable sources (hemp, cotton, silk, ramie, wool, cashmere and linen). Mordants, ie iron oxide, vinegar, soy. Workshops/webinars: One upcoming with Nicola Brown, a six week webinar on dyeing and eco-printing cellulose fabrics.

WHEN DO YOU THINK THIS THING WILL LAUNCH: Immediately! Having the proper tools  and opportunities to learn would help me immensely as well as give me inspiration to keep working and make this idea come to life.

HOW CAN WE, THE AUDIENCE, GET INVOLVED OR SHOW SUPPORT: Support through donation of supplies, for example, vegetable waste, flowers (dried, frozen or fresh), scraps of rusted metal and natural fabrics.  It would also be helpful to find a place to live and have a studio space at the same time so leads for that would be wonderful.  Also, meeting people in the community knowledgeable in native history and botany to establish relationships with.
You can get in touch with Kristin my emailing casslekristin@gmail.com

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Fulfillament #7 Grant winner: Kate Thornhill

Fulfillment #7  GOOD IDEA grant winner:  Kate Thornhill

OVERVIEW

LEO CREEK PRESERVE  is a nine acre parcel on the Leelanau Trail in the Village of Suttons Bay, accessible by walking south from the Fourth St trailhead.  I am in the incubator stage of creating an outdoor education environment there.  In addition to working the land, I am preparing a number of programs and curriculums for kids and adults.  The GREAT IDEA grant will go towards furthering my environmental education and purchasing some supplies.  The first programs will be offered in May on installing solar drip irrigation systems, beginning permaculture (including building keyhole and raised beds, spiral gardens, guilds and hugul kultur).  In the fall I will begin basic stream ecology with kids and am working on a seed saving workshop.

THE BIG IDEA and HOW IS IT PERSONALLY FULFILLING:

I would like to offer and teach outdoor education programs.  I am embarking on a very different life path than what I had for 25 years.  I was an accountant.  I was never in love with my work but I became a single parent when my daughter was 7 and my son a baby.  It was work that paid me enough money to provide us with a good living.  I have no regret; however I always said I didn’t want that to be all I did.  I was waiting to get my kids educated and then try something else.  I didn’t know just what it would be.

Then, November 25, 2013, my beautiful 25 year old daughter who graduated from U of M with a 4.0 and was beginning a successful career in NYC at an art auction house died from an undiagnosed tumor that caused bleeding into her brain.  I closed my accounting practice, did a lot of retreating, and slowly began engaging by doing volunteer work.

In January 2016 I purchased a diverse 9 acre parcel of land in the Village of Suttons Bay right on the Leelanau Trail (directly across from Hansen’s Plaza) and also across the street from the SB Public School.  Leo Creek runs through it.  It was where my daughter played as a child.  I put it in a nonprofit organization, Hilary Thornhill Chapman Foundation and filed for a dba Leo Creek Preserve.  We call it Leo Creek Preserve.  I spent April through November clearing the 1+ acre agricultural area (there are 90+ productive blueberry bushes that were planted at least 50 years ago) of invasive plants.  I am making it into an outdoor educational center.  It is perfect for permaculture as it has all the zones.  A large permaculture garden will be planted beginning in the spring.  

There is a lot of things in the works for Leo Creek Preserve – all of which I am funding or funding with donations.  Leo Creek Preserve doesn’t qualify for the GOOD IDEA grant.

I, however, want to work with kids and adults and offer educational programs there – on permaculture, stream and creek ecology, birding, winter camping, composting, (including vermiculture) and simple solar systems.  I hope to network with Inland Seas and Crosshatch.  I’ve begun discussions with both organizations.  I’m also working with Leelanau Solar who is putting in a solar drip irrigation system for me and we are working to do that as an educational program.

NMC has a Certified Naturalist Program and I want to take all the classes so I can be an effective, fun, and hopefully inspirational teacher.  I’ve served on the boards of NMEAC, Inland Seas, FLOW and NREC – so I have a long history of work on environmental issues.  I’ve read every article and book on permaculture I can find and am now working my way through some books on a variety of outdoor education topics.  This gives me a purpose.

HOW WILL IT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY?

I am doing this without any anticipation of compensation.  This is a labor of love and I hope many many kids and adults will enjoy the land and programs.  I hope to always offer them for no charge – or at minimum a small materials charge.  

PHASE ONE:

I hope, in the next six months, to have programs on installing a solar drip irrigation system, individual programs on permaculture:  Building hugul kultur beds, keyhole beds, guilds, and spiral beds, and creek ecology.  I’d like to offer a seed saving class in the fall.

PHASE TWO:

I’ve lived in Suttons Bay for 30 years and have many connections.  There is a lot of talent in our retirement community.  I hope to tap into some of that talent to offer enhanced/expanded outdoor education programs.  I hope to complete the Certified Naturalist program and offer birding classes.  Leo Creek is in the middle of the best birding area in Leelanau County.  It is also the largest salmon and trout spawning creek in the county and I’d like, in the fall, to offer programs for kids on the life cycles of salmon and trout.  They can see them swimming upstream to spawn, after which they die.  A unique ecosystem needs to be present for this process to happen.  Inland Seas is just down the street and I hope to team up with their educators.

HOW WILL I USE THE $500?

$351 will be used for spring courses at NMC

$149 will be used for water testing supplies

(All my available personal resources are going into developing the property).

WHEN WILL THING LAUNCH?

May, 2017

HOW CAN WE (THE AUDIENCE) GET INVOLVED:

Come out to Leo Creek and help put in the permaculture gardens.  Share your experiences and expertise on outdoor ed topics.  Let me know of good books and resources.  Give me ideas for outdoor education programs you’d like to have offered.  I’m looking for kid-friendly, inexpensive materials and supplies, including adult and kid sized garden tools

 

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9-22-16 Fulfillament Grant Winner

lisa-hiking– NAME: Lisa Maxbauer Price, journalist and author of Squash Boom Beet (the local farm food book)
– THE BIG IDEA: I’d like to create an annual event called the “ReadLocal” Riot. I want to bring together the largest ever collection of local book authors to celebrate and showcase their work with their community. A “riot” can mean “an impressively large and varied display of something.” This would be an undeniably strong and visible showing of local writers in town, similar to the Downtown Art Walk. This public event would also be supported by the creation of an evolving, online database of local authors.
– HOW IS IT PERSONALLY FULFILLING? I’ve been a professional writer for 18 years. But writers can often feel like solitary “islands” while working alone in their home offices. It would be fulfilling to bring all these talented people together to share their insider wisdom with one another. It would also be special to publicly showcase writers in a way that is often reserved only for visual artists.
– HOW DOES IT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY?
Read Local Riot would be yet another example of how this community supports and welcomes creative folks. It would financially support local writers and the local shops that sell their books. Plus, it would give book lovers of all ages a chance to meet authors face-to-face and feel inspired.
– WHAT WILL BE “PHASE ONE” OR YOUR FIRST EVENT (AND DETAILS)
My fist step is to assemble a list of authors living and working in the area. I already know so many talented people here, but each writer I’ve met has introduced me to another one that wasn’t previously on my radar. So I know there are more our there.
– WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR “PHASE 2” AS YOU MOVE IT AHEAD? Phase 2 involves picking a date and securing downtown or community support for this type of event that’s part art exhibit, part cash mob.
– HOW WILL YOU USE THE $500? The money will be used for marketing/advertising and signage to get the word out to book lovers.
– WHEN DO YOU THINK THIS THING WILL LAUNCH? I’d love to see this event happen this spring.
– HOW CAN WE (THE AUDIENCE) GET INVOLVED OR SUPPORT? If you know local book authors, please have them get in touch with me. And if you have ideas for an indoor or outdoor venue, I’m all ears.  lisamaxbauer@yahoo.com

 

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May 2016 GRANT WINNERS: Carol Greilick, Shen Chefalo, Cathy Anthofer-Fialon, Jennifer Hutchinson

5-4-16 GRANT WINNERS: Carol Greilick, Shen Chefalo, Cathy Anthofer-Fialon, Jennifer Hutchinson

resillianceTHE BIG IDEA: We are in the process of building a coalition around building resilience in those affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).  There are many agencies in the community doing the important work of addressing the needs of individuals.  However, we have not engaged in conversation together about the associated ACE research, nor have we talked about building resilience to overcome the impact.  We want to build a structure and system that facilitates the work and collaboration.

HOW IS IT PERSONALLY FULFILLING? Each of us has experience in human services, including education, justice system, elder care, and community organization.  We are committed to using what we have learned in our nearly 200 years of combined life to build a more compassionate community that supports the growth and healing of all of its citizens.  As a community, we all succeed or fail together.  It is powerful to see individuals overcome adversity!

HOW DOES IT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY? By building a resilient community, we allow our fellow citizens to fulfill their potential as human beings and to contribute positively to the community.  Another benefit is that fewer recources are used on health care, juvenile and adult justice, and so on.  We can direct those resources to more positive actions.

WHAT WILL BE “PHASE ONE” OF YOUR BUSINESS PLAN, GETTING IT OFF THE GROUND? Our team has applied for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grand for emerging leaders in healthcare.  We meet and study systemic change regularly.  Our next steps include:

  • Articulating a vision and plan to engage stakeholder groups with intention
  • Providing educational resources for interested community members

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR “PHASE 2” AS YOU MOVE IT AHEAD? Phase two would include:

  • Implementation of an outreach strategy to engage stakeholders
  • Identify strategic steps with the stakeholder/coalition members

HOW WILL YOU USE THE $500? We will use the $500 to begin to build a website that will, in the first phase:

  • Clearly identify the vision and purpose of the coalition
  • Provide educational resources and links
  • Provide links to community resources for those in need

WHEN DO YOU THINK THIS THING WILL LAUNCH? We plan to launch the website by September 1, 2016

HOW CAN WE (THE AUDIENCE) GET INVOLVED OR SUPPORT? The most important thing the audience, or community, can do is become education regarding ACEs, use common language, and engage in the conversation as we build the coalition.  We want to emphasize that we are not doing new work, but are providing common language and structure to support collaboration among those already doing important work.
– Current facebook page
– A short and clear video that explains ACEs and their impact

 

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January 2016 GRANT WINNERS: Sarah Hunt and Jala Wharton

Fulfillament is a storytelling event where five local business community members take the stage and tell how they found fulfillment in their journey- thier inside story.  Each storyteller issues a challenge for the audience to do something to find fulfillment in their own lives. This event awards a $500 grant to an audience member with a good idea that needs some help to get it moving. 

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1-16 GRANT WINNERS: Sarah Hunt and Jala Wharton

– THE BIG IDEA: MI Fit Fam, an organization created to help families connect within their community who want to achieve overall fitness and health by living an active lifestyle and doing better for our environment. The objective will be to advocate self improvement and physical health for community members through “swag-free” fitness activites, competitions, and events geared toward family participation, regardless of age. Each event will bring a fitness, health, and environmental awareness aspect on how to better oneself and nature.

–   HOW IS IT PERSONALLY FULFILLING?  There is nothing more fulfilling for a parent than to provide the best you can for your child. Jala and I, immediately connected on the fact that as parents we wanted our children to experience our passion we both share for being out-of-doors,in nature, and especially on the water. Our passion for standup paddle boarding is a true calling for us both, and is one of the most important thing we want to share with our children, not just our own, but also those of our friends, neighbors and others within our community. Through MI Fit Fam, we will share this way of life, inspire living a healthy lifestyethrough outdoor recreation and strengthen our community.

– HOW DOES IT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY?Events will be geared towards improving fitness and “green living” by working with local companies and groups to educate members on how our daily life styles impacts our environment. Creating a healthy life style and doing better for one’s environment can only improve one’s life. Giving constant support to do so is the best positive vibes we can provide as humans to thirve.

– WHAT WILL BE “PHASE ONE” OR YOUR FIRST EVENT (AND DETAILS) Phase one will be to connect with community members and work towards building our group through social media outlets. Our first event will be structure towards introducing the community members of MI Fit Fam to a day appreciating our biggest amenity here in Michigan, the water. There we plan to have a day at the beach with members, showing families how they can creatively achieve fitness outdoors by having a fun “field day” full of fitness activities in and out of the water.

– WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR “PHASE 2” AS YOU MOVE IT AHEAD? Throughout Michigan communities, we will work towards finding leading team members who will advocate on behalf of the MI Fit Fam organization and connect with others. Those members will help create MI Fit Fam events in the various areas that will bring a fitness aspect, along with a health and “green living” educational feature raise awareness on what we can do better for ourselves as individuals and our environment.

– HOW WILL YOU USE THE $500? Start up cost for organization. Acquire banners and signs items needed to event purpose.

– WHEN DO YOU THINK THIS THING WILL LAUNCH- ASAP, we have created all the social media outlets to start connecting with the members of our Michigan Communities. We have offers of support from local community members and business owners to provide certain things needed like an official logo design. We will be seeking a website option through other outlets. From that point we will work towards connecting with others in our community, gaining members and setting our dates for future events within each community.

– HOW CAN WE (THE AUDIENCE) GET INVOLVED OR SUPPORT? Join the group, help spread the word and get other families involved!

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1069557796422384/