5. Our “Vision” While we know that we cannot eliminate stereotypes entirely, our business hopes to alleviate some of them. We wish to reach the newer generations in hopes that negative stereotypes about gender, race, religion, etc are not believed as they are today.
6. Our “Mission” Our mission is to reach out into the high schools of America, providing information and answering questions about common stereotypes, while keeping the discussion light and humorous--not lecturing. We wish to reach as many teens as possible, so as they grow up these values will be passed on.
11. Is it expensive? Non profit Volunteers can be the first speakers Not much building space is needed to kick off the business As the schools ordering the seminars will pay a fee, eventually the business will pay for itself
12. What is needed to start funding? Donations Breaking Barriers Newsletter www.breakingbarriers.org Other organizations
13. What will the money be put into? Newsletter Website Training Gas money/building itself In other words, only the necessities
What exactly is this issue? In a world that puts a lot of attention on social problems and issues, what issue could possibly be more under the radar?
Despite leaps in the women’s movements over the past century or so, it is often ignored that stereotypes and expected gender roles still exist.
…not exactly.
We plan to create seminars that educate teens today about the untruths and continued existence of today’s gender stereotypes.
Key elements of the seminars are as follows—as the program will be steered towards teens and their interests, perhaps the seminars will spark more an interest. Likewise, the use of humor will keep it from becoming simply a lecture. Audience members can even push the conversation towards what they wish to talk about, ensuring that the topics will always have a relevance to its audience.
The benefits are as follows…
The organization does not wish to be profit, and doesn’t need that much money due to the nature of its services. To kick start the business, the first speakers could be volunteers. Also, not much space is needed for the business’s start. All expenses will eventually be paid for by the fees charged to the school, so eventually the organization will pay for itself.
Donations are what is in the highest demand. The newsletter (printed and via the internet) and the website are going to be key factors in collecting the money we need to start off. Also, other feminist organizations could easily be asked for help.
No money will be used on unnecessary items or methods. All money will be channeled into the production of the newsletter, website, training and paying employees, and the gas money/utilities bills for the cars/buildings used. No excesses will be bothered with.
The newsletter will be centered at the headquarters. We are toying around with the idea of both printed and internet based production, but most likely it will only be an e-letter as to be more environmental friendly. The money that would have been used for paper would thus be saved.
The website will be the core of the business, providing schedules for assemblies, options for donating, and accounts for employees that will reveal schedules for events such as training. The original website will be the public access point, but this blog will keep up with the business’s inner progress towards success.
The speakers should have qualifications in the fields of psychology or sociology, be responsible and trustworthy (i.e. no criminal record) and be able to connect with kids. Younger speakers would be better so as to be able to relate to the audience more.
The facilities need not be large, it is simply a “home base.” However, location for the first offices are key. The northeast is a good starting point, and after enough funds have been generated, a location will be established on the west coast as well. From there, further locations can be planned.
Not much competition for this exact service is around, so Breaking Barriers is a good investment. The success of the initial business setup can bring about a national enterprise that will be placed with other big name feminist organizations.
Teenagers, to be tacky, are “the future. It is important that they are taught to appreciate and respect each other and to realize that stereotypes and wrongful notions still persist today.
We do hope that you choose to invest. Please visit one of our websites for more information.