NEW News Abounds!

Its been a big week for the GSOL community & its only Tuesday! 

• NEW twitter account! www.twitter.com/GraydonSprings share it with your friends, your family, your neighbors, your doggies...well, you get the point. Just share it!
• NEW youtube channel! www.youtube.com/user/GSOLogist 
• This is where we announced our 1st ever t-shirt winner! Wondering who it is? Well, you will just have to watch the crazy video to find out! 
• 200+ "likers" on the facebook page lead to the t-shirt winner! Congratulations! If you have not already become a liker, you should! Go, like the page & you might win next time!
• NEW Trivia Night FUNdraiser planned! The whole 1st floor of McSalty's on Battlefield will be reserved for your big brains! Come hungry, as McSalty's is generously donating 10% of all sales that night to GSOL!
• Plans are being made for not just 1, but 2 Reunion/Open House events this summer! Did you know that 50 years ago this summer the Graydon Springs property was first used as a camp?! If you or someone you know has ever been a camper there (traditionally called Camp Wakahni), please PLEASE make sure to invite them! Details will be posted soon!

Remember, the High-5 Campgain is still going strong. If you haven't already donated, its not too late!

We hope your week is as exciting as GSOL's! 

-Alexis

Go GREEN for Graydon!

This week is GREEN GREEN GREEN for Graydon!!

• You can now go GREEN in saving paper by donating online! It's simple & fun! Make sure to list Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy as your Fund/Program when you go to https://ssl.4agoodcause.com/cfozarks/donation1.aspx?id=1
• Lots of GREEN (meaning money) was raised on Tuesday night at our 2nd Trivia Night! Almost 60 people played along! We haven't heard yet how much Garbo's is generously donating. 
• GSOL t-shirts are available! No, they are not colored GREEN. They are a "GREEN" product: locally made & printed in the Ozarks (little gasoline used) with organic cotton. Please email us (GraydonSprings@gmail.com) to purchase one for $18 - all of that money goes straight to GSOL! Thank you Third Street Sportswear for donating them! 

We hope to see or hear from you all soon! Things are ramping up & YOUR donations and input matters!

We Need YOUR Donations!

Good morning all! 

We have an AWESOME opportunity for your donations to be doubled! We have a $500 matching donation waiting for us if we can raise $500 by the end of this week! That means we would be 1/5 of the way to our goal of $5000 by 5-5-11!!  WAHOOO!!!!!!!!!! Please mail donations to our PO Box or give to a board member!

Other FUNdraising items on the agenda:

• 2nd Trivia Night will be at Garbo's in Springfield, March 15, 2011 - Join a team now or form your own team!
• Belle Epoque Salon in Kansas City, MO will host a First Friday celebration on April 1 including a fundraiser for GSOL! More details soon, but mark your calendar for a great night out on April 1!
• Of course, the High-5 Fundraising Campaign is underway! Our goal is $5000 by 5-5-11!
• Have you donated $5? 
• Have you asked for $5 from 5 friends?

More to come! 

What is YOUR Legacy?

-Alexis

Quick List = Easy to Read

Hello everyone!

There is SO MUCH to talk about! I thought I might be easier to make a list & check it twice...oh wait, that's a Christmas song. I will make a list & then expound upon each item in another blog.

1. 501(c)3 paperwork is complete & sent in!!!! Becky worked very hard at it & has made a masterpiece (can that be said about a legal form filled out?)! Thank you Becky! 
• We have also become part of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks! Wahoo! 
2. Bylaws have been adopted! Again, Becky was the brains of this legal creation. Thank you! The of the Board of Directors utilized email to discuss, adapt & vote on the bylaws. It was beautiful to see this happen over email throughout a day. Great job to our Board!
3. Speaking of our Board, we now have 9 members! This is where we will stop. All nine are excited to see this Legacy become reality. We have elected officers & formed committees. 
4. Fundraising is kicking off to a great start!
1. We have donors who have committed to a matching donation if we get $500 extra dollars raised. This is an easy way to donate & double what you give!
2. 1st Trivia Night was a BLAST!!!! It was held Feb 22 at McSalty's. Photos are posted on our facebook page.
3. 2nd Trivia Night will be at Garbo's in Springfield
4. Oscar Watch Party was a raging success in Washington DC! Thank you to Elise & her friends who had fun watching & donating!
5. Of course, the High-5 Fundraising Campaign is underway (notice this is #5 on this list)! 
• Have you donated $5? 
• Have you asked for $5 from 5 friends?
5. This is just a little thing, but exciting nonetheless. We have new tabs at the top of our blog. Did you see them? Please take a moment to check them out. You will see we have some links to really great friends of GSOL. Do you know someone's business (or your own) that could become a friend of GSOL? Let us know!

Ok. That's 5 in our list. I hope it was a quick read & come back for the details. 

What is your legacy?

-Alexis

GSOL is movin' on up!

GSOL has taken the next step in this incredible journey of starting up! We now have a Business page on facebook. We hope this will serve everyone better than the Group page. We will now concentrate our facebook updating efforts on the business page. 

Please take just a moment to "like" Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy. As soon as we have 25 "likes" we can get a username - will YOU be that 25th "like"?

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Graydon-Springs-Outdoor-Legacy/110762322333941

Logo-riffic = Susan Gill!

Have you noticed something different on our blog? You are right! We have a logo!!!!! A HUGE thank you goes out to Susan Gill!

Susan Gill volunteered her skills to bring us to the next level in our journey. She has incorporated the nature of Graydon Springs, the old Craft Hut & even the flowing springs into one beautiful logo. She welcomes commissioned designs. If you are in need of a great logo or other graphic design services, please contact Susan!


designs by susan gill
susangill@susangill.us
www.susangill.us
573-289-1460

What can I do?

Every time I tell someone about Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy, the first thing they say is, "Wow. That's neat, but its going to be a lot of work!" You are correct! But, building & securing a legacy should be hard work, right? Otherwise, why would I have reason to pass it along to the next generation? The next thing they say is, "Let me know what I can do to help." We are finally to the point that we can respond, "FUNDRAISERS!" & "Get the word out!" 

We have two things to focus on at this point in the start up of GSOL: Name Recognition & Fundraising. We have taken serious looks at who we are serving, who our supporters are & in what manner they would all like to achieve these 2 goals. We have multiple fundraisers for you to have fun with your friends & family as well as spread the word that GSOL exists. Anytime you can bring GSOL up in conversation, please do. If you know someone who is interested in any of the 5 goals (education, sustainability, recreation, preserving Ozarks history, or community building), please spread the word. 

Here are the currently planned fundraiser event. Of course, you are welcome to donate at any point without an event.

High-5 Fundraiser - ongoing through 5-5-11!


Oscar Watch Party - February 27 - multiple locations, you could even participate from your own home!

February 22 Trivia Night - Springfield's McSalty's Pizza on Battlefield

March 15 Trivia Night - Springfield's Garbo's Pizza in Chesterfield Village


We hope to see you soon! I will continue to share fun ways to spread the word about GSOL.


-Alexis/Taxi

Oscar Watch Party fundraisers

So the little indy film with tons of awesome Ozarkians has 4 Oscar nominations to its name! Which leads to some questions....

Are you really excited that the world has any idea that the Ozarks even exists thanks to Winter’s Bone? 

Felling a little bummed that the world is starting to believe Ozarkians are just clannish meth-heads? 

Do you wish you could support Winter’s Bone in the Oscar race and still show your friends that the Ozarks has some good as well as bad?

You’re in luck!

As part of Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy’s High 5 Campaign, the 5 girls of GSOL are hosting Oscar Watch Party fundraisers. (Check out the blog for details on what we do! GraydonSprings.blogspot.com)

Here’s how it works:
You can pick from 5 ways to help
1. You donate 5 dollars at the door to support GSOL
2. Every time they flash to someone who was in Winter’s Bone you donate 50 cents
3. You donate 5 dollars every time Winter’s Bone wins something
4. You donate 50 cents every time they cut to someone wearing green. (This category could be a pretty safe bet if you are on a budget since who knows what the 'it' color will be this year.)
5. You donate 50 cents every time a speech runs long or an introduction gets messed up

Think all of this sounds fun and don’t live in the Ozarks and want host your own party?

You’re in luck here too! We love to spread the fun and would welcome GSOL Oscar Watch Parties across the globe. Just email GSOL at GraydonSprings@gmail.com and we will send you a scoring sheet. Remember a party’s a party no matter how small!

These are all fun and easy ways to support this new non-profit bent on saving Ozarks heritage and outdoor education for future generations.

Have more questions? Just email us at GraydonSprings@gmail.com.

Give a High 5 to GSOL!

You just thought the days of "High 5-ing" someone to celebrate, encourage or welcome were in the past! It is time to give a big High 5 for on behalf of Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy!


5 FAQs:

• #1: Why 5? There are many reasons, here are 5:
1. 5 Goals
1. Education
2. Recreation
3. Community building
4. Ozarks History
5. Sustainability
2. A $5 donation won't put a burden on most budgets.  
3. There are 5 Founders of GSOL.
4. Anyone can be involved, babies to college students to the wiser generations!
5. A High-5 is a really fun way to start out a grass-roots organization!
• #2: What is a GSOL High 5? Simply put - $5 donations (or more in $5 increments) from as many people as possible. 
• #3: How can I be involved? Send in a donation of $5 or more to our shiny new PO Box
• Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy, PO Box 834, Ozark, MO 65721
• ***CORRECTION ALERT! At original posting of this blog the PO Box was incorrect. The correct PO Box number is above!***
• #4: Is there an online donation option? Great question! Not yet, but it is coming soon. Keep your eye open for that awesome announcement!
• #5: Where do I direct questions about the High-5 fundraiser? email GraydonSprings@gmail.com, on facebook, or by leaving a comment here!

Back to the Future from the Year 2010!

I apologize for not posting this in a more timely manner. I was under the impression that I would be able to edit & post from my smartphone...alas, I cannot at this time. Anyway, on to the post that was supposed to be posted last year, on Dec 29. 

The last meeting of 2010 was a HIT! Last night we met at Panera & took over the little back nook. 10 people were there! 10 people in 2010! There has been a flurry of activity this month, even though our web presence has been a bit quiet. Lots of research, paperwork & networking has occured & will continue. Here are a few of the highlights:

1. RESEARCH:
• We are pretty sure the hoopla that the botanist made about "the fern" all those years ago was all over a tiny plant called the Geocarpon. It only grows in Western MO & a few spots in Arkansas & Louisianna! Listed endangered by the Missouri Department of Conservation and threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It seems that it is one of the world's rarest plants & most likely lives at Graydon Springs! We are developing plans to research it & protect it...of course, we must buy the land first.
• We have researched all kinds of fundraising ideas & details to go along with those. 
2. PAPERWORK & ADMIN:
• Plans are in place to open a bank account in the new year.
• 501(c)3 paperwork is coming along.
• As soon as that is mailed, we can open an account with Community Foundation of the Ozarks. This will enable us to take donations & donors recieve tax deductions.
• Rhonda & I will be joining the National Association for Professional Women on behalf of GSOL.
3. FUNDRAISING:
• Kristy said she & others were doing the math of how many campers were likely involved in Camp Wakahni over the years. Yes, we realize many (like myself) were multi-week &/or multi-year campers...but lets just go with general numbers here. We approximate there could have been close to 17,500 campers over the years there! Now, if we could track down all of those people & each of them donates just $5, we would have $87,500!
• I am happy to announce that we have our first $5 donation from a friend of mine that wasn't ever a camper there, but has a great enthusiasm for our goals. I promise it was super easy to ask a friend for $5. 
• For more information about this effort, please see the next blog post. 
• If you have questions about this fundraising idea, please just shoot us an email.
• We would like to create a HUGE push for fundraising & "friend-raising" in the month of April - Earth Day Month. 
• A family-oriented Adventure Race of some kind. 

More updates to come! What is YOUR outdoor legacy?
-Alexis

Kids Incorporated!

Howdy everyone! I know its been a bit since I updated the blog. Sorry about that. So, tonight, you will get a quick list-style update. 

*Had a GSOL meeting at Panera on East Sunshine in Springfield on Nov 16. Lots of good news!

*Our mission statement was approved by the attorney who is kind enough to look over our stuff before sending it in! This meant that the paperwork was sent in soon after. This meant that the State of Missouri approved our articles of incorporation soon after that!!!!!!!!!!! WE ARE INCORPORATED! It made me feel the need to sing the theme song to Kids Incorporated!

*We are now working on our business plan.

*We are now working on our 501(c)3 paperwork as well. 

*I had a super meeting with Community Foundation of the Ozarks! They were great & helpful. As soon as our 501(c)3 paperwork is sent in, we can set up a fund with CFO to begin fundraising!!!!! 

*We will need "all hands on deck" soon. Even if this just means you fundraising from your family & friends...that's awesome! We plan to share at least 1 viable fundraising idea at the next meeting. Please share any ideas that you might have!

*If you would like to join in on any phase of this exciting journey, please don't hesitate to contact one of us with the place you will fit in. The more help the better!

******NEXT MEETING: December 27, 2010, Panera Bread on East Sunshine. HOPE TO SEE YOU OR HEAR YOUR IDEAS THERE!*******

Taking it to the Next Level!

We had a fantastic meeting on Tuesday, October 19! Thank you to Becky, Laurie, Kristy & 2 newcomers - Mary & Melissa for a wonderful discussion! Thank you to Drury for allowing us to use a conference room. If you weren't able to attend, that's ok. Here are some highlights of the meeting. If you see a place to put your passion, talents, or skills to use, then step right up! 


Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy Steering Committee
October 19. 2010  - Drury

Shared Powerpoint with a few extra attendees to explain purpose of GSOL.  Open discussion.  Thanks to Mary and Melissa for joining us!

Followup items/ideas:

• Need to establish as 501(c)3 - PRIORITY #1!! - Alexis is the lead.  We need to review the criteria to establish this status and decide on basic organizational structure.  We know it costs $500 to register - steering committee will front the money. Would like to get this status before end of year (ideally Nov) to take advantage of charitable giving in 4th quarter for 2010 tax deduction. Shooting for deadline:  Submission by Nov 5th.  Since we have no idea how long the IRS will take to process, we need to work quickly.  Alexis - will start working on that while Kristy, Becky and Laurie start business plan. Divide and conquer! 
• Registing for Historical/Environmental Protection/Preservation/Endowment/Register or whatever.  We feel the historic "dual springs" or ferns near Drury Acre or the 1880s well houses might qualify for something.  Ideas that Sierra Club "Clean Water Act" initiative might apply to the springs, Mo Dept of Conservation - ferns, EPA - something, Historic Groups, etc maybe too.  James River Watershed has a group in Springfield - maybe they would know of a resource for our Springs.  Also gather research on any Native American connection to the land.  Elise is the lead on this.  All of this info will be important to help share the significance of this land to potential donors :)  Deadline:  Something to share by Nov 16th meeting
• Kristy talked to Kevin Killian about some of this and Boys Ranch still wanting to use some pasture land for their horses.  - we will use some of this info in drafting business plan ideas
• Contact Ozark Greenways - let them know what we are up to since we desire to promote & utilize the Frisco-Highline Trail traffic - Alexis.  
• Camp Photo from Google Maps or Polk County Assessor - Kristy has.  This will be useful in the business plan.
• Write basic business plan - just a few pages to start sharing ideas with potential board members, early donors - Becky, Laurie, Kristy.  Shoot for deadline:  November 5th.  

Then we start the process of securing funding. Get ready! It's time to take this to the next level!!!!


Please let us know if you have any ideas, or other contacts who might be interested in joining the team!

I'm So Excited - for Next Tuesday's meeting, that is!

In case you haven't heard, we are holding our first Public Discussion Meeting next week! Consider the blurb below the "theatrical trailer" for the meeting:


We wanted to tell you about something we're pretty excited about... do you remember Camp Wakahni? The property is up for sale again and we are creating an interest group to find a way to purchase the property and make it usable to the community for a variety of purposes. The property is a little run down, but has excellent potential for a variety of Educational, Recreational, Historical, Sustainable and Community uses. It is just too much of a gem to let go! Right now, we are just gathering ideas from various groups and community members with the hope that together we can make this happen. We are meeting to discuss ideas next Tuesday night, October 19 at the Shewmaker Center at Drury at 7pm. We would love for you to join us!


You know you are excited! You just can't wait to get involved at the very beginning of this AWESOME legacy project! Thus, you should come!!!


If you cannot make it, do not fret! We will be posting minutes of the meeting soon after. Read them. Love them. Feel like you were actually there...then respond to the info. YOUR participation is desired! This is a legacy for everyone - including YOU!


Lastly, if you know someone who you think would be interested in hearing more about GSOL, please pass this along to them. THANK YOU!

GSOL meets Go Lead & Monthly Meet Up

Posted by Alexis

My wonderful momma heard about a great opportunity in Springfield. I will be attending a monthly class/networking for new Non-Profit professionals, Go Lead at MSU. As you might know, the non-profit world is where my heart lives. I am not motivated by the bottom line (although we always have to keep it mind), but alturism spurs me on. How can I help someone else? I have worked many years on the programming side of non-profits & LOVE it. You have deemed me worthy of taking that next step though. Jumping into a different realm of the non-profit world...Executive Director. Honestly, I am terrified of this idea, because I have always found myself flourishing in the programming side. Now its time to take the leap. This class will help give me the skills to take our little idea of GSOL (ok, its a really BIG idea) from idea, to reality. The class, paired with you (if you are reading this, I AM talking to YOU, even if we haven't met yet) & your support will get us to the next step.

In light of the fact that many of us will be in Springfield at the same time, we have decided a monthly meeting is called for. Our first of these (does this feel like history in the making?) will be held on September 29 probably in the evening. Please leave a comment, or email us (graydonsprings@gmail.com) to let us know if you would like to join the conversation & what time would be best for you. 

I leave you with a question, "What is your outdoor legacy?"

Planning & Meeting & Signing

Originally Posted on the ning site by Alexis Webb Bechtold / Taxi on June 15, 2010 at 8:30am

Good morning GSOL!


The summer heat & the crickets in the evening remind me of all of the fabulous memories of Wakahni...which leads me to thinking of my Legacy that I want to leave...GSOL is where I want to be! Can you feel the excitement?!

Things are kicking up again! Here is a quick list of happenings:
■GSOL Articles of Incorporation will go in the mail as soon as Becky & Laurie Thomas sign them (the paperwork is currently signed by the Webb girls & is located in KC - must travel to Spfld to the Thomas' hands - then to the mailbox).
■I am setting up a meeting with Drury's President Parnell & hopefully the VP Radecki. This will be to discuss partnering or at the very least support in our project. I plan on brainstorming ALL possibilities for partnerships since GSOL is in its infancy & Drury is a huge name. If you have ideas of how GSOL can partner with Drury, PLEASE post it here or message me ASAP. Remember, this is brainstorming time, so no idea is a bad idea - those ideas can lead to the most awesome ideas ever. Please share them as you think of them. Don't wait! Now is the time to shine!
■Drury's President Todd Parnell would be an excellent person to have excited about GSOL (he was friends with my dad also). Check out this article about him . Notice his involvement in Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Missouri Clean Water Commission and is a trustee of the State Historical Society of Missouri.
■Once the Articles of Incorporation are sent in, I will contact the current owners of Graydon Springs, Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, and discuss our plans & any possibilities they may see viable to their organization & GSOL.
■We still need to be thinking of fundraising ideas. Again, no idea is a bad one! Let your creativity flow!

Fun in the summer sun! Let's get this going & leave one awesome Legacy for the Ozark generations to come! Wahoo!!!!

See you all soon!
-Alexis/Taxi