Facebook

For those of you who would like to join us on facebook the direct link is:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=44638554383

Thanks Greg Stark for getting that going!! :)

Team Planning EXPO

Tonight a few of us attended the Team Planning EXPO. There, we got to enjoy some good cookies, pita bread and hummus.
We also got a chance to hear some great stories and meet some great people. There were various non-profit organizations who shared with us the different ideas that they had in mind and needed help putting into place. Some of the organizations who were there include: Bridging The Gap, Harvesters, Operation Breakthrough and Habitat for Humanity. If there are more that I should add please let me know!.
We got some good ideas from everybody and our new goal is to decide on events in our next meeting which should take place sometime in the first week of December. So keep thinking of different things that we can do! Feel free to put comments on this post with ideas!

2nd Meeting

The second meeting took place on Nov. 12th @ noon in Stateline Bld SCR3563. During the meeting we got to meet with Beverly McAuley. Beverly came up with the idea of Project Change and we were able to ask her questions. At the moment i don't have the minutes of the meeting, but i will post them as soon as i get them!

1st Meeting

Our first meeting was on October 31st over the lunch hour. There were only 5 or 6 of us there but we got to talk and learn more about Project Change and also come up with ideas and a list of relevant contacts. Here are the things we learned and came up with.

BURNS & MCDONNELL PROJECT CHANGE
Team Meeting #1: October 31, 2008

Overview of Project Change

• Founded by local interior designer to engage the engineering, architecture, and design professionals in KC community needs.


• Exciting approach to social/community challenges: design-based, creative thinking, peer mobilization, collaboration, and teamwork.


• Multidisciplinary Solutions to everyday problems. Diverse volunteer opportunities: overall planning, marketing/recruitment, project research/reconnaissance, on-site project management, networking with social agencies, short-term volunteers.


• Need to fill each of those responsibilities to be successful.

Brainstorming Project Ideas (new ideas are always welcome… this list is only a first attempt)

1. February *Warm the Homeless*

• Blanket Collection


• Coat Drive


• HVAC Study for local homeless shelter


• Needs assessment for KC homeless


• Bus Shelter Accommodations for cold winter months


• Personal hygiene kit


• Warm food/beverage distribution

2. March *Feed the Hungry*

• Cost Savings assessment for local soup kitchen or food pantry


• Food Drive


• Food Storage ideas for the homeless


• Can Opening and Food preparation kits for homeless


• Food heating devices for the homeless

3. April *Save the Planet*

• Find optimal KC locations for renewable energy


• Research distributed generation potential in KC


• Combined sewer health risk advocacy/prevention


• KC Environmental needs assessment


• Alternatives to landfill… it’s filling up


• Volunteer with Bridging the Gap


• Set 5 easy steps for employee owners to be more env. Conscious


• Explore potential for urban greenway and green corridors in KC


• Redesign a greener home model for Habitat for Humanity

4. May *Nurture the Children*

• Educational Workshops: environmental/civic responsibility


• Appeal of scientific careers to KC youth


• Study/Facilitate adoption and foster care programs


• Partner with local museum/park for youth event


• Volunteer in Teach for America classrooms in KC Metro area

Relevant Kansas City Networking Contacts (please recommend others)

• Burns & McDonnell Engineerium


• Big Brothers / Big Sisters


• Rehab Institute


• Westside Community Action Network


• Foster Care


• Engineers Without Borders: KC Professional Chapter


• Holy Family House (Homeless Outreach)


• Habitat for Humanity


• Teach for America: KC Corps

What's next??

Meetings:

• 11/12 @ noon, Stateline Bld SCR3563 - We will get a chance to meet with Beverly McAuley, ask her questions and hopefully narrow down some information and ideas.


• 1st week of December, we will be meeting during a lunch our to talk more about the different topics and decide on one event for each month.

Events:

• Team Planning EXPO 11/18 @ 5:00 PM in the Plaza - At this event we will meet different non-profit organizations. They might have have in mind ideas that will help them specifically.


• January 22nd - Kick-Off Event Luncheon @ Noon in Gary Hart and Associates (1824 Walnut, Kansas City, MO). The luncheon will be for teams to receive rules, details and materials for the Challenge.
  

Introduction...

While thinking of the best way to start this blog, I figured it would be best to start it out with a question and answer session, so here we go!

Who are we?

We are a group of engineers, and scientists who work at Burns & McDonnell and wanted to help in making a difference in Kansas City.

What is Project Change?

As stated at the Project Change website.

The Mission Statement is...

"Project Change is committed to raising public awareness of charitable, service and environmental needs within our community. Demonstrating innovative and creative solutions for change, we simplify the act of giving. We aim to give a voice to those unheard and strive to bring hope and relief to those that go without."

What exactly will Project Change be doing?

Project Change is made out of 15 teams who will have four challenges to complete in four months.
Beginning in February the teams will be given a different monthly challenge. Each month's challenge will charge teams to create a community service project to meet a humanitarian or environmental need within the KC metro area.

Teams will have the freedom to choose the cause they wish to champion and the ability to work hand in hand with its charitable partners to plan and carry out their project.

• Challenge One - February 2009: Warm the Homeless
• Challenge Two - March 2009: Feed the Hungry
• Challenge Three - April 2009: Save the Planet
• Challenge Four - May 2009: Nurture the Children

What's this blog going to be used for?

We are hoping this blog helps us raise awareness of the project and of the different thing we will be dealing with from Feb. to May '09. And maybe it'll get more people involved and wanting to make a difference.