Meeting April 17 to plan restaurant workers' emergency fund

Marsha's recent post reminded me of a discussion that came up a while back (several years) when Adam at Oak Street Pizza was robbed and shot and this Forum came up big for him. I remembered that someone back then had made a suggestion of starting an "Emergency Relief Fund" for those in the restaurant biz. I loved this idea back then, but my hands were so full that I couldn't think of putting another thing on my plate (so to speak). I did a search and found the original post by Luca B - I hope he won't mind my re-pasting a portion of it:

Quote: It is similar to MERF or musicians emergency relief fund. The great folks at Mom's music started years ago to help local musicians in need. Whether it be a musician who's gear was stolen or a musician who is sick with no insurance. They raise money throughout the year to go to this fund and they have a board who decides who gets what.
My idea was SERF or server's emergency relief fund. Many if not most restaurant workers do not have insurance. I would think that local establishments would be willing to donate proceeds at certain times of the year to help build a bank for restaurant people. End quote

While I'm still busy, a number of my volunteer "jobs" are ending, so I thought that I'd resurface this idea with the hope that others might jump on board as a "feasibility task force" to help look into getting this started. While I've never started a 501 C3 or a charitable fund, I'm not bad at organizing and investigating We'd want to determine how to start, operating principles, need a lawyer or two to donate some time pro-bono, determine the structure of a board and how much money we'd need prior to starting to give grants, determine eligibility criteria and a process for decision making, and establish some ways to sustainably fund. Off the top of my head, it would be great if this could become the "designated charity" for many of our Throwdown events (although there is also benefit to sharing the wealth).

OK, so that's my soapbox. Per a note from Robin I'm re-posting this in it's own thread. Right now, just looking to see if others think this is a good idea and especially if there are people who are willing to help figure out what it will take to make it happen. Luca, if you want to elaborate on your original thoughts, please do so. Thanks for being the good people of the Forum

[Robin Garr]

Marsha, I've always been happy to get behind these ad hoc "let's help" deals, and if we can find a way to make that process ongoing, ideally in a system that's simple, efficient and fair, that would be great. Count on my support, both individually and through LouisvilleHotBytes.

This really is a great idea. I don't always have a lot of money to throw around, but I'd be happy to offer my time in any event structure that may benefit from it.

This really is a great idea. I don't always have a lot of money to throw around, but I'd be happy to offer my time in any event structure that may benefit from it.

Might I propose "SCERF" rather than "SERF"....can't forget the cooks!

This is a great idea and something I'd like to be involved in. Count me in.
I also have plenty of space in and around the restaurant and building to hold a fundraiser. Last fall we held a music fest/bbq competition here to benifit a local charity that was very successful.

I personally think it's a great idea. I will bring it to the attention of the ACF board when we meet on Tuesday. I think if we we could pool our resources and perhaps those of the KRA, I think we could come up with something that could perhaps become a model for other communities or even nationally.

But I feel that firstly, If someone could contact someone with MERF to see how they got started.
They have been around for a long time and they probably will be able to give us some valuable insight into how to go about doing something this.
My wife works in development and she will probably have some useful information about setting up an endowment or foundation such as this as well.

Colleen suggested that once we kind of figure out what we want to do, The Community Foundation of Louisville is a great resource for things of this nature, as they can provide everything we would need to get this thing off the ground.

http://www.cflouisville.org/page13432.cfm

I know it's early in the process, but does anyone besides me smell the best, most delicious series of fundraisers EVER cooking? Great foodie gatherings, a series of "dining-out-for-SCERFs"...the possibilities make my head spin...and make me HUNGRY!

I'm so glad this was brought up, I have been thinking about this over the years and just couldn't tackle it on my own. I am happy to talk to Mom's unless someone else wants to, I also work with attorneys and can use them if need be.
I am happy to get involved in anyway that i can to help out. Perhaps we should set up a meeting with folks on the forum that want to get involved and set up a committee of sorts. Any thoughts or suggestions?
And Marsha, I love SCERF... I never intended to leave anyone out!

Perhaps we should set up a meeting with folks on the forum that want to get involved and set up a committee of sorts. Any thoughts or suggestions?

I would be more than happy to be involved. I can make myself available for almost any date or time that everyone would like to try to meet.
Since Michele has graciously offered to host an event, how about we meet at Michele's on Goss?
I'll defer a date and time to the others who might be interested availability.

Unless anyone objects, I'd like to be involved, too. 90% of the time I work mornings, so 2pm and later is best for me. Melissa? How about you?

I am pretty flexible but I will be out of town Thursday april 7th thru the 10th.
And thanks Melissa for bringing the thread back to life!

So since I'm really good at doling out assignments, let me try and put some initial organization around this thread. While I'd love to meet at Michele's, she's only open 11-3 weekdays and brunch on Sunday. While it appears that most of us who have responded thus far keep "daytime" hours, (myself included) I want to respect the schedules of those active restaurant folk who might want to join us for the initial meeting as well. So, I'm thinking Sunday or Monday. How does Sunday or Monday late afternoon or early evening strike you? As for location, we could find plenty of space at the BBC Tap Room at Clay and Main downtown - I can call Rob ahead of time and figure out dates that work for them, or welcome any suggestions of places that can accomodate a group of 10-12 where we can sit, talk and plan for a while. Let's give this a week to build momentum with those who only check the forum weekly, and look at any of the following dates:
Sunday, April 10
Monday, April 11
Sunday, April 17
Monday, April 18
Sunday, April 24
Monday, April 25
For start time, please pick your preference of 4, 5, 6 or 7pm.

Prior to the meeting, why don't we take the following up on their offers - just bring this info to the meeting:
Luca - will you talk to the folks at Mom's and get any info you can on setup, organization and their operating principles? If you also don't mind finding out how much they feel they need to keep in the fund at any one time, that would be great.
Dan - will you see what the ACF chapter is willing to do and let us know? If Colleen knows who I should contact about 501C3 setup and registration in KY and Indiana, please let me know that too
I'll ask a couple of my contacts who have set up new charitiable endavors about how they've gone about it, and contact the Center for NonProfit Excellence about best practices.

While I don't mind any of the names suggested, coming from the marketing and PR world, I'd suggest that it is probably a good idea to explore some name ideas that instantly connect to the mission of what we are trying to do, rather than acronyms that aren't readily understood and need to be explained. Just a thought. Perhaps everyone can come with 2 name ideas as well.

Sound good all? I'll explore the availability of the BBC Tap Room, but am open to other location suggestions. Please start your reply with your preferred date/time suggestions. As for me, I'd prefer Sunday, April 10 at 4 or 5, or Monday, April 18 at 7.

[Robin Garr]

As for me, I'd prefer Sunday, April 10 at 4 or 5, or Monday, April 18 at 7.

Those dates don't work for me, unfortunately, but knowing that we're behind it, individually and corporately, and prepared to assist in any way including but not limited to providing the resources of this online community, I don't absolutely have to be at the nuts-and-bolts planning session.

While I don't mind any of the names suggested, coming from the marketing and PR world, I'd suggest that it is probably a good idea to explore some name ideas that instantly connect to the mission of what we are trying to do, rather than acronyms that aren't readily understood and need to be explained. Just a thought. Perhaps everyone can come with 2 name ideas as well.

Good thought. I was already sort of falling out of love with "SCERF". It sort of puts me in mind of an unfortunate skin condition...