Things a Brewin'!

Many greetings Friends, 

Per my general style, it has been a while since my last blog. I don't consider myself a blogger, which is probably why staying consistent with posts is a challenge for me. I have been a networking fiend as of late, just doing my best to get connected to the community. I have made a lot of friends and great contacts. It is paying off, but just taking longer then I had anticipated. I haven't been just doing networking, but also meeting the movers and shakers in town. While talking with these people they give me great resources, but say it is a cheap town and expect to work for little to nothing. I think it is time for Asheville to change that narrative. 

Being a proactive leader and wanting to prosper here, I want to take charge and help creative professions have a thriving community. That is why I am starting a Creative Collective. The goal of the collective will be to educate the public on creative services and form a community to help one another. When I say creatives, I am referring to designers, musicians, writers, photographers, film makers, artists, ect. The group will be based on the dynamic governance system which operates on 4 principals.

Consent Governs Policy Decision Making

Decisions are made when there are no remaining paramount objections; that is, when there is informed consent from all participants. Objections must be reasoned, argued, and based on the ability of the objector to work productively toward the goals of the organization. All policy decisions are made by consent although the group may, by consent, decide to use another decision-making method. Within these policies, day-to-day operational decisions are normally made in the traditional manner.

Organizing in Circles

The sociocratic organization is composed of a hierarchy of semi-autonomous circles. This hierarchy, however, does not constitute a power structure as autocratic hierarchies do. Each circle has the responsibility to execute, measure, and control its own processes in achieving its goals. It governs a specific domain of responsibility within the policies of the larger organization. Circles are also responsible for their own development and for each member's development. Often called "integral education," the circle and its members are expected to determine what they need to know to remain competitive in their field and to reach the goals of their circle. I see these circles to each be made up of each subsection of creatives. For example, all the photographers would make up a circle and consent to decisions that work for them because we all face different issues but ultimately have the same goal.

Double-Linking

Individuals acting as links function as full members in the decision-making of both their own circles and the next higher circle, the General Management Circle. Operational leaders are selected by the next higher circle and represents the larger organization in the decision-making of the circles they lead. Representatives are selected by the circles to represent the circles' interests in the next higher circle. These links form a feedback loop between circles. At the highest level of the organization, there is a “top circle”, similar to a Board of Directors, that connects the organization to its environment. Typically these members include representatives with expertise in law, government, finance (including investors), community, and the organization's mission. The top circle also includes the CEO and at least one representative of the general management circle. Each of these circle members participate fully in decision-making in the top circle.

Elections by Consent

Individuals are elected to roles and responsibilities in open discussion using the same consent criteria used for other policy decisions. Members of the circle nominate themselves or other members of the circle and present reasons for their choice. After discussion, people can (and often do) change their nominations, and the discussion leader will suggest the election of the person for whom there are the strongest arguments. Circle members may object and there is further discussion. For a role that many people might fill, this discussion may continue for a several rounds. When fewer people are qualified for the task, this process is short. The circle may also decide to choose someone who is not a current member of the circle.

Before any of this happens I need to form the Implementation Circle which will be a cross section of the collective. It initiates the infrastructure for maintaining the governance system: the logbook systems for record keeping, policies for distributing minuets, regular meeting times, training current members of the organization and orientation and training of new people who join. I am currently setting up the first meeting and if you are interested in being part of it get a hold of me.

Ok, on to more design related things. New work coming in has been slow but, I have been designing things, YAY! My partner in life and work has started a new venture, Carbon Sitars. He has been playing sitar for 20 years and has decided to improve on the design in many ways. He is finishing up the prototype for a carbon fiber sitar. A new business means a logo and I also worked with him to design inlays for the instrument. 

Logo and sitar rendering with paua shell peacock inlay design

 

detail of peacock inlay design

Harry being multifaceted, also needed some updated business cards. Since his Lucid card was printed after mine, I was able to tweak the design to work better with the blind spot uv. Sometimes things in your head don't work as well once they show up from the printer so he got the better end of the deal.

Silk laminated spot UV detail

Business Card

Harry also needed a card for his sitar playing so he has one of those now and that has a foil treatment that people really enjoy. He will soon have a third card for the Carbon Sitars but such is the life of budding entrepreneurs.

Sitar business card

Color foil detail

Air Craftsman wanted to advertise in the Mountain Xpress and this is the ad that I did for them. They wanted to focus on being a local green company.

As I said I, have been doing a lot of networking and the Professional Networking Group that I am part of asked me to do a logo for the group. The group meets weekly and is sponsored by the local chamber. Since it is a subset of the Chamber, I worked off the Chamber logo to have a continuation of their brand. 

Full Logo

Abbreviated Logo

That is all for now, I have other things a brewin', but I will save that for the future posts which I will do my best not to let so much time pass between them. I am going to continue to work on becoming a facilitator of change and make meaningful connections. Until next time take care, breathe, and enjoy the lovely fall colors.

Xx
Kiere