The List

Like any major project, the "to-do" list is never really complete - things get added all the time. But I finally finished creating the gist of the list today.

As I sincerely hope this list may help anyone else trying to start a street paper in their city, and as I also very sincerely hope someone may come along, read this, and contact me to say, "Hey, I can help with item X on your list," here is what still needs done.

Things to do for Toledo Streets

- Meet with fiscal agent, 1Matters, to discuss:
  • Budget
  • Claddaugh Inn appetizer party - invitees, date, method of invite
  • Networking
  • Blade issue
  • Tent City feature story interview, photography

- Inaugural issue stories:

  • Tent City (Ken, ?)
  • Candidates on Toledo Poverty - research; web sites; quotes
  • Hoboscope - contact Lemley @ Nashville Contributor
  • Henry's column - name; find volunteer/ghost writer; create guidelines
  • Faith column - decide length; email Dan
  • Interview with vendor - um, GET VENDORS (see below)
  • Letter from editor
  • Resources page
  • Puzzle
  • Guest articles - find writers

- Blog:

  • Post first entry on toledostreets.org
  • Update streetpaperdiaries.blogspot.com (done)
  • Start double-posting both blogs (begin with this list)

- Collateral:

  • Develop ad guidelines/rates
  • Develop press kit for advertisers
  • Develop press kit for media/public
  • Write/design brochure - general info for donors, advertisers, etc.
  • Design vendor recruitment flyer (see Street Roots example from conference)
  • Design artist (writers, poets, photographers) recruitment flyer; BLOG IT!

- Vendors:

  • Contact Cherry Street facility managers - times for recruitment; orientation
  • Introduce Toledo Streets to other area shelters/service organizations
  • Code of Conduct (see Street Sense)
  • Get city maps (parking authority?) - central biz district, warehouse district, uptown, etc.

- Miscellaneous:

  • Develop donor program (put on site)
  • More printing quotes
  • Write and post Editorial Stance on site
  • Research grant opportunities - Toledo Community Foundation & Knight News Service?
  • Google Donate button on site?
  • Facebook's Causes (maybe do on site instead of Google Donate? clash with 1Matters?)
  • Follow up with remaining "wish list" for advisory board
  • Set up financial program for tracking $ - Janice

The Sound of Silence

Don't think because there's been no blog post for over two weeks that we've been sitting on our haunches and twiddling our thumbs. No, "silence is golden" and so have been the opportunities to work on the paper, meet with people, develop the website, and do other small paper-related projects. I have not written because other priorities have been higher.


In the last two weeks, we've accomplished - or started - the following:

  • Continued to get print pricing
  • Finalized the official logo
  • Registered our phone number (419.825.NEWS (6397))
  • Signed up for Twitter (we were already on Facebook)
  • Purchased a badge laminator and 100 pouches
  • Launched our site, fully integrated with Twitter and Facebook
  • Met with Dan Rogers of the Cherry Street Mission and secured permission for vendor recruitment, orientation and possible distribution at their various facilities
  • Met with ABLE and LAWO to look into the city's laws and how they might effect the operation of TS
  • Reached over 130 fans on our Facebook page
  • Started developing our advertising rates and guidelines with the help of Breanna Filas of Metro Media Group
  • Had a teleconference with Andy Freeze, director of NASNA
  • Created a fairly comprehensive to-do list - a feat in and of itself!

Of course, there are some wonderful people helping me out with all of this, and I am truly grateful for their help.

More help is always appreciated as well! The to-do list will be posted shortly... (hint, hint).

In other news, since the site (and its blog) is up, I will be double-posting these updates from now on.

As this list proves...

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SMALL CHANGE.

Recap

Shame on me. I never went over Day 2 of the conference, and I've already had the first organizational meeting without putting more information on here.

Slept in a little on Day 2, since I figured I didn't need to be at the NASNA member meeting (can't really be a member until you publish your first paper). Well, Andy ribbed me a little about that later in the day - seems he used Toledo Streets in his presentation of what NASNA is working on in the next year. Woops.

My first session was New Street Paper Road Map with Andy. A few other veterans sat in and gave their two cents as well. In terms of actually getting started, this was probably the most helpful workshop, and I'll share the outline of it on this blog in my next post (can't do it now because I left my notes at home).

The next session was about generating story ideas. I was torn between this one and another happening simultaneously, Vendor Territory & Turf. Great notes from the one I went to, and I'm looking forward to NASNA making good on their promise of providing notes on all sessions. There were a couple workshops on Friday I wished I could have sat in on.

The third round of workshops on Saturday were round table discussions. Based on the subjects, I had no burning desire to sit in. I thought maybe I'd play hookie and get into downtown Denver and snap a couple photos with Henry. The best laid plans... by the time I figured out how to use public transportation to get there, I really didn't have time to go, do what I wanted, and get back in time for the last (official) event that included the vendors from the Denver Voice.

The dinner is nice and simple, and I got to chat a little more with a couple people. One Denver Voice vendor told me the paper was key in getting him off the streets. I kept the evening brief, because I needed to get up at 2:15 am and get ready to leave - I shared a cab with Margo Pierce (THE volunteer) from Streetvibes so we split the cost and ensure we get through security and board our planes on time. As it turned out, there was plenty of time.

Cut to last night's meeting. Notable attendees were Breanna Filas (of Metro Media Group), Tana Schiewer (Executive Director of Food For Thought), Ken Leslie (of the organization 1Matters, which is serving as Toledo Streets fiscal agent), and Ken's wife Norma. I have all the street papers I collected at the conference spread out in the middle of the table, and I pass out a packet of information that includes a basic FAQ and a list of needs. We brainstorm, I answer questions and note the ones to which I don't have answers, and we watch the vendor orientation video generously supplied by Street Roots. Bre and Tana leave and I finalize a couple things with the Leslies. We walk out together, and I feel solidarity.

I will be posting notes and lists of things to do, so stay tuned.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SMALL CHANGE.