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Just testing some new integration with Dreamwidth (and possibly Livejournal) via Iftt.
April 30th, 2012
via http://jarandhel.tumblr.com/post/22130111731:
This, therefore, is a faded dream of the time when I went down into the dust and noise of the Eastern market-place, and with my brain and muscles, with sweat and constant thinking, made others see my visions coming true. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, and make it possible.
-Thomas Edward Lawrence, “Seven Pillars of Wisdom”
So, you’d like to make an otherkin community center, shelter, or “safe space” of some sort. That’s your dream. Ok, now, what would it take to actually make that happen?
Assuming people are serious about this idea, it’d be a good idea to start by looking at existing community centers, youth programs, shelters, etc. There are a number of guides to starting them available online:
http://ncfy.acf.hhs.gov/publications/guide-to-starting-and-managing-a-youth-program
http://money.howstuffworks.com/how-to-start-youth-center.htm
http://www.thespotdenver.org/starting_a_youth_center/12_strategies.html
http://www.fatstupidugly.com/faq.html
http://www.zakat.org/resources/entry/how_to_start_a_homeless_shelter/
http://money.howstuffworks.com/how-to-start-homeless-shelter.htm
There are probably more, this is just a sampling to help get you started. You’re also going to have to take into account the differences between the otherkin community and a general-use center. Many such organizations are supported largely by grants, corporate donations, and major gifts from individual donors. It’s unlikely that an otherkin organization will be able to count on these sources of income. So you’re going to have to come up with a revenue model which can support your center.
I just got back from the Beltane festival at Four Quarters Interfaith Sanctuary. They’ve done an amazing job with their own funds, just managing to pay off a 12 year mortgage in 7 years. And they’ve never been able to support themselves with member dues or donations. Instead, they have members who are tasked with creating businesses, from mead-making to an engineering consultancy and machine shop, which can generate revenue which goes to support the church. Something similar might be a good way to support the community center if you’re serious about it.
This, therefore, is a faded dream of the time when I went down into the dust and noise of the Eastern market-place, and with my brain and muscles, with sweat and constant thinking, made others see my visions coming true. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, and make it possible.
-Thomas Edward Lawrence, “Seven Pillars of Wisdom”
So, you’d like to make an otherkin community center, shelter, or “safe space” of some sort. That’s your dream. Ok, now, what would it take to actually make that happen?
Assuming people are serious about this idea, it’d be a good idea to start by looking at existing community centers, youth programs, shelters, etc. There are a number of guides to starting them available online:
http://ncfy.acf.hhs.gov/publications/guide-to-starting-and-managing-a-youth-program
http://money.howstuffworks.com/how-to-start-youth-center.htm
http://www.thespotdenver.org/starting_a_youth_center/12_strategies.html
http://www.fatstupidugly.com/faq.html
http://www.zakat.org/resources/entry/how_to_start_a_homeless_shelter/
http://money.howstuffworks.com/how-to-start-homeless-shelter.htm
There are probably more, this is just a sampling to help get you started. You’re also going to have to take into account the differences between the otherkin community and a general-use center. Many such organizations are supported largely by grants, corporate donations, and major gifts from individual donors. It’s unlikely that an otherkin organization will be able to count on these sources of income. So you’re going to have to come up with a revenue model which can support your center.
I just got back from the Beltane festival at Four Quarters Interfaith Sanctuary. They’ve done an amazing job with their own funds, just managing to pay off a 12 year mortgage in 7 years. And they’ve never been able to support themselves with member dues or donations. Instead, they have members who are tasked with creating businesses, from mead-making to an engineering consultancy and machine shop, which can generate revenue which goes to support the church. Something similar might be a good way to support the community center if you’re serious about it.
lyssalove23:
For a while I was greatly in love with Otherkinism and who/what I am. I fulfilled my need to know more by going online and taking comfort in those who are like me. So I started getting comfy and opening up and started talking about my religion. BAD IDEAAAAAA! I was shot down, insulted, and shunned yet again. So I left.
There are a few forums that you might be interested in:
http://otherchristians.livejournal.com/
http://werecat.proboards.com/ (Christian Therianthropy)
http://christianotherkin.proboards.com/index.cgi
For a while I was greatly in love with Otherkinism and who/what I am. I fulfilled my need to know more by going online and taking comfort in those who are like me. So I started getting comfy and opening up and started talking about my religion. BAD IDEAAAAAA! I was shot down, insulted, and shunned yet again. So I left.
There are a few forums that you might be interested in:
http://otherchristians.livejournal.com/
http://werecat.proboards.com/ (Christian Therianthropy)
http://christianotherkin.proboards.com/index.cgi
via http://jarandhel.tumblr.com/post/22142546515:
zharptitsa:
List of otherkin/therian safe houses
swanblood:
Add your self here if you’re open to having passing guests, short term roommates, or being open to anyone who just needs an otherkin friendly space for a short time.
Please signal boost!
Please also remember not to trust everyone you meet on the internet. ;)
Absolutely. I can’t agree with this strongly enough. And just because someone is otherkin, therian, vampire, etc that doesn’t make them a good person. Remember to be careful, folks. Here are some links to safety tips when meeting someone offline, the first is from the vamp community and the latter two are from the bdsm community but are largely applicable to anyone meeting someone face to face that they only know via the internet:
http://www.drinkdeeplyanddream.com/realvampire/internet-safety.html
http://www.leathernroses.com/generalbdsm/ambrosiomeetonline.htm
http://web.archive.org/web/20011225034630/http://www.leathernroses.com/generalbdsm/meetingguidelines.htm
zharptitsa:
List of otherkin/therian safe houses
swanblood:
Add your self here if you’re open to having passing guests, short term roommates, or being open to anyone who just needs an otherkin friendly space for a short time.
Please signal boost!
Please also remember not to trust everyone you meet on the internet. ;)
Absolutely. I can’t agree with this strongly enough. And just because someone is otherkin, therian, vampire, etc that doesn’t make them a good person. Remember to be careful, folks. Here are some links to safety tips when meeting someone offline, the first is from the vamp community and the latter two are from the bdsm community but are largely applicable to anyone meeting someone face to face that they only know via the internet:
http://www.drinkdeeplyanddream.com/realvampire/internet-safety.html
http://www.leathernroses.com/generalbdsm/ambrosiomeetonline.htm
http://web.archive.org/web/20011225034630/http://www.leathernroses.com/generalbdsm/meetingguidelines.htm
Tags:
via http://jarandhel.tumblr.com/post/22149939134:
As some folks know, I’m working on adding every regional otherkin mailing list to AnOtherWiki so it’s easier for folks to find and connect with one another. I’ve done a lot of work on this already, and we currently have 35 regional mailing lists listed. But I’m running into something that may be a problem: chapter-based otherkin organizations. There are several that have mailing lists for each of their chapters. One, Bloodlines International, has 38. More than all the rest of the regional mailing lists put together.
I’m worried that listing them along with the other regional lists may be giving the organizations undue weight in the community. What do you think? Should I add these lists to the regional mailing list section of AnOtherWiki or should there be another area created for them? What would best serve the community?
As some folks know, I’m working on adding every regional otherkin mailing list to AnOtherWiki so it’s easier for folks to find and connect with one another. I’ve done a lot of work on this already, and we currently have 35 regional mailing lists listed. But I’m running into something that may be a problem: chapter-based otherkin organizations. There are several that have mailing lists for each of their chapters. One, Bloodlines International, has 38. More than all the rest of the regional mailing lists put together.
I’m worried that listing them along with the other regional lists may be giving the organizations undue weight in the community. What do you think? Should I add these lists to the regional mailing list section of AnOtherWiki or should there be another area created for them? What would best serve the community?