Category: Social Project, Non-Profit Business

Description:  Social group orginization


Idea:  


Title- “Man-Scouts”

A grown-up version of the younger version of Boy Scouts.  The fundamental role of the group is to teach or reteach adult males fun/constructive skills that can be applied for pleasure, hobby, and general productivity(1).  A secondary role for the group is to teach them skills to be constructive members of their community(2).

Each “course of study” comes with a potential merit badge (See Boy Scouts).  Individuals can attend the “courses” without gaining a merit badge.  Merit badges are given to individuals that, through a chosen protocol, demonstrate they’ve solidly learned what was taught.*

This is in my original note on this idea:  “$10 / person / session, 1 ½ hour per session”

“Man Scouts” can be a string of individual sessions for the “User” or a program in which the “User” becomes a “Member”.

Every other Saturday seems the best schedule.

*Important Note:  “Scout leaders” need to make sure they are respectful, not
                                    condescending in this area.



Example(s):  


 1.  How to tie a few proper knots for different needs
       The best way(s) to make a simple fire- camp, grill, other
       Building Fundamentals:  Foundation, Framework, Insulation, Plumbing
             (per above:  How to use simple building tools properly)
       Vehicle Fundamentals:  Checking fluids, Basics in motor vehicle design,
                                                   Light maintenance
       Painting Fundamentals
       Cooking / Dietary Needs Fundamentals : Stews, Salads, easy things every
                                                                                 guy can make
       Camping Fundamentals :  Placement of tent, Affixing a tarp, Canoe and/or
                                                       Kayak fundamentals
       Weight Lifting Fundamentals


 2.  Political Activism:  Voting Fundamentals, Affecting political change through
                                          other legal means
      Responsible Buying/Consumerism- Value-based buying (with values
                                                                       determined by individual, NOT     
                                                                       Man-Scouts)
      Parenting Fundamentals
      Social-group creation/participation fundamentals (e.g., Poker Club)
      Basics in Courtesy & Respect
      For single males, basics in Courting


Future Additions(s):  

“Lady-Scouts”/”Woman-Scouts” - For this to ring true I think a visionary female/female group should seed this.


Confidence:  9

I’m very confident this would be successful in certain demographical areas (see below).  Also I feel that this would have a very positive impact socially if it went wide-spread.


Additional Comment(s):  

I envision most success for this program/organization in Middle Class to Upper Middle Class Suburbs.  Potential to expand beyond this zone.  For a simple “road map” I would look to see where boy scouts is doing well.

This can’t be a group that pushes ideologies (religious or otherwise)- from the “Scout Masters” or from “Members”.  Also, it needs to be non-affiliated religiously.  Also, it needs to be welcoming of people of all religious-belief “colors” (From Born-Again Christians to Atheists).

The driving force/spirit behind this group should be:  Love, Fun, and Responsibility

Category: Business, Social Project

Description:  Internet business

Idea:

A business that creates web-based small badge/stamp icons that people can affix to their online web profiles/communications (Facebook, Twitter, etc).  These badges are quick statements of what a person supports / what they believe / what they're in to.  Float over a badge icon with your cursor and it says what it means.  Click on a badge icon and be transported to the business's site, to the area that is focused on that badge's category. Each site category can start as a simple hub which points to other sites/organizations that support the category.  Revenue acquired through ads on site

Example(s):  Blue badge - I support less military presence overseas.  Green badge - I support healthy natural food.  Purple badge - I am against abortion.  Badge w/ Guitar - I like playing guitar

Confidence:  9

As with most fully internet-based businesses, this will have relatively low overhead costs.  Would need to gain a relationship with profile/communication businesses.  Initial programming investment.  Badge categories at the business's website can have category-focused advertising to allow more efficient advertising (which would bring more revenue from advertisers).

Additional Comments:  This idea could give significant support, in a healthy way, to bringing beliefs/positions more to the forefront of internet society.  Rather than in-your-face beliefs/opinions, this is a simple badge that says "Hey, I'm into this", and a person can get (ideally) good information on the position/topic by clicking on the badge.

Category: Social Project

Description:  Fund which supports a healthier market and world.

Idea: 
Title:  Defense Against Oppressive Litigation Fund

- A group that financially supports individuals, groups, businesses, that are deemed as being attacked through the financial strain of litigation by "big business".  A strategy of big business has been to oppress others through the weight of the paperwork and finance of processing litigation - when they have no chance to win.

-Also lobbying against such practices

Confidence Rating:  7

Find individuals who can eloquently communicate the benefit of such a group/fund, and wise individuals with the capital to invest in it; Then operate well and this will be a success.