February 3, 2011
To whom it may concern,
I am writing this proposal to people I have hand selected to be a part of something that could truly make a difference in our community, state, country and world. It’s something I’ve put a lot of time and thought into, and the more research I complete, the more I realize the importance of people coming together to act. I hope as I explain to you my ideas and reasoning that you will take the time to write down any ideas, compliments, or feedback you may have. I hope that by the end of this proposal, you will be ready to say "YES" in order to make this happen.
The idea is to host a Fort Collins People’s Choice Benefit Music Festival. When people buy their tickets, they can put their stub in a bucket of their choice. 100 % of the proceeds would go to support the causes of people’s choice. However, I also want to utilize the opportunity to educate attendees on what’s going on in our world and provide an opportunity for people to get involved. Aids, poverty, malnutrition, epidemics, environmental disaster refugees and sex slavery are just a few to name.
As president of Students for Sustainability, I did a lot of research on sustainability. I found myself frustrated, because it’s hard to define. However, I kept coming back to the importance of educating people. Unfortunately, some people need to be helped before they can be educated. Sustainability led me to take a new look into agriculture, which has caused me to begin my research of world hunger.
“Starvation is an ancient emotion. It is something people in Europe and the United States have forgotten about. Looking into the eyes of someone dying of hunger becomes a disease of the soul. You see that nobody should have to die of hunger.” –Volli Carucci, United Nations’ World Food Program
The truth is, there are currently one billion people that are hungry around the world. (Enough) As Norman Borlaug, father of the Green Revolution and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize said, “Man can and must prevent the tradgedy of famine in the future instead of merely trying to salvage the human wreckage of the famine, as he has so often done in the past. We will be guilty of criminal negligence, without extenuation, if we permit future famines. “ As world hunger has become my latest passion, I must recognize that I cannot expect everyone to share this same cause. Thus, the idea of the people’s choice aspect to the festival allows each individual to make a difference in the manner they see fit. Nonetheless, people can do what they enjoy while supporting a greater cause.
Here are the logistic ideas that I have come up with so far. I think it would be great to have Colorado local bands perform. That way we are supporting our local musicians, and bringing people together from all over the state. There are so many great music artists across Colorado, and I cannot think of a better reason to bring them together. If we aim to go local in all that we do with this event, we can support our own economy as well.
What do we need?
· A committee: If I am sending you this proposal please consider it an invitation to be a part of this committee or participate in any possible way that you can.
· A sponsor: we need help funding the event so that the proceeds can go toward the intended causes
· Venues: The Misch, the Aggie, Hodi’s Halfnote, City Park, Old town, etc.
· Bands: Musketeer Gripweed, Better than Bacon, Pretty Lights, Hot Gazpacho, Flobots, Rise Against, etc.
· A place to meet for committee meetings.
· Volunteers to help make this happen!
· IDEAS IDEAS IDEAS!!!
This is where the ball lands in your court. As the wise Margaret Mead said, “Do not rely on the governments or institutions to make a change. Social change is achieved through the passion of individuals.” I am only one individual, and today I am asking you to act with me so that we may do something in this lifetime to make a difference. Here lies the opportunity to invite people to stand together for the greater good, to support positive change, and to make a difference in the lives of people we may never meet. Please say yes to making the world a better place, one community at a time, starting in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Thank you for your time! Let’s do this!
Sincerely,
Donna Pursell
Donna, I seriously admire the CRAP out of you. This is coming from a layman but I think this is an awesome proposal. Very thorough and very realistic, yet very inspiring. You make me want to be a better person, D!
ReplyDeleteJax