INCG has a position open on its Board of Directors for a Tool Librarian. This is one of the critical community engagement positions for this 501c3 nonprofit and speaks to regional sustainability and growth of the local food network. The INCG Board of Directors has drafted a comprehensive Tool Library and Sustainability Context - the next step is to review and refine this, and develop its vision into a business plan. Until filled, President Kathleen Callum is acting as pro tem (temporary) Tool Librarian.
Did you know the average drill is used 8 minutes during its lifetime and then discarded to become part of the waste stream clogging landfills? A tool library saves people money, keeps tools and equipment from landfills, and grows community. The INCG's vision is to create a main tool library in Spokane and satellite branches that will work with public libraries to serve urban and rural participants throughout the region. Tools and equipment such as as a Food Freezer/Dehydrator or access to a truck and trailer share (e.g., for bark, compost, or manure) will help grow the local food network and local garden or food businesses. The INCG Board envisions the main Tool Library and its branches as a site for educational sustainability educational demos, including "The Greenest Building Is Already Built" and "Strive For 5% Organic Matter" to maintain soil health and avert soil erosion.
Become part of a Tool Librarian Entrepreneurial team that helps INCG and its President 1) read, edit, refine, and make recommendations for improvement of a tool library and sustainability demo vision/plan, 2) develop a Tool Library Business Plan 3) advertise for an entrepreneurial tool librarian to fill the vacant board of directors position, 4) locate good potential sites for a tool library that satisfy the board's vision of growing the local food network and historic neighborhood restoration, 5) begin to forge partnerships with other government, academic, private sector, nonprofit and other organizations to build the tool library, 6) start cataloging and managing existing tools and equipment, 7) marketing and engaging the community regarding the sustainability of tool libraries and 8) and seeking donations of tools and equipment or sustainability demo ideas.
The centerpiece of this INCG Service Learning opportunity is the development of a viable and feasible Tool Library Business Plan. Preference may be given to business or economics or marketing students given the entrepreneurial nature of this project, to engineering and technology students given the project's goal, or perhaps tp environmental and education students interested in sustainability (although this part of the project is much farther down the road). We are seeking 2-5 students to become part of this pilot entrepreneurial team over these first semesters. Future teams from Dr. Lally's or other GU service learning classes will build on your completed business plan.
