Start Your Own Oregon Compassion Center - The Guide

Notice: OMMPGroup.org is not affiliated with the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) , Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) and is not the official DHS site.

Earlier I made a new thread about starting a Marijuana Compassionate Center in Oregon.

I wanted to start a separate thread that will serve as a journal of my efforts to start a non profit organization.

I am working to make my new idea reality. My dream is to start a not for profit organization that will serve people in need of herbal medicine. We will also work to educate our community about medical cannabis. We will be hosting classes on growing, processing, usage, and history for our members.

My Idea:


http://ommpgroup.org/wp-content/uplo...wings-logo.png

We are a small, tightly knit group of medical marijuana advocates, growers, caregivers and users. We are a community of people who, each in our own right, is instrumental in the furthering of our cause to help those in need of organic herbal medication in our community.

Classes:

We will be hosting many community (non-member) educational medical marijuana related classes. We do this to help raise awareness of the benefits medical marijuana has to offer. One of the best parts about becoming a member is all the members only classes we provide. We will be hosting a large number of free/paid classes and workshops for our members. Our Basic and V.I.P membership programs come with credit that can be used to cover class enrollment fees.

Group Meetings:

We will be hosting weekly group meetings in Cave Junction, Oregon. At these meetings we get together to discuss marijuana cultivation and usage. You will find a qualified OMMP Safe Access Group Bud Tender who will be glad to let you sample some free medicine at every meeting. We also give out many prizes at our meetings. We are just a bunch people passionate about cannabis. All memberships give you access to group meetings.

Free Medicine:

Every month each member will receive free medical marijuana.

Delivery To Disabled Members:

If a member is unable to attend group meetings do to a physical condition we can deliver that members monthly free marijuana to his/hers house upon request. We only ask you to reimburse the cost of fuel. (Contact Us For More Info)


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What I Have Done Over The Past Two Weeks:

--Wrote a detailed business and marketing plan. (SO FREAKING IMPORTANT!)
--Used the services offered at LegalZoom.com to incorporate OMMP Safe Access Group Inc as a non profit in the state of Oregon.
--Built a website (OMMPGroup.org) using the Wordpress.org software. I used Hostgator to host my site because they kick some serious ass.
--Located a lawyer experienced in medical marijuana laws.


What I Am Currently Working On:

--Social Media Marketing Campaigns.
--Getting Members.
--Securing Financial Support from a private individual.
--Designing internet forums for the website.

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The Guide Part 1:

Now that you understand the basic information about OMMP Safe Access Group lets take a look into the steps involved when starting a non-profit.

Starting a nonprofit is complex. You cannot simply have a great idea and a community need and look for funders, customers or clients. You need a plan, a plan in writing. Such a written plan is called a business plan. This is the first step in starting any business.

Writing A Non-Profit Business Plan:

Before you start writing a business plan you need to decide the purpose of your nonprofit.

Questions To Ask Yourself:

1. What is the purpose of your nonprofit? Why do YOU want to start THIS nonprofit? Our you motivated enough to take this idea across the finish line?

2. Are you qualified and experienced enough to open a not-for-profit business.

3. What kinds of activities will your nonprofit organize? Who will be responsible for these activities?

4. What services will you be providing as a non-profit? Will you offer these services to everyone or will they be limited to certain customers/clients/others? WHO? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? HOW?

5. Will you have membership and what authority do these members have over the Organization.

6. What is the name of your organization? You might want to check if that name is up for grabs in your state.

7. Where will you be opening your nonprofit?

8. Non-profits are not owned by any single person. They are ran by a board of members who vote on the operations of the organization. Who will you appoint as your board members? In most states you need at least three board members to qualify for tax-exempt status.

9. Will your organization hire employees? Will you have volunteers?

10. Will your organization or personnel require licenses, registrations, approvals, certificates or permits? Will your staff require having licenses, criminal background checks, or drug testing?

11. Do you own equipment or other forms of property? Do you plan on acquiring property and equipment? Will you purchase or lease the equipment and property? How will you acquire these resources? How will you pay for renovations and signs at an office? How will you pay for the continuing maintenance and improvements?

12. What are your financial needs? Does the organization have a bank account? What are your financial skills? What kind of grants or funds will you need? How much money will you need to begin to open this organization and sustain it - for 1 to 6 to 12 months, or for three years? Where will that money come from?

13. What potential liability does this nonprofit have? What insurance protection will you need?

14. Have you received any training, education or technical assistance to operate a nonprofit business? If you have not received any training, education or technical assistance, will you need that kind of help? Where will you find that help? How will you pay for it?

15. How will you keep financial records and other important records such as contracts, orders, wage payments, vouchers, bills of lading, bank accounts, tax information, personnel records, annual reports, audits and so on?

16. Are there other not-for-profits or for-profit groups - competition - like yours in the community where you will open? How and why is your nonprofit different?

17. What are the major impediments for you to start this organization? What are the barriers? How will you overcome these impediments and barriers?

18. How will you advertise or market your nonprofit's service? How will you get customers/clients/supporters? What will be your niche or specialty in the community you serve, the market place?

19. Do you believe the organization will be involved with lobbying, advocacy and/or political activities?

Answer these questions in detail and they will help you when developing your business plan. I will post a lot more info in my next part! (Including resources for writing business plans.)