This is Hailey. I will be known as Fearful Symmetry in the blog (see here to read the poem that the name came from). I would like to give you a quick run-down as to the process that we will be going through in order to make Marion's Ledge into a reality. I am numbering and labeling these phases as if they were linear and easily defined. In actuality, they are neither, but this will help us all get our minds around the tasks that must be accomplished.

Phase 1: Initial Plan Development and Groundwork - This stage in the process lays the foundation for what is to come. We will be to focus on expressing our vision and building our beginning network. Hank's last post talks some about this stage.

• Creation of a Master Plan
• Mission and Vision
• Market Research and Planning
• Strategic Plan
• Fundraising / Financial Planning
• Initial Network Building
  
• Website that expresses our vision as best as possible.
  
• Visual Representation
  
• Initial Presentations on Marion's Ledge
• Just telling everyone that we know about the project to start building support and interest.

Phase 2: Beginning Marketing - This phase is the beginning of a long line of marketing that we will have to do. It builds on the network that we started in Phase 1. This phase will continue throughout the other phases, changing a little as we go. I will revisit this phase a little later.

• Spreading the Vision
• We will be sharing what we created in phase 1, hoping to spark people's interests and to gain support.
  
• We will use many different mediums to do this, including the internet.
  
• Formation of a Core Group
• In the process of Spreading the Vision, we hope to find some people who fall in love with the project as much as we have and who want to get more involved.
  
• This includes formation of our initial Board of Directors, which is needed before we can file with the government in the next phase.
  

Phase 3: Legal Formation - We can't do much in terms of fundraising and gathering official support until we become an official entity. This phase is a very important phase as it allows us to proceed to the following stages legally.

• State Filings
• We have already composed first drafts of many of the state filings such as Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. These need to be read by a lawyer for completeness and accuracy and then approved by our board.
  
• Federal Filings
• We plan to opporate as a non-profit and therefore must apply for 501 c(3) status with the IRS. This is a long and tedious process (or so I have heard), and we will be asking for the help of a lawyer in this process.
  

Phase 4: Fundraising - Once we have a non-profit status with the government, we can begin raising money to fund the initial creation of Marion's Ledge. Our hope is that once we get the place up and running, it can become self-sustainable as far as money goes. The money that we must raise will go to the building and the initial business funds needed. We are estimating this figure to be $3-4 million due to the location and the environmental design and size of the building.

• Grantwriting
• We will be applying for various grants, including such areas as: Houston, enviromental, LEED Design, Hosteling, community and culture.
  
• Individual Donor Campaign.
  
• We are planning to launch a campaign were we try to raise as much as we can from individuals. We are currently looking into ways to honor or donors, such as a brick wall.
  
• Other Fundraising
  
• We plan to be creative in our fundraising. We have a deep seated belief that if there is a will, there is a way.
  

Phase 5: Final Design Process - Once we have enough money, we will go ahead and begin the official design of the building. We will be working with an architect, but we want to be very involved in the process

• Hostel and Green-building Research
  
• I am planning to take a trip to Europe to study Hostel operation and design so that we can improve our initial design of the building.
  
• I am also planning on taking a course in Sustainable Design at Rice that will also help the the initial design.
  
• Initial Building Proposal
• This is our main part of the design process. We will be writing a plan of what we were thinking about the building and the layout, being very detailed about what rooms are needed and the size and use of each room.
  
• Official Design
• We will get the help of an architect to do the official design of the building. We would like to be creative in the choosing of the architect, maybe trying to get more then one option.
  
• The idea is that we want an architect that understands what we are trying to do, not just designing a cool building.
  

Phase 6: Final Marketing Campaign - This is really just a continuation of phase 2, but it becomes really important here, so I decided to give it a separate stage number.

• Inviting Houston Groups to use the Space
• Spreading the word about the Hostel to travelers.
  
• Introducing Houstonians to Marion's Ledge and preparing for our grand opening.
  

Phase 7: Open for business - YAY!! Our goal will be complete. Now we will have to manage the everyday operations of the place.

• Managing the Cafe
  
• Making sure everything is running smoothly and that we are always stocked with the needed supplies.
  
• Managing Employees
• Keep inviting Houston Groups into our space and actively try to keep people engaged with Marion's Ledge and Houston
• Keeping the Bullitan Board up to date.
  
• Keep a community calendar of cool events
• Making sure there are things happening in our production space.
  
• Managing the Hostel
• Keeping the supplies stocked and the rooms cleaned.
  
• Keep the reservations system working properly.
  
• Innovating new ways to spread our philosophy and mission.
  

So, that is by no way exhaustive of all of the things that we will have to do over the next couple of years, but it should give you a general idea as to where we are headed. Feel free to comment on any of it.