2025-03-23 - Finance

Edwin's notes Financial Empathy 

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Zoom Meeting summary for Edwin Rutsch's Personal Meeting Room (03/23/2025)



Quick recap


The team discussed the financial situation of the Empathy Center, exploring various models for generating income, including membership, peer counseling, and donations. They also considered the importance of transparency, authenticity, and commitment in promoting societal change, and the need for a structured approach to understanding different strategies for generating income. The team also discussed the challenges of measuring the impact of their empathy training programs, the expansion of their movement, and the potential impact of counter-demonstrations and political conventions.




Next steps


• Team: Create a transparent system for tracking and reporting incoming funds and their allocation


• Team: Develop a clear fee structure for organizational trainings and corporate workshops


• Team: Create a clear value proposition for potential organizational partnerships and memberships


• Edwin: Share detailed financial information about current donations and income streams from trainings


• Team: Research and evaluate different membership models for potential implementation


• Team: Investigate grant opportunities and sponsorship models for the empathy movement


• Team: Explore the possibility of hiring professional help to build out online infrastructure using available funds


• Ingrid: Develop a plan for using the $300 from the parent night event to create marketing materials and landing page


• Team: Investigate the possibility of establishing local community-based empathy circles


• Team: Develop a research-based survey to measure the impact of empathy circles and training programs


• Edwin: Share survey results and testimonials data in a more digestible format for potential donors


• Edwin: Continue outreach efforts to engage with critics and authors writing about empathy


• Team: Explore the possibility of writing an op-ed piece for major publications to counter anti-empathy narratives


• Edwin: Continue working on the definition project to address the national dialogue around empathy


• William: Share information about the Buddhist center's financial model for workshops


• Edwin: Create a space for people to discuss ideas about building the empathy movement


• Edwin: Consider organizing Empathy Tent presence at upcoming demonstrations and conventions


• Edwin: Consider organizing a series of empathy cafes for movement building discussions


• Team: Document and compile success stories from local community initiatives


• Edwin: Post the video recording to the empathy circle site under calendar of events


• Lou: Organize a follow-up session to present and discuss different fundraising models


• Team: Set up next meeting date and time





Summary



Empathy Center Financial Transparency Discussion


The group discusses the financial situation of the Empathy Center and how to handle incoming funds. Ingrid expresses a desire for transparency and suggests earmarking the $300 from a recent parent night event for future parent training development. Edwin reveals that the Empathy Center has about $20,000 in its account from donations and space rentals last year, but only $440 in income so far this year. The group acknowledges the need for a sustainable income stream to grow the empathy movement, but struggles with how to generate it effectively.




Charging for Services and Tracking Finances


The team discussed the potential of charging for their services, with William suggesting that if people understood the value of their work, they would be willing to pay for it. They also considered the idea of developing a fee structure for corporate and educational institutions. Ingrid proposed using the $300 generated from a recent training for the parent network, which William agreed with. The team also discussed the importance of tracking finances as a nonprofit organization. Daniel shared his experience as an entrepreneur and his uncertainty about how to charge for his work related to wholeness and creating a better world.




Membership Model for Organization Support


Daniel proposed a membership model for the organization, where members would support the movement through a paid membership. The training would remain free, but the organization could benefit from donations or membership fees. The model would allow for the organization to support passionate and industrious members like Jonah, who keep the organization running. The organization currently has no regular income, and Edwin has been personally contributing to cover costs. Edwin suggested a peer counseling model as a potential source of income, and also hoped for wealthy donors to support specific projects.




Balancing Busy Schedule and Empathy Circles


Ingrid expressed her appreciation for the ongoing conversation and the numerous ideas being discussed. She shared her struggles with balancing her busy schedule and her desire to follow up on empathy circle activities. Ingrid also discussed her approach to generating money, which involves focusing on specific tasks and taking deliberate steps. Lou and William agreed that generating money requires focus and intentional activity, and they discussed the need for someone to take on this area of work. They also touched on the idea of developing a rubric for empathy circles and the potential for growth without relying on money. The conversation concluded with a discussion on the current system for donations and the need to assess its effectiveness.




Schools and Parent Nights Discussion


In the meeting, William expressed interest in focusing energy on schools and generating parent nights. He suggested using testimonials from Terry and others in Phoenix to create a copy and potentially generate income. William also proposed using some of the money for an in-person training and contributing to a venue rental. Janna agreed with William's ideas and suggested using humor in their marketing efforts, such as a billboard on Route 80. The team ended the conversation with a discussion on finances and the potential for a membership model.




Adapting Successful Models for Empathy Movement


Daniel suggests exploring existing successful models and adapting them to create a sustainable structure for the empathy movement. He proposes a membership model as a good fit for building a culture of empathy, emphasizing that it's a long-term project. Daniel also recommends offering empathy circles to organizations as a clear, defined service that can be paid for. He suggests that these organizations could potentially become sponsors or regular donors, providing both legitimacy and financial support to the movement.




Balancing Work and Community Building


In the meeting, Lou, Edwin, and Ingrid discussed various models for their organization, including a 12-step model and a model from Braver Angels. They also considered the importance of building local community and the potential impact of their work on bridging divides within a community. The team acknowledged the need for a balance between the amount of work and the energy of their members, and they looked at the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) community as a model for training and growth. The conversation ended with a focus on finding a sustainable and viable product that aligns with their available resources and energy.




Authenticity and Commitment in Change


Ingrid and Janna discussed the importance of authenticity and commitment in promoting societal change. They highlighted the need for transparency in showcasing the efforts and structures put in place for growth, which could inspire people to support the cause. Ingrid also emphasized the value of volunteering and the potential for it to generate income. The team agreed on the importance of acknowledging the energy flow and the value of their efforts, even if it involves financial transactions.




Empathy Circles Expansion and Online Infrastructure


In the meeting, Janna shared a picture she received as a gift from Ingrid, expressing her gratitude for Janna's presence. Janna also discussed the widespread adoption of the 16 values in various organizations, including schools and corporations, and the growing number of facilitators. She mentioned the possibility of offering tiered courses and a donation model for the empathy circles. Daniel suggested hiring someone to build an online infrastructure once a plan is in place, given the available funds. Lou agreed, emphasizing the need for organization to facilitate growth. Daniel also acknowledged Edwin's significant work and expressed appreciation for it.




Exploring Income Strategies for Nonprofits


The team discussed the need for a structured approach to understanding different strategies for generating income for their nonprofit organization. They considered various models, including selling products, donations, and membership subscriptions, and debated which model best aligns with their values and goals. The team also discussed the potential of grants and sponsorships as additional income sources. They agreed to further explore these options and consider professional assistance to implement them effectively.



Empathy Training Impact Measurement Challenges


In the meeting, Ingrid, Edwin, and Lou discussed the challenges of measuring the impact of their empathy training programs and the need for more effective strategies to promote empathy. They considered various approaches, including surveys, testimonials, and media outreach, but acknowledged the difficulty of standing out in a crowded field. The team agreed on the importance of focusing on their areas of passion and energy, with Edwin expressing interest in a definitional project and Lou emphasizing the value of community building. They also discussed the potential of leveraging academic credentials and rigorous studies to increase the credibility of their work.



Non-Monetary Expansion and Empathy Tent


Edwin, Ingrid, and Janna discussed the expansion of their movement, focusing on non-monetary methods such as publicity and inspiring others. They considered the potential impact of counter-demonstrations and the possibility of setting up an empathy tent at political conventions. The team also explored the concept of altruism, deciding against it due to definitional issues. They agreed to reconvene in a few weeks to continue their discussions.



Otter.ai
2025-03-23 - Financing The Empathy Movement

Transcript

https://otter.ai/u/35uAHwFtBZdDFQQXMC7KhEiP028?view=transcript

The meeting focused on financing the Empathy Movement. Ingrid Hirtz emphasized the need for regular financial discussions and proposed using the $300 from a parent night event to develop the parent night program. Edwin Rutsch suggested using the funds for QuickBooks and organizing expenses. Bill Filler and Lou Zweier highlighted the importance of generating income for sustainability. 


Daniel Hirtz proposed a membership model to support the movement. The group discussed various financial models, including donations, tiered memberships, and local community building. They noted that the Empathy Center has $20,000 in its account, emphasizing the need for transparent and intentional financial management. 

The meeting focused on financing and growing the Empathy Movement. Daniel Hirtz emphasized the need for organization and an online platform to enhance growth. Lou Zweier suggested hiring someone to execute plans. Edwin Rutsch highlighted the importance of understanding different income generation models, including sales, donations, memberships, grants, and sponsorships. Ingrid Hirtz proposed measuring impact through surveys. 

The group discussed the challenges of gaining national media attention and the potential of publicity and street-level actions. They concluded by considering the balance between passion projects and strategic planning.

Action Items

Outline

Financing Empathy Movement: Introduction and Purpose

Initial Thoughts on Financial Management

Challenges and Personal Experiences

Discussion on Parent Night Funds

Exploring Financial Models and Strategies

Community Building and Local Impact

Final Reflections and Next Steps

Organizing for Growth and Online Presence

Recognizing Contributions and Meeting Structure

Exploring Funding Models and Defining Empathy

Surveys and Impact Measurement

Publicity and Media Engagement

Non-Monetary Expansion and Publicity

Balancing Passion and Strategy

Setting Future Meeting Dates and Final Thoughts