NOS update, January 09
Hey everyone, it’s been longer than I would have hoped since last sending an update around. I’ve battled a number downturns over the past year-plus since committing to not one sparrow, related to personal factors along with hazards of the trade. But I’m glad to say I’ve been going at things strong again the past couple of weeks, with some positive developments to pass along:
• Knowing the website still needed a boost in aesthetics as well as functionality, a pretty significant overhaul has begun with the indispensable help of my brother Josh DeVries (thanks for an incredible banner) and Ali Beem. Some more tweaks and additions are on the way, but the basic redesign is live.
• This coming weekend, Jan. 23-24, I’ll be representing not one sparrow and speaking on “a simply Christian animal advocacy” at Wake Up Weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s a stellar, grassroots mini-conference on animal advocacy, vegetarianism and faith sponsored in part by Matthew Halteman (author of Compassionate Eating as Care of Creation) and Calvin Students for Compassionate Living, and I’m honored to participate.
• The blog is live again with some new posts, including a meaningful testimonial by Susan Schwarz and some moving stories about elephants. Some series are being planned for the coming months on compassionate eating, shelters, animal experimentation, Christian voices for animal advocacy and the connection of animal welfare to environmentalism and creation care, among others.
• I’m working on some other content, forming connections and looking into other possible events to attend, and will hopefully have more to pass along soon, including an outlet for those of you who follow not one sparrow to have the opportunity to interact with each other and myself more.
One of the realities I’ve become all the more aware of is how much bearing sole responsibility for not one sparrow can work against me. I definitely understand the need to have a central administrator or coordinator, and I generally feel uniquely equipped to be that person. But, especially going through the down cycles, I understand how much I need support and collaboration. Being a startup means being most vulnerable and having the smallest pool to draw from, and at the same time I don’t want to alienate those who have rallied around not one sparrow to this point, or invalidate the moral and practical support I’ve graciously been given. Still, the following are some remaining areas of need:
• I’m always on the lookout for guest contributors to the blog. Having someone else post not only is a welcome break for me, but also adds a much-appreciated additional voice to the blog. If you share not one sparrow's general evangelical or orthodox framework of faith, and have a subject you’re personally passionate about related to animal advocacy or appreciation, big or small, please run it by me!
• I’m seriously considering pursuing nonprofit and tax-exempt status for not one sparrow, for the sake of legitimizing the effort where needed as well as to facilitate the donation process. I’m in need of professional guidance in this area as well as resources to file (it costs several hundred dollars).
• Most urgently and persistently, I need to be able to depend on part-time income for the 20-plus hours weekly I’m putting in as admin./coordinator (see contribute). It’s incredibly difficult to consistently extend this amount of time otherwise, especially with a baby on the way this Summer (our first!). Thank you for allowing me to mention this, and please don’t let me add to whatever financial pressures you may already be facing.
I would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank family members and a friend who recently donated, Josh and Ali, Matt, Susan and everyone else who provided a word of encouragement over the past months. And to all of you reading this newsletter, I’m tremendously grateful for your time and interest in not one sparrow, and honored to be connected to you in a small way. I hope to grow that connection in the coming months!
Best wishes to everyone in the new year ...
(photo copyright 123rf.com)
January 18, 2009
Reader Comments (4)
Ben, just wanted to say the new look on this site is gorgeous. I love the new banner/picture at the top. It is so perfect for this web site. Well done! :)
Yes! The site looks great! Thank you for all your hard work! MeLissa
I'm so pleased to have found this blog. I'm looking forward to spending time exploring all the nooks and crannies. Thank you for taking the time to present this so often neglected perspective. As an evangelical believer, I sometimes feel almost intimidated to share my growing perspective of humans as "stewards," and how that should effect our treatment of animals on the planet with us!
Tracy, MeLissa and Michael - thank you all so much for your comments and compliments. They each mean a great deal to me, and thank you for taking the time to post them ... Ben