Around Brokeback Mountain > Our Support for BBM

ORGANISING A BBM FOUNDATION - If you can't stand it you gotta fix it

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mouk:
Friends

In order to perpetuate the spirit of BBM we would like to set up a Not for Profit Organisation, perhaps a Foundation, aimed at protecting and developing the heritage of BBM and at prolonging its effect indefinitely so that the story/film and their message are never forgotten and keep making the world a better place for a long time to come. Actions, projects, publications etc could be organised by the Foundation itself and/or facilitated in the form of grants and support (eg volunteering) to adequate individuals and organisations.

Not being location specific, the Foundation would be accessible to  Brokies and like-minded people worldwide, with possibilities of participation and a feeling of "belonging" for all, just like our beloved DC, BM, EnnisJack and Strike-me-Gyllen Forums.

This initiative is institutionally separate from the Forums for legal reasons, but it is in the same spirit and in close fraternity with them. We hope that the Forums and the Foundation can draw strength from each other and support each other, even if only informally. 

At this very early stage, we are seeking to build up a think tank and hoping to be able to gather about 20-25 dedicated people in order to set up a vision and the basis for a viable strategy. This ain’t no little thing and it will require quite a bit of hard work, so we would like to hear from people who have time, energy, plenty of ideas and ideally, but not necessarily, NPO experience. Once we have eased the way by getting over the first technical hurdles, we will post the results of our work so that everybody can participate as little or as much as they wish.

You can state your interest by 4th May as follows:
Dave Cullen: pm BayCityJohn or Mouk
Bettermost: pm Tamarack or Mouk
EnnisJack: respond on the thread or pm Mouk
Strike me Gyllen: contact Incognita at gyllensite@gmail.com 

We look forward to hearing from you !

PS - Although we are posting this only on these forums at this stage, all Brokies and their friends are very welcome.

lancecowboy:
Hi, I think this is a great idea. And I'd be happy and honored to participate in whatever ways I can contribute.

I have a few questions that may or may not have simple and easy answers.

What does it mean, specifically, when "aimed at protecting and developing the heritage of BBM and at prolonging its effect indefinitely so that the story/film and their message are never forgotten and keep making the world a better place for a long time to come. Actions, projects, publications etc could be organised by the Foundation itself and/or facilitated in the form of grants and support (eg volunteering) to adequate individuals and organisations."?

It will help me a lot to understand this if there are a few examples of the projects, publications, and actions.

The phrase "making the world a better place for a long time to come" covers a lot of time and space. Perhaps we can focus on Brokeback Mountain specific issues, such as helping individuals who suffered from oppression  socially or legally. Since there are other organizations doing similar work, perhaps we can focus on very Ennis-Jack related cases, such as couples who are alienated or prevented from being together.

How about fund-raising camps to help establish scholarships or internships for students pursuing LGBT literary careers?

These are just a few questions that are initial reactions. I am sure more will surface once we get into this.

I love the idea.  :clap: &**)

mouk:
Howdy Lancecowboy, and welcome to our adventure, I see you already have plenty of ideas.

Indeed the questions you ask have no simple answer, and we are just starting the task of brainstorming on what the spirit of BBM is exactly, and how, realistically, we can hope to make a difference.  Right now we are gathering all the ideas and creativity of the members as there must be so many things that were never even thought of (and some of the ideas you mention are novel, that's just great), then we will evaluate and narrow down to what we all feel is most needed and achievable.

I'll pm you so you can join, introduce yourself and copy this great post of yours in the Think Tank. :cr)

jerasjr:
While I think this is an idea worth exploring, do have concerns based on previous experiences with members of the other forums - perhaps you can convince me otherwise that this is something I would want to invest time and ideas in. 

mouk:
Howdy jerasrjr. Thank you for your response and interest in the Foundation. We are very keen to point out that there is no ‘us and them’ within the BBM Foundation : Brokeback Mountain did a great job showing the devastating effects of not accepting ‘the other’. The need for more mutual tolerance between human beings is very much part of the BBM heritage we want to develop, in a spirit of close fraternity with all involved.  That said, it is probably safe to say that "experiences" do happen with members of forums, just as they do with people who are not on the forums.  It is just part of life, real and virtual.

It is not our intention to convince anyone to be here and we can't guarantee what your experience here will be like. We invite you to be here, for as long or as short a time as you would like to be, but investing your time and sharing your ideas has to be your decision. Hopefully you will base it on what you actually find here rather than on what you are afraid you might find here.

We have a lot of work to do to get this foundation off the ground and that is what we will be gathering here to do--work. If this sounds interesting to you then we would genuinely like to have to join us.

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