Fundraiser at Shanghai Red's

[Jim Ostrowski]

Free Buffalo/Free Niagara will hold a fundraiser-cocktail party at Shanghai Red's Restaurant on the waterfront downtown on Thursday, August 18th from 6-8pm. It's the old Crawdaddy's at the Marina.

$100 per person; $175 per couple. You may pay at the door or send a check to "Free New York, Inc.", 1535 Hertel Ave., Buffalo, NY, 14216.

Free New York, Inc. is a New York State not-for-profit corporation. Donations may be tax deductible--consult your tax adviser.

This is a critical event for Free Buffalo. AS PROMISED, with the profits from the Taste of Freedom, we were able to incorporate and locate and refurbish a vacant storefront on "happening" Hertel Ave into a functioning office. We used a lot of sweat equity and donated furniture. Paulette Peterson did a brilliant design job.

If this next fundraiser is a success, we will have the funds necessary to operate at least until January, which will allow us to complete our ambitious 2005 agenda.

For the sake of neatness, I'll post that agenda on a different thread.

Let me repeat what I said at the first two meetings of Free Buffalo. Does anything think you can defeat an $18 billion political machine without spending any money?

[Boost Buffalo]

Originally posted by Jim Ostrowski

Let me repeat what I said at the first two meetings of Free Buffalo. Does anything think you can defeat an $18 billion political machine without spending any money?

Jim, what do you propose spending the money on? Whats the plan?

[steven]

Originally posted by Boost Buffalo
Jim, what do you propose spending the money on? Whats the plan?

Kinda curious myself as I though all you where going to do was head up a think tank.

What do you need money for?

[Night Owl]

$100 per person; $175 per couple.

That's a pretty steep price, I'd expect to hear that amount for a campaign fundraiser but why does Free Buffalo need so much?

[Jim Ostrowski]

I used the term "think tank" to describe this venture right from the beginning, not because it's a word that is great for marketing, and in spite of the fact that what we have planned is much more than a think tank, but primarily because a think tank is a brick and mortar, professionally staffed group that studies, researches, and writes about public policy from a certain point of view.

Ultimately, we envision a state-wide organization with chapters in most counties, led by a core staff of about five employees or ind. contractors, leading the charge on behalf of tens of thousands of members or supporters.

Right now, we have more immediate issues, like paying the rent and the utilities.

As far as the price, it's less than most judicial candidate fundraisers. We had a $10 beer blast already. You have to appeal to different parts of the market. There are people who prefer a cocktail party to a beer blast.

As far as our first year agenda, I'll start a new thread--meant to do so before.

[Night Owl]

professionally staffed group that studies, researches, and writes about public policy from a certain point of view.

The news reported on the opening of the Free Buffalo office that it will be volunteers working.

[Jim Ostrowski]

There will be volunteers and paid staff as indicated in the thread I started which has our 2005 plan on it.

[Boost Buffalo]

Jim, is it a fair question to ask if you are or if your wife is the paid staff?

[Jim Ostrowski]

We will shortly announce our board and officers and paid staff, if any. This is not the proper forum to discuss detailed issues of personnel and finance.

In the meantime, if anyone is interested in such issues because they support our organization and wish to make a contribution, please come on down today--I'm in the office till about 4pm.

Or call me or send an email with your full name and town and I'll be happy to respond.

There just hasn't been time to get the board announced and online--still lining up resumes for a press release.

One more thing--please don't mention my wife again on this forum with any negative implication. There's such a thing as simple human decency.

[buffy]

[QUOTE] Jim, is it a fair question to ask if you are or if your wife is the paid staff?

Totally inappropriate...and there are a few people on this MB who continue to imply that FB is in this for the $$$. Truth be known, FB probably exists hand-to-mouth on a quarterly projected basis.

And of course JO is paid, he's the executive director fo the organization he founded, who else should be ED? Get real. I'm thankful there are people like JO turning their passion into action.

[Night Owl]

Boost, you've been "Aflac-ed"

[Night Owl]

Aflac...

[WNYresident]

Originally posted by Night Owl
Boost, you've been "Aflac-ed"

And this means?

[Boost Buffalo]

Originally posted by Jim Ostrowski

One more thing--please don't mention my wife again on this forum with any negative implication. There's such a thing as simple human decency.

what Jim? where do you get this from?

Isnt your wife part of your team? I spoke with her at your last fundraiser, she seemed quite involved. No offense intended.

[Boost Buffalo]

Originally posted by Night Owl
Boost, you've been "Aflac-ed"

yeah, what does this mean? Is it a good thing?