A Full Bowl
...through socially responsible
enterprise...
2014 Fuller Challenge
un-submitted Application:
BEGINNING OF
APPLICATION>>>>>>>>>>>
1. APPLICANT INFO *
APPLICANT NAME *
FIRST
ron paul
LAST
baum
APPLICANT EMAIL *
afullbowl@afullbowl.com
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FULLER CHALLENGE? *
By way of a new A Full Bowl member by way of Social Media by way
of BFI Newsletter by way of BFI through Indirect Outreach by way
of R Buckminster Fuller by way of all of us.
BFI Newsletter x
Direct outreach from BFI
Press
Other :
2. PROJECT INFO *
If selected for the 2014 award, what name(s) will be listed as the
recipient(s) of the award?
PROJECT LEAD(S) *
Same as Applicant above
Other
ORGANIZATION OR COMPANY *
A Full Bowl Global Cooperative ????
If none, please enter name of Project Lead(s) here.
PROJECT NAME
If different from Organization or Company name.
A Full Bowl ??? A Fuller Bowl ??? A Bucky Bowl ??? taza
infinita ???
WEBSITE ADDRESS
afullbowl.com
PRIMARY LOCATION
STREET
4131 woodland park avenue north
ADDITIONAL
CITY *
seattle
STATE/PROVINCE
washington
POSTAL CODE
98103
COUNTRY *
USA
OTHER LOCATIONS
In what additional countries or locations do you operate?
we need international members now ! ????? current
international members : Gus and Margo (Brazil) Christine
(Philippines) Eze (Nigeria), Jun, (Japan), Mohammed Raei
(Jordan), Alison Farmer (Scotand), Paula Waters (USA), Barb
Kelson (USA), Steve Yabroff (USA), Rajaa Gharbi (Tunisia), Jessica
Carter,
PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS *
Have you applied to the Challenge before?
No X
Yes
3. APPLICATION QUESTIONS *
WHAT IS YOUR SOLUTION OR STRATEGY? *
Provide a 50-word summary of your initiative.
Through cooperative sharing of stories and resources, made
possible through thousands of useful, artistic bowls, global food
security grows in the most disparate and desperate of situations
around the globe by creating an environment for emergent community
where individual creative responses and global communications
foster healthy growth. 47words
WHAT IS THE CONTEXT? *
Describe the critical need(s) or specific systemic problem(s) your
initiative seeks to address on the local and/or global levels. 200
words 200 word(s) left
WHAT/WHERE/HOW? *
In response to the global food crisis : This
project stems from our understanding that the current food system
is inadequate; it does not fully respond to the needs of every
human being. We believe that the knowledge already exists to
solve the global food crisis. Inspired individuals from all
over the world, already experienced with living in very diverse
environments, are the designers most capable of
independently solving these world food issues. We see
our job as facilitating the emergence of that knowledge and
supporting those who are dedicated to the pursuit of its
realization. We believe that grand solutions to the global
food crisis will emerge from humble beginnings. 108
words
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream
together is a reality." John Lennon?
WHAT : heartfelt stories generated by iterative generations
of a generative subjective objects : parabowl / Full Bowl / iBowl
/ Fuller Bowl / Bucky Bowl / taza infinita.
WHERE : in local communities between neighbors and connected to
resources around the world by global partners and local service
providers.
HOW : through person to person, object to person interaction, in
person and through global media, personal everyday stories of full
and empty bowls link together to discover each other. 90
words
Provide a detailed explanation of your initiative. What is it?
Where is it based? How does it work? 200 words
A Full Bowl is a global cooperative startup from Seattle,
Washington, with members in Africa, Asia, Europe and South
America. As a socially conscious profitable organization, income
is generated by the sale of our only product, a useable artistic
set of bowls. Profits are distributed to members equitably based
on need. Profits are used to gift bowls and to support other
cooperatives. Money raised from outside this structure is viewed
as a gift to be passed along so that a bank of resources is built
to support other ventures which would benefit the membership. A
parabowl is a useful tool with two messages. the outside asks for
stories about fullness. The inside about emptiness. The stories
connect people who have needs with those who have resources.
prototype parabowls are used as models to be replicated by the
thousands. these inexpensive, durable useful bowls can be sold as
artistic tools to raise money for the cooperative. Local service
partners around the globe locate artists to create parabowls and
resource partners who help fill them with food or useful
information and tools to grow food. Like minded global partners
like Wikimedia, Craigs List, Google Earth, Credo and the Berkana
Institute will provide communications and social connection
knowledge and technology.
200 word(s) left
IMPACT *
Who or what is impacted directly and indirectly by your
initiative? Explain in detail how you measure and calculate
impact. 200 words
One durable artistic bowl in a community could reach 200 people or
more during its useful life . So millions of bowls could reach
hundreds of millions of people. Each bowl has a number and every
holder of a bowl, is a member of the cooperative. Actions,
connections and the movement of bowls are countable through
internet interactions and transactions. This process is
generative, building an environment for emergence of creative
local solutions around fullness and emptiness and food. As the
numbers are objectively connected to the bowls and not personally
designated to an owner, there is a degree of privacy which should
enhance the dissemination of stories and transactions. There will
be plenty of opportunities to collect numbers. More importantly,
stories, subjective as they are, wield more power than any
collection of numbers which could be attributed to them. These
will be the heart of the proof of this project. There is no doubt.
These stories will change the world.
200 word(s) left
LONG-TERM EFFECT *
What long-term systemic effects do you anticipate when your
initiative is fully implemented?
These parabowls are self-facilitating subjective objects meant to
circulate the message of global community, abundant resources and
human creativity. Self-organized cooperative efforts generate
cohesive interlinked communities with shared values and positive
outcomes. New relationships will generate new business models and
empower community driven initiatives. This initiative must be a
continuous struggle of action. From human history we know that
there will always be members who suffer from inequities not only
from changes in the natural environment, but also from human
interventions and potential actions from within the cooperative
itself. The cooperative strives to only generate enthusiasm and
avoid unintended consequences expecting that the effects will
radiate far beyond positive relationships with food to improve
personal relationships with others and the earth.
HISTORY AND VISION *
What inspired your solution and how has the initiative evolved
from inception to its current stage of development? How does your
initiative creatively and comprehensively integrate the key
social, cultural, economic, ecological, and technological factors
required to transform “business as usual” in your chosen area of
impact? 200 words
There are three guiding principles to the work that we are doing.
We believe in the power of human innovation, we believe that
only through a diverse lens can true innovation arise and we
believe that a hand full of people can change the world. We
are a passionate and purpose driven team with a genuine want to
change the current food system to meet the needs of all people
worldwide. We understand the problem is the solution and we are
designing ideas that meet people where they are, utilize each
person’s innate abilities, and channel traditional knowledge into
contemporary application. We are meeting theory and practice in an
applicable way that can translate into communities all over the
globe, helping people in diverse geographical locations.
That is why we should be chosen to participate in the 2013
Fuller Challenge.
PLANNING AND OPERATIONS *
Outline your implementation plan. What operational milestones do
you intend to achieve in the next one to three years? What are the
biggest risk factors or potential barriers facing the development
and deployment of your initiative and how do you plan to mitigate
them? How has your initiative been funded to date and how do you
plan to ensure its financial viability? 200 words
Holding systemic thinking, diversity, collaboration, reflective
practice, social justice, and sustainability as our guiding
principles and core values we will use innovative methods to
address complex problems. We recognize that it is not
only how we approach problems but how we ask the questions that
lead to sustainable solutions. There are times when the
impossible seems possible, when all efforts point in a direction
that needs to be followed. This is one of those times.
Understanding the fundamentals of complex systems we want to avoid
quick fix solutions that create unintended consequences. Our
design connects individuals with the information and resources
that they need now to support change in their neighborhoods,
villages, cities and states and in so doing address global hunger.
We understand that the answers and leaders are already on the
ground, working to create a better world for themselves and their
neighbors. Sometimes a simple infusion of support can make all the
difference.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST *
Compare and contrast your initiative with at least two other
current projects or groups working to address the same critical
need. Why is your proposal more likely to effect change and make a
distinguishing impact compared to similar efforts? 200 words
The Gates Foundation and La Via Campansina are addressing the
global food crisis in two extremely different ways. GF is
depending on a powerful highly funded top down tech and science
green revolution. Unfortunately, this thinking is what we believe
caused the existing global food crisis and the systemic unintended
consequences which accompany the planned improvements will
probably diminish rather than improve conditions. We hope this
will not happen again. LVC draws its power from the grassroots of
peasant farmers and food sovereignty. When this cooperative group
improves the lives of these farmers members, will their members
stray away to become competitive and assume the values which
oppress them now ? We also hope this will not happen again. We
believe the personal human stories generated by A Full Bowl will
temper the actions and communications between both of these
diverse groups. Between the extremes is where learning lives.
Knowledge and discovery are at the heart of our hope for the
planet.
THE TEAM *
Provide details regarding your current team and any plans to
expand it in the future. You may include details about
organizational/institutional partners committed to the success of
your initiative and describe your team members’ experience and
qualifications as they relate to their ability to implement your
initiative. If applicable, include information about any
significant external validation, support, or funding your
initiative has received to date. 200 words
In our current work members of this startup cooperative team are
farming using new environment sensitive processes, facilitating
the formation of women's business groups in Nigeria, using
technology as a social platform for the co-creation of knowledge,
creating generative business models focused on social benefit, and
empowering people to solve their own problems through art and
culture. This diversity of interests and experience adds
breadth and depth to this social enterprise. During the design of
the Social Enterprise we want to be mindful of the tension between
indigenous knowledge and modern technology while remaining
comfortable with ambiguity. Every new member with a different
point of view is a valuable asset to the creative pool of the
group. We are prepared to answer this call with a great deal of
enthusiasm. The group mind is more powerful than the individual.
We have a tremendous faith in the human spirit and believe that
good will come from our efforts. We have found that small groups
of about six are most effective. Replication of this format around
tasks and processes will empower members to cooperate and
facilitate powerful changes.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED DIRECTLY BY YOUR INITIATIVE? *
Please distinguish between part time and full time.
As a cooperative, each member works and is rewarded equitably. Our
members include those with minimal access to resources. Our
intention is to always have resources flow toward them. Never away
from them as unintended consequences of the work of A Full Bowl.
This means members who are already well resourced do not see
resources coming in their direction from those with less.
A Full Bowl currently has no employees. Every member is a
volunteer and they are well rewarded within this community of
relationships. And we are a for profit business and have
confidence that an unintended consequence of our heartfelt efforts
will be real, financial, economic rewards equitably shared by
every member of our cooperative. The values we hold will attract
so much support, we will be put to work of distribution trying to
reach the equity we desire with all members.
VOLUNTEERS * Every member is a volunteer. six -
10 ? (is anyone who contributes thoughts to this project a
volunteer ?)
How many people volunteer their time on your initiative?
original team hours : working on Hult Application
wendy, todd and ron : hours to SFranscisco
hours
wendy hours : letter to global partners
hours
present team hours : working on Fuller Application
hours
OPERATING BUDGET * ???
What is your annual operating budget? ??? Our budget
is based on two sources. The sale of bowls and donations from
outside sources.
4. SUPPORTING MATERIALS
DOCUMENTS
Include materials (listed by title, date, and source) as PDFs or
URLs that directly support your application and/or independently
corroborate your claims. For example:
any research, press, publications, or business. You may provide up
to three links or documents. Files must be less than 10 MB.
Allowed file types: txt pdf doc docx xls xlsx.
letter to Global Partners (finished)
letter to Local Service Partners (revise above)
letter to Local Artists and Designers (revise above)
letter to Global Artists and Designers (revise above)
IMAGES
Provide up to three images to illustrate your application – images
of your team, your work in the field, your product or service “in
action”, illustrations/drawings/sketches/maps, etc.
Files must be less than 10 MB.
Allowed file types: jpg jpeg.
Images must be larger than 700x350 pixels.
(see google drive for jpgs)
VIDEO
Submit a video up to two-minutes long to help communicate your
solution. You will need to upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo
before you can copy and paste the URL into this application.
VIDEO URL
VIDEO URL (vimeo) have Laurel re-record audio tract :
5. EXIT QUESTIONS
Through our Catalyst Program, BFI provides additional support to
our semi-finalists and finalists through relationships with our
sponsors, partners and networks. Catalyst Program benefits are not
guaranteed. They may include: international press coverage,
mentorship opportunities, introductions to investors and potential
donors and others. Select below specific opportunities in which
you are interested should you qualify:
N/A
Pro-bono legal services via Thomson Reuters Foundation
Fiscal sponsorship by BFI
Invitations to present at conferences and exhibitions
Nomination to a mentorship program for early-career entrepreneurs
via The Unreasonable Institute
Feedback on your application from BFI Review Team
Public presentation of your project in BFI’s online Idea Index,
Trimtab newsletter and web platforms
Other in-kind services and expertise
We want to know how you heard about Buckminster Fuller and The
Buckminster Fuller Institute. If applicable, please share here any
personal narrative about your first encounter with Buckminster
Fuller’s work and the impact it has had on your chosen area of
work.
We aim to create a rigorous application process for entry to the
Fuller Challenge in which applicants grapple deeply with our
unique set of criteria. We ask you to measure your impact and we
would like to measure ours. Please share any comments on the
application process itself.
6. PROCESSING FEE * ron will pay this on
paypal...
APPLICATION FEE *
Your application is not complete until your payment has cleared.
There is a $100 processing fee for entry. Enrolled students and
registered 501c3 non-profit or international NGO organizations
with an annual operating budget under $100,000 may pay a
discounted processing fee of $50. Any abuse of the discounted rate
will result in disqualification.
$100 processing fee
$50 scholarship fee
SPECIAL CODE
Please enter a special code if you have one.
END OF APPLICATION>>>>>>>>>>>
A Full Bowl video text (2minutes)
an empty bowl is like an empty belly…and the globe...like a full
bowl…
hungry and full neighbors like to share their bowls…and the bowl
of the globe...
neighbors also like to share tales and pictures around the globe…
some of these neighbors share tales and get together to help each
other
build, sell, gift, fill and deliver bowls full of healthy local
food
and share ways to grow, find and deliver more…
they share a bowl with a simple tale…about being full and being
empty…
...the parabowl…
a pretty cool and long lasting tool…good for every kitchen and
every garden…
to gather food…share new and old ideas about food…
the outside of a full parabowl… asks for tales…about fullness…
when a full parabowl empties…words on the inside ask for
tales…about emptiness…
on the bottom…words and numbers...connect neighbors to a global
neighborhood...
neighbors with parabowls become members of a global cooperative…
share the profits from making, filling and selling
parabowls…
the cooperative has powerful global partners who help them connect
…
the parabowl is made close to the buyer...
neighborhood service partners already know artistic bowl makers
and neighbors who need work…
neighborhood resource partners help deliver goods and services…
and this helps neighbors start new businesses…
the very useful, fairly priced metal bowl is an inexpensive tool…
as a work of art or to support their neighbors...
many can afford and want to pay more...
a full parabowl might include local food, seeds or plants to grow.
and always a story about the parabowl.
neighbors sell parabowls…so they may gift parabowls…
work together…to share and protect the globe…so they will all have
full bowls…
if the tale of each parabowl reaches 200 people…
millions of parabowls carefully placed…
could reach millions of creative, smart, friendly neighbors…
around the globe now living with tales of empty bowls…
one little tale like this one…seems tiny...A million little tales
is really big…
a little crop of shared tales about empty parabowls…will grow…
a much bigger crop of shared tales about full parabowls…
a tale big enough to help neighbors…fill the globe with full
bowls…
help design this project : rpb@windowsart.com