Are you reactive or proactive when it comes to recruiting new Board members? Reactive recruiting can leave you with more problems than solutions. Unfortunately, reactive recruiting is the way that many Boards go about bringing new people in. They wait until it's time to have new members in place and then hastily recruit friends and neighbors just to fill seats or reach the magic Board member number set out in their bylaws. Being proactive and having a plan to recruit the right people with the skills and talent you need can help ensure your Board is successful.
Proactive Board recruiting starts with evaluating the skills needed on your Board. A simple matrix can offer a fresh look at what your organization needs in its top leadership. Do you need someone with banking or finance expertise? How about someone with marketing or communications skill? Do you need an attorney? Someone with human resource experience? How about someone who is comfortable fundraising? Across the top of the matrix, write the skills your organization needs. You'll probably have some needed skills that are unique to your organization.
Sample matrix
Banker Attorney Marketer Fundraiser (Skill) (Skill) (Skill) (Skill)
Now down the left side of the matrix, list your current Board members. Then, check the boxes so you can see which of the needed skills are already on your Board.
Sample matrix
Banker Attorney Marketer Fundraiser (Skill) (Skill) (Skill) (Skill)
Bob X
Sue X X
David X
Ann X
This exercise should show you where your holes are. In the sample matrix, we can see that the organization needs someone who is an attorney. Be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking you can get just any attorney! You need someone who has an interest in the work the organization is doing and who is willing to serve. If that person is already a donor of the organization, all the better! They are already demonstrating their commitment to the cause.
Another useful tool in proactive board recruiting is a Board member agreement. This simple document details the things that you expect your Board members to do, like attend meetings, participate in fundraising events, and making a financial contribution to the organization. Giving a potential Board member a 'heads up' about their responsibilities can help them make a better decision about joining your Board and get them off on the right foot to being a great Board member!
(c) Sandy Rees, CFRE
Author Bio:
Sandy Rees is a nonprofit fundraising coach, consultant, trainer, and author. She shows small nonprofit organizations how to raise more money, gain more supporters, and strengthen their Boards. Learn more about building successful boards and get free fundraising tips in her e-zine "Bright Ideas for Fundraising" on her website at http://www.getfullyfunded.com.
Article Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Build-the-Board-of-Your-Dreams-With-Proactive-Recruiting&id=1916336
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Coffee - The Importance of a Moderate Quantity
A cup of coffee definitely makes your day gleaming and enthusiastic. It is quite accepted that most of us start our day with the sip of this ultimate taste. The decent aroma, rich color and scrumptious taste makes us fell great. In a nutshell a cup of coffee, when you are even on your bed is really an experience that you look for everyday. The lure of a coffee mug, you just can not take your eyes off it.
Innumerable people give a head start to their day by sipping this extraordinary taste. Whether you are at home, whilst at work or on the move, a cup of nice coffee is a treat for your mind and body. I am quite sure that you will not compromise with the refreshing feeling that it gives you. As we generally go about our daily lives, we get stressed and sometimes feel really exhausted. In this case the remedy is only a cup of delicious coffee.
Coffee stands out to be one of the most researched ingredients of the world. However there are plentiful reasons for these ongoing researches. Some of us believe that coffee adversely affects our health and wellness. Contrary to that a major chunk finds it refreshing and energizing. There are various myths and fact associated with this still the popularity graph is ascending higher. Undoubtedly there are some health issues with it that can result in to troubling situations.
"Excess of everything is bad". It is not only a preaching or a quote but it is a reality. Anything if consumed in excess quantity can lead to hazardous outcomes and same is the case with the coffee. The moderate quantity, precisely 4 or 5 regular cup sizes a day are permissible but beyond that, the consequences can be severe. This standard quantity is set for the adults and if you have managed to be in limits, it can positively contribute to your health.
You can enhance your healthy diet with a moderate quantity of coffee and it can support you to accomplish your wellness goal. The reasonable quantity can help you to battle with the pressure and anxiety that a hectic day brings in. Compensating a physically active working day with rational intake can offer beneficial results. On the other hand the excess consumption may cost you a lot.
Pregnant women, children and people suffering with prolonged diseases should try to minimize the consumption. Coffee actually contains caffeine which should be taken in an appropriate quantity otherwise it may lead to severe results. Definitely it makes you keep going all through the day but do not allow it to rule over you.
Author Bio:
Take care of your health, finances, and retirement with one solution. Using the secrets of the Ganoderma Mushroom you can now enjoy the benefits of our Ganoderma Lucidum coffee. Fore more information visit us: Ganoderma Lucidum coffee
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Coffee---The-Importance-of-a-Moderate-Quantity&id=4054188
Innumerable people give a head start to their day by sipping this extraordinary taste. Whether you are at home, whilst at work or on the move, a cup of nice coffee is a treat for your mind and body. I am quite sure that you will not compromise with the refreshing feeling that it gives you. As we generally go about our daily lives, we get stressed and sometimes feel really exhausted. In this case the remedy is only a cup of delicious coffee.
Coffee stands out to be one of the most researched ingredients of the world. However there are plentiful reasons for these ongoing researches. Some of us believe that coffee adversely affects our health and wellness. Contrary to that a major chunk finds it refreshing and energizing. There are various myths and fact associated with this still the popularity graph is ascending higher. Undoubtedly there are some health issues with it that can result in to troubling situations.
"Excess of everything is bad". It is not only a preaching or a quote but it is a reality. Anything if consumed in excess quantity can lead to hazardous outcomes and same is the case with the coffee. The moderate quantity, precisely 4 or 5 regular cup sizes a day are permissible but beyond that, the consequences can be severe. This standard quantity is set for the adults and if you have managed to be in limits, it can positively contribute to your health.
You can enhance your healthy diet with a moderate quantity of coffee and it can support you to accomplish your wellness goal. The reasonable quantity can help you to battle with the pressure and anxiety that a hectic day brings in. Compensating a physically active working day with rational intake can offer beneficial results. On the other hand the excess consumption may cost you a lot.
Pregnant women, children and people suffering with prolonged diseases should try to minimize the consumption. Coffee actually contains caffeine which should be taken in an appropriate quantity otherwise it may lead to severe results. Definitely it makes you keep going all through the day but do not allow it to rule over you.
Author Bio:
Take care of your health, finances, and retirement with one solution. Using the secrets of the Ganoderma Mushroom you can now enjoy the benefits of our Ganoderma Lucidum coffee. Fore more information visit us: Ganoderma Lucidum coffee
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Coffee---The-Importance-of-a-Moderate-Quantity&id=4054188
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Importance of Exceeding Donor Expectations
Building relationships with donors is probably the most important thing you can do as a Fundraiser. After all, good fundraising is based on relationships. One thing you can do to easily set your organization apart from all the rest in your donors' minds is to exceed their expectations.
Before you can exceed your donors' expectations, you need to know what they expect from you. More than likely, they expect to be treated fairly and with respect. The probably expect to be thanked for their gift with a letter. At events, they expect to have some fun.
What do we do to go above and beyond these expectations? What do we do that sets people talking, creating incredible word-of-mouth publicity for our organizations? It's not usually hard or expensive to do, but it does require some thought.
Here are some tips for exceeding your donors' expectations.
o Thank donors warmly, sincerely, and promptly every time. Make sure they know how much you appreciate their support. And be consistent about it. Add hand-written notes to your correspondence. Pick up the phone and call just to say 'thank you.'
o When donors visit your facility, treat them warmly. Give them an insider's tour. Tell them about your future plans for your organization.
o Invite your best donors to lunch with your Executive Director and/or your Board President. Ask their opinion about your work and tell them about upcoming plans for your programs. People love to feel special and having access to the top people in your organization will give them an exclusive glimpse into your plans.
o At events, do your best to give donors a great experience. Try to add a twist or an element of fun that will leave them talking about your organization for weeks to come. Recently, I attended a high school graduation that ended in fireworks. It definitely created word-of-mouth for the school because it was such an unusual and unexpected finish.
If you really want to know what your donors expect from you, ask them. Do a survey to find out what they want. Then you'll be much better able to give them a great experience with your organization.
Want more practical tips and ideas for successful fundraising? Get the twice-monthly "Bright Ideas for Fundraising" at http://www.getfullyfunded.com
Author Bio:
Sandy Rees is a nonprofit fundraising coach and speaker who shows small nonprofit organizations how to raise more money, gain more supporters, and strengthen their Boards.
(c) Sandy Rees, CFRE
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-of-Exceeding-Donor-Expectations&id=2505745
Before you can exceed your donors' expectations, you need to know what they expect from you. More than likely, they expect to be treated fairly and with respect. The probably expect to be thanked for their gift with a letter. At events, they expect to have some fun.
What do we do to go above and beyond these expectations? What do we do that sets people talking, creating incredible word-of-mouth publicity for our organizations? It's not usually hard or expensive to do, but it does require some thought.
Here are some tips for exceeding your donors' expectations.
o Thank donors warmly, sincerely, and promptly every time. Make sure they know how much you appreciate their support. And be consistent about it. Add hand-written notes to your correspondence. Pick up the phone and call just to say 'thank you.'
o When donors visit your facility, treat them warmly. Give them an insider's tour. Tell them about your future plans for your organization.
o Invite your best donors to lunch with your Executive Director and/or your Board President. Ask their opinion about your work and tell them about upcoming plans for your programs. People love to feel special and having access to the top people in your organization will give them an exclusive glimpse into your plans.
o At events, do your best to give donors a great experience. Try to add a twist or an element of fun that will leave them talking about your organization for weeks to come. Recently, I attended a high school graduation that ended in fireworks. It definitely created word-of-mouth for the school because it was such an unusual and unexpected finish.
If you really want to know what your donors expect from you, ask them. Do a survey to find out what they want. Then you'll be much better able to give them a great experience with your organization.
Want more practical tips and ideas for successful fundraising? Get the twice-monthly "Bright Ideas for Fundraising" at http://www.getfullyfunded.com
Author Bio:
Sandy Rees is a nonprofit fundraising coach and speaker who shows small nonprofit organizations how to raise more money, gain more supporters, and strengthen their Boards.
(c) Sandy Rees, CFRE
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-of-Exceeding-Donor-Expectations&id=2505745
Friday, September 3, 2010
Green Home Building Design With Coffee Composite Building Materials
Who said coffee is only for drinking?
Through some very innovative thinking, students at the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia, have built what is considered the first coffee wood composite house.
This is a very appropriate accomplishment for a top academic institution in a country known for its quality coffee. From the seed to the cup and now to sweet, sweet coffee home!
How did they do it?
Graduate engineering students began academic work about building homes with a focus on "design for sustainability." Their professor, Jaime Medina, Director of the Research Center of Polymer Processing ("Centro de Investigacion en Procesamiento de Polimeros) of the University of the Andes in Bogota supervised the project.
The main objectives were,
• Low construction costs. Light weight. Portability.
• Ease of maintenance. Non toxicity.
• Flexibility. Sturdiness.
• Identifying an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials such as wood.
• Tree logging is responsible for significant deforestation in the country.
• Reducing the use of chemicals in the construction process to promote good health standards.
• Over a period of two years, the students evaluated multiple eco-friendly materials to build homes such as banana plants, palm trees, bamboo, coffee, etc.
To understand why coffee became the front runner for the new construction material in this academic project, it is important to review some basics about the steps in the coffee processing. From the seed to the cup, coffee goes through several natural steps,
• Planting the coffee trees and cultivating them for years before they bear fruit (coffee cherries).
• Harvesting the cherries using "strip picking" or "selective picking" methods.
• Processing the coffee cherries using "dry method" or "wet method."
• Drying the beans if they have been processed using the "wet method."
• Milling the beans to remove the parchment layer (endocarp) from wet processed coffee.
• Hulling dry processed coffee to remove the entire dried husk of the dried cherries.
• At every step of its production, coffee is repeatedly tested for quality and taste.
• Exporting is the next step for the milled coffee also called "'green coffee."
• Finally, roasting and brewing coffee completes the cycle to the cup from the seed.
Each of these steps utilizes every part of the coffee tree and its fruit except for the dried husk which has been usually considered garbage and discarded --until now!
• Coffee garbage ("dried husk" or "cisco" in Spanish) became the innovative ingredient the students mixed with recycled PVC to design pre-fabricated panels for home construction.
• The result is a material that is strong, light, practical, inexpensive, easy to build and very eco friendly.
• The coffee composite building panels offer easy installation and durability.
• It is possible to build a house from this new material in about one week.
• This is an excellent solution to address population housing needs among low income groups.
At first glance, it is difficult to spot the difference between a regular prefabricated wood laminate panel and the new coffee composite panels.
• What appears to be a natural wood grain pattern is really dried coffee husk panel mixed in with recycled PVC for a nice and useful finish.
• The panels look almost like pieces of a giant Lego game that you can fit, one by one, without using any glue or cement to form the house.
Materials of this type are available elsewhere in the world, commonly referred to as "plastic wood composite." What is different with this project is that in Colombia, they did not use sawdust or wood. Instead, the main ingredient is dried coffee husks. This is a first for such application!
• The project received the support of "Colciencias," the government institute created to support scientific research in Colombia
• The new production material is now branded under the name Wood Pecker (how appropriate!).
• The goal is to commercialize the use of this new home building material.
Adding a coffee composite building material to the list of Colombian exports some day would certainly be most appropriate for this coffee exporting country. It makes you wonder, what will they think of next?
So, here's a toast to innovation and a perfect time to enjoy a good cup of Colombian Supremo!
Author Bio:
Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.
Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Home-Building-Design-With-Coffee-Composite-Building-Materials&id=4072708
Through some very innovative thinking, students at the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia, have built what is considered the first coffee wood composite house.
This is a very appropriate accomplishment for a top academic institution in a country known for its quality coffee. From the seed to the cup and now to sweet, sweet coffee home!
How did they do it?
Graduate engineering students began academic work about building homes with a focus on "design for sustainability." Their professor, Jaime Medina, Director of the Research Center of Polymer Processing ("Centro de Investigacion en Procesamiento de Polimeros) of the University of the Andes in Bogota supervised the project.
The main objectives were,
• Low construction costs. Light weight. Portability.
• Ease of maintenance. Non toxicity.
• Flexibility. Sturdiness.
• Identifying an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials such as wood.
• Tree logging is responsible for significant deforestation in the country.
• Reducing the use of chemicals in the construction process to promote good health standards.
• Over a period of two years, the students evaluated multiple eco-friendly materials to build homes such as banana plants, palm trees, bamboo, coffee, etc.
To understand why coffee became the front runner for the new construction material in this academic project, it is important to review some basics about the steps in the coffee processing. From the seed to the cup, coffee goes through several natural steps,
• Planting the coffee trees and cultivating them for years before they bear fruit (coffee cherries).
• Harvesting the cherries using "strip picking" or "selective picking" methods.
• Processing the coffee cherries using "dry method" or "wet method."
• Drying the beans if they have been processed using the "wet method."
• Milling the beans to remove the parchment layer (endocarp) from wet processed coffee.
• Hulling dry processed coffee to remove the entire dried husk of the dried cherries.
• At every step of its production, coffee is repeatedly tested for quality and taste.
• Exporting is the next step for the milled coffee also called "'green coffee."
• Finally, roasting and brewing coffee completes the cycle to the cup from the seed.
Each of these steps utilizes every part of the coffee tree and its fruit except for the dried husk which has been usually considered garbage and discarded --until now!
• Coffee garbage ("dried husk" or "cisco" in Spanish) became the innovative ingredient the students mixed with recycled PVC to design pre-fabricated panels for home construction.
• The result is a material that is strong, light, practical, inexpensive, easy to build and very eco friendly.
• The coffee composite building panels offer easy installation and durability.
• It is possible to build a house from this new material in about one week.
• This is an excellent solution to address population housing needs among low income groups.
At first glance, it is difficult to spot the difference between a regular prefabricated wood laminate panel and the new coffee composite panels.
• What appears to be a natural wood grain pattern is really dried coffee husk panel mixed in with recycled PVC for a nice and useful finish.
• The panels look almost like pieces of a giant Lego game that you can fit, one by one, without using any glue or cement to form the house.
Materials of this type are available elsewhere in the world, commonly referred to as "plastic wood composite." What is different with this project is that in Colombia, they did not use sawdust or wood. Instead, the main ingredient is dried coffee husks. This is a first for such application!
• The project received the support of "Colciencias," the government institute created to support scientific research in Colombia
• The new production material is now branded under the name Wood Pecker (how appropriate!).
• The goal is to commercialize the use of this new home building material.
Adding a coffee composite building material to the list of Colombian exports some day would certainly be most appropriate for this coffee exporting country. It makes you wonder, what will they think of next?
So, here's a toast to innovation and a perfect time to enjoy a good cup of Colombian Supremo!
Author Bio:
Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.
Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Home-Building-Design-With-Coffee-Composite-Building-Materials&id=4072708
Green Home Building Design With Coffee Composite Building Materials
Who said coffee is only for drinking?
Through some very innovative thinking, students at the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia, have built what is considered the first coffee wood composite house.
This is a very appropriate accomplishment for a top academic institution in a country known for its quality coffee. From the seed to the cup and now to sweet, sweet coffee home!
How did they do it?
Graduate engineering students began academic work about building homes with a focus on "design for sustainability." Their professor, Jaime Medina, Director of the Research Center of Polymer Processing ("Centro de Investigacion en Procesamiento de Polimeros) of the University of the Andes in Bogota supervised the project.
The main objectives were,
• Low construction costs. Light weight. Portability.
• Ease of maintenance. Non toxicity.
• Flexibility. Sturdiness.
• Identifying an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials such as wood.
• Tree logging is responsible for significant deforestation in the country.
• Reducing the use of chemicals in the construction process to promote good health standards.
• Over a period of two years, the students evaluated multiple eco-friendly materials to build homes such as banana plants, palm trees, bamboo, coffee, etc.
To understand why coffee became the front runner for the new construction material in this academic project, it is important to review some basics about the steps in the coffee processing. From the seed to the cup, coffee goes through several natural steps,
• Planting the coffee trees and cultivating them for years before they bear fruit (coffee cherries).
• Harvesting the cherries using "strip picking" or "selective picking" methods.
• Processing the coffee cherries using "dry method" or "wet method."
• Drying the beans if they have been processed using the "wet method."
• Milling the beans to remove the parchment layer (endocarp) from wet processed coffee.
• Hulling dry processed coffee to remove the entire dried husk of the dried cherries.
• At every step of its production, coffee is repeatedly tested for quality and taste.
• Exporting is the next step for the milled coffee also called "'green coffee."
• Finally, roasting and brewing coffee completes the cycle to the cup from the seed.
Each of these steps utilizes every part of the coffee tree and its fruit except for the dried husk which has been usually considered garbage and discarded --until now!
• Coffee garbage ("dried husk" or "cisco" in Spanish) became the innovative ingredient the students mixed with recycled PVC to design pre-fabricated panels for home construction.
• The result is a material that is strong, light, practical, inexpensive, easy to build and very eco friendly.
• The coffee composite building panels offer easy installation and durability.
• It is possible to build a house from this new material in about one week.
• This is an excellent solution to address population housing needs among low income groups.
At first glance, it is difficult to spot the difference between a regular prefabricated wood laminate panel and the new coffee composite panels.
• What appears to be a natural wood grain pattern is really dried coffee husk panel mixed in with recycled PVC for a nice and useful finish.
• The panels look almost like pieces of a giant Lego game that you can fit, one by one, without using any glue or cement to form the house.
Materials of this type are available elsewhere in the world, commonly referred to as "plastic wood composite." What is different with this project is that in Colombia, they did not use sawdust or wood. Instead, the main ingredient is dried coffee husks. This is a first for such application!
• The project received the support of "Colciencias," the government institute created to support scientific research in Colombia
• The new production material is now branded under the name Wood Pecker (how appropriate!).
• The goal is to commercialize the use of this new home building material.
Adding a coffee composite building material to the list of Colombian exports some day would certainly be most appropriate for this coffee exporting country. It makes you wonder, what will they think of next?
So, here's a toast to innovation and a perfect time to enjoy a good cup of Colombian Supremo!
Author Bio:
Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.
Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Home-Building-Design-With-Coffee-Composite-Building-Materials&id=4072708
Through some very innovative thinking, students at the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia, have built what is considered the first coffee wood composite house.
This is a very appropriate accomplishment for a top academic institution in a country known for its quality coffee. From the seed to the cup and now to sweet, sweet coffee home!
How did they do it?
Graduate engineering students began academic work about building homes with a focus on "design for sustainability." Their professor, Jaime Medina, Director of the Research Center of Polymer Processing ("Centro de Investigacion en Procesamiento de Polimeros) of the University of the Andes in Bogota supervised the project.
The main objectives were,
• Low construction costs. Light weight. Portability.
• Ease of maintenance. Non toxicity.
• Flexibility. Sturdiness.
• Identifying an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials such as wood.
• Tree logging is responsible for significant deforestation in the country.
• Reducing the use of chemicals in the construction process to promote good health standards.
• Over a period of two years, the students evaluated multiple eco-friendly materials to build homes such as banana plants, palm trees, bamboo, coffee, etc.
To understand why coffee became the front runner for the new construction material in this academic project, it is important to review some basics about the steps in the coffee processing. From the seed to the cup, coffee goes through several natural steps,
• Planting the coffee trees and cultivating them for years before they bear fruit (coffee cherries).
• Harvesting the cherries using "strip picking" or "selective picking" methods.
• Processing the coffee cherries using "dry method" or "wet method."
• Drying the beans if they have been processed using the "wet method."
• Milling the beans to remove the parchment layer (endocarp) from wet processed coffee.
• Hulling dry processed coffee to remove the entire dried husk of the dried cherries.
• At every step of its production, coffee is repeatedly tested for quality and taste.
• Exporting is the next step for the milled coffee also called "'green coffee."
• Finally, roasting and brewing coffee completes the cycle to the cup from the seed.
Each of these steps utilizes every part of the coffee tree and its fruit except for the dried husk which has been usually considered garbage and discarded --until now!
• Coffee garbage ("dried husk" or "cisco" in Spanish) became the innovative ingredient the students mixed with recycled PVC to design pre-fabricated panels for home construction.
• The result is a material that is strong, light, practical, inexpensive, easy to build and very eco friendly.
• The coffee composite building panels offer easy installation and durability.
• It is possible to build a house from this new material in about one week.
• This is an excellent solution to address population housing needs among low income groups.
At first glance, it is difficult to spot the difference between a regular prefabricated wood laminate panel and the new coffee composite panels.
• What appears to be a natural wood grain pattern is really dried coffee husk panel mixed in with recycled PVC for a nice and useful finish.
• The panels look almost like pieces of a giant Lego game that you can fit, one by one, without using any glue or cement to form the house.
Materials of this type are available elsewhere in the world, commonly referred to as "plastic wood composite." What is different with this project is that in Colombia, they did not use sawdust or wood. Instead, the main ingredient is dried coffee husks. This is a first for such application!
• The project received the support of "Colciencias," the government institute created to support scientific research in Colombia
• The new production material is now branded under the name Wood Pecker (how appropriate!).
• The goal is to commercialize the use of this new home building material.
Adding a coffee composite building material to the list of Colombian exports some day would certainly be most appropriate for this coffee exporting country. It makes you wonder, what will they think of next?
So, here's a toast to innovation and a perfect time to enjoy a good cup of Colombian Supremo!
Author Bio:
Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.
Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Home-Building-Design-With-Coffee-Composite-Building-Materials&id=4072708
Green Home Building Design With Coffee Composite Building Materials
Who said coffee is only for drinking?
Through some very innovative thinking, students at the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia, have built what is considered the first coffee wood composite house.
This is a very appropriate accomplishment for a top academic institution in a country known for its quality coffee. From the seed to the cup and now to sweet, sweet coffee home!
How did they do it?
Graduate engineering students began academic work about building homes with a focus on "design for sustainability." Their professor, Jaime Medina, Director of the Research Center of Polymer Processing ("Centro de Investigacion en Procesamiento de Polimeros) of the University of the Andes in Bogota supervised the project.
The main objectives were,
• Low construction costs. Light weight. Portability.
• Ease of maintenance. Non toxicity.
• Flexibility. Sturdiness.
• Identifying an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials such as wood.
• Tree logging is responsible for significant deforestation in the country.
• Reducing the use of chemicals in the construction process to promote good health standards.
• Over a period of two years, the students evaluated multiple eco-friendly materials to build homes such as banana plants, palm trees, bamboo, coffee, etc.
To understand why coffee became the front runner for the new construction material in this academic project, it is important to review some basics about the steps in the coffee processing. From the seed to the cup, coffee goes through several natural steps,
• Planting the coffee trees and cultivating them for years before they bear fruit (coffee cherries).
• Harvesting the cherries using "strip picking" or "selective picking" methods.
• Processing the coffee cherries using "dry method" or "wet method."
• Drying the beans if they have been processed using the "wet method."
• Milling the beans to remove the parchment layer (endocarp) from wet processed coffee.
• Hulling dry processed coffee to remove the entire dried husk of the dried cherries.
• At every step of its production, coffee is repeatedly tested for quality and taste.
• Exporting is the next step for the milled coffee also called "'green coffee."
• Finally, roasting and brewing coffee completes the cycle to the cup from the seed.
Each of these steps utilizes every part of the coffee tree and its fruit except for the dried husk which has been usually considered garbage and discarded --until now!
• Coffee garbage ("dried husk" or "cisco" in Spanish) became the innovative ingredient the students mixed with recycled PVC to design pre-fabricated panels for home construction.
• The result is a material that is strong, light, practical, inexpensive, easy to build and very eco friendly.
• The coffee composite building panels offer easy installation and durability.
• It is possible to build a house from this new material in about one week.
• This is an excellent solution to address population housing needs among low income groups.
At first glance, it is difficult to spot the difference between a regular prefabricated wood laminate panel and the new coffee composite panels.
• What appears to be a natural wood grain pattern is really dried coffee husk panel mixed in with recycled PVC for a nice and useful finish.
• The panels look almost like pieces of a giant Lego game that you can fit, one by one, without using any glue or cement to form the house.
Materials of this type are available elsewhere in the world, commonly referred to as "plastic wood composite." What is different with this project is that in Colombia, they did not use sawdust or wood. Instead, the main ingredient is dried coffee husks. This is a first for such application!
• The project received the support of "Colciencias," the government institute created to support scientific research in Colombia
• The new production material is now branded under the name Wood Pecker (how appropriate!).
• The goal is to commercialize the use of this new home building material.
Adding a coffee composite building material to the list of Colombian exports some day would certainly be most appropriate for this coffee exporting country. It makes you wonder, what will they think of next?
So, here's a toast to innovation and a perfect time to enjoy a good cup of Colombian Supremo!
Author Bio:
Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.
Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Home-Building-Design-With-Coffee-Composite-Building-Materials&id=4072708
Through some very innovative thinking, students at the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia, have built what is considered the first coffee wood composite house.
This is a very appropriate accomplishment for a top academic institution in a country known for its quality coffee. From the seed to the cup and now to sweet, sweet coffee home!
How did they do it?
Graduate engineering students began academic work about building homes with a focus on "design for sustainability." Their professor, Jaime Medina, Director of the Research Center of Polymer Processing ("Centro de Investigacion en Procesamiento de Polimeros) of the University of the Andes in Bogota supervised the project.
The main objectives were,
• Low construction costs. Light weight. Portability.
• Ease of maintenance. Non toxicity.
• Flexibility. Sturdiness.
• Identifying an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials such as wood.
• Tree logging is responsible for significant deforestation in the country.
• Reducing the use of chemicals in the construction process to promote good health standards.
• Over a period of two years, the students evaluated multiple eco-friendly materials to build homes such as banana plants, palm trees, bamboo, coffee, etc.
To understand why coffee became the front runner for the new construction material in this academic project, it is important to review some basics about the steps in the coffee processing. From the seed to the cup, coffee goes through several natural steps,
• Planting the coffee trees and cultivating them for years before they bear fruit (coffee cherries).
• Harvesting the cherries using "strip picking" or "selective picking" methods.
• Processing the coffee cherries using "dry method" or "wet method."
• Drying the beans if they have been processed using the "wet method."
• Milling the beans to remove the parchment layer (endocarp) from wet processed coffee.
• Hulling dry processed coffee to remove the entire dried husk of the dried cherries.
• At every step of its production, coffee is repeatedly tested for quality and taste.
• Exporting is the next step for the milled coffee also called "'green coffee."
• Finally, roasting and brewing coffee completes the cycle to the cup from the seed.
Each of these steps utilizes every part of the coffee tree and its fruit except for the dried husk which has been usually considered garbage and discarded --until now!
• Coffee garbage ("dried husk" or "cisco" in Spanish) became the innovative ingredient the students mixed with recycled PVC to design pre-fabricated panels for home construction.
• The result is a material that is strong, light, practical, inexpensive, easy to build and very eco friendly.
• The coffee composite building panels offer easy installation and durability.
• It is possible to build a house from this new material in about one week.
• This is an excellent solution to address population housing needs among low income groups.
At first glance, it is difficult to spot the difference between a regular prefabricated wood laminate panel and the new coffee composite panels.
• What appears to be a natural wood grain pattern is really dried coffee husk panel mixed in with recycled PVC for a nice and useful finish.
• The panels look almost like pieces of a giant Lego game that you can fit, one by one, without using any glue or cement to form the house.
Materials of this type are available elsewhere in the world, commonly referred to as "plastic wood composite." What is different with this project is that in Colombia, they did not use sawdust or wood. Instead, the main ingredient is dried coffee husks. This is a first for such application!
• The project received the support of "Colciencias," the government institute created to support scientific research in Colombia
• The new production material is now branded under the name Wood Pecker (how appropriate!).
• The goal is to commercialize the use of this new home building material.
Adding a coffee composite building material to the list of Colombian exports some day would certainly be most appropriate for this coffee exporting country. It makes you wonder, what will they think of next?
So, here's a toast to innovation and a perfect time to enjoy a good cup of Colombian Supremo!
Author Bio:
Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.
Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Home-Building-Design-With-Coffee-Composite-Building-Materials&id=4072708
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Effective Fundraising For Nonprofits
Effective fundraising for nonprofits is hard to come by these days, but with billions of dollars lost in nonprofit revenue in the past two years, fundraising is more important than ever. Many schools are in dire need of funding, and even with cookie dough fundraising and writing fundraising letters to local supporters, they are finding it harder than ever to survive the financial hardships. Fundraisers like selling cookie dough are becoming less effective as people are less willing to spend money. In the same manner, fundraising letters are becoming completely ineffective. People just don't have the money to give to their favorite charity organizations these days.
Many school fundraising events have changed from the traditional product sales, and donation requests in the past two years. A new focus has been placed on online fundraising and fundraising websites that allow schools and other organizations to raise money with little or no startup costs. These campaigns also allow supporters to support their favorite organization with little or no extra cost. These online campaigns have proved to be effective fundraising for nonprofits in need.
Raising money through the Internet is an easy fundraising idea that has already earned millions of dollars over the past few years. There are a few different fundraising ideas that utilize the power of the World Wide Web.
Magazine sales have become a very popular school fundraiser. With very little startup costs, schools will receive necessary fundraising tools and support to run a successful fundraiser. Individual schools have raised thousands of dollars in a single magazine fundraiser.
Discount shopping is another fundraising idea for schools that utilizes the Internet. Each time people shop online, they can donate a percent of their purchase to the selected organization of their choice. There are no costs associated with this program. Schools are to simply sign up and people can begin shopping for them. This program has proved to be effective fundraising for nonprofits because shoppers are saving each time they buy online, through free shipping and other discount promotions only seen online. They can purchase items online and donate to their favorite nonprofit without spending an extra cent.
There are many ideas for school fundraisers that have been successful in the past, but the new focus has been placed on fundraising through the Internet. Stop worrying about planning and startup costs with traditional school fundraisers and get started raising money online today.
Author Bio:
Get started with online fundraising today, or take a look at some more effective fundraising ideas.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Effective-Fundraising-For-Nonprofits&id=4373475
Many school fundraising events have changed from the traditional product sales, and donation requests in the past two years. A new focus has been placed on online fundraising and fundraising websites that allow schools and other organizations to raise money with little or no startup costs. These campaigns also allow supporters to support their favorite organization with little or no extra cost. These online campaigns have proved to be effective fundraising for nonprofits in need.
Raising money through the Internet is an easy fundraising idea that has already earned millions of dollars over the past few years. There are a few different fundraising ideas that utilize the power of the World Wide Web.
Magazine sales have become a very popular school fundraiser. With very little startup costs, schools will receive necessary fundraising tools and support to run a successful fundraiser. Individual schools have raised thousands of dollars in a single magazine fundraiser.
Discount shopping is another fundraising idea for schools that utilizes the Internet. Each time people shop online, they can donate a percent of their purchase to the selected organization of their choice. There are no costs associated with this program. Schools are to simply sign up and people can begin shopping for them. This program has proved to be effective fundraising for nonprofits because shoppers are saving each time they buy online, through free shipping and other discount promotions only seen online. They can purchase items online and donate to their favorite nonprofit without spending an extra cent.
There are many ideas for school fundraisers that have been successful in the past, but the new focus has been placed on fundraising through the Internet. Stop worrying about planning and startup costs with traditional school fundraisers and get started raising money online today.
Author Bio:
Get started with online fundraising today, or take a look at some more effective fundraising ideas.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Effective-Fundraising-For-Nonprofits&id=4373475
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