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This is one of the situations, in my opinion, that may take time to think through and one which we need to balance the negatives vs. the positive of using the space. While the offer of free space is great, we need to make sure that we would not be constrained from offering services, products, vendors, etc ... that might comply with our mission but do not comply with DMs or that compete with DMs. In the end, this may be the perfect space for us, I just think engaging in the thought process and discussion (as we are doing) is a good idea.
This is my bias with taking it slow with this situation:
I once worked (seems like ages ago but only after my firstborn!) as the ED of a nonprofit that ran a mentor/motivation program in an underperforming Brooklyn Highschool (this is before no child left behind too). Our goal was to raise the kids grades and our sponsor was Duane Reade the drugstore. I always felt a little
uncomfortable with DR sponsoring the program because I felt they just wanted to push their own stuff. Sure enough, the school opened a DR store selling all kinds of DR merchandise, including junk food, soda etc ... and it just plain irked me because I never really thought they cared too much about the results of the program.
Like I said, this ultimately turn out to be the perfect space. Just my 2 cents!
xoxo
barb
Jennifer Dembo <jendem@...> wrote:
Jennifer Dembo <jendem@...> wrote:
Hi Everyone,
Happened to be dialing Sue's number earlier in the evening to talk with
her about my teaching schedule when Erica's email popped up (thank you
so much for following up and
sharing details, Erica!). As I thanked her for presenting this generous
opportunity to us, we started to chat about the vendor decision, and she
and I both wondered about some of the same things that Deb and Kat did
(i.e. what about services like belly casting, or products that in no way
compete with any thing D.M. sells, etc.). So she is going to talk with
the powers that be and get some clarification. If D.M. says absolutely
no vendors, we thought one solution might be to have an info table where
people could at least advertise products or services with printed
materials (all pre-approved by the Vendor Committee, of course!)
Any other thoughts on the vendor thing? Also, if anyone who isn't
familiar with the store has a chance in the near future to take a look
at it, please do so and weigh in on whether you think it will be a good fit.
Thanks so much to all for such a great birthday celebration,
Jen
Barbara Du Pont
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