Troubling News, the Magic of Rotary, Crisis Update and Good News, New Impact Offerings, and Vision for Regenerative Development
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Apologies Amid Troubling News
This morning, we should be sending our weekly list of new impact crowdfunding offerings. Our listing will be late this week. I apologize.
The reason for the delay is troubling. Most of you are likely unaware of the crisis unfolding in Bangladesh, where my long-time colleague and friend Chandan Saha lives. Over 130 mostly student protestors have been killed by police in the country this week.
The government has imposed a highly effective communications blackout. No internet. No texting. No messaging apps. Chandan and I have not communicated in days. I suspect things are much worse than we’re reading in the Western Press because there is no way for news to get out.
A curfew has been imposed nearly 24 hours a day. Streets are largely empty. Police have been authorized to shoot violators on sight.
Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick on the Magic of Rotary
tl;dr:
Introduction and Background: Stephanie Urchick, President of Rotary International, discusses her role and the significance of Rotary's international convention in Singapore, where the theme "the magic of Rotary" was highlighted.
The Magic of Rotary: President Stephanie shares a personal story from the Dominican Republic about installing water filters. This story emphasizes the transformative impact of Rotary’s work on communities, particularly in providing access to clean water and improving the lives of families.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: President Stephanie underscores the importance of creating inclusive environments within Rotary. She advocates for Rotary Clubs to mirror their communities to ensure everyone feels a sense of belonging and inclusiveness.
Polio Eradication Efforts: The conversation includes an update on Rotary's ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, highlighting the progress made and the dedication of frontline workers in challenging regions like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Community Engagement and Adaptation: President Stephanie discusses the importance of adapting Rotary meetings to be more inclusive and accessible. She provides examples of clubs changing their meeting times and formats to attract a diverse membership, ensuring that more people can participate in Rotary's mission.
A Crisis Update and Good News
Update on the Crisis in Bangladesh
First, I want to thank members of the SuperCrowd community who have poured out heartfelt concern for Chandan and his family in Bangladesh. After reading Monday’s post, which served in part as an apology for not delivering our weekly list of new offerings on schedule, dozens of you personally responded to me (and others likely to Chandan directly), expressing concern for his welfare and appreciation for his work. Thank you all!
News of Another Sort: Welcome to Jonas Lyberger Thorpe
Call me G-dad or G-pa. Don’t call me Grandpa. I’m thrilled by my new role in life, but I'm not ready to embrace the very age-appropriate title that comes with the birth of my beautiful new grandson, Jonas Lyberger Thorpe.
My son Dayton and Kelsey, his wife, who have been together for a decade, are proud parents, and I’m thrilled for them. Jonas weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds 15 ounces, a remarkable size given that his tiny mother weighed little more than that before giving birth.
Jonas is healthy, as is his mother. She is completing a postdoc at Stanford; Jonas was delivered at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital on campus. The care was extraordinary. Every possible health check for mother and baby has been completed. Both are healthy and home.
Jonas was born on Sunday evening. I could have included this exciting update in my post on Monday, but frankly couldn’t bring myself to pair my good news with the life-threatening crisis facing Chandan. I hope you and he will forgive me for crossing that line today.
BlocPower Energy Services Featured Among New Impact Offerings - July 24, 2024
Each week, Superpowers for Good shares a list of new impact-related offerings added to FINRA-Registered crowdfunding portals and by broker-dealers. We’ll share four separate lists:
Impact offerings determined by our proprietary analysis.
Offerings with minority founders.
Deals with women founders.
Those with LGBTQ founders.
Sometimes, it takes weeks for our source to determine that a company has a social impact, a woman, minority or LGBTQ founder. When we discover an offering qualifies for our list, even if it is no longer new, we will include it. See the lists below.
Transforming Spaces: Stefan Martinovic’s Vision for Regenerative Development
tl;dr:
Innovative Real Estate Projects: Stefan Martinovic is a real estate developer focused on sustainable and regenerative projects. His company, Circular, has three major projects in New York: an agritourism resort on an old dairy farm, a standalone restaurant down in the Hudson Valley, and an urban gourmet mushroom farm in Harlem.
Agritourism Resort: The Livingston Farm project involves transforming a historic dairy farm into an 80-room regenerative agritourism resort. It integrates agriculture with hospitality, offering farm-to-table cuisine and accommodations that blend with the landscape. The resort aims to educate guests on sustainable practices and includes restoring the property's ecological health.
Sustainable Dining: Circular's restaurant endeavors include a formal dining restaurant and a casual café on the resort property, plus an off-site restaurant called Wren of the Woods in the Hudson Valley. These establishments will feature locally sourced, responsibly prepared food, leveraging waste products in composting and other regenerative practices.
Mushroom Farm and Waste Recycling: The mushroom farm in Harlem is designed to upcycle food waste from Circular's restaurants and other sources into a productive growth environment for organic mushrooms. This initiative highlights the company's commitment to sustainability and creating closed-loop systems.
Raising Capital for Expansion: Stefan and his family have invested significant personal capital into these ventures. They are now seeking to broaden their investment pool through small change offerings, inviting community members and other investors to contribute. The goal is to complete land acquisition, obtain necessary permits, and move forward with construction and operation phases.
These points summarize the core aspects of Stefan's innovative work in creating environmentally sustainable and economically synergetic real estate projects.
Investing and Crowdfunding 101
Investing and Crowdfunding 101 with Samreen Arshad and Devin Thorpe
Powerful Investments: How Crowdfunding and Small Actions Drive Big Change Devin
This show was originally shared here Podcast Show Doing Business with a Servants Heart
Discover the power of purposeful investing with our special guest, Devin, an authority in regulated investment crowdfunding. Devin explains how you can start making impactful financial investments with as little as $5, not only to earn returns but also to foster positive change. We focus on companies like Climatize that make it easy and meaningful for anyone to invest in climate solutions and community projects. Expect to be inspired to take immediate action towards creating both personal and communal impact.
Take a fascinating journey through a story of perseverance with insights from my interview with Bill Gates. Learn about his relentless efforts with Rotary International to eradicate polio and get a peek into his personal life, including a memorable bridge tournament in Hawaii with Warren Buffett. Gates' unmatched patience and dedication serve as a lesson for us all. We wrap up with a deep dive into the transformative potential of impact crowdfunding, showcasing how small investments can lead to significant advancements in local communities and technology. Join us for an episode packed with inspiration and actionable insights that underscore the power of collective action.
Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar
If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.
Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on August 20, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.
SuperCrowdHour, August 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, we host a value-laden webinar for aspiring impact investors or social entrepreneurs. At this month’s webinar, Devin Thorpe will provide a “Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capital from the Crowd.”
Recently, we created an AI GPT to help you learn more about The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, and our upcoming events. Click here to try it.
Community Event Calendar
Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events
Community Capital Live: Betty Francisco and Aliana Piñeiro of Boston Impact Initiative - Virtual Event: July 31, at 2 pm ET
Main Street Skowhegan and NC3 Entrepreneur Finance Workshop Series, September 17 - November 19, 2023.
Crowdfunding Professional Association, Summit in DC, October 22-23
If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 8,000+ members of the SuperCrowd, click here.