Monday, November 10, 2008

Why Every Local Organization Needs Their Own Proactive And Interactive Website

Update

November 10, 2008 - December 1, 2008

Local organizations; including churches, that have a membership base should have a proactive and interactive website.

The vast majority of websites that are currently online are inadequate for "21st Century" community needs and reality. Many local clubs, organized groups and churches do not even have a website. The following are just a few of the reasons why having a more proactive and interactive website is beneficial:

1. Increased productivity - Important messages can be posted, rather than typed and distributed.
2. Improved accessibility to leaders, administrators and/or staff - Message services and boards can be easily added to any site. Forms and documents can also be completed online; rather than in person.
3. Lower operating expenses - More meetings can be done online as well, thus lowering the cost of utility services and fuel.
4. Lower expenses mean a greater savings to members as a unit -These additional savings should encourage members to increase donations and contributions.
5. Improved operational efficiency - Bulletins, schedules, communications and forms can also be posted online and downloaded.
6. Members can shop locally, nationally or internationally and compare quality or prices , thus reducing the cost of fuel and maintenance on vehicles.
7. If dotws is used instead of dotcoms, increased revenues for community programs and sponsored activities.
8. The more individuals and families can do online, the more money and fuel individuals and families can save.

How To Order Complete Computer Systems For Individuals, Families Or Groups

The number below is a direct line to Mr. Murray. He will handle these purchases personally or a member of his team. In order to insure low cost factory direct prices, you must ask for the Bayne Street Computer Special.

Call: 1-800-846-2042 Ext 23781
9 am - 6 pm - Monday thru Friday
After Hours: 1-585-406-2746

Mr. Murray and his staff can not answer your questions about Bayne Street. To find out more about The Bayne Project, contact us directly or read our blogs.

Paying For Computers And Continued Online Access

We have also solved the problem of paying for computers and staying online. The money saved in the Bayne Street Project's grocery service alone will pay for the computer, continued Internet access, essential household items, fuel for the car, van or truck and pay bills. If there are families or individuals that you know of in your community with online computers that need to save more money or increase their income, send them to the Bayne Street Project at:


Examine our services and programs for yourself for authenticity, accuracy and legitimacy. If you are satisfied this is a start, have them find my name (George Sistrunk) and join all the programs. All programs are free to join. You can even join yourself, setup your own blog or website and organize your community, neighborhood, friends, family, co-workers, congregation (If a church), members (if an organization) or other groups or clubs to work with you.

Even though the online programs and opportunities we have investigated, researched and represent will explain themselves, someone from "The Bayne Street Project" will be there to assist them and answer any additional questions they or you might have.

The bigger this network becomes, the more reliable services and programs we can bring on board and the more revenue will circulate within our communities. This will allow more families to effectively cope with the rising cost of living. Interested individuals can also call me at:

1-803-534-6727
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Monday - Saturday
Ask for George Sistrunk if I do not answer the phone personally.

If this telephone line is busy, call our 24/7 answering service..
1-800-331-1274 Extension 39125

All anyone has to do is leave his/her name, telephone number and the best time to contact him/her. Someone from Bayne Street will call you back as soon as possible. If you establish your own project, have them call you or someone you designate for this purpose. Thank you for reading... Naturally, any computer/s you purchase and donate to a church or any non profit community based program organization is tax deductible.

George M Sistrunk
423 Bayne Street
POB 217
Orangeburg, SC 29116

Additional Online Information & Resources

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Why Every Family Or Individual Needs His/Her Own Home Computer And Internet Access

Update

October 17, 2008 - November 9, 2008

In order to take advantage of Bayne Street's programs or any Internet-based resource, program, information or service, individuals and families must have their own home computer, a printer and Internet access.

Our services and programs are packaged together for a reason. Each service or income program supports the other; thus making it possible to increase savings or maximize potential income. By encouraging adults, young adults and especially families with school-age children to engage in and pursue legitimate and beneficial activities on the Internet, we can begin the process of developing beneficial or more productive mind-sets that can impact and change an individual's or group's precepts and concepts.

Among the most important mind-sets are self help, personal initiative, higher community standards, personal responsibility, YHVH (GOD) consciousness, respect for others, legal authorities and educational institutions, and self discipline. Our collective history; as a nation, has already proven government sponsored programs have more liabilities than benefits. Plus, more government sponsored programs mean higher taxation.

More taxes increase financial burdens on families that are already struggling with declining discretionary income. Working minority families have been behind the proverbial "8 ball" for hundreds of years. Using advanced, in-home, computer technology can move many of these families out in front of it for the first time in modern world history. Having an online home computer system with a printer to distribute information or to print documents, puts the power of advanced technology in every home.

Acquiring Home Computer Systems For Adults And Families In Your Community

As stated previously, the rising cost of living is depleting available financial resources for many families. In addition, Bayne Street's field testing has revealed many families across America also have credit related problems. Therefore, whatever in-home computer system an individual or family can use beneficially becomes a problematic acquisition issue.

The Bayne Street Project has taken the first major step to empower individuals and families. It is now possible for any and every family to be empowered with advanced in-home computer technology. Any person can purchase a highly advanced, Internet- ready, home computer system, direct from the manufacturer at the lowest possible price. We even have a national lender for all 50 states.

Even these efforts are not enough. Consequently, we are also contacting churches, entertainers, clubs, associations, civic organizations, business groups, professional athletes, authors, radio and television personalities, celebrities and foundations to help purchase computers for families that need them. However, non profit community based groups and churches must contact these individuals and organizations that have the financial means to purchase computers. By doing so, more individuals and families that need them, can acquire them and use them.

Anyone can help in this massive project by encouraging relatives, families and people he/she knows with school-age children to acquire a complete home computer system, either locally or online. Individuals and families can also purchase an advanced computer system at factory direct prices from the manufacturer we have contacted for this specific purpose. If purchased from the manufacturer, online and telephone assisted training and support services are available for first-time users.

That's why it is important to encourage first-time users and others to go online. You can also encourage intelligent, influential and concerned others in your commuity to do the same by making it possible for credit challenged families to acquire low cost; affordable, but, highly advanced computer systems. Individuals or families with good credit or cash money can acquire their own. Entire communities, towns and cities can organize themselves for this purpose.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Still Immersed

Update

August 6, 2008 - October 16, 2008

Since May 31, 2008, the members of Bayne Street's Ad Hoc Committee have been continually immersed in personal, family, business and professional matters.

These personal, but extemely important matters have severely limited and restricted the amount of time we have been able to devote to the project. We had hoped that the situations, circumstances and the series of events that descended on the committee at the end of May would have subsided by now, but they haven't.

In fact, in many cases, personal situations worsened and this includes the passing of beloved family members. However, we are undaunted and will continue our work and commitment to bring more working families and computers together. We firmly believe this is most effective strategy to cope with new actualities that will emerge as the 21st Century nears.

The recent upheavels in the world's financial markets that have wiped out billions in investment portfolios are just the beginning of a worsening economic crisis. The world's oil crisis that exploded the price of fuel and consumer goods and services upward is not over either.

The news is not all bad, in fact, for Bayne Street participants in South Carolina, the news is exceptional good. We have recently allied ourselves with a national effort to accumulate $30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million Dollars) over the next 5 years, barring any unfortunate circumstances and events. The lessons we learned earlier this year played a significant role in our decision to join this effort.

More about this in our next blog post.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Immersed

Update

June 1, 2008 - August 5, 2008

Currently all members of the Bayne Street Project's Ad Hoc Committee are immersed in personal, family, business or other concerns.

There is very little time on a daily basis to devote to the Project. Even the acting Chairman, George Sistrunk, is heavily involved in personal and family matters that are consuming the majority of his time.

Since being on the Ad Hoc Committee is voluntary and not mandatory, the Project is not growing as rapidly as it did during the first 4 months. However, all the members are looking forward to the day when the situations, circumstances and problems that have arisen over the past few months abate, so they can return to building and growing Bayne Street.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Raising The Awareness Level

Update

May 1-15, 2008

During this month we began raising the awareness level of foundations that can fund computer acquisition for the economically challenged.

This includes individuals and families with no credit, slow credit or bad credit. Our goal is to pave the way for community organizations, churches and other non profit civic groups to contact major state and national funding sources. By the end of this month, we will have contacted every major community and educational foundation in every state, except Alaska and Hawaii.

The first 15 days during May, Lorraine Primrose also temporarily stepped down as Chairperson of The Bayne Street Project because of personal, business and family reasons. She will be missed and we hope to have her back soon. George Sistrunk has assumed the Chair and will direct Bayne Street activities until Madame Chair returns to her duties.

May 16-31, 2008

Bayne Street has also received the technical specifications for The Bayne Street Computer Special. It is Gateway's model DX441S, with monitor and printer included. Because we now have a flyer with the computer, we are going back to every home that did not receive a picture of the computer, monitor and printer, to give these individuals and families an opportunity to purchase this system at factory direct prices.

A blog page has already been setup for the computer. Go to Bayne Street's navigation links to view the computer and its technical specifications. We will post a link to foundation sources and other non profit funding sources in our next post. Our blog page with the DX441S computer was temporarily blocked by Google. They thought our computer special was a spam blog.

We do not believe in spamming because it serves no useful purpose. In addition, spammers are annoying, nauseating and an online nuisance. Who wants to buy a product or use a service from anyone that uses underhanded tactics to sell them? The answer: No self-respecting person.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Empowerment In The 21st Century

The Bayne Street Project
Empowerment Through Advanced Technology

In this age of advanced technology, everyone needs to be empowered to sustain and maintain himself/herself.

However, empowerment is much deeper and more involved than many of its advocates realize.
Glib phrases, slogans, mottos and sound bites are great for talk shows, adverts, popularity and income from advertisers, but in the real world they are empty and useless. This is evidenced by the continued deterioration of African-American communities after trillions spent on anti-poverty programs and the growing influence of gangs and criminal activity in many neighborhoods across America.

In this post I will also discuss:

1. 43 Years Of Activism And 43 Years Of Failure
2. One Of The Greatest Community Projects Of Our Time
3. Bringing Families, Computers And The Internet Together
4. Why Every Family Or Individual Needs His/Her Own Home Computer and Internet Access
5. Acquiring Home Computers Systems For Adults And Families In Your Community
6. Why Every Local Organization Needs Their Own Proactive And Interactive Website
7. How To Order Complete Computer Systems For Individuals, Families Or Groups
8. Paying For Computers And Continued Online Access

43 Years Of Activism And 43 Years Of Failure

Many talk about empowerment, but few really comprehend what it actually involves.
Think about this. Which would you rather see? More young adults carrying laptop computers or knives and guns? Interacting online or joining gangs and killing each other off line? Sitting behind computers or costing you millions in tax dollars every year sitting behind bars? Which is better? More heads of households struggling financially or meeting their monthly expenses?

The choice is clear. Buying a computer for financially challenged individuals or families that need them is a one time thing. Paying for the cost of prisons, unemployment insurance or social service programs can go on for your entire lifetime. Many times in life, you will discover, the simplest approach... is far more often than not... the most effective approach.


For 43 years empowerment advocates stressed education and voting. Well..after 43 years and billions spent on educational programs and voter registration drives, more American families are worst off now than ever before and we have more dysfunctional educated people than ever before. Don't get me wrong. There have been successes.

However, when you compare the successes to the failures, the successes are dwarfed by the enormous size and extent of the failures. That's because few empowerment advocates realize empowerment is an inclusive and holistic process not a selective one. Even though everything said and done to promote it and encourage it is better than nothing, unless it gives a definite advantage to the individual or an individual family, empowerment as practiced and promoted today, accomplishes very little.

"Advanced In-home Computer Technology", which is an essential element for individual, family and even community empowerment in today's changing socio-economic environment, was not readily available or accessible 43 years ago. Contrary to popular belief, the overwhelming majority of families in America are not online. And just as many have bad credit, slow credit or no credit.

Therefore; in order to empower more families we need to begin the process of bringing home computer systems, American families and the Internet together. Community-based programs that do not recognize or address the real socio-economic forces that are impacting families and our youth are doomed to fail or destined to become irrelevant or relics of the past.

One Of The Greatest Community Projects Of Our Time

There are few causes in America that are as big as moving entire communities into the "Information Age of Advanced Technology" that is the 21st Century. The reason: The information and economic resources that are available on the Internet can be harnessed to benefit more people. Here are some additional reasons why this must be done as rapidly as possible:

The economic dynamics on planet earth have changed. America's growth and expansion was dramatically enhanced by having access to cheap fuel and cheap energy. Those days are gone forever. All the major industrial centers and countries that were decimated during World War II are back and competing with us for available natural resources.

Hundreds of factories and plants have already closed and moved overseas. Our country is no longer the industrial or economic center of the world. The cost of fuel, food and other essential items will continue to rise. It is becoming far more difficult for people who want to work to find good jobs or second jobs in traditional employment markets to help with increased living expenses.

In many communities across America, more of our young women are selling themselves for rent money, and more of our young men are becoming comfortable being street thugs and gangsters rather than scientists, engineers, architects, professionals or civic, industrial or government leaders. You must always remember: Every street gangster is somebody's child.

"Street gangsters" are feeders in the social order, not developers of it or beneficial contributors to it. If you don't believe this, look at any neighborhood where the gangster mentality dominates. "Street gangsters" live, feed and breed on a community's vices, ignorance, fear and immorality. Remove them and the "street gansters" gradually disappear by adopting more conventional lifestyles, mind-sets and intellectual vocabularies. There is no project greater in our time, than moving entire communities forward into the "Age of Advanced Technology"; especially minority communities.

Bringing Families, Home Computers and the Internet Together

A major paradigm shift has occurred that is not going to reverse itself. Let us not mislead or deceive ourselves, there is very little our government can or will do to curve the growing economic power and political influence of the European Union, Canada, Japan, Korea and China. In this New World Order, there is no place for the uneducated, undereducated, backward or ignorant.

Minority communities will not raise themselves up in a modern industrial society without major shifts in their intellectual approach to advanced technology. Ghettoeze and Ebonics do not, can not and will not build a common cell phone millions carry around with them and use everyday. Science, chemistry, physics, manufacturing and mathematics are languages that are excruciatingly precise.

Because of these rapid and unexpected changes internationally, the Internet has become a viable alternative that can help thousands of families save more money or increase their income. In this century and the next, empowerment will mean knowing how to use advanced "in-home" computer technology to take advantage of Internet-based resources and income opportunities.

Families do not have to struggle to make ends meet if they understand how to utilize the services, programs, information and legitimate opportunities that are available on the Internet. It is about time community leaders and program directors start using this resource that is readily available and accessible to any American family.

The Bayne Street Project was organized to help adults and families with school-age children acquire home computers to access Internet-based information, self help sources, income opportunities and educational resources. For example: Every participating family in the Bayne Street Project can increase their income from $100.00 to $500.00 a month, or save up to $100.00 a month or more or a combination of both by combining services and programs.

These programs and services do not replace traditional income sources for the vast majority, nor can they. However, they can enhance or supplement them. You develop a similar project for your community, church, organization or club.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Local Business Flyer

Bayne Street's Business Flyer


The Bayne Street Project
Ad Hoc Committee



Why Every Employee Needs A Home Computer
& Unlimited Internet Access

The cost of fuel, food and other essential items will continue to rise. The Internet is a viable alternative that will help you and your employees save money. Your employees do not have to struggle to make ends meet. In addition, moving all your employees into the "Information Age" will allow your business to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Work schedule changes can be posted online. Employees will have 24/7 access to information bulletins and a convenient method to contact the company in the event of family emergencies, illness or transportation problems.


Employees can be updated in real time when it comes to company programs and activities. Finally, by taking advantage of Bayne Street's programs and services, you can give all your empolyees a raise at absolutely no cost to you.

Ad Hoc is a Latin phrase that means “for this purpose”. For this purpose we have organized ourselves to help school-age children acquire home computer systems to access Internet-based educational resources; to help our families and every family in our community economically by providing the means by which any participating family can increase their income from $100.00 to $500.00 a month, save $100.00 a month or more or a combination of both. The Internet is rapidly becoming the means by which families can access money saving services, educational resources and lower expenses.

In order to take advantage of these Internet-based resources, your employees must have their own home computer and printer.


Arrangements have been made with a leading manufacturer that will allow you to purchase an Internet-ready computer complete with monitor, printer and software direct from the manufacturer. The following number is a direct line to Mr. Murray. He will handle your purchase personally or a member of his team. The money you save from using our grocery service alone will pay for it and unlimited Internet access.

Call: 1-800-846-2042 Ext 23781

9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Monday to Friday
After Hours: 1-585-406-2746
(Financing is available for qualified buyers)
Ask for the Bayne Street home computer special

After your employees get their computers and connect to the Internet or if employees have computers that are already connected to the Internet.. have them...

Go to: http://baynestreetsignup.blogspot.com
(Find your contact person and enroll in all the programs. If you need further assistance, contact the person whose name is on this flyer. He will explain these programs to you.)

Your Contact Person is George Sistrunk
803-268-0716
1-800-331-1274 Mailbox 39125
(24/7 answering service - 24 hour delay before message is answered.)


Monday, April 14, 2008

Church Flyer

Bayne Street's Church Flyer


The Bayne Street Project
Ad Hoc Committee



Why Every Church Member Needs A Home Computer

Factories and plants are closing and moving overseas. The cost of fuel, food and other essential items is rising. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to find a job or a second job to help with expenses. The Internet is rapidly becoming the means by which church members can access money saving services, educational resources, earn additional income and lower family expenses to meet these new economic challenges. These are advantages church members need.

In addition, moving all church members into the "Information Age" will allow your church to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Bible study can be conducted online, as well as church business meetings and group discussions. Members will have 24/7 access to church leaders and information bulletins. Members can be updated in real time when it comes to church sponsored programs and community activities. Finally, tithes and offerings can be donated much more conveniently and easier online .

Ad Hoc is a Latin phrase that means “for this purpose”. For this purpose we have organized ourselves to help school-age children acquire home computer systems to access Internet-based educational resources; to help our families and every family in our community economically by providing the means by which any participating family can increase their income from $100.00 to $500.00 a month, save $100.00 a month or more or a combination of both.


In order to take advantage of these Internet-based resources, church members must have their own home computer and printer.

Arrangements have been made with a leading manufacturer that will allow you to purchase an Internet-ready computer complete with monitor, printer and software direct from the manufacturer. The following number is a direct line to Mr. Murray. He will handle your purchase personally or a member of his team. The money you save from using our grocery service alone will pay for it and unlimited Internet access.

Call: 1-800-846-2042 Ext 23781
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Monday to Friday
After Hours: 1-585-406-2746
(Financing is available for qualified buyers)
Ask for the Bayne Street home computer special

After you get your computer and connect to the Internet or if you have a computer that is already connected to the Internet

(Find your contact person and enroll in all the programs. If you need further assistance, contact the person whose name is on this flyer. He will explain these programs to you.)

Your Contact Person is George Sistrunk
803-268-0716
1-800-331-1274 Mailbox 39125
(24/7 answering service - 24 hour delay before message is answered.)


Keep This Flyer For Future Reference. Do Not Discard.



Update: April 16-30, 2008

The meeting scheduled for Monday night at 7:30 p.m., April 14, 2008 has been rescheduled for a later date to be announced. During the interim, Madame Chair agreed to diversify our community activities to include churches, clubs, organizations, non profits, schools, businesses and professionals. George Sistrunk will develop the necessary fliers and post them on the blog so any Ad Hoc Committee can use them.

The entire Bayne Street Project operational base in the Fairground subdivision in Orangeburg has been completed, except Sprinkle Avenue. 287 families in this area have been given Bayne Street flyers. 80% of the Heritage Subdivision has been completed. 300 families have been given Bayne Street flyers. In addition; 128 churches across America have been contacted and 250 families in Brentwood, North Brentwood and Williams Plaza Subdivisions have been exposed to Bayne Street programs.

Activity Analysis

Contacting African-American churches via the Internet has proven to be a major problem. The reason: The overwhelming majority do not have functional websites. The vast majority of email addresses and contact information have proven to be bogus or outdated. An unexpected large number of churches have not updated their web pages in 1 or 2 years.

The response from our operational base has also been disappointing when it comes to actual computers ordered. This is significant because, individuals and families can not take advantage of Bayne Street programs without computers. For May and the remainder of 2008, The Project will move out of poverty pockets in the Orangeburg area into the mainstream.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Revised Community Flyer

Bayne Street's Community Flyer


The Bayne Street Project
Ad Hoc Committee



Why Your Family Needs A Home Computer


Factories and plants are closing and moving overseas. The cost of fuel, food and other essential items is rising. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to find a job or a second job to help with expenses. The Internet is rapidly becoming the means by which families can access money saving services, educational resources, earn additional income and lower family expenses to meet these new economic challenges.

Ad Hoc is a Latin phrase that means “for this purpose”. For this purpose we have organized ourselves to help school-age children acquire home computer systems to access Internet-based educational resources; to help our families and every family in our community economically by providing the means by which any participating family can increase their income from $100.00 to $500.00 a month, save $100.00 a month or more or a combination of both.

In order to take advantage of these Internet-based resources, you must have your own home computer and printer.


Arrangements have been made with a leading manufacturer that will allow you to purchase an Internet-ready computer complete with monitor, printer and software direct from the manufacturer. The following number is a direct line to Mr. Murray. He will handle your purchase personally or a member of his team. The money you save from using our grocery service alone will pay for it and unlimited Internet access.

Call: 1-800-846-2042 Ext 23781

9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Monday to Friday
After Hours: 1-585-406-2746
(Financing is available for qualified buyers)
Ask for the Bayne Street home computer special

After you get your computer and connect to the Internet or if you have a computer that is already connected to the Internet...

Go to: http://baynestreetsignup.blogspot.com
(Find your contact person and enroll in all the programs. If you need further assistance, contact the person whose name is on this flyer. He will explain these programs to you.)

Your Contact Person is George Sistrunk
803-268-0716
1-800-331-1274 Mailbox 39125
(24/7 answering service - 24 hour delay before message is answered.)


Keep This Flyer For Future Reference. Do Not Discard.





Update: March 20-31, 2008


During this time period, George Sistrunk established a relationship with a leading computer manufacturer to address the issue of obtaining enough Internet ready computers for participants. Several participants in the original ten committee members were replaced because of a variety of different personal reasons.

The new additions to Bayne Street are:
Reginald Jennings
Nikia Purnell
Saundra Robertson
Linda Kaartinen

Replacing
Otis Harrison, Ken McClellan, Dorothy Waymer-Synder and Alpha Josie. Otis Harrison will still work closely with the committee as obligations permit.

On Thursday March 27, 2008, George Sistrunk and Reginald Jennings did a test market of 200 homes in the Heritage Subdivision to determine response ratios and how many homes in that particular area had computers.


Update: April 1-15, 2008

The results from the initial test market were dismal. This is what we discovered after a follow up evaluation.

1. Out of 200 homes, none had home computer systems.
2. Credit worthiness is a major issue.
3. The vast majority can not connect intellectually; how having a computer will benefit them.

New strategies were needed and a revised flyer that dealt with the need to have a home computer system. George Sistrunk completed these objectives and the revised flyer was posted on the blog on Sunday April 13, 2008 along with the blog updates. A meeting was called and will be held at 423 Bayne Street on Monday night, April 14, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the following:

1. How to get local finance companies involved.
2. How to get local churches, schools and other non profits involved.
3. How to get well known celebrities involved.
4. What needs to be done to get 500 computer systems into local homes within 30 days to establish momentum.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Bayne Street Community Operations

Meeting Update

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

At approximately, 11:45 a.m., George Sistrunk called Madame Chair to inform her that all the Bayne Street Blogs were complete.

During the conversation it was discussed and agreed that all the social and business networking sites Madame Chair had investigated would be added to one of the blog pages under "Online Social Networks Of Interest". Some of these online networks are of particular interest because they may fall within Bayne Street's guidelines.


It was also agreed to emphasize the need to have a printer connected to the computer during our telephone conversations with project inquiries. Since many Dell laptop computers need special adapters, this is important, because the coupon service requires participants to download and print their own grocery coupons.

In an earlier meeting, Edward C. Grahman and Otis Harrison stated this issue of complete computer systems, availability and access to and/or ownership of complete computer systems with the correct software package is essential to Bayne Street's growth.

Since Orangeburg does not have that many people that are computer literate, it will be necessary to develop a program concept that will effectively address this issue; not only in Orangeburg, but in other communities as well.

Since the vast majority of people coming into Bayne Street will not need sophisticated computer systems, George Sistrunk recommended going to Orangeburg Business Machines to examine their available inventory of pre-owned systems with at least 900 Megahertz clock speed, a 10 Gigabyte hard drive and Internet ready.

However, the Committee is aware that even their available inventory might not be enough to meet our needs. Since OBM builds all Independent Marketing Group's computer systems, they would be a good place to start. During the interim, other avenues will be explored.


Bayne Street Community Operations

Late Monday evening, March 17, 2008, Dorothy Harley from YEP Enterprises, suggested we define Ad Hoc on the flyer. She reasoned, there are a lot of people in Orangeburg that are not college graduates and seeing Ad Hoc might create unnecessary confusion. This suggestion was adopted and presented to Madame Chair.

Madame Chair agreed and another language change and addition altered the flyer again.


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

At approximately 8:45 a.m. a called was placed to Sir Speedy Printing to determine the cost of 100 flyers on gold paper. The cost is $11.00 plus tax. This information was relayed to Madame Chair (Lorraine Primrose). She accepted the price as reasonable and authorized actual field operations to begin on Monday, March 24, 2008, with 1,000 flyers. Each Committee member will purchase his/her own flyers and the entire Committee will help distribute them throughout Orangeburg.

During the interim period, we will formalize telephone responses and take the leadership in all programs so each Committee member will have working knowledge and experience with all Bayne Street programs. In addition, Madame Chair will continue researching the Internet for additional programs and opportunities that comply with the following Bayne Street guidelines.

1. Income opportunities must be free to join and benefit the participant individually. Recruiting and/or sponsoring is not necessary to earn income.
2. Money saving programs must be free to join and benefit the participant without recruiting and/or sponsoring others. This must be optional.
3. All money saving programs and/or income opportunities must benefit the vast majority; rather than a small group or niche market.
4. Earnings and/or savings must be realized in a relatively short period of time, even though payout requirements might take longer.
5. No Internet junk programs. (Offers products and/or services of little or no value).
6. No modified Ponzi Schemes where spots are purchased in legs or chains.
7. All income programs must have a verifiable and beneficial product or service.
8. No income or survey programs that rely on the purchase of products to earn income.
9. No income or savings programs based on points or use points instead of cash.

Bayne Street Community Operations

The Bayne Street Project has now entered actual field or community operations. Blog entries will be weekly or daily depending on what is actually happening in the community. Orangeburg is a small town. Therefore, our starting and operational cost will be lower than a group organizing in a major city.

Plus, we may not have as many people connected to the Internet as you might have in New York City or Paris, France. More people already online in large cities gives Ad Hoc Committes in those areas an advantage we don't have in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Nevertheless, there will be challenges to overcome regardless of where your Committee is located. These blogs were established to show anyone how to organize his/her neighborhood so that he/she can help himself/herself; as well as, help his/her friends and neighbors meet the rising cost of living by taking advantage of programs and/or opportunities that will help all participants.


Meeting Updates

March 16, 2008

On March 16, 2008, Otis Harrison, Edward C. Graham and George Sistrunk met at the Huddle House restaurant on Calhoun Drive in Orangeburg, South Carolina to discuss operational logistics and ways to successfully implement and improve the Bayne Street Project. It was acknowledged that all of us owe a debt of gratitude to Lorraine Primrose for coming up with this idea.

Otis Harrison suggested the flyers be community specific. That is, each flyer would target specific areas of Orangeburg based on a street or well known landmark. For example, his flyers would have Downtown Orangeburg, rather than Bayne Street. This idea was adopted and would be presented to Madame Chair for approval.

Otis Harrison also suggested removing Business Development and replacing it with Neighbor Helping Neighbor. He reasoned that this would remove any commercial orientation, make the project more community oriented; plus, (according to Otis Harrision) this would best identify what we are actually doing in our neighborhoods and the Orangeburg community at large. This idea was also adopted and would be presented to Madame Chair for approval.

Edward C. Graham suggested that we focus on the importance of being connected to the Internet, rather than just having a computer or access to a computer. His reason: Many people might have computers that are not Internet ready; while others might have computers that are not connected to the Internet at all. These language changes were adopted and would be presented to Madame Chair for approval.

Edward C. Graham also suggested putting each person's name and phone number on the flyers as a contact person, especially if a committee member actually lives in the neighborhood. This idea was adopted and would be presented to Madame Chair for approval.

Otis Harrison suggested putting a definite time period to call, so Madame Chair could schedule her day accordingly. Members whose phone numbers would be on their flyers would also have a definite time period to be ready for and handle calls. This idea was adopted and would be presented to Madame Chair for approval.

George Sistrunk suggested completing all the links and giving each person that has his/her links completed the responsibility of getting links from the others and giving the links to him so he can put them on the signup blog. Blog link generators do not open links in new windows.

Therefore, he had to insert the code for that manually and it is time consuming for each individual link. He suggested putting everything in at once, then all he would have to do is go back and insert individual IDs, rather than insert individual IDs and the code. This idea was adopted and would be presented to Madame Chair for approval.

The target date for actual operations to begin would be changed from Monday, March 17, 2008 to Monday, March 24, 2008. This would give us time to get approvals from Madame Chair, make any changes she suggests, alter concepts she did not approve of and get the final flyer copy to Sir Speedy Printing.


Monday, March 17, 2008

At approximately 9:30 a.m., George Sistrunk contacted Madame Chair and presented her the ideas that were discussed in the Sunday meeting. She approved the ideas, langauge changes and start date. He also stated he had decided to leave Balck Planet for personal and business reasons.

Madame Chair stated that our objective at social networking websites is to make contact and introduce as many people as possible to Bayne Street's family concepts. She would set up a page at Black Planet and continue making contact with intelligent or interested others. George agreed to stay a little longer.