The Lemonade League Activities Statement v1.0

The form necessary for non-profit tax-free status with the IRS is the 501c3. We have a lawyer helping us with it, but that doesn't mean there's no homework. The following is version 1 of our Activities Statement. Our lawyer will let me know how I need to change it.

Brother Lemonade Breast Cancer Initiative
DBA: The Lemonade League

Mission Statement:

In the midst of the frightening, isolating world of breast cancer detection and treatment, The Lemonade League cultivates clarity, compassion, connection, and courage, and serves solutions with fresh new twists.

We create a world in which personal connections and actions have created the space for conversations in and around breast cancer; increasing survivorship by increasing the chances of early detection and treatment.

Nationwide we serve the general population by providing training and information that encourages regular and more effective exams thereby increasing early detection and treatment. We also serve the breast cancer patient population by providing education and support during and after treatment. We serve health care professionals by supplying training and resources to supplement patient care.

Primary Activities:
Our training services include:
“Squeeze Your Own” exam classes provide instruction for couples and individuals, in an interactive breast exam technique. This opens the dialogue about breast cancer whether or not there is ever a diagnosis in their life.
“Compassionate Communication” classes train individuals and medical providers in identifying the underlying emotional needs of those touched by breast cancer.
“Team Building” classes and materials help friends and family create a support network around a recently diagnosed individual, in order to help that person move forward with his or her treatment.

Since 2004, we have been providing the “Squeeze Your Own” class to private groups, and at music festivals. Our Lemonade League Teambuilding Tips have been spreading by word-of-mouth, as people who were helped with organization parties, have then hosted parties for others who have been diagnosed.
These training services combine to be approximately 60% of the organization’s purpose.

Secondary Activities:
We provide support services and educational materials as sustenance for our training programs. The support services include: meetings, groups, forums, events, and locations for same. The educational materials involve prevention information, detection information, team building leaflets; shower card art program, inspirational card decks, as well as clothing and gifts which help publicize the breast cancer issues and related training(s) we present. These combine to represent 30% of our purpose.

Tertiary Activities:
Info and Resource Services (library, database, hotline, info-line, newsletter, volunteer network, and website) The League avoids repeating the efforts of others and tries instead to compile and link to existing resources where it fits with our vision and mission. We believe 10% of our efforts are expressed here.

Paradise 2007

Well we are home in LaFeria. We drove down on New Year's Day, and I'm still cleaning the dust-critters from the corners, but all-in-all my house is still wonderful. Phil and I had organic grapefruit for breakfast, and we garnished our chile-hot veggie soup with organic avocados last night.

I don't think I ever thought of myself as a person who would have a "Vacation Home" but in reality that's what I have. We spend a few months of winter here, and pick away at pet projects ... tweaking this into what will be our retirement home. I call it "Home" and keep a permanent address here, but the truth is that I live where I work, so this is my retirement/vacation home.

I'm in vacation mode now. There are a few office projects to attend to, but I'm enjoying lounging around with Phil. We have a TV here. It sucks our attention away, so we don't carry one while on the road. Consequently we've spent the last 2 evenings trying to get caught up on the Food Network, and Discovery channels. I do not know whether or not this is a good thing.

The grove is doing well. We were late in getting here, so the tangerines and Meyer lemons are gone, but there are still avocados and grapefruit. We have a lovely blanket of grass choking out any weeds, so it's very lush out there. It means we have to use more compost, but we prefer the carpet grass to the dusty fresh-tilled option.

The 3 acre grove is still a magical place for us. Since we don't use it as a commercial crop, we don't chase wildlife out of it. We've still got Chacalacas and a small owl out there. Green Jays and small parakeets fly through every morning, and there is evidence of those opossums near the back of the grove. They like avocados. A couple of winters ago, it was war ... live traps and trips to the wildlife corridor as I tried to get more avocados than the opossums. This year it seems to be less worrisome. So far.