We’ve been working flat-out since late 2016 and have decided to take a break for a few weeks. I realize that ‘companies’ don’t take breaks but we’re not a traditional company. We’re more like a project.
That existential musing is part of the reason why we’re taking a break. As we said in our March 2018 report:
“What we’ve not learned is how to sustain ourselves financially. We’ve boot-strapped the organization since October 2016 but in reality, that has meant the Co-Founders putting personal resources towards keeping things going. That is not sustainable. And, while some health care organizations might become pilot sites on a consultancy basis, we’re not clear that will be enough to sustain us. Over the next few months, we’ll be exploring our options.”
It’s important to be clear. We’re not saying the work is in any danger of ending. We’re just trying to decide what vehicle we need for it.
In late 2016, we convinced ourselves it was a US-based nonprofit. But that may no longer be right. For instance, we’ve been slowly deepening our relationship with Collaborative Consulting and it may be that we can work through their infrastructure (or someone like them). Also, in the UK, where I, with my Bridging Health & Community (BH&C) hat, have founded a project called Beyond Systems, the Steering Group have been clear that the intended work is neither a BH&C project nor is there any desire to found an organization to house it.
So, all in all, we’re thinking about whether it’s possible to separate the work we hope to do from having an organization.
I’m sure we’ll surface in a few weeks with a new plan. Indeed, we’re slowly laying the foundations by updating our implementation tool (I love the clarity of the new design) and re-issuing our eBook, Communities Creating Health (I’m reminded just how good many of the chapters are). We’ve also challenged a group of committed citizens in New Zealand to create their own version of BH&C (or Beyond Systems). Let’s see if they rise to it.
Rest assured that this is only a ‘break’.
More in due course.
