Babes
in Belts
was created from a strong desire to take responsibility for our lives
and safety as we move through continous climate change and economic
decline. By constructing a safe shelter for ourselves and our families
we can
enjoy "peace of mind" knowing we will be protected in the event of
unforeseen natural or man-made disaster.
The desire for a shelter outfitted and stocked for long-term
emergency preparedness spawned the idea to come together as individuals, families and community
groups to help each other. Over the past two years we modeled Habitat for Humanity using volunteers and homeowner sweat equity to
create a Shelter Build Program. The following is the story of our
beginnings and accomplishments that have made Babes in Belts what it is
today...a budding business based in the preparedness sector of
community service.
Social Change
Babes in Belts has facilitated a social change in the Pacific Northwest within a specific group that is now
beginning to diffuse into the greater community. Through scaling down the often
daunting idea of constructing a safe shelter by providing knowledge and training
to the community we have made the prospect "doable" in the minds of many
individuals - especially women. The production of the first DVD titled "Panel
Discussion - the Mechanics of Building an Underground Safe Home " and the investment
in simple Universal Building Plans paved the way for this new acceptance to be replicated
on a greater scale.
Babes in Belts met a need that had been filled only by
professional contractors and skilled builders at a cost beyond the
resources
of many in the group. Expanding its capacity to serve, Babes in Belts
created a
Shelter Build Program that facilitated homeowners (with the funds to
purchase materials) in the construction of safe shelters using
volunteers and homeowner sweat equity.
That program was implemented over the winter of 2008 in partnership with
a single female homeowner.
Preparedness Expo
Construction of a shelter also involves outfitting and
supplying it. Babes sponsored the Preparedness Expo in 2007 , the first of its
kind in the local community. This brought "preparedness awareness" to the
broader community and provided a platform for local vendors to share their
knowledge, experience and products on a greater scale. Supplies for outfitting
and stocking a shelter, as well as expertise on construction, were made
available. The Preparedness Expo established a replicable model for continued awareness
and marketing growth in the preparedness sector.
Vendors offered products and services at a local level with
"hands on" selection capability, which made learning about preparedness
products simpler and more accessible than existing alternatives. Buying local
is a commitment to the future. It is making a long term investment to keep
the economy circulating locally, which supports efforts toward building
sustainability across the board. Every purchase was an expression of that
commitment.
The initial and overwhelming response of the community to
the concept Babes in Belts presented generated a Board of Directors
with the intellectual
capital and resources to establish a non-profit. Time and energy were
invested in researching how a non-profit "incubates"; investigating
models of large and successful non-profits, consulting lawyers and
collaborating with Habitat for Humanity.
Volunteers were recruited to assist with Installers Workshops conducted by George Volker, a representative for Logix Insulated Concrete Forms - a manufacturer and supplier. The proceeds from these events were donated toward Babes in Belts effort to become a non-profit. Before the end of the
first year and before filing for non-profit status the original Board of Directors resigned one by
one. Fiscal responsibility fell to the Founding Director. Under the advice of an accountant the taxes were filed with the IRS on behalf of Babes in Belts
as a Corporate Sole until a non-profit could be established.
Expanded Venue
In the second year of operation the Founding Director expanded the
venue of Babes in Belts to include emergency medical preparedness, dome building for underground
shelters and solar energy installation amid its ongoing
workshops on shelter construction. The website for Babes in Belts was launched
in January 2008 with the volunteer help of Shelley Lucas, a local graphic artist and Rosy
Tyler, a webmaster who moved from Georgia to attend Babes' events.
Two more DVDs were produced to facilitate
ongoing outreach and replication. Bimonthly "Babes Gatherings" were hosted at the local community Grange hall and
a new Board of Directors was formed in July of 2008.
In that same month homeowners were contacting Babes about recruiting volunteers for their projects. Babes had already
initiated ongoing "volunteer training" by assisting with enrollment into
Habitat for Humanity programs and were carpooling to construction sites
. The
new Board took on the task of designing the Shelter Build Program along
with a Volunteer and Project Manager Program. Over 40 volunteers were
recruited within weeks. Babes in Belts signed on
with its first Homeowner to build a 24x50 underground safe shelter in
August 2008.
State Certification
Babes in Belts was never touted as a
construction crew. The
idea was to motivate a community to help one another to build safe
shelters. And that it did. Many ideas surfaced on different ways to
construct shelters - from earth bags to quansets, as the idea of
community support grew. When the Shelter Build Program was implemented
it soon became clear
that not many people had time away from their jobs to give, nor did we
truly comprehend the
length of commitment involved. Building during the winter months didn't
support the estimated timeline of 2 months. It took 5 months to
complete the project.
Meanwhile, communication with the
community and hosting new
workshops came to a near halt, as did income. Babes in Belts filed for
and received non-profit status with Washington Sate in September.
Before the certificate was received in the mail two board members
resigned, the treasurer and the vice president. By October a third
board member quit - all leaving the responsibility of their posts to
the Director and remaining two board members.
As with the original board, the work of
becoming a 501(c)3 remained secondary to the "activities" of the
organization. During the tenure of the second Board of Directors the
"organizational structure" of Babes and Belts was never fully
developed; no financial reports; no buget meetings; no treasurer. No opportunity for grants. The idea of helping individuals and families with the costs of shelter construction and building independent communities with group shelters was consequently set aside.
Separation of the Non-profit
Before filing the taxes for 2008 an
appointment was made with the Secretary of State. The Director learned
that there were actually two legal "entities" created. It was shown
that Babes in Belts International exists as a non-profit with
Washington State. It remains acitve until August 2009. If no activity
is demonstrated it will dissolve on its own.
Babes in Belts also existed as an
unincorporated entity with the IRS. It was then incorporated with
Washington State and coupled with the EIN filing with the IRS. The
Director filed the 2008 taxes under the Corporate Sole and
suggested that the non-profit board be dissolved until future interest
is demonstrated. At that time there were only two board members
remaining plus the Director.
What is important to remember is not
that we created something that failed, that will be ignored or should
be disparaged. What is to be remembered is that we did in fact open the
door on knowledge by educating, training and facilitating the community
with much needed information about the construction of safe shelters.
Our work will continue to be of benefit to many as Babes moves into the
greater community. The resources, tools and information will continue
to be made available.
There are many people needing our
assistance in learning how to downsize, become more self-reliant and
and find once again their continuity with our changing Earth and our
future. Babes in Belts stands as a beacon for many who are standing at
the threshold of making those changes.
Diane Dondero
Founder/Director
Diane Dondero is the author of
Udderly Simple Dairy Foods, a self-reliance cookbook. She has trained and worked
as a disaster reservist for Washington State Emergency Management for over four
years. As the Founding Director of Babes in Belts International and Babes in Belts, Inc. she has
hosted seminars and workshops to inform and train hundreds of men and women in
the construction of emergency shelters.
She is an advocate for taking self responsibility for our protection and safety and is a long time practitioner of
self reliant living. Diane currently works as a consultant with individuals and families to assist in "
creating a plan" for emergency preparedness. Her focus is on extending her
reach to the broader community through public speaking, teaching workshops and
consulting to share her knowledge and experience.
