One of the challenges for a self-organizing, self-managing guild organization is creating value for its members. Currently, we're very much an ad hoc network of members sharing a common interest. With no dues nor external source of funding, it is largely up to us to figure out how to work together to make Chandler Guild membership worthwhile.
Eventually, we'll probably adopt membership criteria, maybe have dues, etc. We may even decide that we'll want to form a legal entity, such as a non-agricultural co-op business, through which to market our products on a scale that aggregates our individual efforts. (This would never preclude your independent and local sales efforts.) But until we collectively make such decisions, we're in 'start up' mode.
There are potentially any number of 'well-wisher' organizations and businesses that would like to see the Chandler Guild succeed that is promoting local, small business and soybean value-added products. So one way we can gain short-term value from Chandler Guild membership is by negotiating collaborative marketing sponsorship agreements with such prospective partners.
Cargill has licensed Mike Richards' Soyawax intellectual property to allow this huge corporation to be a refiner/supplier of soy wax. They might well want to help promote soy wax consumption since it will help sell more of their soy wax.
The Iowa Soybean Promotion Council is a 'put their money where their mouth is' organization that already strongly supports the growing soy wax candle industry. Lots of Iowa soybeans are now going into the production of soy wax. A significant proportion of the soy wax chandlers are Iowa small businesses.
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs wants to promote the 'creative economy' in Iowa. One tactic in this agenda is to recognize and promote microenterprise networks that support the economic sustainability of artists and craftspeople.
We want your ideas:
- Do you think the Chandler Guild should strive to establish a quality-focused brand that will help guild members be recognized among the growing number of soy wax candlemakers?
- Can you think of other organizations that are likely supporters?
- What kind of sponsorship package do you think we should offer to these and other organizations?