There already IS an organization that stands up for chicken welfare (like the Poultry Liberation Front idea). It is called United Poultry Concerns - and the premise is that chickens should not be exploited even in small backyard flocks. It is a vegan organization, that believes people should not eat chicken eggs, chicken meat, etc.
ANYHOW - back to the Association for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Backyard Poultry Keepers (better name, better acronym forthcoming) - I would ask, is this idea is already within the mission of another existing organization?
It is a lot of work to make a new organization - and too often it is easy to become focused on the organization instead of the work that the organization sets out to do. I know, as the founding board member of a couple of organizations, and as the first paid staff person at a couple others.
Is this within the realm of SPPA? (Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities) or is that org too focused on heritage breeds vs. modern backyard poultry keeping?
This org we're talking about would potentially:
* develop a clearinghouse of resources for backyard poultry keeping - compiling some of the best fact sheets from extension services across the country, for example.
* develop a set or sets of model bylaws for urban, suburban, and rural situations
* develop support materials, to be customized locally, for chicken law reform
* play a role in speaking up for small flock poultry keepers at the national level
* provide strategic advice and mentoring to local poultry organizations
* provide information to local advocates to support state law revisions where needed, perhaps in conjunction with small farm advocate organizations (where they exist - there could be an affiliate status)
What else?
It could focus on information distribution and dissemination, and thus be an educational, non-profit charity.
I actually have some connections that might be able to help make something like this happen. I would think that a board of directors might come in part from several of the local orgs that have been working on poultry advocacy. If this sounds of interest - I'd suggest, as a next step, to brainstorm a list of people and/or organizations to invite to the discussion - and thence to have a conference call to determine whether this is an idea with serious interest.
I think it does have merit, and would like to hear what others think of the above outline.
In order for such an organization to be financially viable, those of us who have legal status to keep chickens would probably still need to become involved as members/supporters. Personally, that is an org that I'd be willing to support financially - but I'm the type of person who is a member of many orgs.
Again, I'd like to hear what others think!?
ANYHOW - back to the Association for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Backyard Poultry Keepers (better name, better acronym forthcoming) - I would ask, is this idea is already within the mission of another existing organization?
It is a lot of work to make a new organization - and too often it is easy to become focused on the organization instead of the work that the organization sets out to do. I know, as the founding board member of a couple of organizations, and as the first paid staff person at a couple others.
Is this within the realm of SPPA? (Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities) or is that org too focused on heritage breeds vs. modern backyard poultry keeping?
This org we're talking about would potentially:
* develop a clearinghouse of resources for backyard poultry keeping - compiling some of the best fact sheets from extension services across the country, for example.
* develop a set or sets of model bylaws for urban, suburban, and rural situations
* develop support materials, to be customized locally, for chicken law reform
* play a role in speaking up for small flock poultry keepers at the national level
* provide strategic advice and mentoring to local poultry organizations
* provide information to local advocates to support state law revisions where needed, perhaps in conjunction with small farm advocate organizations (where they exist - there could be an affiliate status)
What else?
It could focus on information distribution and dissemination, and thus be an educational, non-profit charity.
I actually have some connections that might be able to help make something like this happen. I would think that a board of directors might come in part from several of the local orgs that have been working on poultry advocacy. If this sounds of interest - I'd suggest, as a next step, to brainstorm a list of people and/or organizations to invite to the discussion - and thence to have a conference call to determine whether this is an idea with serious interest.
I think it does have merit, and would like to hear what others think of the above outline.
In order for such an organization to be financially viable, those of us who have legal status to keep chickens would probably still need to become involved as members/supporters. Personally, that is an org that I'd be willing to support financially - but I'm the type of person who is a member of many orgs.
Again, I'd like to hear what others think!?
Last edited:
