I don't know if this has already been discussed, but I just thought that, once the shire finally gets up and running, that a toiletry line could be a good way to earn money in a sustainable way. Not only would the natural body lotions, shampoos, soaps, etc, be a good way to keep shire inhabitants clean, but by producing more than is needed, the shire can simultaneously bring in money and add to the shire brand, not to mention gaining increased exposure and awareness of the org.

Just a thought. Plus it'd be fun to make!

Oh, wait, does that go against the non-profit part of the org? I guess money is always necessary and it would only go towards the running of the shire...Anyway, cheers!

That is a really cool idea. A friend of mine's friend started Badger Balm... why not SHIRE SOAP SHIRE TOOTHPASTE... that would be great.
I mean if we are making for our selves we might be able to export... and it lasts so it is the add that keeps on advertising...it might not be a bad idea to incorporate it in as part of phase 2.

It may be possible to create the soap, but sell it at cost to another company. This other company would be a distributor of sorts, and would be able to mark up any products to resell. We will have to look into the logistics of this, since we don't want to get in any trouble for tax evasion. However, that being said...I don't see why there would be a problem with something like that as long as the person who owns the distribution corporation isn't "involved" with The S.H.I.R.E.

Either that, or the "raw materials" are sold to the second company which manufactures the soap.

It would be nice to be rewarded for hard work, but NPO's are designed to prevent just that.

Maybe we can get someone to research that.

Just remember you guys, one thing us "sustainable" guys like to see is LOCAL distribution. Shipping is in a way counter intuitive to the sustainability dogma currently being expressed "out there" in the land of OZ. You WILL be scrutinized by your peers every move you make so make sure you step back and look at your goals from a different perspective. Believe me, I've had my share of defending my actions and ideas! If your name is on it, you'll be called to task in one way or another.
Locavore was the buzz word last year, which attests to the fact that the GREEN movement is actually gaining momentum and numbers. Low impact distribution is the way of the future.

My husband (Strider)and I have been discussing The Shire extensively. We have visions of one day being off-the-grid and raising most of our food, both meat and vegetables to not only sustain ourselves, but perhaps bring in extra income. I realize The Shire wants to be a NPO, but why not set up a Co-op once The Shire has inhabitants who raise/grow the food, perhaps making soap and other by-products (maybe even spinning/weaving) and this could be an income producing as well as community sustaining operation? The Co-op could even make donations from time to time to the expansion/creation of more Shires. I'm loving this forum, by the way!
Teresa