Information Network's (WIN) strategy is to remedy this. We have developed a "body of information" to inspire and help us distinguish what is real from what is nonsense in our cultural systems. A comprehensive, extensive education/action program has emerged from our 20 years of research.

Cosmically Adequate Dialogues (CAD), a ten-module workshop developed by WIN, empowers people with detailed information they need to make choices that lead to a simpler, healthier, more fulfilling, secure life while drastically reducing economic and environmental burdens. It's a collaborative process equally effective experienced in person or through the Internet. The in-person modules are designed to be experienced in the leaders' homes. The modules are scripted yet modifiable to facilitate interaction. The focus is on optimizing true wealth generation, doing more with less, and you-AND-me orientations.

WIN's Network Economic Team (NET) program encourages (and facilitates) small community groups that put the simple, powerful workshop teachings into practical use. NETs will synergetically/symbiotically encourage/support members while pooling resources to leverage the unique experiences, talents, capabilities of each member. The intent is to simplify and localize acquisition of more and more basic needs. Strategies and support are available for NETs to start/acquire a variety of enterprises (cottage, micro, macro) and to consider joint venturing with other NETs in community-building endeavors, such as co-op markets and local food production, processing, distribution.

A community owned credit union will offer unique, empowering economic solutions, providing greater access to vital resources. It will focus on weaning from debt and transitioning into true wealth.

Describe the critical need your solution addresses.

We are currently solidifying our implementation team for prototyping in early 2009 in selected San Francisco area communities. Documentation is being refined, emphasizing the syllabus for Cosmically Adequate Dialogues workshops.The awakening/mind-changing to enable ALL people to live a full life requires many tools—presentations, conversations, strategies—designed to meet the "requirements" of diverse audiences. Initially such tools must be useful in San Francisco areas, designed to be easily adapted to other regions.

These tools present a holistic approach to living better using less and in harmony with nature in areas currently operating far from optimally: energy, health, food, housing, transportation, and personal finance. Experts with radically new approaches to each field will be recruited to concretely help people shift to cosmically adequate approaches.As we "open" an area, leaders will emerge to carry out WIN strategies and support systems inspiring people to become part of a grassroots movement catalyzing change. Experience has shown that such leaders will eagerly begin programs in their communities.A thirty-second flash animation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp9yTr6JUG0, an awakening/awareness tool, is being tested. The "story board" for a 20-minute animated movie to introduce WIN concepts/perspectives, is in process.A series of fun, creative, eye/spirit catching one-minute flash animations will proliferate on www.wealthinformationnetwork.org, presenting a variety of interesting ways to "catch" and drive home the importance/practicality/simplicity of the WIN approach.Our prototype includes designs to generate cash flow enabling key players to devote full-time effort to organizing/supporting/sustaining an area's development. We expect that foundations and philanthropists will be interested in supporting our work.We also intend to integrate the Bucky Play and World Game presentations.Funding from BFI would accelerate WIN's project.

Explain your initiative in more depth and its stage of development.

WIN's program exhibits trim-tab qualities by starting in the minutiae of daily life, encouraging simple, small choices leading to fuller compliance with nature's elegant laws.Comprehensive: By rethinking everything, paying attention to nature's clues, operating with integrity therein, the weaning/transition process becomes effective/powerful;Anticipatory: Including nature's elegant designs anticipates evolutionary cycles;Ecologically responsible: When humans understand our essential nature and relationships, then operate in integrity, it is difficult to be out of sync with universe, harm nature or violate the community of life;Feasible: Every component of WIN's strategy operates somewhere very concretely;Verifiable: Successful NETs will be easy to measure with basic economic and sociological tools;Replicable: Since universal laws operate everywhere, never failing, planning around them is easy. WIN's programs are so simple, easy, efficient they can be optimally modified worldwide.

How does your strategy and approach respond creatively and comprehensively to key issues?

Dave Buck, WIN's lead instigator, has substantial experience in major elements of WIN's strategy. Other team members' unique experiences amplify and augment his experience.Our advisory team, includes:Bob Schildgen—environmental author, long time managing editor of Sierra Club's national magazineEllis Jones—PhD, environmental authorJody Bol—consults with UN agenciesTom Wright—consults w/Whole Foods Markets in green packaging, composting, recyclingOfer Erez—started alternative elementary school, teaches alternative health careJon Symes—executive, The Pachamama AllianceSolomon Perry—professional animatorBruce Collery—Local currencyDan Franco—EducationSeveral team members have authored books and numerous articles on topics directly related to WIN's mission—all are committed to alternative education.Empowering local group action is a major aspect of WIN. Our team has extensive experience, from an Israel Kibbutz to serving on the staff of a cooperative supermarket to operating an organic farm CSA. We have experience establishing community groups and seeing them evolve, mature.WIN hosted several public meetings to test our concept, generating enthusiastic response to WIN's vision of making the world work.We have experience fundraising and anticipate success attracting diverse support for our mission.