Jan./Feb. 1984 RAIN Page 37 RUSH Hat in the Ring—Futurist and author Barbara Hubbard has taken on the precedent-setting task of running for Vice President as a Democrat, She feels that the office of Vice President could become a sorely needed communication and research center of long range goals and positive options. Barbara believes "there now exists the good will, intelligence, resources, social systems, and technologies to surmount hunger, disease, ignorance, and the threat of war." So far, 25 Positive Future Centers nationwide are working to get the word out. For information, contact The Campaign for a Positive Future, 298 Belvedere Avenue, Belvedere, CA 94920; 415/435-1418. Working Papers for Food Co-ops—Four training manuals for the use of managers and boards of directors of food cooperatives have been published by the National Consumer Cooperative Bank. The papers are "Direct Charge Food Cooperatives; The Experience in Ontario"; "Member Equity"; "Cooperative Food Wholesale Database"; and "Computer Assisted Food Depots: A Critical Examination." The papers may be purchased for $1.75 each or $5 for a set of four. Mail orders to Box 32, the Co-op Bank, 1630 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20009. Rodale Health-Care System—Robert Rodale, publisher of Prevention magazine, has launched a nationwide campaign to reform the U.S. health care system. His "People's Medical Society" aims to educate members about options, encourage competition to hold down fees, shift emphasis from illness to wellness, and redefine the doctor/patient relationship. According to Project Director Charles Inlander, 25,000 people have paid $15 membership fees since April 1983, with 1,000 joining each week. For more information, contact the People's Medical Society at 14 E. Minor Street, Emmaus, PA 18049; 215/967-2136. Boycott of the Month—The Grapevine, a quarterly newsletter that provides information on national and international boycotts, also offers a monthly ready-to-print column. The column mixes up-to-date information and background descriptions of boycotts with a reader-participation question-and-answer feature. The column costs $25 per month from The Grapevine, 217 S. Hyland Street, Ames, lA 50010; 515/292-2875. Good Things from England, Part One— Resurgence, a British journal of the human spirit, has been spearheading the "small is beautiful” movement for the last 15 years. A special offer to RAIN readers—a free copy of the special May/June 1983 issue, "Thoughts from America." The issue includes articles by Robert Rodale, Gary Snyder, and Peter Berg. One year subscription to Resurgence, $20. Resurgence, do Rodale Press, 33 East Minor Street, Emmaus, PA 18049. Good Things from England, Part Two—The Radical English Movement now offers three services to the global movements for social change: alternative English courses for activists who need a better command of English to extend their sphere of action; a Radical Clippings Monthly with news from the British left press; and the Global Alternative Address List, which includes contact information for over 3,500 social change groups, periodicals, bookshops, and publishers. The Radical English Movement, 14 New Road, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX78AD, United Kingdom. Trucking by Bicycle—A 12-page booklet is available to show you how to build a heavy- duty, flexible load carrier for your bicycle. This illustrated booklet also gives plans for a child's seat that attaches to the carrier and for a simple device that supports canvas bags on either side of the rear wheel. $3 ppd. from Bob Pierson, 318 Gaskill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Microcomputer Database—Volunteers In Technical Assistance (VITA) has joined in a joint venture with a California firm to compile a database library for microcomputers to be used and distributed in developing areas. The focus will be on appropriate technology projects that can be applied to local needs and resources. Those interested in sharing expertise in computers and/or A.T. projects can contact Ron Swenson at EcoSystems, Inc., 147 S. River Street, Suite 205, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Profitable Nonprofits—Partners for Livable Places has published Enterprise in the Nonprofit Sector, a book that profiles the experiences of 11 nonprofit organizations in developing income-producing ventures to supplement traditional fund-raising drives. The publication is intended as a resource guide for nonprofits considering or already involved in entrepreneurial activities. The book is available for $7 from the Publishing Center for Cultural Resources, 625 Broadway, New York, NY 10012; 212/260-2010. Nonprofit Computing—The Center for Local and Community Research has launched a newsletter. Using Personal Computers in Nonprofit Agencies, to help organizations use this new management tool. The newsletter covers professional development; generic uses, such as accounting; and specific uses, such as client recordkeeping and program planning. Contact the Center for Local and Community Research, Hotel Claremont Bldg., Berkeley, CA 94705. Strong Foundations—The Foundation Center has published Corporate Foundation Profiles, a detailed analysis of more than 230 of the largest company-sponsored foundations plus summary financial data for more than 400 additional corporate foundations. The center also publishes the widely used Foundation Directory, which describes more than 4,000 private and community foundations. Contact the Foundation Center, 888 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10106; toll free 800/424-9836. Avoiding Fund-Raising Pitfalls—The Taft Corporation has published The Thirteen Most Common Fund-Raising Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, by Paul H. Schneiter and Donald T. Nelson. The 95-page booklet is designed for nonprofit agency executives and board members. The paperback booklet can be ordered for $14.95 from the Taft Corporation, 5125 McArthur Boulevard, N.W., Washington, DC 20016. Neighborhood Development—The Urban Institute has issued a summary research report on Neighborhood Organizations and Community Development by Sue A. Marshall, Neil S. Mayer, and Jennifer L. Blake. With a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the researchers found neighborhood development organization projects were highly successful in producing intended results, although housing, energy, and community development efforts were more successful than others. The summary report is available free while supplies last from Sue Marshall, The Urban Institute, 2100 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037.
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