They Bought the Farm

Orren Whiddon
1-15-2001
    From the January, 2001 Members Muse
    announcing the Capital Funds Drive
    to purchase Four Quarters

When I started Four Quarters it was not my intention to found a community, become a "monk" or ever, ever, ever sell my land to anyone. Land is my heart and soul. But the big picture changes, our perceptions of it change and I know I have certainly changed. It seems very clear that together we have begun something special here, that draws the very special people who create their own unique magic and momentum. I for one am very curious as to where it will all end up, because believe me, we are just at the beginning of what we and Four Quarters can become. And finding out will require permanence, and that requires land; space and place, set and setting.

A number of times I have stated in these pages my intention to make it possible for the Members of Four Quarters to purchase this land, provided they show the willingness and wisdom. And now looking back over the achievements of the last two years it is clear that you have shown these qualities beyond a doubt.

This year’s Stones Rising had a profound effect on me, and I have spent the following three months examining the Church’s books and my own heart, with the view of transferring title of the Leisinger Tract to the Church. I have concluded that the Church does have the financial resources necessary, and that the membership can make the required financial commitment. And I have reached a place where I can smilingly see my name removed from the deed to a large part of this land that I love, and freely give my own ownership interest to this most amazing, completely crazy, profoundly moving and deeply committed group of people who have so changed my life.

But it is not as simple as my "giving" the Leisinger Tract to the Church. The land is encumbered by a mortgage, and even if that were not the case, I would not "give" the Church the land... it is for you to make it your own.

In March of 2002 the existing mortgage of $75,000 will come due, and at that time either I must refinance the property or sell it. I have proposed to the Board of Directors that the Church make the commitment to purchase the property for the price I paid for it six years ago, $125,000. For my part I will hold a second mortgage on the property of $50,000, with the written understanding that there are to be no mortgage payments made to me and that upon the expiry of the term of the mortgage my interest will pass irrevocably to the Church. It will then remain for the Church to arrange financing for the $75,000 balance, and there lies the challenge.

Because a bank views this as commercial property a differing set of standards apply than what one would expect of a conventional home mortgage. The Church can expect higher rates of interest, shorter payment periods and higher required down payments. Working against us are the facts that the Leisinger Tract has no deeded right-of-way access, sewer or grid power. We must also realize that once the Church has committed to purchasing this property there is no fall-back position. The property must be refinanced; we cannot risk losing the property because Four Quarters cannot exist without it. And we must be in a strong financial position to purchase the property, relative to the ups and downs of a mortgage market that may be moving into recessionary times.

I have begun preliminary explorations with a number of local banks and relayed what I have learned to the Board. I believe the Church must commit to raising a large cash down-payment for the property over the next sixteen months and that our target figure should be 50% of the mortgage amount, approximately $40,000. Yes, that is a lot of money, but the Board has developed a two-tier plan that should do just that.

First, the Board has made its own commitment to raising $20,000 by very careful budgeting of the 2001 season’s income and expense. As outlined in the accompanying financial statement and budget, over $36,000 was expended last year on new equipment, building materials and the purchase of the Members Village. By returning to 1998’s level of reinvestment in the camp’s infrastructure, combined with there being no new down-payments due on the Members Village, we should be in a position to free up $20,000 towards the Leisinger Tract in 2002. The budget does have money allocated for camp maintenance and to finish weatherproofing the Kitchen, but it will require that we purchase no new major equipment and begin no new construction projects for the 2001 season.

Secondly, through a Capital Funds drive the membership must raise $20,000; all of us working together. This is a significant commitment and represents the largest single-year funds drive ever attempted within the EarthReligious-NeoPagan community. Again, it is a lot of money, but we do have a history of success. In October of 1999 we announced the Funds Drive to purchase the Members Village, and by Spring 2000 we raised just under $10,000 for the down-payment on one acre and a single building. In July, title to the property was transferred to Four Quarters, for the use of its members, held in perpetuity. To purchase the Leisinger Tract we must raise twice that amount in twice the time towards purchasing a much more valuable asset. 50 acres containing the Main Stage, Meeting Hall and Showers; the Fairy Cairn, Sweat Lodges and one-half mile of creek as far as the Hemlock Hole; the Heart of Four Quarters.

The planning for the Capital Funds Drive began this fall with a very close look at the budget, a frank analysis of where the money comes from and where it goes. The Devil, as they say, is in the details. As a member you should take pride in Four Quarter’s ability and willingness to publish such a detailed accounting for its membership, in fact you should demand no less of any nonprofit that you choose to support.

We have begun preliminary inquiries of local banks towards developing our strategy for securing the necessary loan. Our intention is to have selected a lender and made application for the loan by late summer of this year.

The Board of Directors and Members Advocates have made their own personal commitments towards purchasing the Leisinger Tract. To kick off the Capital Funds Drive they have made gift commitments of over $5,000 in addition to their existing monthly pledges; so we are already 25% towards our goal.

Because this is a funds drive for a onetime capital purchase, and because of its very real importance, we will not be including any commitment cards with this mailing. Instead the Board of Directors and some of our most supportive members have made the decision to personally promote and explain this campaign to you. So a few weeks after you receive this issue of the Members Muse, you will be getting a letter and then a phone call from your Campaign Coordinator. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Capital Funds Drive, supply more detailed financial information, and make a suggestion for your participation. We hope that you will give your participation serious consideration.

In closing, I should like to remind all of us that in our small way we are in the process of making history. EarthReligion is important. More than that, I believe the EarthReligious perspective can and must make a real contribution towards solving the problems of diminishing resources, climate change and cultural diversity that will be our common challenge in this new millennium. Four Quarters is developing into an organization that can meet and carry that challenge. Through the purchase of the Land of Four Quarters we are creating binding ties that will not be broken, capable of supporting work of ever increasing scope. That in time will lead to an EarthReligious Institution of national prominence. I believe this is our future, and that we are beginning it now.