Friends of Wild Iris is a non-profit organization created to support the community space traditionally represented by Wild Iris Books. We have found that the mission of a “safe space” for our community often differs from the motive of a for-profit organization. We want to continue to provide a community center for the sharing of ideas and exploration of how we can better impact our society.
As Friends of Wild Iris is still being developed, most of what you find in this site is subject to change. We are open to all suggestions and concerns so look through the site and feel free to contact us. Additionally, our board meetings are open to public. Please give us your input. If you are here, then you ARE a Friend of Wild Iris.
Mission Statement:
To create social, educational and cultural opportunities to empower a diverse feminist community.
Vision Statement:
The Friends of Wild Iris envision a community of empowered people who inspire each other to reach higher levels of self-actualization through celebration of our diversity and appreciation for the inherent value of all people.
Strategic Goals
- To create an organizational structure to empower people to be involved in programs and activities for the Friends of Wild Iris
- To develop financial support for programs and services for Friends of Wild Iris and ensure ongoing financial stability of the organization
- To identify, implement and raise awareness for programs that support opportunities related to the mission statement and vision of the organization
- To establish a grant fund for support of local artists, educators and activists in pursuit of feminist and multicultural activities within the community
- To identify, plan and build future programs and services that meet the Friends of Wild Iris mission statement, including developing relationships with like-minded organizations
Friends of Wild Iris, Inc.
Friends of Wild Iris was established in 2006. Its mission is to create social, educational and cultural opportunities to empower a diverse feminist community. We envision a community of empowered people who inspire each other to reach higher levels of self-actualization through celebration of our diversity and appreciation for the inherent value of all people.
Wild Society
Wild Society is a social network and a multi-site environment similar to wordpress.com and Facebook combined. You can create your own site, choose your own theme and URL and add features and plug-ins. Once you are logged in, you will have access to the entire community including groups, forums, e-mail and friends. Wild Society gives you the resources of a like-minded community to help support and launch your venture. Wild Society is powered by WordPress Multi-Site and BuddyPress social networking. It is owned and operated by Friends of Wild Iris, Inc.
Wild Web Design
Need help customizing your Wild Iris Market store or your Wild Society site? Wild Web Designs has a number of options for you. We can help you write content, design your store, choose and configure a site theme, and develop a Search Engine Optimization marketing plan. Wild Web Designs is owned and operated by Wild Iris Market, Inc.
Wild Iris Market, Inc.
Wild Iris Market is a multi-vendor marketplace for buyers and sellers who envision a world wherein the mind, body and spirit of every conscious thing is strong and whole. The goods and services traded here are produced by those who demonstrate ethical and sustainable business practices and purchased by those who make the commitment to support socially conscious enterprises.
Wild Iris Books, Inc.
Wild Iris Books is where it all started: a feminist bookstore established in 1992 in Gainesville, Florida. We have a long history of supporting feminist, LGBT and liberal artists, authors and musicians. We provide a safe space for alternative views about the world and encourage many to speak their voice and help make a change in our society. We have long celebrated life and diversity and work towards providing a more feminine balance in a very masculine dominated world.
Why Wild Iris?
Well… it all started with Wild Iris Books. None of the current owners was involved in naming the store; so our first question was, “Do we keep the name?” We started researching…
Iris is the goddess of the rainbow, the messenger from the heavens to the earth. The rainbow has long been used in our society as a symbol of diversity. The Iris flower is often thought to represent good news or message. It grows around the world and there are 100s of different species.
After researching, we decided this is the perfect name for what we envision: a place where we can come together to celebrate our diversities and create a new way of being in society, bringing a more feminine balance to the world and developing a community where we can all work and play together in a socially and environmentally responsible way.
