'Beehive' works for change

Imagine: a group of gals with similar ideals getting together over a couple of drinks to change the world.

Nope, this isn't GASP (Girlfriends Appalled about Sarah Palin) Part II.

Political cynics, let me introduce you to the Beehive Collective, a group of women whose mission is to "pollinate giving in downtown Raleigh."

They're creating quite the buzz.

Call them, if you must, Girlfriends Appalled about Poverty. GAP.

Or: Girlfriends Angered at Injustice Today. GAIT.

Or: Girlfriends On Top Of Helping Everyone Live and Love. ... GOTO ... Well, you get the picture.

The collective had its first throwdown, ahem, organizational meeting last May when a group of friends threw a party at a downtown bar called White Collar Crime to raise money to get the hive off the ground.

They raised $1,000 that night.

But their goals were far loftier -- to raise a significant sum and really make a difference with one or two local charities.

Nicole Stewart, one of the founding members, explained that Beehive members are generally youngish women (though I'm told I'm young enough to join, so it's a loose definition).

"We're all on a pretty limited income," said Stewart, who works for an environmental nonprofit in her everyday life. "Most of our members have never given more than $25 to a single group."

But, heck, what does a lousy 25 bucks do to end hunger, find a cure for cancer or liberate the oppressed?

Hive members have pledged far more -- ideally one-half of 1 percent of their annual incomes.

As in other giving circles, the members pool their resources to have a greater impact.

"We want to have a local, direct, long-term impact," Stewart said. "We are not interested in providing a Band-Aid solution."

In December, the Beehive Collective hopes to give at least $10,000 to one or two select charities.

They are "select" charities because members of the Hive solicited and received grant proposals from 16 different charity organizations that fit their first annual theme: economic security and financial literacy.

Remarkable timing, given the events of this fall.

The list of proposals was divided among the collective's 38 members, who reviewed records and conducted site visits to help the Hive decide which ones were most deserving of aid.

Some of the charities are big.

Most are smaller, and newer. Those, Stewart admitted, are particularly appealing. The collective's decision could make a real dent in the bottom lines of their chosen charities.

That's a lot of power to wield.

But this is no power trip for the Beehive board members. Their terms are intentionally limited so the bees are constantly grooming new queens, so to speak.

Hence one of their catchphrases: "inspiring women to lead."

The ultimate goal is not only to help individual charities but also to empower individual women to get involved in Raleigh, especially downtown.

The hope is that the bees will be inspired to share not only their cash but their time and talents.

Funny thing about beehives, the busier they are, the better.

For information about becoming a member or ideas about setting up your own hive, visit www.thebeehivecollective.org.