For this to make sense, please read “What is 48by48?”, “Why 48by48? pt.1”, and “Why 48by48? pt.2”.

Welcome to Pragmatist City! Population: this article. If you haven't guessed it yet, today's article is all about the nitty-gritty details of “How” 48by48 will come together and operate. I am hoping that it isn't all about figures and digits but that it gives you a sense of tangibleness to the ideas I've laid out in the previous articles.

Once again, I implore you to keep asking questions to help me iron out some of the wrinkles and to make 48by48 even better.

How will I accomplish the Primary Objectives/Goals of 48by48?

1. Travel to all 48 contiguous states in 48 weeks.

• Primary means of travel: 2002 Mazda Protoge.

• Estimate miles to be added to vehicle: 17,000

• Trip Order (Tentative): Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico

• Shelter: supporter's homes, camping, hostiles, churches, organizations, and even my car.

2. Serve / Volunteer in each state for a minimum of 5 days or 25 hours.

• 30-50% spontaneous volunteering | 50-70% scheduled volunteering

• Service project will be found by:

• Interacting with people in communities who of local needs.

• People listing projects on the 48by48 website.

• Using the numerous websites that list volunteer needs.

3. Lead by example in the “Service to Others” (STO) lifestyle.

• Finding practical, yet creative ways to help others.

• Always being on the lookout for people to serve.

• Taking others along on the journey and encouraging them in their ability to serve others.

4. Connect people to local organizations and connect organizations to local people (needs).

• Creating a network of companies, individuals, and organizations who are willing help meet the needs of individuals in their communities.

• Will aid people in discovering their strengths and offer suggestions in where they can best use their abilities.

5. Promote the STO lifestyle.

• Create the 48by48 website.

• Blog twice a week about a variety of topics highlighting the STO lifestyle.

• Contacting local and national media outlets to spotlight the STO lifestyle and highlight area needs.

• Participate in events at schools, churches, clubs, and organizations which emphasize STO.

6. Create a variety of resources to help others accomplish the STO lifestyle.

• Book/E-book/Pamphlets Ideas: A guide to volunteering in different environments, how to make the most out of short term service trips, the STO way of life

• Gather data from community leaders, ministry workers, and other experts; using that info to help make service projects better for both the leaders and the volunteers.

• A skills matching survey to help connect people with ministries/organizations according to their interests.

How will I live (i.e. support myself)?

The whole journey will be funded by donations from supporters, groups, organizations, and corporations. I am not a “twisting your arm” kind of guy, so there will be no gimmicky-style fund raising apart of 48by48. My intention is to genuinely help people and that means doing everything I can to not take from those who are already trying to serve their communities. (Example: A church gives grocery vouchers to those coming down on hard times. I don't want to have to ask that church for grocery vouchers so I can eat.) I strongly believe that there are enough goodhearted people who will contribute to this cause and who will help me live from day. (I hope you will consider being one of those people.)

How will I remain accountable?

The old adage: “trust is hard to gain, but easy to lose” is especially true in the present day. This is why accountability and transparency are absolutely crucial for 48by48 to succeed. To hold myself to the highest standards, I will:

1. Assembled a group of trusted advisors who are topnotch when it comes to asking tough questions and combing through the details. This groups is committed to looking through my books, making sure the money and resources received are being used in the most efficient ways.

2. Write a bi-weekly blog where everyone following will peripherally see what their resources are contributing to. They will be able to comment and make suggestions through the online discussion area and will even be able to directly contact me through email or cell phone.

3. Make available, upon request, a quarterly financial statement to those who have financially given.

How you can help?

In the days ahead, 48by48.com will be up and running. Once up, go to the site, and click on the “Support” page. There you will have multiple options on how to be a part of the 48by48 experiment. While there, make sure you join Drew's Back-Pack (the Pack who got Drew's Back!), subscribe to the 48by48 weekly posts, tell at least one other person to check out this crazy thing, and most importantly, start living with others in mind.

 Subscribe to Drewbe.com