Transition Asheville Local Economic Action Group (LEAG)
First Meeting - March 4, 2011
The Group had an authentic experience of the vibrant "deep economy" of West Asheville at the funky, noisy Westville Pub. Present: Roger Bass, Art Freeman, Morgan Markowitz, Jonathan Robert, Cathy Scott, David Wheeler: Facilitator
Meeting opened with a long, drawn-out discussion of whether we wished to be known as the LEAG of Extraordinary Activists, Major LEAGers, or the Economic Justice LEAG of America - results were inconclusive.
Welcome and introductions.
David passed out maps of an estimated Asheville Market Area: "Sustainability in Asheville does not stop at the city limits. There is a large area around the city that is economically symbiotic with Asheville. As the local economy develops, this interdependence will become crucial ... Wendell Berry spoke of the natural ecosystem around us as 'The Great Economy,' upon which we depend entirely for life support and the conditions and resources that determine our smaller human economy ... One of the hallmarks of the dominant economy is its short-sightedness. It hardly thinks past the next quarter, much less about the effect of our actions on the seventh generation to come. Just shifting this time frame would bring about dramatic changes in the shape of our economy."
Jonathan: The Seven Pillars of Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture; Waste Management; Renewable Energy; Green Building; Community Capital; Independent Retailers; and Non-Profit Organizations. "Let's use the tool of the L3C, the low-profit limited liability corporation, which straddles the current 501(c)3 and LLC taxDesignations … A profit-making corporation with a socially responsible mission statement that it must follow. During introductions, it appeared that there was a common interest and concern about a shortage of local investment to finance the transition to a more localized economy. If capital were available, this would be a very good time to start new businesses, as job creation is on everybody's agenda right now."
Art: "A squirrel does not know that there is a recession, because it is living off the local resources. We should be talking about thrival, not just survival."
Morgan has interests and skills to offer ...
Cathy would like to see a socially just economy that providesculturally-appropriate products, and work and business opportunities for minority populations.
ACTION IDEA
Roger: Start a Slow Money-type movement to tie investment to the community and the land.
ACTION IDEA
Jonathan: A Local Economic Summit to bring together all the stakeholders in the local economy to report, cross-fertilize, and learn from each other to coordinate our actions. The group discussed a list of important individuals and organizations in the local economic scene.
ASSIGNMENT: Pick one or more people from the list and interview them about their thoughts and perspectives on the local economy. Explain to them briefly about Transition and its mission, and then LISTEN. Draw them out with questions from the list and improvise more personal, more specific questions on the spot. Goals: introduction to Transition, fact-finding, opening a relationship.
ACTION IDEA
David: MakeItHere.net, a proposed website and game to solicit ideas for import substitutions to build a local economy. "Open-sourcing as an economic development plan." Take around an on-the-wall, paper version of the game to begin the process, build relationships, and also to seek a sponsoring organization to produce the computer version.
A Brief Identification of Transition (THE ELEVATOR SPEECH):
The Transition movement is concerned with the issues driven by peak oil, climate change, and the resulting economic disruptions. The primary strategy to meet these new conditions is economic localization and community-building. We strive for the goals of community resilience and sustainability, so that in these changing times our communities can thrive and not just survive.
MEETING: contact David Wheeler for date, time and location
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
ACTION GROUPS -- CONTACTS
Find a place where your desire for change overcomes your resistence to engaging in anything new because you are too busy. What is more important than the life of our communities and the restoration of our Earth/home? Here are others who are working in areas they feel passionate about, seeking to make a difference locally by building resilience to cushion us from the coming economic and climate shocks. Which areas are you passionate about?
Food and Water
Kevin Bose
kevin_bose@hotmail.com
815-277-7240
Health
Rudi Simko
r.simko@morrisbb.net
702-0343
Housing
Linda Burke
lburke@abtech.edu
776-1303
Energy
Richard Fireman
firepeople@main.nc.us
Reskilling
Stan Corwin
colnstash@att.net
254-3515
Transportation
Jim Barton
jzbarton@gmail.com
318-7418
Heart and Soul
Maureen Linneman
http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/refer.php?s=2725780901&u=22936119&v=3&key=1a2f&skey=0116ceb446&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mynewsletterbuilder.com%2Ftools%2Frefer.php%3Fs%3D2686453919%26u%3D22875375%26v%3D3%26key%3D1c20%26skey%3D46502e5e54%26%20
254-9115
Education
Merima Friedman
merimasfriedman@hotmail.com
450-3076
Local Economics
David Wheeler
davidjudith7@bellsouth.net
254-6795
Neighborhood/Community Building
Chas Jansen
cjansen@mtsu.edu
768-1449
Find a place where your desire for change overcomes your resistence to engaging in anything new because you are too busy. What is more important than the life of our communities and the restoration of our Earth/home? Here are others who are working in areas they feel passionate about, seeking to make a difference locally by building resilience to cushion us from the coming economic and climate shocks. Which areas are you passionate about?
Food and Water
Kevin Bose
kevin_bose@hotmail.com
815-277-7240
Health
Rudi Simko
r.simko@morrisbb.net
702-0343
Housing
Linda Burke
lburke@abtech.edu
776-1303
Energy
Richard Fireman
firepeople@main.nc.us
Reskilling
Stan Corwin
colnstash@att.net
254-3515
Transportation
Jim Barton
jzbarton@gmail.com
318-7418
Heart and Soul
Maureen Linneman
http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/refer.php?s=2725780901&u=22936119&v=3&key=1a2f&skey=0116ceb446&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mynewsletterbuilder.com%2Ftools%2Frefer.php%3Fs%3D2686453919%26u%3D22875375%26v%3D3%26key%3D1c20%26skey%3D46502e5e54%26%20
254-9115
Education
Merima Friedman
merimasfriedman@hotmail.com
450-3076
Local Economics
David Wheeler
davidjudith7@bellsouth.net
254-6795
Neighborhood/Community Building
Chas Jansen
cjansen@mtsu.edu
768-1449
Drop Out of Business-as-Usual/Time to Engage
Partners in Transition,
Current events turn my attention to the timeliness of Transition Asheville’s efforts. Once again we learn of trouble in the Middle East and see oil prices rise suddenly as uncertainty invades the markets. I see this as (yet) another wake up call to the desirability of local resilience, of a Plan B in WNC. With uprisings in Islamic capitals, and in US capitals where long-established worker rights are under attack, I see people self-organizing around mutual interests and self-preservation. I also see people with the power to suddenly shift attention to new collective and inclusive solutions.
So much is now being written and debated nationally and internationally about these current events, it makes my head spin. Even as I follow this historic unfolding, I always turn to consider ways I and my neighbors, friends and family might prepare for any of the most likely ways current events could impact how we’d like to live our lives. And this was the very spirit of the 4 sets of questions pondered in the afternoon session of the World Café at the end of January:
Most critical to the kind of sustained change we all envision are the tasks of continuing these conversations with a widening circle of others and keeping existing action groups viable and growing in number over the long haul. I encourage you to network with some friends, colleagues, and/or associates and challenge yourselves to imagine and initiate some change that turns toward greater resilience through local alternatives and sourcing. Ultimately, there will be as many action groups in every interest area -- energy, healthcare, transportation, education housing, etc. -- as there are different situations where change can be manifested. Some groups will be large and create coordinated efforts with a focus on the long-term; other groups will be smaller and more short-term, focusing on one or two very specific projects or campaigns within a neighborhood, business setting, faith community, or civic group. Much can be done when many hands take a part. The time for the Great Work as we move to the Great Turning is here, now. How will you get and stay involved?
Elsewhere in this blogspot, you can see where the World Café questions led and to leave your comments or ideas. You can also find contact people for the various Action Groups that have begun our community's process of Transition. And however you are involved, remember to share whatever you and others are together doing with the Transition Asheville newsletter (debibrewer@aol.com) so we all can see the uprising we are making for a more balanced life and a more resilient community.
Finally, the actions across the Middle East remind us that all people desire dignity, peace, and a safer world for the next generation - and that change can happen on a scale and at a speed that was not even possible just a few years ago. I hope to see the day (soon!) when populations EVERYWHERE will flood the streets demanding an end to corporate globalism and the attack on our Earth/home it increasingly represents as we move past peak oil. Today would be a good day for all of us to rise up, to demonstrate responsive and responsible actions EVERYWHERE in the hopes that our children and grandchildren will not grow up on an Earth dangerously unlike the one that gave us birth and in communities we no longer recognize.
In Transition, In Solidarity,Chas
Current events turn my attention to the timeliness of Transition Asheville’s efforts. Once again we learn of trouble in the Middle East and see oil prices rise suddenly as uncertainty invades the markets. I see this as (yet) another wake up call to the desirability of local resilience, of a Plan B in WNC. With uprisings in Islamic capitals, and in US capitals where long-established worker rights are under attack, I see people self-organizing around mutual interests and self-preservation. I also see people with the power to suddenly shift attention to new collective and inclusive solutions.
So much is now being written and debated nationally and internationally about these current events, it makes my head spin. Even as I follow this historic unfolding, I always turn to consider ways I and my neighbors, friends and family might prepare for any of the most likely ways current events could impact how we’d like to live our lives. And this was the very spirit of the 4 sets of questions pondered in the afternoon session of the World Café at the end of January:
- What might be the consequences in our lives here in WNC if gas prices suddenly spiked (even to $8/gal.) and supplies here began to dwindle? What beneficial consequences or opportunities this crisis might bring for our community?
- To be proactive instead of reactive, what ideas and/or projects might soften or eliminate the negative consequences in this scenario? Which ideas &/or project might best take priority to move the community beyond oil dependence?
- What would we need to learn &/or acquire to support this preparedness (or resilience) planning? Who would be our local allies and partners in the work to build community resilience?
- What results/changes would indicate that we are moving in the right direction for powerdown planning by next year and 5 years from now? What are some “next steps” your group (or individuals in your group) will pursue to move this community energy descent planning into action?
Most critical to the kind of sustained change we all envision are the tasks of continuing these conversations with a widening circle of others and keeping existing action groups viable and growing in number over the long haul. I encourage you to network with some friends, colleagues, and/or associates and challenge yourselves to imagine and initiate some change that turns toward greater resilience through local alternatives and sourcing. Ultimately, there will be as many action groups in every interest area -- energy, healthcare, transportation, education housing, etc. -- as there are different situations where change can be manifested. Some groups will be large and create coordinated efforts with a focus on the long-term; other groups will be smaller and more short-term, focusing on one or two very specific projects or campaigns within a neighborhood, business setting, faith community, or civic group. Much can be done when many hands take a part. The time for the Great Work as we move to the Great Turning is here, now. How will you get and stay involved?
Elsewhere in this blogspot, you can see where the World Café questions led and to leave your comments or ideas. You can also find contact people for the various Action Groups that have begun our community's process of Transition. And however you are involved, remember to share whatever you and others are together doing with the Transition Asheville newsletter (debibrewer@aol.com) so we all can see the uprising we are making for a more balanced life and a more resilient community.
Finally, the actions across the Middle East remind us that all people desire dignity, peace, and a safer world for the next generation - and that change can happen on a scale and at a speed that was not even possible just a few years ago. I hope to see the day (soon!) when populations EVERYWHERE will flood the streets demanding an end to corporate globalism and the attack on our Earth/home it increasingly represents as we move past peak oil. Today would be a good day for all of us to rise up, to demonstrate responsive and responsible actions EVERYWHERE in the hopes that our children and grandchildren will not grow up on an Earth dangerously unlike the one that gave us birth and in communities we no longer recognize.
In Transition, In Solidarity,Chas
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
WorldCafe: OVERVIEW
To the afternoon World Café participants,
It has taken me a long time to get the work you did in the afternoon session of the World Café online and I apologize for that. But rather than a sprint to meet someone else's deadline, ours is the marathon effort to progressively shift our local culture to greater resilience as we power down.
As you look over the results of the brainstorming we did around specific action areas, you will see that the outcomes are quite uneven and varied. I know that some among you may observe that there is little new in what the interest area groups came up with at the World Café. It is undoubtedly true that in the environmental literature and in the plans of other Transition Towns, these ideas and many others have been researched, adapted to specific situations, and set to work. But now it is WE who are deciding the best way to understand, adapt, and implement strategic changes, not in the abstract, but IN OUR CITY (or neighborhood, or faith institution, or civic group). We are the ones we’ve been waiting for and it is (for now) in our hands or in our hearts to make whatever change we can.
Some World Café participants have asked me how Transition Asheville will organize action groups to move us down the path. My answer is always that, like the Universe, the Transition effort is self-organizing. We use tools like the World Café and Open Space sessions to bring people together and to forge working relationships around shared passions. From there, groups move under their own steam and at their own pace. Until it is decided otherwise, no one is necessarily in charge or overseeing. Rather each person can spontaneously contribute whatever skills s/he possesses to do whatever shared and ongoing conversations suggest most needs doing. This sort of grassroots effort will inevitably be slow and messy, but results come at the right time and are often amazing. Believe it! I’ve seen it.
As you can see in this compilation, many of the action groups identified priority projects and next steps. In addition to these -- and most critical to the kind of sustained change that is called for -- is the task of continuing the conversation with others about how to keep your interest area group viable and growing over the long haul. There’s an agricultural image here that’s not accidental. It refocuses attention on the permaculture principles at the root of the Transition Movement. As we look to cultivate awareness and change on whatever scale and in whatever context, we might well remember to begin with small and slow solutions, and celebrate often!
I want to keep in touch with your action group and to support your work in any way that I’m able. Please keep my in your communication loop (cjansen@mtsu.edu). I also want to encourage you to share the ins and outs of your group process with others interested in Transition Asheville by contributing to the Transition Asheville Newsletter. (Send print-ready-pieces and/or subscription requests if you don’t yet get the Newsletter to debibrewer@aol.com).
I end with a heart-felt thanks for the contributions you have already made to the Transition effort by participating in the World Café. I look forward to the work we may do together on the Great Turning.
Sincerely, Chas
WorldCafe: EDUCATION
Participants???
EXCERPT: The consequences of dramatically higher energy costs?
1. dramatic busing reduction
2. reduce school days/longer days
3. online education
4. local community credit
5. one building schools
6. public space re-used (churches)
7. apprentice model (linked to reskilling) (trade skills)
8. "Dear Abby" column/ Transition Corner/ Mtn. Xpress
CHAS'S NOTE: The education group may have interesting areas of overlap with the Re-skilling groups, though you are up against institutional inertia. There are of course an endless array of opinions about how education should be done. Perhaps the Transition insights of peak oil on one hand and permaculture on the other can be used to bring a new kind of clarity to an ever murky debate. Yours will be a lively group I have no doubt. Where to start and with what next steps?
__________________________________________
COMPLETE NOTES
Question #1:
1. dramatic busing reduction
2. reduce school days/longer days
3. online education
4. local community credit
5. one building schools
6. public space re-used (churches)
7. apprentice model (linked to reskilling) (trade skills)
8. "Dear Abby" column/ Transition Corner/ Mtn. Xpress
Question #2:
Education system teacher development Kit:
- Science
- Economics -- applied math
- Links to greenhouse gas, population, energy consumption
- Social Sciences: studying historical paradigm shifts, and applying to current environment
Workshops for educators
Key questions: WHO is already doing this?
Transition Scholars
Awareness/Consciousness
Enabling [recruiting?] TA members:
- DevelopingCommunication Skills
- Elevator pitch--à standard) and personalized
Working with:
- Schools
- Social organizations
- Fairs/festivals/etc.
- Book study groups
Question #3:
Marketing/communications/PR working group
Professionals to create content and develop
Local Allies:
- Engaged educators:
- Bill Sanderson
- Cindy Byron (SILSA)
- Engaged students
Clean/renewable Energy Firms
- FLS Solar
- SolTherm
- Asheville Greenworks
- Canary Coalition--Avram Friedman
WorldCafe: HEART & SOUL
NOTE: HEART & SOUL is an interest area that came together after the World Café)
Interested folks:
Rachael Bliss
Susan Warren
Meridith
Leahsong
Dee Casey <smokylink@charter.net>
Rasil Savitsky
Rylin Hansen <gammarae55@gmail.com>
Maureen Linneman < reenielin@gmail.com>
__________________________________
From: Maureen Linneman <reenielin@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jan 30, 2011
Subject: Heart and Soul
To: leahsonf@frontier.com
Dear Leah,
Thank you so much for all your work yesterday. It is good to know there are so many potential ways to connect.
Here are the names of the people interested in the Heart and Soul Group. I am happy at this time to be the connector. We are going to look at a date to meet together when I get their emails.
Rachael bliss
Susan Warren
Meridith
Leah Song <leahsong@frontier.com>
Dee Casey
Basil Savitsky
Rylin Hansen <gammarae55@gmail.com> (she may not be on your email list as she came late)
______________________________________
From: Leahsong
Subject: RE: Heart and Soul
To: "'Maureen Linneman'"
Cc: "'Stanley Corwin'"
Date: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 9:33 AM
Thanks, Maureen. I’m delighted to be part of a group with you and look forward to getting together. I’m forwarding your list to Stan, and think he’ll agree that we’re both happy you’re stepping forward as the “connector”.
Leah|
|
WorldCafe: WATER
Participants:
Kevin Bose <kevin_bose@hotmail.com>
Sherry Ingram
??
EXCERPT: Next steps for this group?
Water group will start out with the Food Action Team; have presentations (Sherry, Michelle, Zev) to draw out some people interested in water [issues] & to educate the Transition core; meet with the Transition Hendersonville water work group.
CHAS’S NOTE: If this group has taken any of these next steps in the 2 weeks since the World Café, I and others would love to hear what you’re doing. To know that groups in these interest areas are active in any way is an inspiration to all of us and supports whatever each of us is able to contribute to the collective effort.
____________________________
COMPLETE NOTES
Q #1
Consequences of a gasoline crisis?
Less fossil fuel use will free up water since 56% of water use goes to cooling [machines that extract & process fossil fuels]
Opportunities?
Better understanding of where our [water] resources come from; [how water resources relate to agriculture]; how much fossil fuel is used for current water consumption, e.g., fueling pumps, etc.
Priority ideas/projects?
[Offer education about water conservation and use]; teach people how water issues affect most other issues
Linking Waters; Agricultural Extension Service
____________________________
COMPLETE NOTES
Q #1
Consequences of a gasoline crisis?
Less fossil fuel use will free up water since 56% of water use goes to cooling [machines that extract & process fossil fuels]
Opportunities?
Better understanding of where our [water] resources come from; [how water resources relate to agriculture]; how much fossil fuel is used for current water consumption, e.g., fueling pumps, etc.
Q #2
Proactive responses?
[Better understanding of under-used resources – rain water & gray water collection/use]; [Developing purification systems nearer points of use]
Priority ideas/projects?
[Offer education about water conservation and use]; teach people how water issues affect most other issues
Q #3
What to learn or acquire for preparedness?
How to cope with water shortages]; infiltration; [local water collection systems
Linking Waters; Agricultural Extension Service
Q #4
Metrics to measure change?
Number of cisterns; number of new infiltration sites/raingardens; amount of new porous paving
Next steps for this group?
Water group will start out with the Food Action Team; have presentations (Sherry, Michelle, Zev) to draw out some people interested in water [issues] & to educate the Transition core; meet with the Transition Hendersonville water work group;
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