WorldCafe: RE-SKILLING (1) & (2)

RESKILLING (#1)

Participants???

EXCERPT: Next steps for this group?

• Set up an email exchange list for this group
• Each of this group will do one thing from the proactive list (above) and report back [via email exchange vehicle] about successes/challenges
• Hold another meeting with the other reskilling group

CHAS’S NOTE: This was a very dynamic and thorough group. 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.

WC: RESKILLING (#2)

Participants???

EXCERPT: Opportunities -- [In scarcity we learn] don’t have to know how to do everything; don’t have to own everything; [we learn sharing solutions & engage in skill trading/bartering]; tool sharing

CHAS’S NOTE: Reskilling will be such an important part of the Transition Initiative here. It was great to see so many folks at World Café who felt called to address this interest area. Because the two Reskilling groups did not meet together during the Wold Café, perhaps this might be a next step. If you find that your approaches differ or your assessments of priorities, well it’s good to know. There’s plenty of room for small groups to pursue different projects/ideas that interest them.

______________________________________________

COMPLETE NOTES:

RE-SKILLING (1)

Q #1

Consequences of a gasoline crisis?

• Food supply increases in cost & diminishes in supply; more food pantries
• Community shrinks
• Locks on gas tanks
• Buying patterns would shift; more consignment shops

Opportunities?

• Community sharing/bartering
• Organized, interdependent shipping
• More scooters, biking, walking; shuttle services
• New recycle shops/swap shops for parts, stuff
• Classes in homes; people less isolated [from neighbors]; less depression, more self-esteem, less boredom; healthier
• Less TV time

Q #2

Proactive responses?

• Begin home classes now – Tupperware without the plastic (e.g., canning, bike repair, gardening, sewing, yoga, beekeeping, raising chickens, wood cutting, etc.)
• Meet your neighbors now
• Find other people outside of the hood who want to participate
• Block parties [that include] bartering or sharing (sell/swap/shop)
• Enroll neighbors now in tool sharing, appliances, etc.
• Bring in speakers, share knowledge in homes
• Identify resources for people who’ve lost jobs; work toward job-creation with reskilling work
• Identify skill-set of people in neighborhood
• Identify needs of community/neighbors

Priority ideas/projects?

• Developing community connectedness (potlucks, events e.g., talks, block parties)
• Community gardening in yards
• Skill education in neighborhoods
• Group exploration trips on the bus or on bikes with neighbors

Q #3

What to learn or acquire for preparedness?

• Talk to older folks to regain skills now lost
• Learn who everyone is; learn their passions/skills
• Learn/change community by-laws re: gardening, line drying, chickens, etc.
• LETS (local exchange trade system)
• Legal aspects of sharing tools, etc. [study The Sharing Solution: How to Save Money, Simplify Your Life & Build Community by Janelle Orsi & Emily Doskow]
• Possible communication systems with neighbors (email, list servs, newsletters, phone chains, word of mouth, hand delivery, etc.)

Local allies & partners?

• LETS
• Community neighborhood associations
• Free Skool
• Voluntary Simplicity [courses out of the Northwset Earth Institute]
• NC Center for Creative Retirement & retirement centers
• Local businesses
• ABTech

Q #4

Metrics to measure change? [no responses in notes]

Next steps for this group?

• Set up an email exchange list for this group
• Each of this group will do one thing from the proactive list (above) and report back [via email exchange vehicle] about successes/challenges
• Hold another meeting with the other reskilling group

RESKILLING (#2)

COMPLETE NOTES

Q #1
Consequences of a gasoline crisis?

• Won’t be able to truck in supplies in an economically feasible fashion

Opportunities?

• [In scarcity we learn] don’t have to know how to do everything; don’t have to own everything; [we learn sharing solutions & engage in skill trading/bartering]; tool sharing

Q #2
Proactive responses?

• Barter network
• Natural resources inventory (nuts, fruit …)
• Change shopping habits] e.g., coordinate collective grocery shopping

Priority ideas/projects?

• More connections with neighbors; bonding experiences; land sharing [for community gardens]
• Learning what skills are represented in the neighborhood

Q #3
What to learn or acquire for preparedness?

• How to network (could be a page on the Transition website); getting past the weirdness to build trust; overcome social barriers
• How to compost (Mary Hill)
• Local allies & partners?
• Firefly Gathering
• Free Skool
• Growers School
• LETS

Q #4
Metrics to measure change? [no responses in notes]

Next steps for this group? [no responses in notes]