Steering Group Meeting Minutes: 6:00–6:30pm, Tues. 28 February 2012
Facilitator: Don Recorder: Sari
Present: Members present are underlined on list below
Visitors: Pam Medina, Linda Sivilich, Ira Josephs
SG Members: Aleisa Myles, Carol Kennedy, Chris Martin, Don Kennedy, Ellen Morfei, Frank Nuessle, Jim Wurster, Marion Yaglinski, Kathy Lundgren, Lori Imbesi, Marie Goodwin, Medard Gabel, Meenal Raval, Mary Jo Corley, Martin Pepper, Robin Harper, Sari Steuber, Christine Casullo, Tam Mengine, Howard Bailey.
Opening Review of the agenda
1. Working Group reports:
a. Food (Aleisa): Has held 3 joint meetings with the TimeBank, supporting the Crop Mob project, to be launched with the March 27th event. Don & Aleisa have been talking with farmers and restaurateurs to discuss what’s needed to source more local food in Media.
b. Energy (Chris): Has been collaborating with AFewSteps.org, focusing on faith-based groups & their buildings. They visited Beth Israel synagogue and are helping them evaluate their energy usage and decide what improvements to make next. Chris & Phil Coleman (AFewSteps) went to a conference by the Interfaith Coalition on Energy and discussed a possible project, running a competition among faith-based groups to be the most energy efficient. This project could extend to small businesses as well and the group would like to work with the Media Business Authority on this.
c. Economy (Marie): Sari reported for Marie. The Economy group is sponsoring the book group on Wed. nights, currently reading Sacred Economics by Charles Eisenstein. Planning to work on supporting local businesses through the TimeBank.
d. Health Care (Mary Jo): Sari read Mary Jo’s report. Group met Thursday, Jan. 26th, discussed 6-month goal (to identify people who will participate in the proposed center) and 1-year goal (to have a cost structure & business plan identified), discussed possible sites (Elwyn, other buildings in Media), who should be included (physicians, nurse practitioners, herbalists, massage therapists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, etc.), want to include education & support, e.g. for smoking cessation, diabetes, healthy eating, etc., possibly start with a pilot program of a small group of people, could allow payment in Time Dollars, volunteers might come from RN programs, massage schools, WON Institute, one manager should be paid position.
e. Heart & Soul (Ellen): Don read Ellen’s report, which included the mission of the group (an opportunity to share feelings that arise from challenges of present conditions, a safe space for people to connect, & meaningful events to build a supportive community); held 3 meetings to date, one specifically as a support group for the members who attended. Possible projects include an “idea wall” (inaugurated at the Feb. 28th event on Health Care), possibly having one at Plum Street Mall related to the upcoming event; incorporating a “Happiness Index” for Media.
f. Recycling/Zero Waste (Kathy): Kathy hopes to call a meeting soon and involve Chris Pieretti (MyKitchenHarvest), Bob Seiple, Jim Wurster. Possible projects: make a chart of local businesses & municipalities & their trash/waste stats; thinking about a demonstration public composting toilet in Media; and looking into architectural recycling through National Salvage Clearinghouse & ReStore. Would like to extend this to all of Delaware County.
g. Outreach (Don): Initial meeting held Feb. 20th: discussed some grant proposals (tabled, not ready for that); Carol agreed to organize staffing of info tables at events (e.g. 4/14 Environmental Fair); planned the topics for the next 3 monthly events; discussed next-level training on March 10-11 (hope to videotape it); discussed new website & what’s needed to complete it; discussed new brochure, Frank said he would work on it.
h. TimeBank (Marie): Sari reported for Marie. The most recent community partner is the Media Business Authority, which we will partner with to support local businesses and possibly a local currency. The Crop Mob project will be launching with the March 27th event. Marie & Ellen requested members put in any new offers & requests; asked members to interview other members who haven’t participated much to find out why & what could be done to facilitate their participation.
2. Events Calendar: reviewed quickly due to lack of time
a. March 10-11 – Next-level training
b. March 13 – It’s About Time (monthly social to introduce people to TTM & TBM & their members)
c. March 27 – 4th Tuesday event – Crop Mob launch & celebration of local farmers
d. April 14 – tabling at Environmental Fair, Strathhaven High School
e. April 20 – tabling at West Chester environmental event
f. April 26 – 4th Tuesday event on a Thursday – Garbage Warrior film
g. May 20 – TTM/TBM presentation at Providence Friends Meeting event
h. May 25-26 – TT/TB/Permaculture Networking Event (replacing our 4th Tuesday event for May)
i. Transition Town training, led by Michael Brownlee & Lynette Marie Hanthorn, at Pendle Hill, October 11-14
j. Fair Trade Live Concert, October 21
3. Announcements: another quick review
a. 18 acres near Rose Tree Park made available to us. Working with Greener Partners to make it an edible forest with learning center for Permaculture
b. Borough Council has allotted $2500 for the EAC to promote home energy improvements
c. Marie Goodwin & Christine Casullo are starting a CSM (Community Supported Medicine)
d. March 4th Hillside Farm CSA kickoff
e. April 24th Bill McKibben speaking at Swarthmore College
4. Next meeting:
Time = 3/27/2012, 6-6:30pm; Place = Media Borough Community Center, 301 N. Jackson St., Media
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