All posts by Chris Alemany

Energy, Groups

EDAP

Leave a comment

(From Dan)
I will attempt to post the notes that I will be taking to this evening’s meeting on a prospective Energy Descent Action Plan. This is a deceptively simple document, as you will easily see by comparing it to either the Kinsale or Totnes EDAPs, but then, I wrote it. What seems apparent is that there will be many obstacles in setting out and refining the final document, and even more challenges in implementing its provisions. The first and greatest challenge is that the present group is hardly representative of the attitudes and processes in effect in our community as a cruise through the local online forums will clearly show. This leaves us with a couple of preliminary tasks:
1) engage a broader community in the discussions
2) ensure that the broader community is armed with all the information they need to make responsible decisions

…after which we can proceed to a more formal plan and adoption thereof.

I understand that it’s hard to make meetings, and, having attended a career’s worth of meetings, I also know that sitting through most meetings is about as much fun as trying to talk to the dental hygienist through a rubber dam, but we need to be driven by a sense of urgency linked to the degradation of our living space and the course set by current administrations that is taking us increasingly in the wrong direction.

AVTTEDAP

KinsaleEnergyDescentActionPlan

http://totnesedap.org.uk/book/

Event, Meeting, Minutes

AVTT Meeting – Minutes from Feb 16

Leave a comment

My apologies for not getting to this quicker. I gotta remember not to give in to the urge to write notes rather than type them directly… just not very efficient!

Anyway, I will do my best to summarize:

#1 Meet and Greet Members
In Attendance: Chris, Dan, Edna, Myron, Colin, Rob Powelson (new member!)

#2: Permanent Meeting Place
– We met in the basement of Echo Village (the retirement home across from “Echo woods”). It was a nice room, very large, would be great for movie nights and it’s free for AVTT to use. Dan indicated the catch is that we can not pre-book long into the future. That said, he doesn’t anticipate there being a problem getting bookings there when we need to in the future.

– It was also discussed and agreed that we should use the opportunity of us being there in the basement to include residents at the Village in any movie showings that we might have there.

– There was also the possibility discussed of having meetings at Echo Center in one of the smaller rooms. This would be great for visibility but would come at a cost (by donation?). We would receive a preferential rate from the City.

#3: Films
– March – Energy – March 16 at 7PM with AVTT meeting at 6:00 beforehand — we need to have a title ready to show for the Energy film by next week (Feb 20-25)
– April – Water film – April (World Water day is March 22 and Earth Day is April 29)
– May – Food Inc
– June – Findholm (?)

#4: Groups

– Edna for food group reported that the farmers are very excited with the success of the local food initiatives. They are starting to have to expand their capacity to meet demand. Great news!
– Edna and Chris reported on the Local Food Directory. It is starting to come together and is near completion. Will be meeting with the ACRD, City and CHamber shortly to show it to them, get their endorsement and get it up on their website. http://www.patransitions.net/localfood
– Lots of Food stuff going on, but no specific Food Group meetings being scheduled right now.

Energy group had its first meeting. Made plans for a movie focusing on Energy issues and hoping to draw people in to work on the EDAP.
– From Energy Group Minutes –
– Energy Group will be producing a “one-pager” hand out for folks at the Energy movie event
Other news:
– There will be a door-to-door survey for the ACRD Socio-Economic impact study for the Raven Coal project supported by the AEC.
– Dan passed on the good news that the ALEHS has gotten its official society papers and is moving forward on a business plan. We all wish them great success.

#5: Events:
– Thunder in the Valley – Happens in August – Chris attempted contact with no response. Will try again
– July 1 Canada Day parade. It was discussed that it would be great to have a presence at the parade. We need volunteers in the group to do it. Lots of people already busy with other things. Chris will put it up on the website to see if anyone wants to take it on.

#7: Next Meeting Time/Place
March 16 at Echo with the Movie!