Category — ART, EDUCATION & ADVOCACY

This conference is for all interested in making a difference.

Our annual sustainability conference provides a forum to discuss current issues that are relevant to our region, our community, and our faculty, staff, and students.

We seek to develop common ground to help build a sustainable society; one that balances economic, environmental and social needs.  We will explore programs that will actually help us address the global problems we are now facing.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this conference please visit our web site for more details:
http://wwww.csuchico.edu/sustainablefuture/conference/

Session Times: 9:00 A.M. -5:00 P.M. – see our website for schedule details as they become available.

Advanced Registration- Online: January 1, 2012- February 17, 2012
www.csuchico.edu/sustainablefuture/conference/

Onsite Registration: Opens daily at 8:00 A.M. in the Bell Memorial Union Main Lobby

FEES: Students are free.   $50 for all three days or $20 per day for all other attendees.

Great meeting today, very encouraging.   Here’s a summary and a to-do list combining notes by Jon Luvaas and Gerard Ungerman.

Community-wide meetings at the Grange:
Conversation Café -type meetings should be encouraged to take place at the Grange.   The Grange is a perfect meeting place for all the many groups from Chico involved in various aspect of sustainable living.   It is also a perfect hub to connect these different groups and encourage inter-group communication.

A first conversation cafe will take place at the Grange on Dec. 6.   The topic of the discussion will be “How to reach out to our neighbors and how to find common ground concerns and solutions ?”   The evening will start with a Potluck Dinner at 6 followed by a public discussion at 7:30.

Per Jon’s notes: “our experience at the Grange could help us assess how to insert this conversation broadly into the community fabric.  I’ve found my stack of little “agreements” cards  to put on each table for the conversations.  Also found the conversation café website with all the info each of us will need to facilitate a group – principles, process, ground rules, how to promote it, etc. http://www.conversationcafe.org/hostCorePrinciples.htm

Each group needs a facilitator to monitor the process, a timekeeper to keep everyone “in line”, and a notekeeper who’ll report back to the larger group afterward. One person could probably hold a couple of roles. Let’s all take a look there to better understand how to facilitate small groups at the Dec. 6 Grange meeting. I heard phrases like resilience circles, affinity groups, common security, connecting neighborhoods for a Transition through unstable times, strategies to find common ground.”

Stephanie from GRUB will write up and send us the promotional material for the meeting for newspapers – KZFR maybe? – and an announcement to Grangers – telling everyone to “bring a neighbor”.  We’ll add ideas and she’ll send it out, as usual.  Cass needs it by the 28th or so in order to get it out to Grangers.

The intent has also been expressed to tie Transition action with Occupy Chico activism.   Julie from Occupy Chico will invite core people from their General Assembly to join our conversation on the 6th.  This will be the first opportunity by many of them to join in a broader, longer term community action discussion.

A New “Transition” class at Chico State:
CSU, Chico professor Mark Stemen presented his project for a new class on post carbon transition to begin in January 2012.   Elaborated in collaboration with fellow professor and head of the Institute for Sustainable Development at CSU, Chico, Jim Pushnik,  this project will benefit from special funding granted by the Jack Rawlins Foundation.   This class will include conferences that will be open to the public.   Speakers will be invited including Rob Hopkins, author of the “Transition Handbook” and co-author of the “Post-Carbon Reader”.  Other possible presenters are encouraged to contact Jim Pushnik by phone  -   530-898-6362   – or by e-mail at  jpushnik@csuchico.edu .  Mark Stemen can be reached at mstemen@csuchico.edu and 530-898-5428.

Per Jon’s notes again: “We might want to help tie this class and the ISD into City implementation of the Climate Action Plan (CAP), which they may adopt by late spring.  The CAP will call for a citywide Transition Plan to a post-carbon future, and a subcommittee of the STF that I’m on will start working that plan after adoption of the CAP.  I can imagine student projects, research, and input contributing to that plan, as well as considerable community input to that, organized by us.  City staff cannot be relied upon to carry the load. The transition plan will no doubt be community-based, without much city action, but we could push for city policies to support community action.  Another useful person to contact about this might be Fletcher Alexander, who did most of the work on the CAP as a grad student intern. He was recently hired as the CSUC Sustainability Coordinator. falexander@csuchico.edu 530-898-333 Institute for Sustainable Development.

The CAP should go to the City Sustainability Task Force (STF) (Pushnik is also a member) at its next regular meeting on December 4, if their bureaucracy is through kicking it around, and amended and approved by them by late winter.  It will then go to the City Council for hearings and adoption.  It must not be allowed to be just another feel good City document with no funds or commitment to act on it.  But it’s likely to be a weak draft when first presented in the next month or so, since that’s City staff’s typical cautious approach.  So a lot of community input is needed to the STF and Council to build support to make it meaningful and as aggressive as we know it must be.”

Creating video vignettes on examples of sustainable living:
Gerard is planning to film a series of short vignettes about inspiring acts of “respectful living” already happening in Chico, more often than not in total anonymity.   This project carried out in collaboration with local students will aim at both enhancing the visibility of great local projects, big and small,  and at starting a much broader, nation-wide endeavor meant to shine a spotlight on as many Americans as possible who contribute everyday at making the world a better place.

Re-learning basic forgotten skills:
The idea was also raised to promote reskilling classes at GRUB, the Grange, and elsewhere.  Older retirees in particular, with a lot of old time skills to share, would be helped and encouraged to set up classes.

Next planning meeting will be on December 14, 8:30 a.m. at David’s home.

Students from UC’s, CSUs, Community Colleges, Private Universities and high schools are encouraged to attend. We also invite community members and others to attend. Attendees will find opportunities to hear inspiring speakers, exchange ideas in workshops, and to celebrate our collective successes.

$25 for Regular (after Oct. 12) - FREE for CSU Chico students

For complete information, please visit : http://www.sustainabilitycoalition.org/fall-convergence-2e

Our keynote speaker this fall will be Derrick Jensen, social and environmental justice activist and author of the critically acclaimed Endgame series.

Friday:
5:00PM-10:00PM Check-in begins at GRUB Cooperative
1525 Dayton Rd, Chico CA 95928
7:00PM Film Screening, “GASLAND”
BMU 100, CSU Chico
10:00PM Friday Night Check-in at GRUB Cooperative Ends
(Any parties arriving after 10PM will need to check in Saturday morning at the on-site registration desk)

Saturday:
8:00AM-9:00AM Breakfast and On-Site Registration Begins
9:00AM-9:30AM Welcome begins in BMU 100
9:30AM-10:30AM Keynote Address by Morgoth Gamboa
10:30AM-11:00AM Transition Time
11:00-11:50AM Track 1 Workshops
11:50AM-1:20PM Lunch
1:30PM-2:20PM Track 2 Workshop
2:30PM-3:20PM Track 3 Workshop
3:30PM-4:20PM Track 4 Workshop
4:30PM-5:30PM Keynote Address by Derrick Jensen
5:30PM-6:00PM Q&A with Derrick Jensen
6:00PM-7:00PM Transition time to travel from CSU, Chico to GRUB
7:00PM-8:30PM Dinner at GRUB with words from Dr. Mark Stemen
8:30PM-9:30PM Speakeasy Performs
9:30PM-10:30PM Soul Union Performs
Midnight Quiet Time

Sunday:
9:00AM-10:00AM Breakfast
10:00AM-10:20AM Welcome
10:30AM-11:20AM System Wide Caucus
11:30AM-12:20PM Getting to know CSSC – Op Team, Council & Board
12:30PM-1:00PM Close-Out and Goodbyes

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Four Workshop Tracks (Saturday of convergence!)

Track 1 (11:00 am)
Growing Activist Communities from the Inside Out
Fair Trade on your campus
Sustainability Funds
Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving
Achieving Group Synergy – Dynamic Meeting Facilitation
ECO Website
Keystone XL Pipeline
Greening Events
End Coal Campaign
Tour of Associated Student’s Recycling Program

Track 2 (1:30 pm)
The Power of the Student Voice
Experiential Education and Student Activism: Butte College Students Report Back from Bioneers Conference
Advocating for Change: Creating a new food system through the 2012Fair = Farm Bill
SCOOP: Auditing an Office
Everyday Recycling
Sustainable Manufacturing Engineering
Cross-Pollination for Clean Energy Campuses
Problems with Plastics and What We Can Do
Shades of Green: Strengthening Diversity in the Environmental Justice Movement
DIY Extreme: Vegan Soap, Lip Balm, Toothpaste, & Deodorant Making

Track 3 (2:30 pm)
Green Leap Forward: Debunking nuclear myths, catalyzing clean energy
Permaculture: A Tool for Radical Student Change-Makers
Youth Organizing in Oakland
Making Energy Tangible
The Recycling and Rubbish Exhibit program and Worm Composting Demo
Taking Back the Tap at UCSC and UC Berkeley
The Predicament and Managing Outcomes
Eco Mindsets
California State Dreaming – The CSU Sustainability Policy
Composting 101

Track 4 (3:30 pm)
Making the Animal-Earth-Human Liberation Connection and Veganism
Climate Action Protest
End Coal Campaign
Ecofeminism 101
Moon Cycles
E-ARC
Taking Back the Fork: What Students Can Do Now to Reclaim our Food System
Move to Amend
Queer Rights and the Sustainability Movement
Art Therapy: Expressing Yourself Through Art

For all updates, visit our  facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/sustainabilitycoalition

Great meeting yesterday !  Here’s the recap thanks to Jen Harris and Billie Kanter!

BUTTE BICYCLE COALITION Minutes

August 29, 2011

Introductions: Carla, Teresa, Stacy, Laurie, Pete, Greg, Jennifer, Billie, David, Todd, Dennis, David, Karen

• Still waiting on tax exempt status approval-expecting to hear within 4 weeks
• Need to recruit new board members. Currently there are 5. Stacy and Teresa are interested,
• Funding is needed for various educational projects, Bike Chico, and we need to increase membership. Currently $390 in the bank and $950 at North Valley Community Fund.

• BBC is part of Annie B’s Drive (the North Valley Community Foundation) which started Aug 1 til the end of September. Donations can be made on line at www.nvcf.org. Donations are leveraged with Foundation money. How to spread the word? Guzzetti’s Gazzette. Other ideas?

• Laurie stated on Sept 15 from 6-9 at the City Plaza, @ TNM NVCF is hosting an event for those organizations on their Annie Bs list. BBC has a table. Need staff. Bring decorations—bike sculptures, posters/photos. Donors get a t-shirt. Todd, Stacy, David, Pete volunteered. Set up at 5:30 PM

• How to develop relationships with Bike Shop owners? Table this for later.

• Pete talked about 350.org which highlights climate change. Sept 24 (Sat) “Moving Planet” take action to fight climate change. Considering a family ride beginning at One Mile through the park ending at 5 Mile with a solar cooker demo by Todd. Would include cycling info among other material. David Grau’s group also interested.

–Carol Lams “Let’s Move group also involved in promoting 350.org. Karen to determine if Carol’s group wants to have their event on the 24^th also. Have a bike parade? Need to know if there is a permit required for this type of activity. Karen to check with Katie Simmons; Pete to check on available ?; Laurie to do PSA for KZFR and KCHO; Karen to look into waivers (Shirley Adams B+G) Need to promote the Oct 5^th Walk and Bike to School Day at this event.

• “Thank you 4 Riding Your Bike” ongoing campaign. Ideas:  stickers, bells (use as a membership thank you), tags on bike. Wording: “Thanks for riding your bike” (Bike Chico.org—check out our events” ‘Bicycling—pass it on” Use postcards by placing BBC sticker over “tell us your story” “See you on the Trails” “I’d rather be biking” “Keep pedaling”

How to affix? Where to put?

How else to use the leftover cards? Dragon Graphics owner may suggest a design. See if bike shops interested in paying for it and have their name on the back.

• Oct 5 Walk and Bike Day Jen: place public posters in key locations with statistics or cycling facts. Pete reminded us that we need School District and campus approval for signs. Karen will ask Suzy Tolen if we could update the Bike Chico art for Walk and Bike day. Todd suggested a “why it’s good to cycle” essay contest
• Dennis:  word of mouth was how he got his message out when teaching kids bike safety. He also suggested school newsletters. Karen suggested putting signs in a parking lot where the cars are parked. Billie suggested getting the schools to use their neon signs. Ask Kirk about butcher paper. Jen reminded all that signs need to be taken down after they served their purpose.

• Todd:  use the BBC website as a portal to receiving a disc from a business. Ideas:  like a “QR” code like Farm Star Pizza. Per Stacey this is a way to get a longer message out. Todd, encouraged reaching out to riders along a bike path. Todd suggested a bike mural; find an artist to donate the time.

Local celebrities, Chamber of Commerce campaign “Why I Bike?” is something Katie Simmons at Chico Velo has been working on.

• Bike safety tips inserted in the bike routes maps. Karen, Pete, Laurie did this for handing out during the WRECtacular event. Could the safety info be included in the revised map? (some is already)

• Website:  need help and ideas. Dave: chainlink. org (Chicago)—social network started by his niece for all things cycling oriented. Jen suggested recruiting a Chico State class to make the updating the website an ongoing project. Greg mentioned a need for an umbrella site for all things bike. Laurie and Greg to ask the City or the Chico State campus (note not clear on this)

Laurie stated once tax exempt, can use “wordpress” to update website. Wordpress is web-based software to maintain a site. A Bay Area agency assists non-profits to update their sites. Billie volunteered.

• Meet Dave Synder on Thurs, Sept 1 at 7 PM at no host dinner at Malvinas. Dave is the Exec Director of the California Bike Coalition. He will be at K & Ps on Tues and Thurs nights. If you want to meet with him during the day, contact the Goodwin/Hollingsworths.

• Have a Facebook presence.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Butte-Bicycle-Coalition/116846711668259 Friend us!

• CA Bike Summit in Los Angeles Nov 5. Anyone want to go? Karen might.

• 99 Corridor Tour—dates: Sept 7 and 9 at 8 AM. Billie and Dennis interested. Karen will contact Ron Baker to suggest these times.

• Pete is developing a bike curriculum to take to into the schools. Would like volunteers. Billie said she was trainable.

• General agreement to meet monthly on Mondays until further notice. 1200 Park might be better spot, though less tasty.  (Karen adds: OPT for Healthy Living is available! At 1311 Mangrove)

Notes by Jennifer Harris, Billie Kanter and Karen

Karen Goodwin, MS
Nutrition Education Specialist
OPT for Healthy Living (formerly OPT for Fit Kids),

Center for Nutrition & Activity Promotion
1311 Mangrove Ave Ste B
Chico, CA  95926
530-898-5678