WELL Willits Economic Localization
From CFI
WELL NEWSLETTER - MARCH 23, 2006
Calendar of WELL Events
Monday, April 3 - General Meeting of the Working Groups
6:30 - 8:30pm Willits Community Center
Join us for our monthly meeting of our working groups and get involved with their projects.
Special Event:
THIS IS RLNC — "OUR LINK" TO SUSTAINABILITY
Calling all Economic Localization groups in Northern California to join together for a Regional Localization Networking Conference An information exchange opportunity sponsored by the WELL
April 7-9, 2006 — Keynote Address by David Schaller - Sustainable Development Coordinator, US EPA
The purpose of this conference is to improve our region’s economic localization efforts through sharing best practices; developing consistent messages for the general public, business community, and political leaders; and enhancing regional communication between groups. The goal for this conference is not to raise the general awareness of the issue of economic localization, but rather to share ideas among those who are presently encouraging this transition in their communities.
An application, including more details for this event, is attached as is a schedule for the conference.
Now is the time to register for this event. We have many localization groups coming - please join us. If you are a member of WELL, please call about reduced rates.
April 17 - Special Meeting: Reports from committee on follow-up to "The Future of WELL"
6:30 - 8:30 Willits Community Center
This will be a time for the three committees formed at our weekend workshop in March to report on their progress. These committees are: Membership, Governance and Strategic Planning. This is a good time to learn the details of the work that went on during our workshop.
Monday, May 1 - General Meeting of the Working Groups
6:30 - 8:30pm Willits Community Center
Join us for our monthly meeting of our working groups and get involved with their projects.
Monday, May 15 - Speaker Event: WATER - "Your Pond in the Country" and the implications for our county
6:30 - 8:30pm Willits Community Center
Join Park Steiner and possibly other guests to learn about how private water use affects the quality of water for everyone, including non-humans. Park is a member of Trout Unlimited and the Peregrine Audobon Society. He has studied these issues thoroughly.
May 29 - Memorial Day Picnic in the Park
Mid-day at the City Park, across from the Community Center
Bring a lunch, bring your family and friends to join us for an informal picnic.
Other Events of Interest
Coming in April - Community Emergency Response Team training April 4th, 11th, 15th, 18th, 25th & 26th Location: City of Ukiah Fire Department 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, CA 95482
Presented by Mendocino Emergency Services Authority and City of Ukiah Fire Department:
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program was developed in California in the mid-80s as a way to train people to better prepare for emergency situations in their communities. Since then, it has become a national model for helping people respond to emergencies. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community.
CERT training classes include disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue operations. The target audience for the first course will be individuals throughout the City who are interested in putting together teams within their neighborhoods.
Registration: Contact Cindy Stanford (707) 463-6261 stanford@cityofukiah.com
For Information: Kurt Latipow, Chief, City of Ukiah Fire Department (707) 463-6263 klatipow@cityofukiah.com
Cost: There is no cost for this training
Date/Time: April 4th - 6:00-9:30p.m. April 11th - 6:00-9:30p.m. April 15th - 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. April 18th - 6:00-9:30 p.m. April 25th - 6:00-9:30 p.m. April 26th - 6:00 p.m. - Graduation
NEWS
More recognition for WELL from elected officials:
On Monday, March 20, representatives from WELL, REDI, Willits Environmental Center and the City met with aides for Barbara Boxer and Congressman Mike Thompson. During our meeting, the aides learned about our economic localization efforts with an eye towards how federal assistance could make Willits a model, green city.
We encourage everyone to write or call the offices of Thompson and Boxer to thank them for their visit.
Mike Thompson's office: heidi.dickerson@mail.house.gov 707.962.0933 Barbara Boxer's office: jennifer_tang@boxer.senate.gov 415.403.0116
School Farm News
Last week, in a special meeting, the Willits school board approved the Brookside School Farm!
The farm will get started this spring and be a small community supported farm that will be integrated into student learning.
Many thanks and congratulations go to Jason Bradford for his whole hearted committment to seeing this project through the laborious beginning stages.
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS
At the general WELL meeting held last Monday, March 20, we appreciated one of WELL's dedicated volunteers, Brian Corzilius - thank you for all you have given.
Honoring Brian Corzilius
March 20, 2006
The WELL Steering Committee would like to periodically publicly honor and thank dedicated people in our community working towards economic localization. Tonight, this person is Brian Corzilius.
Brian is perhaps best known for his work on energy issues. He led the way on compiling data and writing two reports related to our current energy use, envisioning local, sustainable energy supplies, and recommending projects that bridge that gap.
I believe that this research was instrumental in convincing the City of Willits to take renewable energy seriously. So compelling was this work that Willits is aiming to become, apparently, the first City in North America to attempt to cover their electricity budget on solar energy technology. And more projects related to these reports are on the way.
Brian is also known as the creator of our web site, www.willitseconomiclocalization.org. He has also been vigilant at updating that site, and went to the trouble and expense of purchasing the domain name and the server time for the next few years. This web site gets hundreds of visits per day, is a great repository of information about WELL, and keeps many of us informed of what is up-coming.
Brian has also been a great promoter of economic localization and has enrolled local businesses to donate supplies to WELL from time to time. He even created a sticker to promote WELL, which everyone here is invited to take and spread around town.
These are the big things Brian has done, and there are many more little things too. As we have gotten to know each other by coming to WELL meetings and events, we have also found opportunities to help each other the way friends do. I can’t even recall the many ways Brian has helped, but I know based on the way I and others feel about him, that he is wonderful person to have around.
As a token of WELL’s appreciation to Brian, and in the spirit of “preparedness” and “frugality” that typifies the WELL ethos, I present, on behalf the WELL Steering Committee, this can of Pure Drinking Water, which says it is impervious to nuclear fallout and recommended for emergency uses. It also makes a great paperweight.
Jason Bradford, for the WELL Steering Committee
Review
Richard Register and Kirstin Miller bring Eco-City to WIllits
Read Claudia Reed's article about this event, published in the March 22nd issue of The Willits News, here: http://www.willitsnews.com/Stories/0,1413,253%257E26908%257E3273393,00.html
Read Lanny Cotler's letter to the editor regarding the same event, published on the same day, here: http://www.willitsnews.com/Stories/0,1413,253%257E33095%257E3273400,00.html
To see the presentations by Register and Miller and to read the notes from the breakout groups and citizen committees formed during the workshop, including the Green Mapping team, visit WELL's website using the link below: http://www.willitseconomiclocalization.org/Papers/Papers.htm
In the News
WELL is featured in an in-depth article in the on-line magazine Salon, you can read it here: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/03/22/peakoil/index.html
Important Office Note:
I will be out of the office for three weeks: from Friday, March 24 until Sunday, April 16. During this time, if you have an urgent matter, please email Jason: jason@redinet.org or leave a message at the office - 459.1256 - which someone will return within a week. We all appreciate your patience.
WELL NEWSLETTER - MARCH 8, 2006
Calendar of WELL Events
Friday, March 17
6:00 - 8:00pm Willits Community Center
Community Mixer and slide show with Richard Register and Kristin Miller of Eco City Builderson creating healthy communities - this is event is open to everyone and free.
Saturday, March 18
9:00am - 3:00pm Special Workshop: Richard Register and Kristin Miller of Eco City Builders
Willits Community Center
Richard and Kristin will present examples and solutions for creating walkable, healthy and car free communities. Topics addressed will include: Land use planning, Peak oil, Climate change, Alternative transportation and Economic localization. There is a $20 fee that includes lunch. This event is co-sponsored by the City of Willits, REDI, WAG, EDFC, MCRS and NCO.
This is a great opportunity to work on specific changes citizens would like to see to county and city plans and regulations to move them towards alignment with expressed community goals for greater self-reliance, minimal environmental impacts, and improved health.
To register, please see the attached flier. For more information please call Cathy: 459.7128
Monday, March 20 - General Meeting of the Working Groups
6:30 - 8:30pm Willits Community Center
Join us for our monthly meeting of our working groups and get involved with their projects.
Special Event Coming in April:
THIS IS RLNC — "OUR LINK" TO SUSTAINABILITY
Calling all Economic Localization groups in Northern California to join together for a Regional Localization Networking Conference
An information exchange opportunity sponsored by the WELL
April 7-9, 2006 — Keynote Address by David Schaller - Sustainable Development Coordinator, US EPA
The purpose of this conference is to improve our region’s economic localization efforts through sharing best practices; developing consistent messages for the general public, business community, and political leaders; and enhancing regional communication between groups. The goal for this conference is not to raise the general awareness of the issue of economic localization, but rather to share ideas among those who are presently encouraging this transition in their communities.
An application, including more details for this event, is attached as is a schedule for the conference.
Now is the time to register for this event. We have many localization groups coming - please join us. If you are a member of WELL, please call about reduced rates.
Other Events of Interest
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, Sustainable Laytonville's Film Series presents: "Ancient Futures" 7:00pm - Old BAND ROOM, Laytonville High School
The first night of our three-session film/ LHS Band session played to a packed house. DON'T MISS THE SECOND OF THESE FUN EVENINGS!
Continuing with SUSTAINABILITY as the THEME, the LHS BAND and SUSTAINABLE LAYTONVILLE will present another BAND/FILM night for your entertainment.
Sustainable refreshments will be available for purchase. A $3 donation per person is suggested for the evening, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please join us!
FILM: Ancient Future Ancient Futures is a remarkable look at the root causes of our environmental and social crises, and a powerful challenge to re-examine what we mean by "progress." Ladakh, or "Little Tibet," is a harsh, beautiful land high in the Western Himalayas of India. A model of sustainable living, the traditional Ladakh culture has prospered, virtually free of crime and pollution. Now, centuries of ecological balance and social harmony are eroding as the result of western influences.
Saturday, March 11 - Ecovillage Emerging
The Cloud Forest Institute is in the beginning stages of developing a plan to purchase land collaboratively in order to build a Self Reliant Educational Community in Potter Valley.
If you would like to help make this vision a reality please refer to us individuals and ngo's that you know of who are interested in exploring the idea.
You can also participate in our on-line forum, Ecovillage Emerging at the www.cloudforest.org wiki website.
On March 11, at noon the Cloud Forest Institute will host a potluck lunch to visit the site and hike the property.
Email jen@cloudforest.org for more information.
Saturday, March 11 7-9pm Slideshow and talk about Russian biointensive projects
United Methodist Church in Willits - corner of Pine and School streets
Vladimir "Volodya" Loginov, founder of EcoInform, Kurganinsk, Russia, and Carol Vesecky, Director of Biointensive for Russia (BfR), Palo Alto, CA, will offer a free presentation of their work.
Volodya has taught sustainable cooperative lifestyles to older teenage boys who have graduated from a school for orphans in Kurganinsk, in the Krasnodar region of southern Russia near the Black Sea and the Caucasus mountains. Some of the techniques he has taught include Biointensive gardening, nutrition and cooking, pruning high trees using ropes, carpentry, car and motorcycle mechanics, and straw bale building.
Volodya also will address some of the ways in which he has striven to become "independent of the corporations" including developing a well and a water purification system, building a windmill for pumping water, heating with an efficient wood stove, growing and preserving his own food using local varieties (garden and orchard), composting, a biotoilet, and using solar energy for cooking, heating water, and lighting his home.
He is deeply involved with regional environmental efforts as well, working with the Independent Ecological Group of Experts of the Northwest Caucasus. For example, in 2005 they helped ensure that public hearings be held prior to major development of the port of Taman.
For more information contact Dave Watts at 459-9009.
For information on BfR, visit http://www.biointensiveforrussia.igc.org/.
Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 - Nonviolent Communication workshop with Mair Alight
Three Jewels Hall - on the coast
Deepen your practice of the four elements of nonviolent communication, grow your insight and increase your capacity to listen and speak from the heart of compassion: the art of clearly observing the events happening around us (without diagnosing, judging, labeling or fixing,) expressing feelings that develop around our needs relevant to those events (while expanding our consciousness of the spectrum of those fulfilling needs), and building a vocabulary for making requests from a place of calm awareness...that we are the source of our experience by the way we interpret and hold what's happening around us...
We are requesting a deposit of $50 and ask participants to check out their willingness to contribute anywhere from $50~$200 at the end of the event, based on their feelings of fruitfulness (some of you may remember the "duck index" ~)...
For more information, please call: Cristie Holliday 937-3439
Coming in April - Community Emergency Response Team training
April 4th, 11th, 15th, 18th, 25th & 26th
Location: City of Ukiah Fire Department 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, CA 95482
Presented by Mendocino Emergency Services Authority and City of Ukiah Fire Department:
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program was developed in California in the mid-80s as a way to train people to better prepare for emergency situations in their communities. Since then, it has become a national model for helping people respond to emergencies. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community.
CERT training classes include disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue operations. The target audience for the first course will be individuals throughout the City who are interested in putting together teams within their neighborhoods.
Registration: Contact Cindy Stanford (707) 463-6261 stanford@cityofukiah.com
For Information: Kurt Latipow, Chief, City of Ukiah Fire Department (707) 463-6263 klatipow@cityofukiah.com
Cost: There is no cost for this training
Date/Time: April 4th - 6:00-9:30p.m.
April 11th - 6:00-9:30p.m.
April 15th - 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
April 18th - 6:00-9:30 p.m.
April 25th - 6:00-9:30 p.m.
April 26th - 6:00 p.m. - Graduation
In the news
Jason sends this link from the Energy Bulletin in which Representatives Roscoe Bartlett and Tom Udall distribute a NY Times op-ed piece to their House colleagues.
Read the article, by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Robert B. Semple, Jr. and the summary of the House bill these representatives have introduced about Peak Oil:
http://www.energybulletin.net/13396.html
Review
The Future of WELL Workshop - March 4 & 5 We had a wonderful turnout - each day there were almost 30 people, over the course of the weekend we had nearly 40 participants. Everyone was respectful and dedicated to the process, which was, at times, challenging.
We successfully identified our top 11 common values that underlie the work WELL, which will be further refined: Sustainability, Personal responsibility, Working cooperatively within community, Healthy community, Sustainable community, Stewardship, Fun, Sharing resources, Justice, Expression of spirit and Ethics.
These values led us into a visioning process that was hands-on and invigorating and resulted in the following vision statement, of which we are proud:
An enduring local economy that provides health and security for our community.
Our values work also identified the top five areas of WELL's work: Community, Health, Sustainability, Localization and Security. These areas will make up the core of our Strategic Plan. We began work crafting short, medium and long-term goals, with more specific objectives and strategies, in each of these areas. Work will continue to organize these five areas into a comprehensive plan that includes funding needs and sources.
We ended our day with a speedy look at our organizational structure. The current Steering Committee was unanimously empowered to continue work, including follow up to this workshop, for the next six months - until the beginning of September.
As a first step in overhauling and clarifying our organizational structure, a committee was formed to address membership. In the next month they will define the terms of membership - based on our large group discussion on Sunday - and organize a membership drive. This membership will be charged with, among other things, approving our steering committee members and responsibilities.
With very few exceptions, everyone present volunteered many hours each week to work on follow-up to this workshop and other WELL activities.
Although we still have much to sort out and strategize, a very strong foundation has been built.
A very sincere thank you: To all of the folks who gave precious weekend time to reinvigorate and clarify WELL. To Annie Weller for helping set up the space and provide snacks and coffee. To the steering committee for helping to create the agenda and work out the details of this event. And especially, to our two committed facilitators who gave us so much time and energy - I am quite sure we wouldn't have come away with the quality we did without your expert help.
WELL NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 21, 2006
CALENDAR of WELL EVENTS
March 4 & 5 - Workshop: "The Future of WELL"
10am - 5pm both days, at the Willits High School Food Center
This workshop will have three parts:
1. review of what we've accomplished, what's working, what's not, organizational structure
2. visioning of what we'd like to create in our community based on core values - including a long term vision and a succinct vision statement
3. strategic plan for our next year of work, to include fundraising plan, outreach plan, organizational structure and key projects.
The full proposal for this workshop is attached in a MS Word document. This page also includes ways for you to give feedback. This sheet is available at the REDI/WELL office and will be at the door of WELL events.
This workshop will be dynamic and will give us critical information in order to move forward together in our work.
Monday, March 6 - Speaker Event: Panel Discussion with Local Health Practitioners
6:30 - 8:30pm Willits Community Center
FINDING HEALTH IN THESE CHANGING TIMES A NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT HEALTH, WELLNESS AND WHOLENESS
Join us on Monday, March 6th at 6:30 pm to explore the expectations we have about our health care and how we can develop a whole new way to approach healing.
How would it be for you to have the support of a connected group of health care practitioners, say, a medical doctor, nutritionist, herbalist, counselor, bodyworker, acupuncturist - to address your unique health care needs? These caring people would take the time to listen to you and help you find the ways to improve your health.
How might we set up a new kind of healing center where you would receive education and empowerment to really heal your whole life?
How would we make this support affordable for everyone in our community?
What are the obstacles and advantages to such a health care style?
Bring your questions and visions.
The following practitioners include a medical doctor, physician’s assistant, counselors, chiropractor, naturopathic doctor, acupuncturists and herbalists and will be on a panel to discuss this very subject:
Kate Black Kristin Bradford Melinda Clarke Donnalee Hart Paula Murphy Professor Ping Pong Wolfgang Ronnefeldt Diane Smalley
Friday, March 17
6:00 - 8:00pm Willits Community Center
Community Mixer and slide show on creating healthy communities - this is even is open to everyone and free.
Saturday, March 18
9:00am - 3:00pm Special Workshop: Richard Register and Kristin Miller of Eco City Builders
Willits Community Center
Richard and Kristin will present examples and solutions for creating walkable, healthy and car free communities. Topics addressed will include: Land use planning, Peak oil, Climate change, Alternative transportation and Economic localization. There is a $20 fee that includes lunch. This event is co-sponsored by the City of Willits, REDI, WAG, EDFC, MCRS and NCO.
To register, please see the attached flier. For more information please call Cathy: 459.7128
Monday, March 20 - General Meeting of the Working Groups
6:30 - 8:30pm Willits Community Center
Join us for our monthly meeting of our working groups and get involved with their projects.
Special Event Coming in April:
THIS IS RLNC — "OUR LINK" TO SUSTAINABILITY
Calling all Economic Localization groups in Northern California to join together for a Regional Localization Networking Conference
An information exchange opportunity sponsored by the WELL
April 7-9, 2006 — Keynote Address by David Schaller - Sustainable Development Coordinator, US EPA
The purpose of this conference is to improve our region’s economic localization efforts through sharing best practices; developing consistent messages for the general public, business community, and political leaders; and enhancing regional communication between groups. The goal for this conference is not to raise the general awareness of the issue of economic localization, but rather to share ideas among those who are presently encouraging this transition in their communities.
An application, including more details for this event, is attached.
OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST
UNIVERSITIES TEAM UP TO HOST SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE CONFERENCE
Rohnert Park, California - February 15, 2006 - Sonoma State University’s School of Business and Economics and New College of California’s Green MBA program have teamed up to host the first Sustainable Enterprise Conference for Northern California, to be held on April 7, 2006.
This one day conference offers a unique opportunity for business leaders to learn about managing an organization to be environmentally friendly, socially just, and economically viable. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge about building sustainable enterprises through workshops, interactive panels, and networking sessions.
For more information contact Genevieve Taylor, event director, at (707) 829-8454 or genevieve@ggenesis.com.
PAST EVENTS
Monday, February 20 - Review
WELL devoted the monthly plenary session to a review of our last 15 months as an organization. Brian Weller led us through a brief overview of our structure and accomplishments that segued into people thinking about three questions:
1. How is WELL perceived in the larger community?
2. What is working in WELL?
3. What is not working in WELL?
After each of us had some time to reflect on these questions and write some notes, we shared in small groups. This then opened up to the larger group. We spent most of our time hearing various views on what is not working in WELL. Brian and I both took notes, which we are organizing and compiling, along with written responses. These documents will be used to prepare our facilitators and to inform our sessions on March 4 & 5. These days will be a time to hear final thoughts on our past work together, beginning work on where we're headed and crafting all of this into a strategic plan which will give some form and support to our work in the next year.
There is a front page article in the Willits News about this event, you can read it here: http://www.willitsnews.com/Stories/0,1413,253%257E26908%257E3247116,00.html
If you know you will be coming on March 4 & 5, please let us know! We also welcome any other thoughts about this process that you might like to share.
OPPORTUNITIES
BULK FOOD ORDERING....
Would you like to have a supply of nutritious and easily stored food on hand for emergencies? You can order full bags of rice, beans, etc. at wholesale prices using our WELL food coop.
If this is something that interests you, please volunteer to help with coordination as our energetic but small staff cannot take this on. To volunteer, please contact Spring (info below).
Ordering sheets, payment and timing requirements are already worked out, we just need a coordinator to put this all into action.
And remember- the catalog is at REDI
(3rd Tuesday for delivery on Thursday, $500 minimum order for the whole group)
Fundraising Possibility
This is a great opportunity to raise a little money for WELL and support our local farmers! Sofia Bates in Anderson Valley has organic apple juice from gleaned apples. She is willing to sell it to us for a very reasonable price. We could then resell it by the glass. Anyone interested in coordinating this worthy effort - the gleaners, perhaps?
