Sustained Momentum Gathering Meeting 25 Sept 2008

(minutes follow below, education document in a separate page) Dear TTM members, A very interesting planning meeting was held last night. The minutes are attached. The most important decision was to ask all Working Groups to develop the vision for their sector (eg Food or Transport) in 2020, to be submitted for circulation before the next meeting at 7pm Wed., Nov. 5th, Community House. It is recognized that the Vision will always be a 'work in progress' as our knowledge develops and conditions change. We need to have at least a sketch of what each group envisions. This is important to enable us all to see what we're working towards, and also because the visions of the various sectors are interdependent. We need to be able to share visions and to communicate the amalgamated vision to others to inspire people.. The idea is to 'backcast' from the visions to identify the steps toward reaching the envisioned goals.We are encouraged to be both creative and realistic.   Proposals from the Education (Public Awareness) group are attached for a series of educational events. You're encouraged to contribute to the development of these ideas.   There is certainly a niche for everyone in working for TT Motueka. Thanks for all the work already being done by many of you.    I will send separately a document on Biocapacity by Helle Janssen, who spoke to these foundational concepts last night.   Finally, some of you may enjoy seeing Kate Kennedy's notes on the meeting last night (unfortunately at exactly the same time as the TTM meeting) on the serious ecological conflict between macrohydro plans and conservation of river fauna. See http://motuekanewsonline.blogspot.com Several people had to deal with this time conflict, so Kate's notes are most welcome.   Warm wishes, Joanna

TTM

Meeting 08 Sept. 25, Community House

Present: Helle Janssen, Lois McTaggart, Lee Dennis, Cheryl Lasseau, Jan Flinn, Susan Wilson, Faye Knight, Ian Cave, Stephanie Walls, Fraser Walls, Hilary Blundell, Joanna Santa Barbara

Facilitation and minutes – Joanna SB

Apologies: Harideva, Lynda Hannah, Phil Lister, Linda (Arcadia), Bruno Lemke , Ron Sharp, Hans Bremer, Claudia Janssen, Tara Forde

Reports of Working Groups:

Biocapacity.

Helle Janssen formed a group on this issue in Nelson. Offering a workshop to develop vision. Statement will be sent by e-mail to TTM members.

Walk/Cycle Group

Tara Forde’s proposals to the Community Board were tabled. The beginning implementation of these is greatly welcomed.

Liaison with Government

Jack Santa Barbara and Alistair Munro met with mayor today and were pleased with the outcome. The mayor suggested a Sustainability Advisory Group drawn from the region. Draft terms of reference to be submitted in a few weeks. Such a group should connect with Community Boards.

Transport

Nelson TT ride share is being blocked by someone in Council. Full implementation will probably depend on increase in oil prices. Plans can be in place in both Nelson and Motueka for opportunity to implement.

Education Group

Proposal presented. (Document is attached).Suggested we do a ‘knowledge audit’ of people in this area, and use this as a foundation before inviting speakers from elsewhere. Jan Flinn will make a beginning on this.

Considerable interest in local currency issues, and in barter and produce exchange of surplus.

Regarding a ‘large net’ public meeting, could we consider combining an analysis of ‘What’s happening to our money?’ – global financial crisis, with Christoph Hensch on local economies?

Contact with High School, Bruce Reid, Current Affairs class. Requires also considering an article for local paper. School has a garden. Bruce reports low interest in Peak Oil  and Climate Change.

Adult Community Education at High School – possible to offer classes in TT=relevant subjects.

Vision for 2020

We need to address this. What is the area we’re considering? Bioregion, governmental region, community of people – may be different for different aspects of vision. 150,000 people in Nelson-Tasman. Helle noted that community has lost control of its land.

Note that group has maps of region, currently with Alistair and Carolyn.

Helle will send around document on global bioregions.

We ask all Working Groups to work on their vision. Vision will always be a work in progress. By next meeting submit a draft or sketch.

Community House will now have a data base for groups and events.

Venue – Comm. House. Investigate availability of Bridge Club.

Structure of group

People are content with the loose structure for now. The Working Groups , with contact people, can be seen on the website.

Discussion of taking back control of resources by local community

Relocalization 

Next meeting: Wed. Nov 5th, 7pm, Community House. (Please note time of 7pm. The room is not available at an earlier time.)

Engaging the Community –

Providing food for people. Concrete actions rather than purveying concepts. Connecting with people who are struggling, in ways that are meaningful.

Booth at Sunday markets, possibly sharing with another booth. Jan Flinn will inquire about this. Information pamphlet could be given away with seedlings.

Library display on TTM will run over next few weeks.

Hilary Blundell has made multiple copies of booklet on PO and CC (Millar and Puckey). This book, written for New Zealanders, is highly relevant to Transition Town work, and includes a reference to TTs as part of the answer to the problem. These booklets could be available to the library, schools.

Audit of local food

Jan Flinn is making an audit of locally produced food. Please send her information on this. It can be posted on motuekanewsonline website.