Post Oil Solutions

Meeting

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Meeting Minutes

Present:

Jordan (10^th grade student working on English paper; Rich, Sebastian & Bonita (newcomers)

Deb , George, Jane, Janet, Sherry, Steve, Tim, & Walter

Welcome to New Members!

Announcements

• VPON – Vermont Peak Oil Network Conference, Sunday Feb. 3^rd
• Awakening, Celebrating
• Body, Spirit and Earth Workshop series to benefit local charities (Bonita)
• NOFA conference in Randolph around Winter Farmers Market (Sherry)
• Happy Hour at SIT Feb. 8^th
• Vermont Earth Institute – POS interested in doing course together as well as open together. George will bring the book in.

Winter Farmers Market Update

• At Jan. 12^th market there will be a Localvore food swap table to encourage more people to come out.
• Meeting with "Building a Better Brattleboro" – discussion around the fact that no cooking can be done inside River Garden because of lack of ventilation which presents a limitation.
  • Issue of "First Refusal" for POS Winter Farmers Market to be revisited so that POS can maintain first preference for the space during Winter Market times.
• POS sponsored WFM party – potluck style
  • El Café (at SIT)?
  • Other Locations??
  • Approval of Sherry and Cindy spending some $$ if necessary

 

Proposal: POS Participate in Strolling of the Heifers in June

• LC approves POS participation (march & booth) at Strolling of the Heifers

Proposal: POS Resolution to Oppose VT Yankee License extension

• Janet wrote and distributed one-page resolution.
• Discussion Points:
  • Reframing resolution towards POS not endorsing nuclear energy as a viable post-oil energy solution, but rather for other energy sources.
  • Sherry suggests that a resolution could possibly include the endorsements of other local environmental organizations.
  • Being pro-renewable energy rather than anti-nuclear energy.
  • Forums for statement: newspaper ad, op-ed, letter to the editor, monthly Commons column
• Decision: Resolution can be rewritten for newspaper with positive spin. Janet will present current statement as an individual at Windham Regional next week.

Project Updates:

• Liz & Grants:
  • Govt. grant roadblock – too much red tape, we’ll see if we can cut it.
  • Other sources identified, will be discussed with Tim to see if they fit.
  • Continue with preparation of Windham Foundation proposal due Feb. 29
• Tim
  • Peak oil as large issue that POS could be much more a part of in awareness raising.
    • Support Peak Oil Task Force through coming to meetings, support TF when it goes to Select Board
    • Discussion around when, how and what to present to Select Board (Task Force, not POS)
  • Space provided for POS to present Tim with feedback around position he is taking.
  • Discussion around localized movements versus national movements
  • Dissertation cited that has concrete solutions around nuclear-free and carbon-free energy policy, can be found at www.ieer.org

Proposal: Walter – town going on "Carbon Diet"

• Could be run like the VEI courses – reserve space at library and organize a group
• To be discussed at February meeting

Facilitator for next meeting: Janet

Agenda:

• Proposal: Walter and Carbon Diet
• 501(c)3 status
• Set up committee for Scott Ansley benefit
• Presentation by Abraham Noyes-Hays
• Revisit VEI study course