NW Mich Council of governments has given initial indication they will discuss the idea and lend staff time to creating a directory of local owned/operated business in our region, and possibly take on as an in house project. This, coupled with the recent news that TCLP would like to hear from ratepayers if they would like to spend Baybucks in paying their light bill, gives tangible momentum to focus on localism.
What are your thoughts?
Steering committee meets this Tues, March 1st at 6:00 p.m. at the second flr. conf. room at the building 50 annex at the Commons-(above Cuppa Joe's)
Please comment below if you are interested in attending, with your contact information, in the event of any last minute venue change - like if we all want to get dinner out, for example.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
An accounting for the "cost of nature consumed"
The steering committee for As Local As Possible group met this evening and made the first attempt as a group to define a mission. I offered a draft mission statement as folllows:
"Advocacy for and awareness building of the power of local owned businesses. These businesses create the most jobs, help to build a resilient community, and provide a model of commerce which accounts for the cost of nature consumed in the process.
Promote spending and investing as locally as possible to further this mission"
Although this did not satisfy everyone's view, there was quite a bit of support for a Green Directory modeled after the Green Pages online. A tangible goal of mine is a directory of local owned and operated business, whether it be printed or online or both.
Bay Bucks collaboration was again mentioned, and the offer from TCLP to consider accepting Bay Bucks in payment of your light bill was an opportunity to build upon. Charlie Wunsch agreed to pen a letter offering just such support which could be posted on social media - thanks Charlie.
Janice Benson commented that education wove together with advocacy, and is a very slow process in the case of Taste a Local Difference - how even after 8 years and a successful outcome some people don't quite get the mission of TLD. She also suggested that the Chamber of Commerce should be encouraged to work together with us on this. I assured her their continued participation would be most welcomed, as Tino Breithapt from the Chamber attended the workshop back in October.
Zack Liggett made a suggestion for a networking group that would draw together all similar mission organizations as a type of coalition, combining a speaker program and socializing time with those working on similar issues. Getting an opportunity to hear what others are doing, and hear the back story could be interesting and inspiring, as well as seek advice from specialists on a range of topics.
Conversation followed that pointed out the limitation of "local" and advocated for a more "triple bottom line" value basis, collectively considering the societal, economic and environmental impact.
Inserting the word "sustainable" next to local could be easily done.
This is hard stuff to do, and apparently limitless in the scope - as was evident in the meeting. Participants were invited to write up their interests in the way of a Mission Statement before the next meeting.
The steering committee next meets March 1st from 1:00 to 2:30 again at the Commons conference room second floor of the annex above Cuppa Joe's restaurant. Please feel free to join us, and if this will be your first meeting- let us know if you will be joining us on that date by commenting below, or emailing to aslocalaspossible@gmail.com
"Advocacy for and awareness building of the power of local owned businesses. These businesses create the most jobs, help to build a resilient community, and provide a model of commerce which accounts for the cost of nature consumed in the process.
Promote spending and investing as locally as possible to further this mission"
Although this did not satisfy everyone's view, there was quite a bit of support for a Green Directory modeled after the Green Pages online. A tangible goal of mine is a directory of local owned and operated business, whether it be printed or online or both.
Bay Bucks collaboration was again mentioned, and the offer from TCLP to consider accepting Bay Bucks in payment of your light bill was an opportunity to build upon. Charlie Wunsch agreed to pen a letter offering just such support which could be posted on social media - thanks Charlie.
Janice Benson commented that education wove together with advocacy, and is a very slow process in the case of Taste a Local Difference - how even after 8 years and a successful outcome some people don't quite get the mission of TLD. She also suggested that the Chamber of Commerce should be encouraged to work together with us on this. I assured her their continued participation would be most welcomed, as Tino Breithapt from the Chamber attended the workshop back in October.
Zack Liggett made a suggestion for a networking group that would draw together all similar mission organizations as a type of coalition, combining a speaker program and socializing time with those working on similar issues. Getting an opportunity to hear what others are doing, and hear the back story could be interesting and inspiring, as well as seek advice from specialists on a range of topics.
Conversation followed that pointed out the limitation of "local" and advocated for a more "triple bottom line" value basis, collectively considering the societal, economic and environmental impact.
Inserting the word "sustainable" next to local could be easily done.
This is hard stuff to do, and apparently limitless in the scope - as was evident in the meeting. Participants were invited to write up their interests in the way of a Mission Statement before the next meeting.
The steering committee next meets March 1st from 1:00 to 2:30 again at the Commons conference room second floor of the annex above Cuppa Joe's restaurant. Please feel free to join us, and if this will be your first meeting- let us know if you will be joining us on that date by commenting below, or emailing to aslocalaspossible@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Light & Power considers Bay Bucks
Traverse City Light & Power needs to hear from its rate payers if you want to see Bay Bucks taken in payment for electricity. If you are a customer of TCLP, just put a note in with your next power bill payment expressing your interest in Bay Bucks being accepted at Light and Power. No promises are made by the utility, and one would expect only a portion of your bill could be paid with BB, but the potential here is nevertheless fantastic.
Tell your neighbor. Build local economy resilience with your power bill payment ! Jot off a quick letter to the editor, he would love some mail. Spread the word.
If Light and Power takes BB, they could partially pay willing employees with them, who in turn would spend them at neighborhood shops and for local services, food etc. This would be just the jump start Bay Bucks needs.
Tell your neighbor. Build local economy resilience with your power bill payment ! Jot off a quick letter to the editor, he would love some mail. Spread the word.
If Light and Power takes BB, they could partially pay willing employees with them, who in turn would spend them at neighborhood shops and for local services, food etc. This would be just the jump start Bay Bucks needs.
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