Transition Whatcom2024-03-29T01:07:04ZDavid MacLeodhttps://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/DavidMacLeodhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/5560384493?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/forum/topic/listForContributor?groupUrl=tw-book-study-group&user=07gtkcy73e5ut&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThe Next Book?tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2013-10-08:2723460:Topic:930572013-10-08T02:19:14.381ZDavid MacLeodhttps://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/DavidMacLeod
<p>Some suggestions have been previously made on the next book to study.</p>
<p></p>
<p>A Theory of Power by Jeff Vail (recommended by Garrett)</p>
<p>People and Permaculture by Looby Macnamara (recommended by Heather)</p>
<p><a href="http://transitionculture.org/2013/01/21/transition-permaculture-and-peoplecare-an-interview-with-looby-macnamara/" target="_blank">Read Rob Hopkins interview of Looby Macnamara.</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Other…</span></p>
<p>Some suggestions have been previously made on the next book to study.</p>
<p></p>
<p>A Theory of Power by Jeff Vail (recommended by Garrett)</p>
<p>People and Permaculture by Looby Macnamara (recommended by Heather)</p>
<p><a href="http://transitionculture.org/2013/01/21/transition-permaculture-and-peoplecare-an-interview-with-looby-macnamara/" target="_blank">Read Rob Hopkins interview of Looby Macnamara.</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Other ideas:</span></p>
<p>Active Hope by JoAnna Macy and Chris Johnstone</p>
<p>Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability by David Holmgren</p>
<p></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ao5LyhYOXbY?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p> Book Study Meeting 6:30 August 1tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2013-07-31:2723460:Topic:923262013-07-31T20:22:52.533ZDavid MacLeodhttps://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/DavidMacLeod
<p><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-3">Hi All, </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-3">Our house has been painted (a color like a butterscotch). Still 3218, but the house numbers have not been replaced yet. There will either be a new roof or one in progress. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-3">Joy</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-3">Hi All, </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-3">Our house has been painted (a color like a butterscotch). Still 3218, but the house numbers have not been replaced yet. There will either be a new roof or one in progress. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-3">Joy</span></p> Food Security and City of Bellinghamtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2013-06-19:2723460:Topic:915082013-06-19T19:06:32.396ZDavid MacLeodhttps://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/DavidMacLeod
<p><span>During our last book club meeting, we discussed focusing on food initiatives. </span>Consider attending Thursday's workshop from 7 - 9 PM. If more community garden-minded people participate, we may be able to establishing a positive working relationship with the city. </p>
<div><span><font color="#663300"><b><u>PUBLIC PARKS WORKSHOP!</u></b></font></span></div>
<p><span>The public is invited to help shape the update of the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PRO Plan), a six-year…</span></p>
<p><span>During our last book club meeting, we discussed focusing on food initiatives. </span>Consider attending Thursday's workshop from 7 - 9 PM. If more community garden-minded people participate, we may be able to establishing a positive working relationship with the city. </p>
<div><span><font color="#663300"><b><u>PUBLIC PARKS WORKSHOP!</u></b></font></span></div>
<p><span>The public is invited to help shape the update of the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PRO Plan), a six-year plan that analyzes the supply and demand for park and recreation services and facilities within Bellingham city limits and the urban growth area. The workshop is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 20 at the Bloedel Donovan Park Multi-Purpose Room, 2214 Electric Ave. It is an opportunity to provide</span><br/><span>input on priorities for parks and recreation in the coming years. In order to remain eligible for certain state grants, the City must update the PRO Plan every six years. </span><strong>It </strong><strong>also becomes part of the City's Comprehensive Plan.</strong><span> The last PRO Plan update was </span><span>completed in 2008. The Parks and Recreation Department is beginning the process now in </span><span>order to have time for adequate public input, including review and public hearings by </span><span>the Planning Commission and City Council in time for completion in 2014. The workshop </span><span>is the first of several opportunities for public input on the plan. In addition, there will be public opinion surveys and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. The process is being overseen with input from the Parks and Recreation </span><span>Advisory Board.</span><br/><span> Leslie Bryson, Design and Development Manager</span><br/><span> Parks and Recreation Department, </span><a target="_blank">360-778-7000</a><span> or </span><a href="mailto:lbryson@cob.org" target="_blank">lbryson@cob.org</a></p> Energy From the Vacuumtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2013-02-05:2723460:Topic:869282013-02-05T05:09:37.602ZDavid MacLeodhttps://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/DavidMacLeod
<p>This is a follow-up to last month's meeting, where Larry Horowitz shared his thoughts about Energy from the Vacuum, and the work of Tom Beardon and John Bedini. Larry sent me the following email, and the attachment to pass on to you all. </p>
<p></p>
<div><em>"David,</em></div>
<div><em> </em></div>
<div><em>Here’s a link to my June 28, 2008 article on Tom Bearden and Energy from the Vacuum (EFTV). I have also attached my fairly lengthy email conversation with Bearden in 2007. Please feel…</em></div>
<p>This is a follow-up to last month's meeting, where Larry Horowitz shared his thoughts about Energy from the Vacuum, and the work of Tom Beardon and John Bedini. Larry sent me the following email, and the attachment to pass on to you all. </p>
<p></p>
<div><em>"David,</em></div>
<div><em> </em></div>
<div><em>Here’s a link to my June 28, 2008 article on Tom Bearden and Energy from the Vacuum (EFTV). I have also attached my fairly lengthy email conversation with Bearden in 2007. Please feel free to share with the TW Book Study Group if you feel it would be appropriate.</em></div>
<div><em> </em></div>
<div><em><strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.nwcitizen.com/entry/magnetism-the-search-for-unlimited-energy">Magnetism & the search for unlimited energy</a></strong></em></div>
<div><em>Best,</em><br/><em>Larry</em>"</div>
<div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Attachment:</em></span></div>
<div><em><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060941758?profile=original">Email%20Conversation%20between%20Tom%20Bearden%20and%20Larry%20Horowitz.pdf</a></em></div>
<div>Now, I want to make clear that I do not share Larry's views here, but I do want this to be an open discussion where we listen to and respect one another, and stay open to different possibilities and different perspectives.</div>
<div>My own perspective was stated briefly in a comment exchange that Larry and I had at the NW Citizen website. </div>
<div><div id="comment_box_2494"><p><em>Hi Larry,</em><br/> <em>Thanks for the response. It seems that this is getting a little off topic, but I did look at the Orion Project link. I am sorry, but I am going to be very slow to believe any over unity or perpetual motion machines are going to save our bacon. This is because I agree with Greer that the 2nd law of thermodynamics is “the most ironclad of all the laws of physics.” </em> <br/> <em><a href="http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.com/2010/02/energy-follows-its-bliss.html" target="_blank"><b>+ Link</b></a></em></p>
<p><em>Yes, energy is very abundant in our universe, but most of it is very dilute and dispersed, unlike the concentrated energy found in fossil fuels. Even if some fantastic alternative energy source were available to be implemented today, there would be years to build infrastructure for it.</em></p>
<p><em>Instead of trusting in some unproven technology, I think we need to begin now to deal realistically with the situation at hand, which includes climate change, energy resource scarcity, economic instability, and an addicted to growth culture reaching limits on a finite planet.</em></p>
<p><em>To me, planning for energy descent is the logical course, even as we continue research and development of energy alternatives.</em><br/> <em><a href="http://transitionculture.org/2007/07/30/david-holmgren-on-peak-oil-energy-descent-and-permaculture/" target="_blank"><b>+ Link</b></a></em></p>
<p></p>
<p>Of course, Larry had a response, so please check it out our exchange at the very bottom of this page (the article and other comments on climate change [see especially Paul D'Armond] are also very interesting):</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nwcitizen.com/entry/2011/01/wwu-prof-easterbrook-on-global-warming" target="_blank">http://www.nwcitizen.com/entry/2011/01/wwu-prof-easterbrook-on-global-warming</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>David</p>
</div>
</div> Chapters 4 and 5 for Feb. 7 Meetingtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2013-01-26:2723460:Topic:868652013-01-26T04:21:27.728ZDavid MacLeodhttps://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/DavidMacLeod
<p><strong>This month (Thurs. Feb 7): Looking at Chapters 4 and 5: "Resilience and Localisation" and "A Taste of a Powered Down Future." ...and/or chapters 3 and 4 from The Transition Handbook: "Why Rebuilding Resilience Is as Important as Cutting Carbon Emissions" and "Why Small Is Inevitable."</strong></p>
<p><strong>This month (Thurs. Feb 7): Looking at Chapters 4 and 5: "Resilience and Localisation" and "A Taste of a Powered Down Future." ...and/or chapters 3 and 4 from The Transition Handbook: "Why Rebuilding Resilience Is as Important as Cutting Carbon Emissions" and "Why Small Is Inevitable."</strong></p> Transition Handbook Discussion Course Guide and Guidelines for Study Groupstag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2013-01-03:2723460:Topic:858402013-01-03T02:40:57.541ZDavid MacLeodhttps://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/DavidMacLeod
<h2 class="title"><span class="font-size-3">The study guide for the Transition Handbook can be downloaded from this link:</span> <a href="http://transitionseattle.com/resources/discussion/TransitionHandbookDiscussionCourse.pdf" target="_blank">http://transitionseattle.com/resources/discussion/TransitionHandbookDiscussionCourse.pdf</a></h2>
<h2 class="title">- - - - -</h2>
<p> </p>
<h2 class="title"><span class="font-size-4">Guidelines for Transition book groups and study circles in…</span></h2>
<h2 class="title"><span class="font-size-3">The study guide for the Transition Handbook can be downloaded from this link:</span> <a href="http://transitionseattle.com/resources/discussion/TransitionHandbookDiscussionCourse.pdf" target="_blank">http://transitionseattle.com/resources/discussion/TransitionHandbookDiscussionCourse.pdf</a></h2>
<h2 class="title">- - - - -</h2>
<p> </p>
<h2 class="title"><span class="font-size-4">Guidelines for Transition book groups and study circles in general</span></h2>
<div class="origin">by Joann Kerr, Susan Gregory, and Leo Brodie (Sustainable NE Seattle)</div>
<div class="content"><blockquote><p>The following guidelines are a great way to set the tone for any book group or study circle. We typically read them together at the first or second meeting of a group.</p>
<p>They were originally written for the <a href="http://transitionseattle.com/resources/discussion/">Transition Handbook Discussion Course</a>. They are from pages 3-4 of the course study guide (<a href="http://transitionseattle.com/resources/discussion/TransitionHandbookDiscussionCourse.pdf">PDF of study guide text</a>)</p>
<p>- Bart Anderson / Transition Palo Alto / Energy Bulletin</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>How It Works</b></p>
<p>This course is designed to be run collectively by the participants themselves. It does not have a single leader, and no one person is held up as the expert or authority. Each week a different person from the group should be designated as the facilitator, whose role is simply to keep the conversation on track.</p>
<p>This approach is similar to the Transition model itself. It reminds us that we must learn to look to each other as experts, and for each of us to become our own experts.</p>
<p>This course is designed to foster a personal experience of our global predicament and of a solutions based in community. The discussion questions are not written to solicit right or wrong answers, and the course is not about seeking immediate solutions.</p>
<p>As the Handbook suggests, much of the work of Transition involves the "Heart," or inner work. Most of us grew up with cultural stories that valued human "progress" above traditional measures of well-being, and even above ethics. Change will be difficult unless we can unlearn and rewrite those stories.</p>
<p>The questions in the course have been written to stimulate personal discussion and examination of these stories, and how we might collectively rewrite them to create a world that's better than the one we live in now.</p>
<p>Your group can decide for itself how to rotate the position of facilitator from week to week.</p>
<p>We recommend that the size of the group be 8-12 people. Fewer participants won't produce the same energy and synergy. With too many, not everyone will feel included.</p>
<p>We recommend that each session be 2 hours (no less), typically once a week over a six week period.</p>
<p>Meetings seem to work well if they start with a check-in. This gives everyone a chance to let us know how they are feeling and how the week went. It helps people become present and allows them to focus on the discussion. And people like getting to know each other.</p>
<p>Following the check-in, the Discussion Course includes a circle question. After the facilitator asks this question, the members of the group can each take a turn answering it.</p>
<p>This process helps make sure that everyone is included.</p>
<p><b>For the Facilitator</b></p>
<p>The following guidelines are suggested for the facilitator.</p>
<p>Make sure everyone is heard. Each person has a different level of comfort with speaking in groups. Try not to let the more outgoing people dominate the conversation. Suggest that many, concise responses from more people are more productive than fewer lengthy responses from fewer people.</p>
<p>You may need to prompt the quieter people by asking the question directly to them. One purpose of the circle question is to have everyone speak. Use this opportunity to "break the ice" for the more quiet people.</p>
<p>You may also need to ask someone who has been speaking too long to conclude their thoughts and let others speak.</p>
<p>Notice when the conversation becomes too "theoretical," and bring it back to the question at hand. This happens when the topic becomes something far beyond the control of the people in the group, such as what the government should do, or about some predicted crisis, or about some technology. People also get theoretical when the topic becomes uncomfortable or it feels unsafe. You may notice changes in body language; people start squirming in their seats or some other anxiety display. This course will deliver the best experience for everyone if the conversation stays focused on the personal connection to the material.</p>
<p>Depending on the size of your group, there may not be enough time to address all the questions in this Guide. It's better to skip some questions than to rush through them. Again, make sure everyone has time to respond to the question.</p>
<p>Even if you do skip questions, avoid the temptation to rearrange the order of the questions. Also, be sure to leave enough time for the final question of each session. The sequence of questions in each session is designed to build towards a positive, encouraging ending.</p>
<p>As the facilitator, you're welcome to participate in the discussion. But keep in mind your additional role of keeping the discussion focused.</p>
<p>The role of the facilitator is simply to guide the process outlined in the course handbook and to encourage participation from the other members. Your time together each week is limited. We ask that the facilitators not lecture or give presentations, no matter how relevant the topic may seem.</p>
<p><b>About the <a href="http://transitionseattle.com/resources/discussion/">Transition Handbook Discussion Course</a>.</b></p>
<p>The Transition Handbook was written by the founder of the Transition Movement, Rob Hopkins, to introduce the concepts of Transition. This six-week discussion course is based on the Handbook. It has been designed to stimulate personal examination of our own cultural stories, and how we might collectively rewrite these stories to create a world that's better than the one we have now. For each week, participants will read the assigned chapters on their own, then meet to discuss the questions provided.</p>
<p>... This course was developed by Sustainable NE Seattle, recognized by the Transition US Network as an official Transition initiative.</p>
<p>Sustainable NE Seattle is making the course available to other Transition Initiatives who want to offer it to their own members. Structured as six sessions of two hours each, the course is a great way to introduce your members to the concepts of Transition.</p>
<p>The course is designed to be run by the participants themselves, so once you kick it off there's no more work for you to do.</p>
</div> "People & Permaculture" by Looby Macnamaratag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2012-12-31:2723460:Topic:860182012-12-31T22:15:51.747ZDavid MacLeodhttps://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/DavidMacLeod
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>“<font size="2"><b>People & Permaculture</b></font></u><font size="2">- <strong>Caring & Designing for Ourselves, Each Other & The Planet" </strong>by designer/teacher Looby Macnamara – <a href="http://www.spiralsofabundance.com/people-and-permaculture-book-p-372.html">http://www.spiralsofabundance.com/people-and-permaculture-book-p-372.html</a> a new 2012 British book distributed by Chelsea Green. <strong>David Holmgren states…</strong></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>“<font size="2"><b>People & Permaculture</b></font></u><font size="2">- <strong>Caring & Designing for Ourselves, Each Other & The Planet" </strong>by designer/teacher Looby Macnamara – <a href="http://www.spiralsofabundance.com/people-and-permaculture-book-p-372.html">http://www.spiralsofabundance.com/people-and-permaculture-book-p-372.html</a> a new 2012 British book distributed by Chelsea Green. <strong>David Holmgren states in support of her writings:</strong> “The application of permaculture principles and thinking to peoplecare has long been a vexed issue for permaculture activists, designers and teachers. In this book Looby Macnamara uses her solid grounding in permaculture to show that its principles and thinking can help us all be effective and hopeful in an age of change and challenge. In the process she draws in kindred ideas and influences from the field of peoplecare, making a significant contribution in the ongoing evolution of permaculture as a concept and a movement creating a better world.”</font></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="2">This might be an interesting book for us to read in the future.</font></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="2">You tube interview with Looby: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fFglunBFsY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fFglunBFsY</a></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p> Chapters 2 and 3 for Jan. 3 Meetingtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2012-12-31:2723460:Topic:859232012-12-31T05:19:31.247ZDavid MacLeodhttps://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/DavidMacLeod
<p>As mentioned, we will be looking at Chapters 2 and 3 in The Transition Companion.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Chapter Two: Why Transition Initiatives Do What They Do</p>
<p>Chapter Three: Where We Might Be Headed: The Power of Future Scenarios</p>
<p></p>
<p>The matching chapters in The Transition Handbook, if anyone wants to look at those are Chapter 1 (Peak Oil and Climate Change: The Two Great Oversights of Our Times), and Chapter 2 (The View From the Mountain Top). There's a fair amount more detail…</p>
<p>As mentioned, we will be looking at Chapters 2 and 3 in The Transition Companion.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Chapter Two: Why Transition Initiatives Do What They Do</p>
<p>Chapter Three: Where We Might Be Headed: The Power of Future Scenarios</p>
<p></p>
<p>The matching chapters in The Transition Handbook, if anyone wants to look at those are Chapter 1 (Peak Oil and Climate Change: The Two Great Oversights of Our Times), and Chapter 2 (The View From the Mountain Top). There's a fair amount more detail about P.O. and CC in the Handbook, as well as more material on Future Scenarios. Chapter 3 is very much worth reading from the Handbook if you have access to it.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Other material:</p>
<p>The Future Scenarios section is largely inspired by David Holmgren's Future Scenarios, which can be found in its entirety online at <a href="http://www.futurescenarios.org" target="_blank">futurescenarios.org</a>. I think this is essential stuff, please do check it out.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Another big inspiration is the book <a href="http://richardheinberg.com/bookshelf/powerdown" target="_blank">Powerdown</a> by Richard Heinberg.</p>
<p></p>