Typical last minute packing...I don't have anything ready. You may assume that I was running off to the beach and hanging around at the Italian Festival...but you'd be wrong. Instead, I was reroofing up until 3 hours ago. Ick. The good thing is, that section of my roof is done! Anyway, I feel like I need a break from things that I am supposed to be doing, so I am blogging instead of packing...
FREEEEEEEEEDOOOOMMMMMM (as William Wallace would say)! I am leaving thoughts of responsibility behind. I cannot control everything around me and nor should I try...just go with the flow and follow the tide. For a minute I thought I'd be a little sad about leaving Buffalo behind, but...nope. You see, Buffalo's like an old friend; it will always be there when you get back from your adventures. Or rather, when I get back from my adventures. If you're reading this, then you're in for a hell of a trip. Through the back roads of Tennessee, down to Cajun country and then out to the desert of the southwest...never quite knowing what we'll see, who we'll meet, or precisely where we're staying that night...stay tuned for some (mis) adventures! Mom and Dad, I promise I won't faint and knock out my two front teeth this time...
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
CHE (outside of Nashville)
The Center for Holistic Ecology (CHE) is exactly about what it sounds: a holistic approach through integrating self, social and ecological systems. Never environment over people or people over the environment...all together at once. To accomplish this approach, they capitalize on the power of networking--bringing people, resources, services and organizations together to get the conversations started.
Though it seems like they do take a really holistic approach to everything and they offer classes in my favorite thing (natural building, of course!), what I am more interested in is their Seven Sisters Program, though I don't know if it's through them, or if it is just another program...I was confused by their website. The first sentence on the "about" section of this particular program is: "...women please stand up—and take your place at the head of the green movement." Ummmmm YES, okay. The program seeks to provide support for women trying out inspiring ideas that help the planet. Support monetarily and emotionally. I really see this as a valuable component to their entire program since women have SO much to bring to the table, especially considering the independence and ambition of working women (not that it has changed, but that society has made it much easier over time...). Apparently though, no one is currently running this program, which is a bit sad to hear given that I wanted to interview them about their target group of women, their perspective on women in the green movement, etc. I will definitely ask them about this, but may have to focus more on other things given that the program isn't up and running...
Regarding the organization as a whole, I am curious in asking about location. Personally, I think it makes a lot of sense to be close to or in a city and teaching much of this holistic approach. In cities are where most people live, not to mention that there are enormous social problems (racial divides, one school district favored over another, poor/rich neighborhoods, vacancy...at least in Buffalo, etc) which seem to happen everywhere, but on a much larger scale in urban settings). To be sure, there are definite advantages in teaching permaculture in more rural settings, but I want to see what pros/cons were weighed in the decision process of CHE's place selection.
Lastly, I am curious to ask about what else but natural building. Natural building using what materials? Do they offer classes on it? Are their structures built using natural methods? From what it seems, CHE connects with the Farm who offers classes...
...The Farm? As in THE farm? If you've never read about it and about intentional communities, you should. I wonder if CHE is an intentional community like The Farm, or if it more mainstream, more of a classroom rather than a place for people to live, founded during the hippie era, etc. My friend Gwen just wrote a story on intentional communities like the Farm and Arcosanti (in AZ), so I am sorta curious to check it out. Maybe I'll stop by at The Farm on the way...
Though it seems like they do take a really holistic approach to everything and they offer classes in my favorite thing (natural building, of course!), what I am more interested in is their Seven Sisters Program, though I don't know if it's through them, or if it is just another program...I was confused by their website. The first sentence on the "about" section of this particular program is: "...women please stand up—and take your place at the head of the green movement." Ummmmm YES, okay. The program seeks to provide support for women trying out inspiring ideas that help the planet. Support monetarily and emotionally. I really see this as a valuable component to their entire program since women have SO much to bring to the table, especially considering the independence and ambition of working women (not that it has changed, but that society has made it much easier over time...). Apparently though, no one is currently running this program, which is a bit sad to hear given that I wanted to interview them about their target group of women, their perspective on women in the green movement, etc. I will definitely ask them about this, but may have to focus more on other things given that the program isn't up and running...
Regarding the organization as a whole, I am curious in asking about location. Personally, I think it makes a lot of sense to be close to or in a city and teaching much of this holistic approach. In cities are where most people live, not to mention that there are enormous social problems (racial divides, one school district favored over another, poor/rich neighborhoods, vacancy...at least in Buffalo, etc) which seem to happen everywhere, but on a much larger scale in urban settings). To be sure, there are definite advantages in teaching permaculture in more rural settings, but I want to see what pros/cons were weighed in the decision process of CHE's place selection.
Lastly, I am curious to ask about what else but natural building. Natural building using what materials? Do they offer classes on it? Are their structures built using natural methods? From what it seems, CHE connects with the Farm who offers classes...
...The Farm? As in THE farm? If you've never read about it and about intentional communities, you should. I wonder if CHE is an intentional community like The Farm, or if it more mainstream, more of a classroom rather than a place for people to live, founded during the hippie era, etc. My friend Gwen just wrote a story on intentional communities like the Farm and Arcosanti (in AZ), so I am sorta curious to check it out. Maybe I'll stop by at The Farm on the way...
ACAC (Little Rock, Arkansas)
Gettin' close to time of departure. T minus...2 days and less than 12 hours! I'm continuing researching organizations (last minute)...I have no organizations yet that I am visiting in Little Rock, but there are a ton that I want to chat with. I'm almost positive I'm meeting with Arkansas Community Arts Cooperative (ACAC), so I'll report on them...
I consider myself an artist of sorts. I am involved in the building trades, green construction, and material reuse...but I believe that nothing should be done unintentionally...building should be done in an artistic way because I believe that buildings can be both green AND uniquely beautiful! This is part of the reason why I am visiting arts organizations, because of my interest in the arts. The second is that I believe that artists make up a large part of a region's culture and thus supremely important in sustaining a healthy city.
In addition to simply being curious about this organization, what I am perhaps most interested in speaking with ACAC about is the issue of access since this is a topic that I have come across often. In the mission statement it says "resources to artists and the community including those who would not normally have access to them." I am curious to see what has been successful in terms of outreach, receiving money to do stuff like providing resources at low or no cost, etc.
I consider myself an artist of sorts. I am involved in the building trades, green construction, and material reuse...but I believe that nothing should be done unintentionally...building should be done in an artistic way because I believe that buildings can be both green AND uniquely beautiful! This is part of the reason why I am visiting arts organizations, because of my interest in the arts. The second is that I believe that artists make up a large part of a region's culture and thus supremely important in sustaining a healthy city.
In addition to simply being curious about this organization, what I am perhaps most interested in speaking with ACAC about is the issue of access since this is a topic that I have come across often. In the mission statement it says "resources to artists and the community including those who would not normally have access to them." I am curious to see what has been successful in terms of outreach, receiving money to do stuff like providing resources at low or no cost, etc.
The second thing that caught my eye on their website was encouraging involvement. This interests me primarily because I am looking for strategies for community development and I am wondering if they've used public art and involvement in large art installations at all to get conversations within the Little Rock community started.
If so, perhaps something to think about in Buffalo...large "art days" where it goes beyond lot clean up, brings together both artists and community members, and results in long-lasting art installations. Paintings, mosaics, building structures (see cityrepair website...village building convergence...) The important thing to be considered in that is...bringing together people in a fruitful way that focuses on INVOLVEMENT, not exclusivity...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
(n)habit--environmental supply + design (Nashville, TN)
(n)habit is the first BUSINESS I am visiting. I have chosen to visit a combination of both organizations and businesses because I am curious to judge the differences between the two. What makes sense as a business and what makes sense as a non-profit? Are there ways to do both? The whole field of socially-minded business seems to suggest that there is, but what ideas will actually work in the sort of set up that seeks profit (yet not too much) and helps the community (but only to the extent feasible)? Hard question to even begin to answer, yet it is always interesting to see what others have to say on the subject.
Specific to (n)habit: It is a green building supply and design company. They also offer some installation services...and they promote other businesses (where to get biodiesel, solar panels, etc)? A nice gesture, but also means that maybe they lean more towards information sharing and promoting a greener healthier future than ONLY seeking profit.
Looking through the products offered on their website, I find there are some products that would be considered questionable as a "green" product for many building professionals. It returns to the question that I and all people involved in green construction ALWAYS return to...what do you compromise on? Concrete retains heat very well and is used in many radiant floor systems, yet Portland cement is not the most eco-friendly of materials...do we compromise and use it? And should we offer tints for it? Where are those tints from? Are things locally sourced? Why sell paints in cans...could they mass produce natural paints which are even better than the manufactured ones and just tint that? The salvaged lumber that they list on the website...salvaged from where? Nearby? You get the idea.
It'll be interesting to speak with the people at (n)habit, for sure. There is a green supply store of sorts that just had their opening in Buffalo this past week (I couldn't go on account of the Fancy and Delicious Fundraiser...), and so it will be interesting to see how the two differ as they continue to grow....
Specific to (n)habit: It is a green building supply and design company. They also offer some installation services...and they promote other businesses (where to get biodiesel, solar panels, etc)? A nice gesture, but also means that maybe they lean more towards information sharing and promoting a greener healthier future than ONLY seeking profit.
Looking through the products offered on their website, I find there are some products that would be considered questionable as a "green" product for many building professionals. It returns to the question that I and all people involved in green construction ALWAYS return to...what do you compromise on? Concrete retains heat very well and is used in many radiant floor systems, yet Portland cement is not the most eco-friendly of materials...do we compromise and use it? And should we offer tints for it? Where are those tints from? Are things locally sourced? Why sell paints in cans...could they mass produce natural paints which are even better than the manufactured ones and just tint that? The salvaged lumber that they list on the website...salvaged from where? Nearby? You get the idea.
It'll be interesting to speak with the people at (n)habit, for sure. There is a green supply store of sorts that just had their opening in Buffalo this past week (I couldn't go on account of the Fancy and Delicious Fundraiser...), and so it will be interesting to see how the two differ as they continue to grow....
Against the Grain (Nashville, TN)
Against the Grain's mission: "...empowering single mothers and their children, enabling them to become responsible leaders in their homes and communities." Though I am certainly not a mother yet (...if ever...sometimes I think to the chagrin of my mother since she would LOVE grandkids), I can connect on the basis of women's empowerment and thus why I chose to look into what they do...
AtG's main program as it is presented on their website is 180, so called because women who enter the program have realized they must do a 180 in their lives in order to become more self-sufficient and successful or else they are doing themselves and their children a disservice. This program includes both life skills classes like Budgeting 101, parenting classes, Jobs for Life, Financial Stewardship, Purpose Driven Life and Self Esteem classes and referral services/educational opportunities (through scholarships and partnerships with several local colleges and tech-schools). It is a two year program, which is something that is unique and encouraging. My sense from having looked at other programs is that 6 months is way too short to turn someone's life around, so 2 years is a much better commitment--both on the part of the organization and the women enrolled.
Year one: The women in the program are partnered with a life-coach. Questions immediately arise...what is a life coach? How involved are they in a woman's life? Are there daily, weekly, monthly check-ins? How supportive is the relationship between the coach and the woman? Can it or has it ever become accusatory, or negative in any way? How are the life-coaches trained, if at all?
Year two: "the life-coach and the AtG staff work with the mother to ensure the implementation of the training and completion of their customized plan. The mother also becomes an encourager for a new mom beginning the program." How is year two different from year one? How is it the same? Does the mother get trained to be an encourager? Can they eventually become a life-coach?
In reading past newsletters and other pages on their website, I also came away with additional questions that I hope will be clarified once I speak with someone at the organization: in addition to helping the mothers, does the organization help their kids as well (what is the kids 180 program, what is the Image Builders Mentors Program)? How much does religion play into this organization? How are the women supported...financially, emotionally, with accomodations, food, etc. What are some examples of women passing through the program? What types of encouragement or check-in has proven to be most effective in leading to success and empowerment of women? What is the "incentive pantry"? Do life skills that are taught include homeownership and DIY projects?
AtG's main program as it is presented on their website is 180, so called because women who enter the program have realized they must do a 180 in their lives in order to become more self-sufficient and successful or else they are doing themselves and their children a disservice. This program includes both life skills classes like Budgeting 101, parenting classes, Jobs for Life, Financial Stewardship, Purpose Driven Life and Self Esteem classes and referral services/educational opportunities (through scholarships and partnerships with several local colleges and tech-schools). It is a two year program, which is something that is unique and encouraging. My sense from having looked at other programs is that 6 months is way too short to turn someone's life around, so 2 years is a much better commitment--both on the part of the organization and the women enrolled.
Year one: The women in the program are partnered with a life-coach. Questions immediately arise...what is a life coach? How involved are they in a woman's life? Are there daily, weekly, monthly check-ins? How supportive is the relationship between the coach and the woman? Can it or has it ever become accusatory, or negative in any way? How are the life-coaches trained, if at all?
Year two: "the life-coach and the AtG staff work with the mother to ensure the implementation of the training and completion of their customized plan. The mother also becomes an encourager for a new mom beginning the program." How is year two different from year one? How is it the same? Does the mother get trained to be an encourager? Can they eventually become a life-coach?
In reading past newsletters and other pages on their website, I also came away with additional questions that I hope will be clarified once I speak with someone at the organization: in addition to helping the mothers, does the organization help their kids as well (what is the kids 180 program, what is the Image Builders Mentors Program)? How much does religion play into this organization? How are the women supported...financially, emotionally, with accomodations, food, etc. What are some examples of women passing through the program? What types of encouragement or check-in has proven to be most effective in leading to success and empowerment of women? What is the "incentive pantry"? Do life skills that are taught include homeownership and DIY projects?
Monday, July 5, 2010
CreateHere (Chattanooga, TN)
In the ABOUT section of CreateHere’s website it reads, “we love our city for what it is, has been and could become.” Funny, since that’s what I think when I think of Buffalo. I see Buffalo for what it could be. So much potential! In stating this sentiment, the organization CreateHere could be anywhere, really—a city in Nebraska or a city in England, or wherever—because it is a universal sentiment: pride of place.
Pride of place. What does that mean? How does this idea manifest itself in an organization? Well, the idea of placemaking--of creating a space where people want to live and interact and invest in--has been around for ages, but what does it really mean to “make a place?” For CreateHere it seems as though making places comes with investing in the people of a place. Not necessarily first, but perhaps in conjunction with the beautification of an area, with supporting local businesses, etc. What caught my eye about this organization is the way in which they use their programs as a method to “harness the economic potential of creative individuals.”
Who counts as a creative individual? At face value, a creative individual might be an artist, a person who paints, sculpts, carves, photographs, makes t-shirts, and generally documents a place. The result of their work is a commentary or criticism on the place or the social happenings of that place. Well, what if we took those individuals and supported them monetarily? It would be a statement of: “we believe in fostering the creative culture in our city.” Not only that, but perhaps these rising artists within the community fostering the creative community may have a creative influence on other sectors of the city such as organizations, businesses, and even government. CreateHere has a program called MakeWork which grants money to individuals. Under the stipulations of receiving money, each artist must attend sustainability sessions through their other program SpringBoard.
Being an Environmental Policy major, I immediately thought sustainability in an environmental context, but what SpringBoard seems to be more is a peer-to-peer network of individuals who throw ideas around and come up with strategies for success. This can definitely help ensure the longevity of the influence that the artists have in the Chattanooga community, but I am also interested in my original thought. What if these artists had to attend environmental sustainability sessions? Would the materials and dyes and paints and methods become way less toxic? Would their work be influenced by this idea of environmental stewardship? If the economy is a “green” economy, what will that mean for the creative minds of a city in the near future? I think that CreateHere has their mind in the right place in supporting first, and then providing the artists tools for their continued success, because without those first 2 steps there would be no room for talking about toxicity of materials, etc. But I wonder…could there be a third step of environmental stewardship which would make the program increasingly unique and perhaps more attractive to a wider range of funders?
My second interest lies internally: how does the organization function? Who are the leaders? How do they do outreach? How do they give all this money to support artists?
All questions to be answered in an interview, but what I noticed immediately about this organization was that like the CWLI (see previous post), CreateHere believes in having good leadership to drive their mission and to drive change in the city they love. To this end, they have created a program called LeadHere. The program is made of fellows who are selected in an application process. The fellows enter into CreateHere and experience hands on community building efforts, which is something that I think is invaluable. How does one get experience in leadership and community building efforts by simply studying it? A person must become ENGAGED. The best part of this program seems to be that it fosters and encourages creative solutions to pervasive problems within the community, though that could be me just hoping that this is the main goal of the LeadHere program. Often organizations function very differently from what it seems like on the surface, so I will have to investigate upon interviewing them. I was thinking, though, that there needs to be something similar in Buffalo…an organization that gives creative people the power to achieve innovative solutions, since doing the same old same old often seems to fall a little short, no?
Pride of place. What does that mean? How does this idea manifest itself in an organization? Well, the idea of placemaking--of creating a space where people want to live and interact and invest in--has been around for ages, but what does it really mean to “make a place?” For CreateHere it seems as though making places comes with investing in the people of a place. Not necessarily first, but perhaps in conjunction with the beautification of an area, with supporting local businesses, etc. What caught my eye about this organization is the way in which they use their programs as a method to “harness the economic potential of creative individuals.”
Who counts as a creative individual? At face value, a creative individual might be an artist, a person who paints, sculpts, carves, photographs, makes t-shirts, and generally documents a place. The result of their work is a commentary or criticism on the place or the social happenings of that place. Well, what if we took those individuals and supported them monetarily? It would be a statement of: “we believe in fostering the creative culture in our city.” Not only that, but perhaps these rising artists within the community fostering the creative community may have a creative influence on other sectors of the city such as organizations, businesses, and even government. CreateHere has a program called MakeWork which grants money to individuals. Under the stipulations of receiving money, each artist must attend sustainability sessions through their other program SpringBoard.
Being an Environmental Policy major, I immediately thought sustainability in an environmental context, but what SpringBoard seems to be more is a peer-to-peer network of individuals who throw ideas around and come up with strategies for success. This can definitely help ensure the longevity of the influence that the artists have in the Chattanooga community, but I am also interested in my original thought. What if these artists had to attend environmental sustainability sessions? Would the materials and dyes and paints and methods become way less toxic? Would their work be influenced by this idea of environmental stewardship? If the economy is a “green” economy, what will that mean for the creative minds of a city in the near future? I think that CreateHere has their mind in the right place in supporting first, and then providing the artists tools for their continued success, because without those first 2 steps there would be no room for talking about toxicity of materials, etc. But I wonder…could there be a third step of environmental stewardship which would make the program increasingly unique and perhaps more attractive to a wider range of funders?
My second interest lies internally: how does the organization function? Who are the leaders? How do they do outreach? How do they give all this money to support artists?
All questions to be answered in an interview, but what I noticed immediately about this organization was that like the CWLI (see previous post), CreateHere believes in having good leadership to drive their mission and to drive change in the city they love. To this end, they have created a program called LeadHere. The program is made of fellows who are selected in an application process. The fellows enter into CreateHere and experience hands on community building efforts, which is something that I think is invaluable. How does one get experience in leadership and community building efforts by simply studying it? A person must become ENGAGED. The best part of this program seems to be that it fosters and encourages creative solutions to pervasive problems within the community, though that could be me just hoping that this is the main goal of the LeadHere program. Often organizations function very differently from what it seems like on the surface, so I will have to investigate upon interviewing them. I was thinking, though, that there needs to be something similar in Buffalo…an organization that gives creative people the power to achieve innovative solutions, since doing the same old same old often seems to fall a little short, no?
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Categories
To clarify, in looking at organizations and businesses, I am looking at the following categories (plus a few more if I have time):
Organizational Structure: Who is in charge? How is it legally set up (nonprofit, business, through gov't, etc)? Are there checks and balances to avoid power struggles? Is the day to day functioning organized or totally haphazard?
Resource Capacity: How are they funded? Do they have several funders? Who is working on fundraising? Do they have the potential to generate their own income and cover overhead costs? Are they expanding, shrinking, staying the same?
Programmatic Capacity: Do they have a variety of programs or focus on one thing? Who is in charge of running the programs? Do they have employees or volunteers spearheading programs? Who is their target audience? Are there programs that maybe they should undertake but do not have the capacity to do so?
Networking Capacity: How are they connected to the larger community? Is their board influential, involved in other things? Do they do outreach beyond their target audience?
Political Capacity: How are they perceived within their community? Do they work well with government officials in the city? Are they in the news often?
The "green" factor: Are they taking steps toward a greener economy?
I will not always comment on every category, just the ones I find most interesting about the organization/business being highlighted. Let me know if you think of additional categories that I should be considering...
Organizational Structure: Who is in charge? How is it legally set up (nonprofit, business, through gov't, etc)? Are there checks and balances to avoid power struggles? Is the day to day functioning organized or totally haphazard?
Resource Capacity: How are they funded? Do they have several funders? Who is working on fundraising? Do they have the potential to generate their own income and cover overhead costs? Are they expanding, shrinking, staying the same?
Programmatic Capacity: Do they have a variety of programs or focus on one thing? Who is in charge of running the programs? Do they have employees or volunteers spearheading programs? Who is their target audience? Are there programs that maybe they should undertake but do not have the capacity to do so?
Networking Capacity: How are they connected to the larger community? Is their board influential, involved in other things? Do they do outreach beyond their target audience?
Political Capacity: How are they perceived within their community? Do they work well with government officials in the city? Are they in the news often?
The "green" factor: Are they taking steps toward a greener economy?
I will not always comment on every category, just the ones I find most interesting about the organization/business being highlighted. Let me know if you think of additional categories that I should be considering...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)