Sustainability Alliance of SW Colorado
- Current: SASCO’s mission is to help the communities of Southwest Colorado incorporate the concept of sustainability into all local and regional activities. We work with policymakers, business leaders, community groups, and individuals, and inform them about the complex linkages among critical areas including environmental quality, social health, and economic development.
- Ad hoc committee: The Sustainability Alliance influences the communities of Southwest Colorado to embrace sustainability in all activities: preserving and restoring the integrity of the natural environment, nurturing healthy human and other living systems, and maintaining a vital self-reliant economy, generation after generation.
- Marcus: The Sustainability Alliance advocates holistic solutions to local and regional issues by facilitating communication and partnerships between individuals and organizations with an interest in sustainability.
- Lisa: The Sustainability Alliance [promotes/fosters] the shift to a sustainable society by [fostering/facilitating] communication, partnerships, and collaborative programs [among local and regional actors] [to advance systemic solutions to local and regional issues].
- Sara: The Sustainability Alliance [advocates/promotes] [holistic/systemic] solutions to local and regional issues by facilitating communication, partnerships, and collaborative programs between individuals and organizations with an interest in sustainability.
- Carolyn: The Sustainability Alliance influences the communities of Southwest Colorado to embrace sustainability in all activities and facilitates communication and partnerships between individuals and organizations with an interest in sustainability.
The emergence of an apparent philosophical divide over the breadth of the SASCO mission led to the decision to defer conclusion of the discussion to the January retreat.
Election Results
Opening the Annual Meeting, Lisa announced the results of the 2008 Board election. She said that all candidates received 19 votes except for Keith Fox, who received 18 votes. Dick observed that the Bylaws call for decisions on allocation of the length of Board terms to be decided in order of number of votes received, and by lot among tied candidates, but the tie-breaking could take place after the meeting.
Dick acknowledged several Board members who will be leaving the Board due to time constraints and other commitments: Tom Riesing, Laura Lewis Marchino, Laurie Dickson, and Carol Clark. Jim noted that his livelihood takes him out of town quite a bit and that he was unable to meet the Board member obligation of missing only 2 monthly meetings in 2008. Dick observed that Jim was not alone in this and that several Board members had missed 4–5 meetings.
Retreat Organization
Board members agreed that January 17 is the best available date for the Board retreat.
Dick solicited volunteers for the retreat organizing committee. Volunteers included Marcus, Lisa, Tim, Carolyn, Werner, and Katy. Lisa offered to convene the planning meetings. Tim offered to help facilitate the retreat if we decided to go that route.
Input from Members for 2009
Dick asked the meeting attendees if they had any general ideas for what the Sustainability Alliance might do in 2009.
Sara said she had been talking to a friend involved with Turtle Lake Refuge, and this person had never heard of the Sustainability Alliance. She said we need to get our name out into the community more, and noted that the upcoming Durango Herald articles will help. Werner said the 2009 membership meetings at the library will also help. Rebecca said the goal is to coordinate the articles with the membership meetings.
Werner described the structure of the membership meetings, which have been organized by Heather Gregory. He said one outstanding issue is the fee structure for admission. Denise recommended “always passing the donation hat.” Dick added that the sign-up sheet should also be made available.
Kim asked how many members the Sustainability Alliance has. Tom said approximately 56. Lisa said there are around 650 people on the mailing list.
Dick said one idea that has come up is whether paid members should get a discount to events or a free copy of the coupon book, with the idea that it would be helpful if some perks were associated with membership. He said this issue will need to be discussed next year.
Lisa asked whether any major policy decisions will be coming up in 2009 that we should be aware of. Dick said the County has engaged a consultant for a transportation and land use study, which would facilitate efforts toward adoption of the new land use code. Dick said he is in touch with that process. He said another big item will be the opportunity, as a group or individuals, to contribute to defining the sustainability standards/design guidelines for the new Twin Buttes development. Dick said Michael Rendon had recommended that we be engaged in this—that is, that the City Council sees us as the repository of expertise on sustainability in the community.
Rebecca said one activity that will be upcoming is the Sustainability Learning and Action Program. She described the program, which will be a follow-on to the SWC Design Academy. She said the idea is to have students pick an activity/project to pursue to advance sustainability in our community—to spread the ripples outward. Werner noted that there is not yet a County commitment to the program, given the budget situation.
Rebecca also noted that Carol will need volunteer help for the Green Expo, the weekend of April 18 and 19, even if just for a four-hour shift.
Jim pointed to several emerging, cross-cutting issues: the interplay between the financial crisis and carbon-reduction policies, as well as access for low-income residents to food, health care, housing, and good jobs. Marcus said these challenges make the argument even stronger for promoting collaboration among local groups.
Denise asked whether fundraising is a goal for 2009. Rebecca said yes, we will have to deal with this, and it should be an agenda item for the retreat. Dick said this is one of the highest priorities for next year but that it needs to be tied to specific goals—what we want to accomplish. Rebecca said the website needs attention as well.
Dick asked Marcus whether he knew the fate of funding for the Buy Local project from the City and County. Marcus said that $10K has been approved by the City, with $5K to LOCAL and $5K to the Chamber. He said he has not heard anything from the County about the 2009 budget.
Meeting Review, General Comments
Rebecca noted that if the new Board members have questions, she is willing to answer any of these. Dick added that he has been collecting committee reports and distributing them with the minutes, and that he is willing to distribute this information if people need more background.
Lisa asked for a quick brainstorming about retreat topics. Items mention include: fundraising, the mission statement, structural questions about the organization/committees, meeting formats, and delegating chair responsibilities. Dick said he will write summary of work that he has done as Chair. Werner suggested that we discuss possibly hiring a clerical position for several hours a week. Lisa suggested that we include a ‘blue sky’ discussion as well.
Keith noted that he would appreciate greater clarity on the differences between the various proposed mission statements—i.e., what are the main problems/concerns? Werner suggested making the second part of the retreat open to members (esp. younger members). Dick suggested that we extend a few selective invitations to those with a history with the organization, who can provide useful perspectives. Dick said he will send Lisa the outline of La Boca retreat, to help with planning.
MEETING ADJOURNED @ 7:30 PM
Resolutions Approved
That the SASCO Board of Directors approve the minutes of the Board Meeting of November 13, 2008, with the understanding that the Executive Committee may incorporate minor corrections without further vote of the Board. [Via email]