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Sustainability Alliance of SW Colorado
Board Meeting
August 13, 2009, 5:30 PM
City Council Chambers, Durango, CO
Attending: Jim Dyer, Keith Fox, Rebecca Koeppen, Werner Heiber, Carolyn Moller, Marcus Renner, Denise Rue-Pastin, Dick White
Missing: Sara Holt, Lisa Mastny
Observing: Erich Bussian, Kim Herb, Kelly Miller, George Richardson, Teresa Steely
Minutes submitted by Dick White
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:38 PM BY WERNER HEIBER, CHAIR
June 11 Minutes
The minutes were approved as distributed, with a compliment from Marcus.
Non-Profit Resource Guide
Werner explained the background for the project, including reference to Terry Woodward’s guide to the Conservation Economy and the August 1 deadline for a submission to La Plata County. Rebecca and Dick added some detail, stressing that this project could lay the foundation for a larger community mapping effort.
Carolyn noted that there is old data from Operation Healthy Communities and the Women’s Resource Center. Also Sherri Amass knows people in Denver involved in similar work.
Marcus noted that the sustainability resource guide that he and Lisa began in 2006 includes businesses, but the effort stalled for lack of someone to carry it through. The Environmental Center is still interested and an intern could do it.
Jim is interested in the food dimension. Both he and Marcus urged that we think through in advance the dimensions of the resource guide and the process for developing it, to ensure that we engage the right folks. Kim suggested using the resource mapping concept to develop the process itself.
At the end of the discussion, the Board voted the following resolution:
That the Board reaffirms the Non-profit Resource Guide proposal submitted to La Plata County, that it authorizes submission of a parallel proposal to the City of Durango, and that we commit ourselves to clarifying before January the process for developing the resource guide.
SASCO Development Committee
Werner suggested that we defer this idea, pending further experience with Terry Woodward in developing the Non-profit Resource Guide.
Local First
Marcus reported that Carol Clark has been hired as Managing Director. Little else has changed since June. The Local First steering committee will be meeting next week to discuss the way forward for Local First and its implications for SASCO. The October 8 Board meeting, rather than a special meeting in September, should be appropriate occasion to bring the matter back for SASCO discussion. Dick remarked that we should support what works best for Local First.
Logo and Website
In Lisa’s absence, Werner reported that the Executive Committee input on the logo has gone to Lisa Morales. We need a timeline and a process, including the opportunity for Board input. Steve Conklin is ahead of schedule on the website and may be done before the logo is ready. The Executive Committee has asked him to provide a workshop to the Board on how to use the software.
Jim Dyer mentioned that Healthy Community Food Systems has established the website http://www.mesaverdefood.org which will soon go directly to the Mesa Verde Local Food Guide and will want to coordinate with SASCO about cross-referencing between the two websites.
Carolyn reported that Brainstorm is hosting the website through August, and that the site has not been turned over yet and is still being tested. In response to a question from Jim, she said she was not yet sure whether the new web host we will switch to is local. Jim also asked about who is maintaining the old site during the transition. Rebecca urged that we insure that Jim and Steve are in touch about this, so that Jim continues to have access as needed.
Interns
Rebecca reported that several people have contacted us about possibly working as interns. Sabrina Morell and Elisa Searles will be arriving later in August. Sara Goldman may be available to work with Carolyn to work on a membership database. Elsa Jagniecki will be working on a masters degree in sustainability in Sweden; she’s interested in a local collaboration on a thesis project next year.
Possible projects identified so far are: the NPO Resource Guide, the library events (to continue them after Heather Gregory leaves), speakers for next spring’s Green Expo, the membership database, and the Environmental Center resource guide. Board members should forward additional ideas to Rebecca.
Denise noted that engaging interns could raise liability issues and wondered whether we might consult with Rabouin-Zeman (R-Z) for clarification.Marcus reported that R-Z have committed 5 hours per month of in-kind legal advice and that presently Local First is not using it all. Marcus then queried about the possible need for Directors’ insurance for the Board. Werner said that he would check with Lon Erwin. Marcus and/or Carolyn will report after the Local First steering committee meeting next week on R-Z availability.
Zero Waste
Dick summarized several community initiatives around waste. Should we consider having a committee to foster a zero-waste initiative?
Smart Energy Committee
Kim indicated that the committee is seeking Board authorization to publicly support the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives in June. Dick summarized the talking points prepared by the SEC. Denise added concerns about water and energy generation and about power for electric vehicles. Jim noted the ambivalence of the environmental community about the agricultural provisions of the bill.
The following motion was approved:
That the Board authorizes the Smart Energy Committee to develop appropriate language and to communicate publicly SASCO support for the American Clean Energy and Security Act, including recommendations for improvements.
Policy Committee
Dick sought confirmation from the Board of the plan to invite newly elected City Councilors Christina Thompson and Paul Broderick to meet with the committee. The Board assented. Werner urged that the committee develop specific discussion points rather than have a free-form conversation. Dick also confirmed the committee’s intention to invite the public, not just the committee and the Board.
News from Committees
Rebecca is becoming Chair of the Outreach Committee upon the regretted departure of Heather Gregory from the area. Marcus noted again that Local First is about to begin moving quickly to decide its organizational structure. Dick reported that he is serving on the Steering Committee of the Climate and Energy Action Plan, as well as on the working group that is supporting the La Plata County Comp Plan.
Jim reported that Healthy Community Food Systems is part of a multi-state federal grant for beginner farmers, a partner in a Colorado farm-to-school grant from the state, and has partnered with local groups including City and County on an EPA climate proposal.
Werner conveyed Lisa’s request that committee chairs send information about meeting schedules to her. The newsletter announcements should include contact information for the chairs, so that people can confirm that the meeting will take place as scheduled.
Financial Update
Carolyn reviewed the SASCO and Local First financial statements. She stressed that we need a membership database, so that we can mail timely renewal requests, and also send appropriate thank-you notes to subscribers. Teresa noted that it is really helpful to have a database for these purposes. Sara Goldman may be able to do this; alternatively, we should seek another volunteer.
New Board Members
At Werner’s request, Erich Bussian and Kelly Miller introduced themselves. Erich expressed interest in the Smart Energy Committee, Kelly in the Food, Ag, and Farm-to-School Committee.
The Board approved the following resolution:
That Erich Bussian and Kelly Miller be appointed to serve on the Board for the duration of the unexpired terms of Katy Pepinsky and Linda Illsley (the end of 2009).
Announcements
Denise reported that a Water 101 “all you need to know” workshop will be offered in Telluride on September 25. The cost is $32.
Dick reported that he now serves on the BP Community Advisory Panel and invited questions or comments that he might convey to BP representatives. George asked whether there are “tight gas” formations in La Plata County.
Resolutions Approved
That the Board reaffirms the Non-profit Resource Guide proposal submitted to La Plata County, that it authorizes submission of a parallel proposal to the City of Durango, and that we commit ourselves to clarifying before January the process for developing the resource guide.
That the Board authorizes the Smart Energy Committee to develop appropriate language and to communicate publicly SASCO support for the American Clean Energy and Security Act, including recommendations for improvements.
That Erich Bussian and Kelly Miller be appointed to serve on the Board for the duration of the unexpired terms of Katy Pepinsky and Linda Illsley (the end of 2009).