[All] Democracy Café etc.

Thu Sep 15 11:29:34 EDT 2011

Hello,

Realized would have like to have sent this out earlier, but better late than never as they say. People may be interested in items #2 (Democracy Cafe this Friday evening) and #3 (walk fundraiser for rare on Sept 25).

Why is the Democracy Cafe relevant? If we want to get better environmental decisions made, perhaps it is time to rethink our political system. Food for thought...

Cheers,

Alisa

        Democracy Café and More!

	Hello!

	There are a few exciting events coming up this that may be of interest. Hopefully many of you can come to one, if not all, of them!

	1. "Resilience by Fall on Your Feet" Dance Performance

		When: Saturday, September 10 at 10 pm (Temple Dance Studios) & 11:30 pm (Guelph Art Works Garage)

		Where: Temple Dance Studios & Guelph Art Works Garage (28 Essex Street, Guelph) - http://mapq.st/rnewjL

		Cost: Free!

		"Resilience by Fall on Your Feet" is a dance performance improvisation exploring ideas of resilience; simultaneously letting go and hanging on, at once changed but essentially the same, literally and metaphorically. We can experience change, and yet still maintain the integrity of who we are. Inspired by the work of Frances Westley.

		Details at http://www.guelphjazzfestival.com/2011_season/day_by_day_schedule/nuit_blanche.

		 2. Democracy Café 

		 When: Friday, September 16 from 7-9:30 pm

		Where: First Unitarian Congregation of Waterloo, 299 Sydney Street, Kitchener - http://mapq.st/quOvP5

		Cost: Free!

		Join in an interactive evening focused on learning from each other as we find ways to improve our Canadian democracy!

		The evening will begin with a panel of people (from Fair Vote, Canadians Advocating Political Participation, and TransitionKW) who are already active in nurturing political change speaking to ‘What are you doing, or wanting to see happen in terms of political institution reform, and why?

	Then in groups of 7-8 people, we will all share our thinking and feelings in response to this question in Conversation Café format (see www.conversationcafe.org). We’ll end with a round of uninterrupted reflection on our experience of the conversation, and what we are personally taking away from the conversation and what we might be thinking of doing as a next step if anything specific. The conversations will be harvested (without attaching individuals’ names) for a group sense of what the range and nature of thinking and intentions and passions are, and what next steps individuals may be considering for themselves.

	The conversations will be guided by the ‘Conversation Café Agreements for Great Conversations’ (www.conversationcafe.org):

		Suspend judgment as best you can

		Listen (and speak) with respect

		Seek to understand rather than to persuade

		Invite and honour diversity of opinion

		Speak what has personal heart and meaning

		Go for honesty and depth...without going on and on

		3. Second annual Walk for rare

		When: Sunday September 25 at 10:30 am- 

		Where: Starts at Riverbluffs Park, Cambridge (211 George Street N - http://mapq.st/qTp7Lm?__domain=ca); ends at Slit Barn site (768 Blair Road, Cambridge - http://mapq.st/rcarde?__domain=ca) - Shuttle bus to take people back to the park

		Cost: $10 fee for registered walkers (Register by going to www.raresites.org and click 'Register Now'.)

		 This year’s Walk raises funds to support the renovation of the heritage Blair Road Slit Barn into a permanent facility for our Every Child Outdoors (ECO) program. Since 2009, this program has brought more than 4000 children to our large conservation reserve, and it is all about getting kids active outside and giving them a chance to get excited about nature and the environment. While kids, parents and teachers all say they love the program, the lack of indoor facilities has meant rare can’t reach out to as many groups as they would like, and that they often have to cancel plans due to weather. Renovating an entire barn is a huge project, but they are over halfway there and know that with the support of the local community they will make it the rest of the way!

		This year, several local companies have donated prizes, which they will give out to top fundraisers to encourage some friendly competition. By registering, you can set-up a personal page where you can invite your friends and family to sponsor or join you as a walker. There is a $10 fee for registered walkers, who receive a t-shirt and a water bottle – but if you don’t wish to register you are still welcome to come out and walk on what will hopefully be a crisp and beautiful autumn day.

		Cheers,

Alisa McClurg

Facilitator

TransitionKW

TransitionKW is part of a global movement working towards local community resiliency.

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