[All] GREN fall meeting - October 17

Mon Jul 23 22:48:54 EDT 2012

Robert,

I understand your concern for the environment and drive for action.  However, at this point I am not willing to change my role at GREN from Vice-Chair and do not feel that there is any need for change - John has been doing a wonderful job and we need his leadership moving forward.  While we may have missed a GREN meeting or two this Spring we have each all been involved in our own efforts and environmental pursuits quite actively.

It was me who suggested the October GREN meeting dates because as Ginny alluded to I am simply too swamped and overwhelmed with everything already on my plate to even contemplate a meeting any sooner.  I believe that this timing also works better for John and Susan along with others.

I would agree that one of the things that we need to discuss at the October meeting is a work plan and goals for GREN for the coming year though I believe GREN may remain more of a forum for communication, discussion, and information sharing than see any radical new changes or directions.

I appreciate your compliments and desire to see more action on the environment though I believe at this point we need to stay the course and continue as planned.

Cheers,
Kevin.

----------------------------

On 2012-07-23, at 9:07 PM, Robert Milligan wrote:

> Hello Ginny & Don,
> 
> What led to my suggestion was another big gap in our meetings with John's announcement of an Oct. 17 meeting date.  And I see the group intending to do almost nothing beyond talk -- mostly wasting the potentially-valuable collaborative time of some of the most effective, but largely separately acting, environmental activists in our GR Bioregion.
> 
> Ginny: 
> As now, the new vice chair could fill in for Kevin. And just like RIM  brought in new blood at the highest level from within, when they were seriously faltering. So we could do likewise. Leadership rotation is often done in NGO organizations to great advantage -- including  the modeling of fairness and helping others develop their community leadership skills further..
> 
> Don:
> Thanks for your viewpoint. But it would be most helpful if you could give some indication of your thoughts about how we could reverse the decreasing member interest in GREN such as through some new efforts to define and help solve local environmental problems -- which ones or other ways?. And if you don't mind, would you be so kind to describe what environmental efforts that you have participated in &/or hope to involve yourself in the future (esp. w. GREN). Surprisingly, you are virtually the only visible person in the group whose environmental background I know little about. I think that I recall your interest in Greening your church (specifics?) which in itself would be commendable.
> 
> Best wishes,
> Robert
> 
> On 23-Jul-12, at 4:37 PM, Janet and Don Roberts wrote:
> 
>> Hello All
>>   I am completely satisfied with John's leadership throughout GREN's short existence.
>>                                          Don Roberts
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Ginny Quinn
>> To: 'Robert Milligan' ; 'John Jackson'
>> Cc: 'GREN'
>> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 2:53 PM
>> Subject: Re: [All] GREN fall meeting - October 17
>> 
>> Robert    I  ,   for one,   am not interested, as a member of GREN,   in chasing around the   Continent or the Planet    looking for environmental causes.   I have been more than  satisfied with John   and I would be satisfied with Kevin    Have you asked Kevin if he’s willing to accept this position?????  I’m getting too old   to go after anything except local and Regional  concerns for the most part....but let the others have their input if they are interested in expressing an opinion.
>> Kevin’s  a pretty busy   fellow  and travelling  a lot.    It may be too much of a burden with his schedule.. ...unless  they would be co-chairs.  (yes, it worked at RIM  for awhile.)  When you start changing these  things   , eventually the whole picture dies .   I’ve been associated with  this type of situation before.      John could chair one meeting   and Kevin (IF he is willing) could chair the next meeting....or they could both sit up at the front and co-chair when both are  available.
>> I may be speaking out of turn  but I imagine we have to get input from the members  so I  might as well be the first one to state my opinion which is currently where I stand with your suggestion.   Thanks for  hearing me out.  Let the opinions begin !!!   Ginny
>>  
>> From: all-bounces at gren.ca [mailto:all-bounces at gren.ca] On Behalf Of Robert Milligan
>> Sent: July-23-12 1:25 PM
>> To: John Jackson
>> Cc: GREN
>> Subject: Re: [All] GREN fall meeting - October 17
>>  
>> John,
>>  
>> The current infrequent meetings and the related lack of any significant inspired local (i.e. Grand River Bioregion) action by GREN itself -- compared to what needs to be done as the Planet exponentially dies -- is undermining GREN's viability as indicated by the attendant loss of active members. Perhaps we need a more dynamic leader such as Vice Chair Kevin Thomason? You have served us well John since our beginning -- and have done very commendable environmental work in Southern Ontario over many years -- but now may be the time to graciously become Chair Emeritus.  
>>  
>> Best regards,
>> Robert
>>  
>>  
>> On 22-Jul-12, at 5:37 PM, John Jackson wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> The next GREN meeting will be held on Wednesday October 17 at 7:15 pm.
>> 
>> Please reserve this date in your calendars now. The agenda and location will follow later.
>> 
>> John
>> 
>> -- 
>> John Jackson
>> 17 Major Street
>> Kitchener, Ontario N2H 4R1
>> 519-744-7503
>> 
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