[All] GREN fall meeting - October 17
Deb Swidrovich
deswid at gmail.com
Tue Jul 24 02:03:29 EDT 2012
Robert,
I believe that John Jackson has brought considerable respect to our
organization because of his background, his experience, his calmness and
his intelligent approach. He represents GREN well, and has made an impact
on municipal and regional staff and council (and other levels of
government) over the years.
As much as I believe Kevin Thomason could slide easily into that seat, I
believe that the mix is right. We have a strong executive, with two very
active leaders in the president and vice-president positions who work well
together.
John has done a great job representing GREN before Council, chairing our
meetings, and organizing internal and external meetings on various issues.
He is a creative thinker, thorough, and a great listener. Kevin also has
many great qualities (too many to mention here), but I think that his best
work is behind the scenes. With John Jackson taking the President's role
for GREN, it allows Kevin to represent GREN when needed, and also the
myriad of other organizations that he is involved in, especially when we're
looking for more voices on the same issue, e.g. Greenbelt, LRT, etc.
I am so appreciative of John's time, and incredibly proud to introduce him
to anyone as the President of our Network. Like you, he has been at this a
long time, and I do not want to see him replaced anytime soon.
Deb Swidrovich
On Mon, Jul 23, 2012 at 10:48 PM, Kevin Thomason <kevinthomason at mac.com>wrote:
> 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 <ginny at kw.igs.net>
> *To:* 'Robert Milligan' <mill at continuum.org> ; 'John Jackson'<jjackson at web.ca>
> *Cc:* 'GREN' <all at gren.ca>
> *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<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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> ** **
>
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