[All] GREN fall meeting - October 17

Tue Jul 24 02:14:56 EDT 2012

I keep saying, president and vice-president when I mean chair and
vice-chair of GREN -- it's late.  I'm going to bed.

Deb Swidrovich

On Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 2:03 AM, Deb Swidrovich <deswid at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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>> http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca****
>> ** **
>>
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