[All] GREN fall meeting - October 17

Tue Jul 24 14:40:02 EDT 2012

Thank you Louisette for your passion and sharing of your ever growing wisdom around community engagement process.
Under John’s able leadership and strong, executive support GREN has become a recognizable voice for environmental issues of local concern. This is an achievement to celebrate.
Every effort matters. Together we are strong. 
Looking forward to more learning, growing & sharing in October.
Sandra

From: Louisette Lanteigne 
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 2:03 PM
To: gren 
Subject: Re: [All] GREN fall meeting - October 17

I agree with Deb and Ginny. 

John is by far an excellent leader and I have no problem at all having him as a chair to whatever capacity he is available. Kevin has years of experience in the public forum and his decorum during presentations is wonderful. We need reps like that to foster the collaborative approaches we need to achieve success. You can't underestimate the power of experience nor is it necessarily in my view, to take up copious amounts of time simply to facilitate meetings for the sake of having meetings. I'm happy with strongly focused meetings at fewer intervals rather than set meetings at set times just for the sake of having a meeting.  I'm sure most of us are too busy for that sort of thing anyways.  The email communications with GREN add social cohesion to help keep information flowing among members on issues of concern in between meeting times and I use that info all the time. I've attended many events promoted by these emails and it's great. If we can lend support groups that share our own values and concerns it's great. 

In terms of setting an overall vision for the voice of GREN, I believe the strongest voice we have as a group is in speaking about issues related specifically to our own local matters of which we have collectively, years of expertise in. Thanks to Ginny for putting the focus on that. She's a brilliant lady. So many groups lose power when they try to tackle broad scope issues that their efforts and individual voices becomes diluted but when we can give our own unique  regional voice to speak on how these broad scope issues impact us locally as concerned citizens and taxpayers and support that with reasonable issues of concern and evidence to support that concern, it speaks volumes and holds far more weight. All it really takes to achieve results is to speak truth on 1 to 3 hard core issues of common sense reflecting sound reason and back that up with solid data on how that impacts our own community to help effect meaningful long term changes. 

Often times, trying to change policy is like turning around the Titanic. Changes don't happen overnight. It usually takes at least 7 years of effort. Usually by the time we are made aware of issues, money has already been spent or invested to make that process happen, so we must approach issues with regards to the reality of that. To affect changes, we need a solid understanding of the costs and feasibility of what we are asking for and realistically, we must find ways to compromise or to find a way to use the issue to push for policy change. It's not about winning or losing nor is it about always taking adversarial approaches. It's about thinking, what is our objective and intent and how do we wish to manifest the changes we need to see in the world. Collaboration with policy makers, with municipalities as well as industry reps is by far the better approach to take and I'm proud to see how Gren has accomplished that via the approval of the LRT, the ROPP changes, input on the vision of the GRCA's Water strategies etc. This is the way we need to go. Foster the bridges to help effect change. 

In the upcoming year, I'd like to see more community outreach take place by GREN to approach groups such as the local Rotary Club or the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the science and risks of the Lake Erie Pipeline or to approach groups like the Waterloo Home Builders Association to share with them, the benefits of better water conservation strategies in new homes and landscape design. If we are to change the system, we need to start moving beyond simply political means and start reaching out to industry directly to effect changes we need to see. There is an enormous void there that needs to be filled. 

That's it for now. Have a good one! 

Lulu :0)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Deb Swidrovich <deswid at gmail.com>
To: Robert Milligan <MILL at continuum.org>; * GREN <all at gren.ca> 
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 2:14:56 AM
Subject: Re: [All] GREN fall meeting - October 17

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
          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
          _______________________________________________
          All mailing list
          All at gren.ca
          http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca

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

          _______________________________________________
          All mailing list
          All at gren.ca
          http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca

      _______________________________________________
      All mailing list
      All at gren.ca
      http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca

    _______________________________________________
    All mailing list
    All at gren.ca
    http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca

_______________________________________________
All mailing list
All at gren.ca
http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________
All mailing list
All at gren.ca
http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20120724/16e85ab3/attachment.html>