[GREN-Exec] Ignite Waterloo - The Earth Edition

[Susan Koswan]

Hi GREN exec,

 

In case I don’t have time to call you back John or Susan B, I had this idea that I ran past one of the organizers of the Ignite Waterloo events, just to see if it was possible. And now I’m running it past you for your thoughts. If you don’t know about Ignite Waterloo, see this: http://ignitewaterloo.ca/.

 

The format is about 8 speakers who have 5 minutes and 20 slides to “enlighten us, but make it quick.” The talks are  recorded and on youtube forever. 8-) I’ve done three and they’re as terrifying as they are fun. Could we pull together 8 speakers? Ignite reaches people we haven’t been able to reach at all. Would be a great way to collaborate with WREN, REEP etc. again. The Ignite talks always have great refreshments at the break and I think they charge about $10/person.

 

Another option is to see if we could curate our own TEDx event, which would be longer talks. http://tedxwaterloo.com/  A friend of mine (and I think Kevin) is involved with TEDx. 

 

We have to collaborate because there’s money involved with the above.  

 

There are also Nerd Nights https://kw.nerdnite.com// <https://kw.nerdnite.com/> . I think it’s time hi-tech nerds met eco-nuts. 8-)

 

I’ve added these to my revised attached one-pagers, John. 

 

Susan K 

 

 

From: iw.tiffanykohl at gmail.com [mailto:iw.tiffanykohl at gmail.com] 
Sent: 20 January 2016 18:55
To: Susan Koswan
Subject: Re: Ignite - The Earth Edition

 

Hi Susan 

So grateful that you could come to the UW class! I'm sure the kids really benefited from your advice!

 

I love the idea; however I need to check the capacity of the group. If you think GREN can round up a minimum of 8 speakers‎, making that part easier on us, I think Ignite folks might be able to help. We would insist that everyone goes thru a speaker workshop of some kind.

 

The other caveat is fundraising. It takes $4000-5000 to run an event and I'm not sure Ignite can raise that much money....all depends on when the event is held.

 

So - all that being said, let's keep talking - and I'll reach out to Ignite folks!

 

TK

 

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Rogers network.


From: Susan Koswan

Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 3:38 PM

To: 'Tiffany Ellin Kohl'

Subject: Ignite - The Earth Edition

 

Hi Tiffany,

 

Thanks again for asking me yesterday – I really enjoyed meeting with the students afterwards (I’m a writer, so love the wordsmithing – just wish I could have stayed longer to work with them). 

 

I had an idea this morning that I want to run past you. I’m on the executive of a citizen/volunteer environmental group called Grand River Environmental Network www.gren.ca and we’re in the process of reviewing our priorities. We’re a pretty low-key network, not heavy into social networking, many are retired or current academics, but all with a strong drive to work on environmental issues from many perspectives. 

 

I’ve been tasked with finding ways to make our existence better known and draw new people into our fold. So here’s the thing....is it possible to collaborate (such a buzzword, sheesh!) with Ignite’s tech-saviness and experience and GREN’s vast and varied knowledge to create an Ignite event exclusively on environmental issues? Local ones, preferably. A few examples:

 

1)      Last year was the 25th anniversary of Elmira’s wells being shut down due to chemical contamination – still not cleaned up, but one of our members is a founding member of the citizens’ group that has been working on getting this mess cleaned up

2)      Another member is an expert in waste reduction – teaches it at a few universities.

3)      Another is an expert on wild mushrooms

4)      Several are experts on local water issues

 

The event doesn’t have to be limited to members of our group, as there are other groups we could draw from – such as from REEP house, rare in Cambridge, urban planners etc. 

 

I welcome your thoughts. Our next meeting is Feb 1 and the priorities discussion is on the agenda. Please let me know what I can share with them.

 

Regards,

Susan Koswan 

 





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