It looks like a word being coined to call those concerned about peak oil and energy depletion is "peaknik." That is very cute but certainly does not do a thing for me. Apparently the term may be a play on sputnik, peacenik, and now peaknik (Ronald Lairchild, 2005). Or, more likely I'd think, according to Wikipedia, the suffix -nik is a term for countercultural, as in beatniks. Either play on the meaning of peaknik is not very useful. One bright spot is that those concerned with peak oil implications have now become numerous enough that media culture seems to have bestowed a name for us.

But far from countercultural, those concerned with peak oil implications enough to join Post Carbon Institute and found local groups by and large appear to be very interested in deepening community bonds, preserving culture, mitigating damage, and finding ways for the world to thrive. We are moving into the culture and becoming agents of change, not pulling away from society and forming our own enclaves.

Have to admit though, "Peaknik" sure reads a lot faster that "those concerned with peak oil and energy depletion implications." Guess a nickname had to emerge at some point.

As part of Washington County Peak Oil endeavors, members are finding groups to contact for speaking engagements, plus, we advocate local neighborhood cooperation amongst residents as a vital means for living sustainably in the years ahead.

I live in Beaverton in the Cedar Hills area and am part of the Cedar Hills Homes Association. It occurred to me that bringing the topic of peak oil to a board meeting would be a good way to start peak oil planning and education in my neighborhood. A couple days ago I presented at the board meeting and found it a very positive experience. For those living in an area that is part of a neighborhood association, starting with presenting to the board seems a strategic way to go, as the intentions and mission statement for WCPO are provided to them, making any future activities transparent and networked into the existing governing structure for the neighborhood.

Peak Oil was placed on the agenda almost a month ahead of time when I went to the association office. Like the others who come to the meeting with home improvement permit requests or with concerns, I had up to ten minutes. What I found very helpful in talking with the board is as follows:

1. Providing written material well ahead of the meeting, including a cover letter.
2. Including in the cover letter a paragraph asking what planning may have already taken place, if education of our members is something that has been or should be happening, and what extent of planning needs to be implemented. I found this paragraph provided the reason for being there, and provided collaborative interaction with the board, instead of my simply trying to inform them that there is a long emergency coming up.
3. Arriving for the entire meeting and getting a feel for the course of action.
4. Getting up and taking another chair to sit closer to the board members when my turn came.
5. Keeping the presentation interactional rather than only monologue on my part.
6. Keeping introduction brief, discussion succinct, ending on time.
7. Having a list to refer to regarding actions that need to be taken.
8. Asking at the end about specific steps that are to be done next.
9. Being cheerful and friendly, speaking with confidence (actually I had to pretend to be confident but that works), making eye contact, and having good humor.

When I asked at the end of the discussion what would the board would want to do with this issue, peak oil was readily plugged into their existing structure: WCPO can be link on their website, I can write an article and/or add a flyer to their semi-annual newsletters that are mailed hard-copy to every member, and I can speak at the annual meeting in May.

My intentions are of course to do all of the above actions. Plus I have started talking with my neighbors about energy depletion, just bringing the topic up rather briefly, but letting it be in the flow and reality of conversation. Talking at length about peak oil is still new to me and so far away from the realms of speech topics that are easy for me to wax away on. So I am starting with a short presentation and explanation, and expect my speaking capacity to grow as the issues and information become more familiar.

I am not sure of any further steps at this time, but have the hope of developing a more close-knit community that can effectively address the problems as they develop, and help each other out in learning to convert to gardens, public transportation and walking, and the myriad of changes that will have to be made. And I hope that Cedar Hills can be a example of effective action which can be a resource for Beaverton and Washington County in the years ahead.

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