In this Newsletter:

• Latest Relocalization Network News:
• A Big Welcome to the New Local Post Carbon Groups
• Update on the Voluntary Membership Fee Program
• Relocalize.net Website Upgrade
• Fundraising Toolkit Update
• Regional Localization Network Conference Videos are here!Relocalization on the Road
• Relocalization on the Road
• Local Post Carbon Groups updates
• Upcoming Events:
• Ten Secrets to Better Climate Organizing
• Energy Festival - Pine Mountain Club, CA
• Solar Living Institute - SolFest 2006, 11th Annual Event
• The Sustainable Lifestyles Symposium - Burlington, Ontario

Latest Relocalization Network News:

A Big Welcome to the New Local Post Carbon Groups

Please help us welcome the following Group Coordinators and their groups to the network. Take a moment to have a look at their websites:

• Clifford Paulin, Greater Ukiah Localization Project (GULP) – Ukiah, California
• Larry Menkes, Earth Charter Lifeboat Academy of PA - Warminster, Pennsylvania
• Jason Slipp, Lehigh Valley Beyond Oil – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• Ian Graham, Sustainable Burlington – Burlington, Ontario
• Lucy Segatti, Post Carbon Oakville – Oakville, Ontario
• Vin Lava, Advocates for Sustainable Development Foundation - Manila, Philippines
• True Warner, Fresno Area Peak Oil Preparation - Fresno, California
• Heather Gwaltney, Livability Project - Pacifica, California
• Sandy Leon Vest, Stinson Beach Solar Committee – Stinson Beach, California
• Trevor Fraser, Central Florida Relocalization - Orlando, Florida

Update on the Voluntary Membership Fee Program

We have heard your concerns, and we have decided to suspend the launch date of the Voluntary Membership Fee Program until further notice. We will continue to develop our services and tools and increase the capacity of the Relocalization Network to support Local Post Carbon Groups. We will be rethinking our approch to sustainably funding the Network and we shall be looking for feedback and suggestions as we develop the support structure.

Relocalize.net Website Upgrade

We have successfully upgraded our operating system. The content and features have remained relatively the same, but you will notice that the layout of tools have changed slightly. Next on our list of upgrades is to improve the Network and Group Calendars, to create a better list serve function, and the development of the resource section on the website.

The Interactive Map received a face lift with the help of from Jim Zack, the Group Coordinator of Sustainable Saratoga Springs.

Fundraising Toolkit Update

We have recently released the latest version of the fundraising toolkit, which is now available online under the resources section of Relocalize.net. The toolkit includes information on funding sources, and templates for funding proposals and thank you letters, and will assist fundraisers in writing grant applications, receiving pledges for donations, and developing lifelong relationships with donors. If you are interested in obtaining an electronic copy of the toolkit, please click here to visit the website. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us.

Regional Localization Network Conference Videos are Here!

The video of the Regional Localization Network Conference sponsored by Willits Economic LocaLization (WELL) last April is now ready! The 3-DVD set includes presenters, plenary sessions, Q&A, and report-backs from working groups, and really captures the electrifying spirit of the event. It's a very rich way to extend this information to members who didn't attend. Other localization groups will find valuable information for their own organizational work and outreach.

For more details and information about how to purchase these videos, please visit www.relocalize.net/rlnc/videos.

Relocalization on the Road

David Strongman has been on the road for four weeks. He has traveled and visited Bellingham, Orcas Island, Astoria and Ashland and has taken great pictures along the way. Take a look at David's blog.

Janaia and Robyn with Peak Moment Television have started the second “longer” legs of their summer travels and will be arriving in Vancouver to visit us at Post Carbon Institute next week. Visit Janaia’s blog to keep up to date with their trip.

Local Post Carbon Group Updates

When we sent out our last email to the list, we received a number of great responses to our request for reports on what your group has been doing. We thought it would be interesting to share with you the reports that were sent to us:

• The WELL Report
• Powerdown Community Bulletin
• Livability Project Introduction

Upcoming Events

Have an event you would like to share with the Network? Please send an email to Sarah and Shelby before the last week of the month and we will include it in the monthly newsletter.

Ten Secrets to Better Climate Organizing

Washington, DC October 6-7, 2006

Want to raise $10,000 for your group in just two weeks? Want to double your e-mail list in two months? If Al Gore's film changed the way you see the world, this training will change the way you organize in your community.

Concerned North Americans are becoming increasingly aware that global warming is a planetary emergency. Al Gore's documentary film makes clear that we don't have much time to act. So come to Washington, D.C. on October 6th and 7th and leave fully equipped with practical steps to make a difference in your community.

The staff of the U.S. Climate Emergency Council and Chesapeake Climate Action Network have been engaged in direct grassroots organizing around global warming issues for more than four years. Their training will not contain theories or hypotheses from academics and think tanks. They'll give you the real deal: battle-tested actions and tactics that have already worked!

For more information, please visit the Chesapeake Climate Action Network website.

Energy Festival - Pine Mountain Club

California, November 4th

Pine Mountain Club, CA, will be holding an Energy Festival on November 4 from 10-4pm featuring exhibits of various forms of alternative energy solutions as well as panels on a variety of energy-saving efforts from co-op shopping to ride-sharing and planting permaculture gardens.

A small mountain community of 2500 surrounded by National Forest, Pine Mountain Club is currently dependent primarily upon propane to heat local homes and residents must drive 30 minutes to an hour for most services. Let's Live Local Post-Carbon Outpost group has been involved in supporting the local Planning Committee to undertake this project and will participate in organizing and putting on the event.

For more information contact Sarah Edwards, 661 242-2624 or sedwards@frazmtn.com

Solar Living Institute - SolFest 2006, 11th Annual Event

August 19 to 20, 2006 at the Solar Living Center in Hopland, California

San Francisco Post Carbon will be participating in this year's SolFest. Hosted by the Solar Living Institute, the festival is a weekend of world-class music, speakers and workshops in Hopland, California. The festival will feature five workshop areas, covering topics from renewable energy and post-petroleum preparation to yoga and health. The over 50 workshops are free with the price of admission.
The focus for this year’s lineup of panels and speakers will comprise a variety of topics including alternative fuels, with experts discussing pros and cons of biodiesel, hydrogen, ethanol and electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies and policy.

SolFest takes place August 19 to 20, 2006 at the Solar Living Center in Hopland, California. Richard Katz and Michael Poremba will be tabling and giving out information at the event on behalf of Post Carbon Institute, as well as selling copies of the Oil Age poster, and showcasing their homemade solar oven! For more information, please visit www.solfest.org.

The Sustainable Lifestyles Symposium

Burlington, Ontario - August 20-25, 2006

Sustainable Burlington, one of the newest Local Post Carbon Groups in the Relocalization Network, is co-sponsoring a symposium on preparing, personally and locally, for a low energy world.

The Sustainable Lifestyles Symposium Sunday August 20th - Friday 25th offers attendees three different tracks for morning sessions: Sensible Downshifting, Technology to the Rescue, Building Lifeboats.

The event includes internet access, speakers (some by teleconference), demonstration projects, films, community building interludes as well as optional field trips. The program provides interactive and experiential learning that allows participants to prepare for their scenario for the future. For speakers, topics, projects and timetable, see www.sustainablelifestyles.ca or read about it in the Burlington Post.

All the best,

Shelby & Sarah