Community Economic Localization (Colorado)

9/20/06 meeting notes...

Three categories of communicating:
Among the group members, the large group and the subgroups
Public relations: between the group and the public
Archives: maintaining records of communications

Between the group and the public:
Press releases to encourage newspaper articles and calendar mentions, maybe even magazine articles in locally published magazines if and when the group is ready for that much attention.
PSAs (Public Service Announcements) to radio and television stations (Aspen has three stations now!).
Topical interviews of CEL representatives by the press and media.
Public Information Officers (PIOs) who are responsible and knowledgable enough to represent the group in the most accurate and best light. Individuals will say things, but the official representation to the press should be consistent and constructive.
A CEL web site (in addition to the current general web site) with control over who preps the official copy and a forum or chat room that's open to the public.
Educational presentations at events, group meetings (like Rotary), and schools. An education coordinator could work with reps from each team for this purpose.
Maintain relationships with groups and individuals who are already doing localized sustainable projects and might be willing to have a representative attend CEL main group or subgroup meetings to give presentations or help in their specialized arenas but who may not want to attend regularly (like the Carbondale Tree Board or the Peach Valley CSA or local ranchers).
Provide a resource library with DVDs, videos, books, CDs, tapes on related topics.
Present periodic workshops for the general public on related topics like creating a local currency, community gardening, or care of livestock, etc.

Archives:
Maintain a membership list with contact information in an Excel spreadsheet.
Archive agendas, handouts, and meeting minutes of main group and subgroup meetings.
Maintain press archives about the CEL history and about the various topics (teams should help track news about their special interests).

Among group members:
The purpose of the main group meetings should be determined and presented to the group so people know what to expect from the main group.
Possibilities:
An umbrella or hub that oversees and connects the subgroups or teams, which will do the bulk of the work and give reports at main meetings.
Education of group members about what they can do to localize their own lives (by the teams or special visitors)
Emotional and psychological support for those who are struggling with the realities of this task in this world.

We've already lost several productive, knowledgable people who got impatient with the group meeting round robins. Things have been moving slowly and have mostly been focused on organization and rules of order rather than productive action. Some people have told me they think we should be moving along a little more rapidly. Perhaps we are organized enough to take the group to the next level of shifting the focus to education and action.