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The goal of this website is to stimulate and facilitate discussion on local sustainability issues in order to raise awareness and develop and pursue common goals for a sustainable Bloomington. Read more about the site.

Unconference summary now available

Kevin Makice August 2nd, 2007

The third local unconference completed on Saturday, July 21, with 16 participants and five small group discussions. The Politic Exchange wiki will have more detailed information and notes on the event, but here is a summary of the community conversation.

Five discussions were conducted:

  1. “The City Government Could Do ___“—The primary role for the city should be making a value statement about sustainability and then visibly doing the things to honor that position.
  2. “Reconsidering Neighborhoods“—Neighborhoods have moved away from being a place where people lived where they worked to being a place intentionally removed from commercial activity. Creating sustainable neighborhoods relies on being able to provide the infrastructure and the resources in tandem.
  3. “Land Use Decisions“—Planning commissions and developers are comprised of the same kinds of perspectives. Individuals need to be empowered to be an active part of area development, acting not just from financial incentive. Microfinancing of small local businesses and care to support both low and upper income housing in the same neighborhoods might be keys.
  4. “Local Use of Technology“—There are some interesting web sites currently dealing with issues of sustainability (MakeMeSustainable, Appropedia, EMUDE), but what technology is or could be available to really address the local sustainable efforts? Facebook may be a good platform to leverage to build a local resource and social network of Sustainable Bloomington participants. Technology could also be used to track trends, highlight successes and promote existing initiatives in a more meaningful manner.
  5. “Developed World v. Developing World“—”In America, we poop in drinking water.” That quote is a summary of the different approaches to sustainable living between developed and developing societies. Any efforts we make to be sustainable here in the West must translate to developing countries as well. What are the “real” needs? What is fair share? What is our connection to the planet?

Open discussion helps to put the issues on the table, but it is ultimately only meaningful if it leads to action. One of the unconference goals is to generate a list of tangible actions people can take right now to help further the next conversation on sustainability. This included generating reports for the local sustainability task force, University administration, and student body; assembling a list of sustainability groups and resources; and simply doing the things to be a good neighbor. A follow-up conversation was suggested for later this fall.

Announcing the Unconference

Dave Roedl June 25th, 2007

We are excited to announce the upcoming unconference:

Sustainable Bloomington:
A Community Conversation about our Future
Saturday July 21, 1-4pm
Monroe County Public Library (Room 1C).

The event will begin after Farmer’s Market with two small-group discussions conducted between 1-4p. The intent of this unconference is to provide a social space where citizens from all backgrounds and perspectives can come together and discuss issues related to Bloomington and our collective future. We would like to have as many simultaneous conversations as possible, representing a wide range of perspectives, so come prepared to speak on the specific issues that interest you the most. And bring a friend!

We strongly encourage all members of the Bloomington community to come and engage your fellow citizens as we develop a common vision of a sustainable Bloomington. This is not an event about consensus as much as it is about raising awareness and understanding our common goals. These are the ingredients that motivate us to later action.

About the unconference format:
(from organizer Kevin Makice)

An unconference is a paradox, a new idea as old as campfires. Dave Winer made the term popular among technologists while organizing conferences for bloggers in 2004. The concept, though, has been around for as long as people decided to gather in circles to talk.

Each unconference begins with a brief welcome introducing the topic of the day. Participants are invited to write conversation ideas on a white board. After reviewing these suggestions, everyone joins the discussion group of their own choosing and has a conversation for the next 45 minutes. Introductions are made, and someone in each group becomes responsible for documenting and publishing summary notes. The larger group reconvenes to share their summaries. Then, it happens all over again for a second 45-minute discussion. After the event, participants publish reflections on blogs, forums and wikis to create living documents that can be used and re-used later.

Chaos is a key ingredient. While the idea of gathering in a room for a conference without any agenda may be disconcerting, the experience is often very rewarding for those who participate. It is empowering to suggest a topic and quickly identify the small group of people most interested in talking about it. Even if an idea is never discussed, the act of announcing it to a room full of engaged people could create future benefit. Any topic that intrigues at least two people is the right one for that day.

Whoever comes are the right people. Whatever happens is the only thing that could.

Step It Up Bloomington

Dave Roedl February 7th, 2007

In case you haven’t heard, this Saturday April 14th is a national day of climate action. People in over 1300 communiites in all 50 states will be rallying to raise awareness about global warming and to call for immediate action.

Bloomington is particpating in a big way with a rally taking place at the Farmer’s Market from 10:00 am to 1pm. Here’s an official description:

Step It Up Bloomington! will begin with a march to the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning by several community groups for a rally at 10 a.m. The program will continue with speakers, musicians, information tables and children’s activities for the duration of the market. Those participating are City of Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan, U.S. Congressman Baron Hill, singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer, author Scott Russell Sanders, the a cappella vocal group Kaia, pianist Julian Bransby, and a newly formed fusion band, Para Luxe. Brad Wilhelm will be the emcee. After the Farmers’ Market closes, everyone is invited to attend a tree planting at Sixth & Lincoln streets (next to the Monroe County Public Library) which will take place at 1:30 p.m.

In addition, Bloomington Commission on Sustainability will be giving away hundreds of energy-efficient compact florescent light bulbs (CFL’s) as part of thier Change-a-Light campaign.

Read more here:
http://www.stepitupbloomington.org/