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Quote/Unquote:

"Taxing emissions makes little sense if governments simultaneously continue to subsidize fossil fuels."
- Douglas Koplow and Aaron Martin, Fueling Global Warming

BCSEA Rivendale Chapter
Meeting Minutes
( Word File, 64kb)

Date: Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Place: Prancing Pony Inn, Rivendale, B.C.

In attendance: Skylark Eowyn, Sheldon Bombadil, Matt Celeborn, Norm Elrond, David Baggins, Anne Arwen, Ernie Took, Jason Brandybuck, Pat Aragorn, Taylor Gamgee

Purpose of meeting:

• Get to know each other
• Introduction to B.C. Sustainable Energy Association
• Learn about others’ interests in sustainable energy
• Have fun

Agenda Items:

1. Brief Introduction to BC Sustainable Energy Association – Taylor Gamgee

• Formation of BCSEA is timely; there is no shortage of innovative policies and technologies out there, society just needs to implement them
• Achieving a sustainable energy future requires the "will of the people" to influence policy decisions and strengthen demand for alternative energy and associated products
• Introduced the vision and goals of the BCSEA
• Guidelines for forming a Chapter: the umbrella organization asks that we:

• Ensure that everyone is in agreement with our goals
• Take full responsibility for all chapter fiscal activity, until a formal arrangement is sorted out with the umbrella organization
• Remember to have fun!

• Briefly touched on "Watt’s Happening" and "The Joule" – two publications of the parent organization
• In talking with Guy Dauncey, President of BCSEA, he encouraged Chapters to be creative, take on projects in the community, and keep the parent organization informed of our activity

2. Round the room introductions – all participants

• Each member introduced themselves and gave a brief overview of their interest in sustainable energy and their vision for the club:

• Interested in a planet that continues to be alive and sustainable
• Would like to see demonstrations, setting up spaces where people can participate, witness alternative/sustainable uses of energy, demonstration models

• Current provincial government is putting energy at the forefront of the political agenda, but not necessarily in a sustainable direction
• Would like to see this group offer an alternative voice

• Interested in sustainable energy, there isn’t much choice
• Would like to see BCSEA helping people implement sustainable energy choices in the homes, and providing public demonstrations of alternative energy use

• Interested in energy/conservation issues since doing Masters degree at SFU
• Vision for this club:

• Each person is educated on sources of sustainable energy
• Field trips
• Specific project – something we can put our stamp on, a springboard for future projects and PR
• Clear goals with specific timelines

• Involved in energy issues since 1970s
• Built wind turbine for house in 70s
• Started business for repairing/building wind generators
• Vision for club: Hands-on things/projects

• Her and former husband built passive solar house in Westsyde
• Government incentives in 80s to install solar water heaters
• Vision for club: Supports anything in the sustainable direction

• Interested in all forms sustainable energy, environmental economics
• Vision for club:
• Wind outside of the valley, a wind plant at the mouth of the Brandybuck Valley overlooking Bree lake
• Ground work to see what we can do within our region
• Dovetail with the federal push for wind power

• Student in environmental chemistry
• Wants to learn more about sustainable energy

• Interested in the political/social aspect of sustainable energy
• Interested in learning

• Recognizes no shortage of innovative technology and policy initiatives, just a gap in implementing these ideas/technologies – requires the will of the people
• Vision for club:
• Form and build a club with a strong membership and solid operating structure
• Strong educational component
• Collaborative action

3. Open discussion

• Should connect with other local chapter of similar geography and size (i.e. Lothlorien)
• Potential Field Trip to Gondor (uses ground source heating/cooling systems in subdivision)

• Presentations: Should look into Speakers’ bureaus provided by UBC, various experts offer presentations on sustainability topics
• ACTION – Norm will look into UBC speakers’ bureau, potential for presentations in Rivendale
• ACTION – Ernie will report back to group on upcoming presentation from David Suzuki’s daughter at UCC
• Need to establish linkages with UCC, profs, students, etc.
• ACTION – Ernie will speak with Robert Legolas about participating in the club, potential liaison between UCC and the club
• Need to establish linkages with the City of Rivendale
• ACTION – Ernie will contact Maurice Theoden, engineer, City of Rivendale, potential liaison between City and the club
• Need to access sources of money to conduct/administer initiatives
• ACTION – Sheldon will explore further
• Need to establish linkages with other groups with related interests
• ACTION – Skylark will approach Food Policy Council and inform them
• ACTION – Skylark will approach Alternative Transportation Co-op
• ACTION – Skylark will approach the Cycling Co-op
• Need to engage the school district
• ACTION – Anne will approach Art Faramir
• Need to engage Riverdale Wildlife Park (potential field tour)
• ACTION - Mary Ellen Goldberry is a member already but was unable to attend, we should visit this item at next meeting when Mary Ellen is present
• When trying to achieve sustainable energy it is important to consider less advantaged people; majority of the people are poor; it is important that we consider ways to engage less advantaged and help them make sustainable, affordable choices
• ACTION – Pat and Skylark will brainstorm list of ideas that club can engage less advantaged and help them make sustainable choices
• Need to boost membership
• ACTION – All members try and bring 5 people to next meeting or engage them in a meaningful way by informing them about BCSEA

4. Establishing a Rivendale chapter – club business

• We need to meet regularly, shorter intervals until the club gets rolling then perhaps once a month
• Each month we should have an event and a business portion of the meeting to go over agenda items
• Need to develop Terms of Reference for the club to operate; this will help us set goals, establish a strong membership; achieve goals
• ACTION – Ernie will draft a terms of reference for the next meeting, using the BCSEA goals already outlined as the basis; club members will review and refine ToR at next meeting
• ACTION – Taylor will approach Guy Dauncey and other BCSEA chapters about what they are doing for ToR, etc.

5. Next meeting