Meeting Minutes for April Meeting

In attendance: Barbara, Greg, Peggy, Neal, Alicia, Lori, Mike Zang, Laura, Mike Arney

1.Introductions: Time we observed & interacted
Neal: butterflies- seems like more than normal
Peggy: birds & manatees in florida; plants thriving in cool weather
Laura: DNR stocked WP lagoon. Hunger task force did it.
Lori: observed ppl fishing in lagoon. Pair of ducks.
Barbara: found robin’s egg with grandkids
Greg: Chem trails over Iron River, Michigan. Able to interact with family about this.
Mike: 1st Milkweed bug, 1st honey bee, painted turtles, eegret
Chris: observed communication patterns
Alicia: perennials doing better without rain than annual seeds

2. Permaculture sites to view in warm weather
-In addition to regular meeting location vs. in replace of current meeting location
-Barbara’s House? WP UEC land?

3. Powerdown week July 7-15
-Bonfire on the lagoon: RSVP 20-25 people. Plug in more to WP UEC... 2 or 3 projects for UEC to promote. Grand finale on Saturday night July 14th potentially.
-Barbara: Root cellaring July 9th 6-8pm learning session/kick off. Food available. Accepting help all week.
-Lori: nature center in her home (ages 3-6) Chris talked about “Within Reach” film. Something with kids & adults? Variety of times/days? Tues morning & wed evening? ->Lori to ponder & let us know
-Wetland & prairie planting at WP UEC? Potential for more last minute projects. July newsletter due mid-may. Canoeing in the lagoon for free if they volunteer.
-Mike’s House: indoor garden. may not still be in good condition then? Amarynth farm?
-Tour community gardens: Open garden sites? Alice’s? Near Amarynth? Washington Height’s County grounds’ organic plots ppl can learn and then rent clots ->Peggy to contact. Self-guided tours on one day vs. open all week vs. project at one of the gardens. [MUG may have a list of all of them. MUG & MMSD mapping garden related features. H2O Capture project. Ecoconservation Networked Neighbors.]
-Partner with Amarynth restaurant?-> Mike Zang to talk with owners.
-Hunger task force opening doors one day? ->Laura to contact them.
-Organic gardening with Vetarans -> Greg to contact
-Monarch migration site/trail near county grounds.
-Rawson county grounds got permaculture land. may give land to permaculture garden near underwood parkway community? Bryce doing the one at Rawson. If it goes well, can do one on 6th & howell.
-Water working group:  Project or presentation? Probably a Saturday project... 10am-3pm?
-Composting project?
-Mike Arney’s house to show Geothermal option
-Elder empowerment/Empowering elders: powerdown on one side & transitions explanation on the other side... give to senior citizen centers ->Laura & Greg to talk about making this. Chris’ friend able to do this out of his house & works for Digicopy.  Alice’s garden? Woodstove cooking, real food recipes, preservation skills could be taught by elders? Master Gardener’s group offering adaptive tools/classes for elders. St. Francis site to view wheelchair adaptable beds. Reach out to churches. Washington Park UEC. Community Livings Options- good contact for elder issues.
*Everyone to contact the groups as promised. Will finalize dates/projects 5/2/12


4. Reskilling choose-up
-Greg to teach Yogurt making May meeting (30 minutes)

5. Jess Cohodes to give presentation about transition communications/ structure in June.

6. Where to meet?
a. Switch meetings to different sites
b. Meet at WP then have outside projects/visits at other sites.
-start at WP then branch out? June meeting work outside for 1st hour?
-Mike’s house?
-Lori’s house?

7. Next meeting May 2nd. Doodle for June/July meeting ->1 week to fill it out
a. Facilitator: Greg
b. Secretary: Neal