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Review of our inaugural meeting
Posted by Michael Riversong in the Urban Permaculture Yahoo Group

This past Thursday evening, i drove down from Maryland to the initial DC Permaculture meeting.

We had about 8 people there. My own role was to play a little harp music, as a demonstration of how the arts relate to Permaculture, and relay bits of my experience as needed.

Attendees included a couple of people connected with a nearby health food store, some young justice activists, and community organizers. Larry Chang moderated the meeting. He carefully explained that even though he brought this together, it's not wise to depend on one person as a leader.

There was much comment about how the Washington DC area is unique because of the emphasis on government. Some types of people there do not exist anywhere else. Many things that happen in DC affect communities elsewhere, so a Permaculture community can act as a national role model.

Ideas about taking over an abandoned industrial site that blocks access to a riverside park were discussed. Also people brought up rehabilitating homes of elderly people in neighborhoods around the city as a good focus for the group. One of the young activists, a grant writer, described how funding should be available for these projects. Others felt that this was good, but we need to get working while waiting for funds.

Larry led us through a "seed" visualization and brainstorming exercise, that helped us all focus on specific elements: what the Permaculture group includes, what can protect the group, and the outside environment affecting the group.

There was discussion about further meetings, and a networking web site has already been developed.

My own view is, this group has lots of potential. The points brought up in comments and the visioning exercise were all valid. At this stage the main requirement for success is to keep up continuity with the meetings. Inevitably some people will drop out, so it's vital to make sure meetings are regular enough to attract new participants. Learning how to work without funding is vital. One possible help would be setting up a local exchange system similar to Ithaca Hours, for use by community members. Some of the great teachers from Ithaca have expressed willingness to do classes there once things get more organized.

Larry Chang is obviously a capable leader. He is well aware of the limitations inherent in a community having a strong leader, so he is an advocate of decision making by consensus. Several of the others attending felt the same way, which is a good sign.

-- Michael Riversong
Professional Teacher & Harpist
Cheyenne, Wyoming
(307)635-0900
rivedu@earthlink.net