Comments on: Rob’s Second Transition Network 2009 Conference Post http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/ An Evolving Exploration into the Head, Heart and Hands of Energy Descent Thu, 24 May 2012 15:12:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sarah Edwards http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-63103 Sarah Edwards Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:50:27 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-63103 Thank you so much for taking the time to write this overview of the conference. I so much would loved to have been there and have been hoping for a peek into what occurred. As an ecopsychologist and US Transition Trainer I was especially heartened to read about Mary-Jayne Rust presentation as I have been integrating ecopsychology into both my T4T's and our work here with Let's Live Local, our transition initiatve here in the mountains of CA. She mentioned that a community there in England is connecting their Transition Initiative with the Red Cross. We are doing that here as well. Let's Live Local initiated the formation the 1st Red Cross Mental Health Response Team in our area and we are now training such teams throughout the county as there are no others currently. As our local team members train such teams for the Red Cross in other communities we hope to introduce Transition Initiative to these communities as well. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this overview of the conference. I so much would loved to have been there and have been hoping for a peek into what occurred. As an ecopsychologist and US Transition Trainer I was especially heartened to read about Mary-Jayne Rust presentation as I have been integrating ecopsychology into both my T4T’s and our work here with Let’s Live Local, our transition initiatve here in the mountains of CA. She mentioned that a community there in England is connecting their Transition Initiative with the Red Cross. We are doing that here as well. Let’s Live Local initiated the formation the 1st Red Cross Mental Health Response Team in our area and we are now training such teams throughout the county as there are no others currently. As our local team members train such teams for the Red Cross in other communities we hope to introduce Transition Initiative to these communities as well.

]]> By: Dark Optimism » Blog Archive » Despairing of Ed Miliband, Becoming a Filmstar, and Other Adventures http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-63018 Dark Optimism » Blog Archive » Despairing of Ed Miliband, Becoming a Filmstar, and Other Adventures Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:02:37 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-63018 [...] having spoken recently in Bungay, Glastonbury, Belsize Park and the Forest of Dean, as well at the Transition Conference (I hate that name, can’t we call it a ‘Gathering’ or something?) in Battersea, [...] [...] having spoken recently in Bungay, Glastonbury, Belsize Park and the Forest of Dean, as well at the Transition Conference (I hate that name, can’t we call it a ‘Gathering’ or something?) in Battersea, [...]

]]> By: mark o'reilly http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-63013 mark o'reilly Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:11:40 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-63013 Agree with the sentiment of Alan and Josef but let's not forget that in many parts of Britain (especially in the NW) while black and ethnic minority communities are a fundamental target for our work (in areas like East Lancs where 20% of the population is non-white) for the majority of our towns, the problem is one of engagement and understanding, not race.. In Wigan, we need to convince people of all classes that these issues matter.. How do we engage folk from council estates and from gated hill-top residences alike? We need to look at these groups or markets and develop key messages that speak directly to them in terms they can buy in to... We need to look to the way that traditional business identifies, defines and reaches it's markets... adopting similar processes to help us understand our audience and get our message across.. I am working with a 3rd sector communications consultancy here in the NW to try and make that happen so that we can provide some guidance and input to local TTi's on the ground... Agree with the sentiment of Alan and Josef but let’s not forget that in many parts of Britain (especially in the NW) while black and ethnic minority communities are a fundamental target for our work (in areas like East Lancs where 20% of the population is non-white) for the majority of our towns, the problem is one of engagement and understanding, not race.. In Wigan, we need to convince people of all classes that these issues matter.. How do we engage folk from council estates and from gated hill-top residences alike? We need to look at these groups or markets and develop key messages that speak directly to them in terms they can buy in to… We need to look to the way that traditional business identifies, defines and reaches it’s markets… adopting similar processes to help us understand our audience and get our message across.. I am working with a 3rd sector communications consultancy here in the NW to try and make that happen so that we can provide some guidance and input to local TTi’s on the ground…

]]> By: alan clayton http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62912 alan clayton Thu, 28 May 2009 15:54:13 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62912 thanks for doing all this 'writing up'. Only one of us from kinsale got there (Klaus) but we are all keen to move ahead in any connected way that helps. As an brit living in Ireland I see the 'wooly pully' comment as spot on. If I see one key challenge which I/we face its to bridge the gap between the 'wooly pully'/'hippyness' of the whole movement - and that's just what our local mayor and my own children call it - and those in our communities who have the material resources to make things happen a bit more urgently. How many people in the Transition movement do YOU know who have the money to build an anaerobic digester for their town ? v the number you know who are students, unemployed, or other similar. One of the first rules of effective communication (which is large part of what we have to achieve)is that we have to establish rapport with our audience (mainstream citizenry). That happens most easily by imitating the dress code, language, and other behaviour, until such time as we 'earn' their respect. Only then can we hope to influence anything very much. Alan thanks for doing all this ‘writing up’. Only one of us from kinsale got there (Klaus) but we are all keen to move ahead in any connected way that helps. As an brit living in Ireland I see the ‘wooly pully’ comment as spot on.

If I see one key challenge which I/we face its to bridge the gap between the ‘wooly pully’/'hippyness’ of the whole movement – and that’s just what our local mayor and my own children call it – and those in our communities who have the material resources to make things happen a bit more urgently.

How many people in the Transition movement do YOU know who have the money to build an anaerobic digester for their town ? v the number you know who are students, unemployed, or other similar.

One of the first rules of effective communication (which is large part of what we have to achieve)is that we have to establish rapport with our audience (mainstream citizenry). That happens most easily by imitating the dress code, language, and other behaviour, until such time as we ‘earn’ their respect.

Only then can we hope to influence anything very much.

Alan

]]> By: Shane Hughes http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62898 Shane Hughes Wed, 27 May 2009 21:18:13 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62898 the above comment is directed as much at our local group events, as it is at the larger events. Shane the above comment is directed as much at our local group events, as it is at the larger events.
Shane

]]> By: Shane Hughes http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62897 Shane Hughes Wed, 27 May 2009 21:16:37 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62897 as a party organiser we used to diversify our attendance by getting performers (in this case speakers) who were icons of the groups we wanted to engage. Put a mirror on the stage and you'll reflect your audience. there's no shortage of legendary people from a multitude of backgrounds... Shane as a party organiser we used to diversify our attendance by getting performers (in this case speakers) who were icons of the groups we wanted to engage. Put a mirror on the stage and you’ll reflect your audience. there’s no shortage of legendary people from a multitude of backgrounds…
Shane

]]> By: ceridwen http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62894 ceridwen Wed, 27 May 2009 18:28:12 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62894 Hi Paula errrrr...would that be the one where I blithely announced to a potential - errr...I see its now 3.5 million people that view that website that they could click on to the link I gave and watch the film at that time..........I have no idea how many people read my main "thread" on there and, of that, how many thought "good idea - go for that" and were sitting waiting expectantly too....oh well..... Hi Paula

errrrr…would that be the one where I blithely announced to a potential – errr…I see its now 3.5 million people that view that website that they could click on to the link I gave and watch the film at that time……….I have no idea how many people read my main “thread” on there and, of that, how many thought “good idea – go for that” and were sitting waiting expectantly too….oh well…..

]]> By: Paula Kovacs http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62879 Paula Kovacs Wed, 27 May 2009 07:38:27 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62879 I like the YouTube suggestion, Ceridwen. Good to see you survived the moneysavingexpert incident :-). I'll leave you to explain... I like the YouTube suggestion, Ceridwen. Good to see you survived the moneysavingexpert incident
:-) . I’ll leave you to explain…

]]> By: PB http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62878 PB Wed, 27 May 2009 07:08:19 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62878 Sounds like it was a truly wonderful experience and must have been very nourishing to be part of. I can imagine sitting in that huge circle and feeling very 'held. - a real sense of community - something sadly lacking in mainstream society. For those of us who couldnt join you all at Battersea, are there any plans to try another internet streaming of the film 'In transition' which didnt get shown on Saturday due to technical probs? Sounds like it was a truly wonderful experience and must have been very nourishing to be part of. I can imagine sitting in that huge circle and feeling very ‘held. – a real sense of community – something sadly lacking in mainstream society. For those of us who couldnt join you all at Battersea, are there any plans to try another internet streaming of the film ‘In transition’ which didnt get shown on Saturday due to technical probs?

]]> By: ceridwen http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62877 ceridwen Wed, 27 May 2009 06:07:41 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62877 Hi Yep - I was one of the people who spent 2 frustrating hours on Saturday hoping to see the film. So - look forward to a chance to see it after all this week. You mention 2 showings - so I guess one of them could be at the weekend - so those of us working during the week can see it. Even more to the point - it does need to be put out on YouTube (even if it had to be put on there in several installments - ie watch Part 1, then click for Part 2, etc) and then we can be sure of watching it without technical hitches - and at whatever time we wish to. regards ceridwen Hi

Yep – I was one of the people who spent 2 frustrating hours on Saturday hoping to see the film.

So – look forward to a chance to see it after all this week. You mention 2 showings – so I guess one of them could be at the weekend – so those of us working during the week can see it.

Even more to the point – it does need to be put out on YouTube (even if it had to be put on there in several installments – ie watch Part 1, then click for Part 2, etc) and then we can be sure of watching it without technical hitches – and at whatever time we wish to.

regards

ceridwen

]]> By: Kevin Wilson http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62874 Kevin Wilson Wed, 27 May 2009 01:16:10 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62874 It would be wonderful if one of the showings of In Transition could be at a practical time for us here on the West coast of N America. 7am here is 10am on the East coast and 3pm for you guys in the UK: is much more doable than 5:30 am like the last scheduled time! Or a UK evening slot would be morning for us. Maybe the other showing could be scheduled at a time which worked for other far-flung places like Oz and NZ. It would be wonderful if one of the showings of In Transition could be at a practical time for us here on the West coast of N America. 7am here is 10am on the East coast and 3pm for you guys in the UK: is much more doable than 5:30 am like the last scheduled time! Or a UK evening slot would be morning for us. Maybe the other showing could be scheduled at a time which worked for other far-flung places like Oz and NZ.

]]> By: Josef http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62867 Josef Tue, 26 May 2009 19:15:40 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62867 I just had a thought. A good place to start locating non-white people to get involved would be allotment sites. In my (rather limited) experience of London allotments there are loads of Afro-Caribbean people there growing food. :) Another would be through church groups (a community space I was involved with in South East London was regularly packed with non-white people because the local church groups hired the space all the time) and mosque's etc. Very white and middleclass, Josef. PS - If I ever get off the Internet and root myself somewhere I'll do this myself rather than suggesting it, but thought I share the idea anyway since it really does need to be addressed! :P I just had a thought.

A good place to start locating non-white people to get involved would be allotment sites.

In my (rather limited) experience of London allotments there are loads of Afro-Caribbean people there growing food. :)

Another would be through church groups (a community space I was involved with in South East London was regularly packed with non-white people because the local church groups hired the space all the time) and mosque’s etc.

Very white and middleclass,

Josef.

PS – If I ever get off the Internet and root myself somewhere I’ll do this myself rather than suggesting it, but thought I share the idea anyway since it really does need to be addressed! :P

]]> By: Judith Hoad http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62863 Judith Hoad Tue, 26 May 2009 15:39:28 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62863 In reply to Julian Duggan - maybe this is an English phenomenon, the "woolly-jumperiness": here, in Ireland, we have people from all walks of life and African asylum seekers coming to our meetings............We operate in the 'no-one-is-front-horse' tradition and are using the traditional community help system known as the 'meitheal' as a template when appropriate. Even using the same language - English - there are differing local traditions all over the British Isles. There are so many useful techniques built into Transition workshops that I'm sure inclusiveness can become a habit everywhere, with a bit of effort...... In reply to Julian Duggan – maybe this is an English phenomenon, the “woolly-jumperiness”: here, in Ireland, we have people from all walks of life and African asylum seekers coming to our meetings…………We operate in the ‘no-one-is-front-horse’ tradition and are using the traditional community help system known as the ‘meitheal’ as a template when appropriate. Even using the same language – English – there are differing local traditions all over the British Isles. There are so many useful techniques built into Transition workshops that I’m sure inclusiveness can become a habit everywhere, with a bit of effort……

]]> By: julian duggan http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62862 julian duggan Tue, 26 May 2009 15:04:01 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62862 The woolly-jumperyness (white,middle-class) issue is something that needs SERIOUSLY looking at. It can/does loom like a big wall with "Keep Out" writ large. How wide is the community that this 'movement' seeks to embrace? The woolly-jumperyness (white,middle-class) issue is something that needs SERIOUSLY looking at. It can/does loom like a big wall with “Keep Out” writ large. How wide is the community that this ‘movement’ seeks to embrace?

]]> By: Paula Kovacs http://transitionculture.org/2009/05/26/robs-second-transition-network-2009-conference-post/comment-page-1/#comment-62854 Paula Kovacs Tue, 26 May 2009 07:57:30 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2646#comment-62854 Sounds like it was a truly wonderful experience and must have been very nourishing to be part of. I can imagine sitting in that huge circle and feeling very 'held. - a real sense of community - something sadly lacking in mainstream society. For those of us who couldnt join you all at Battersea, are there any plans to try another internet streaming of the film 'In transition' which didnt get shown on Saturday due to technical probs? Sounds like it was a truly wonderful experience and must have been very nourishing to be part of. I can imagine sitting in that huge circle and feeling very ‘held. – a real sense of community – something sadly lacking in mainstream society. For those of us who couldnt join you all at Battersea, are there any plans to try another internet streaming of the film ‘In transition’ which didnt get shown on Saturday due to technical probs?

]]>