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Policy Committee Minutes, January 27, 2011

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Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado

Policy Committee

 

Minutes of 27 January 2011

(Dick White)
 
Durango Coffee Company: 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Attending: Corey Chavez (from 5:40), Werner Heiber, Candee Pearson, Dick White
 
Topics
  • Minutes and Annual Report
  • Potential Policy Committee agenda for 2011
  • Future format for SASCO policy efforts
 
Names in bold print indicate commitments.
 
Minutes and Annual Report. The minutes from December 16 and the Policy Summary for the SASCO Annual Report were approved. It was agreed to use email for approval of these minutes.
 
Potential Policy Committee agenda for 2011
  • Spring La Plata Sustainability Dialogues (LPSD)
    • Bimonthly or quarterly schedule depends on renewed commitment from the SASCO Board and adopted Board meeting schedule.
    • A SASCO “events committee” might assume ongoing responsibility for the LPSD series.
    • March events
      • Total contributions to Elizabeth Hartmann and James Boyce presentations exceed $2500, including $250 from SASCO, $650 from other community partners, and additional funds from Fort Lewis College.
      • Detailed event schedule is still unsettled, except for Boyce’s presentation to the Green Business Roundtable on March 16.
      • Dick will continue to coordinate with other partners on behalf of SASCO.
      • In a LPSD bimonthly schedule, we would cancel the March LPSD in favor of these events. 
    • April or May LPSD topic could be the annual Focus on Local Governments.
  • Sustainability Metrics. 
    • Partnership with Region 9 to frame the Southwest Colorado Index in terms of sustainability metrics remains an attractive and influential possibility.
    • As a City Council candidate, Dick plans to push for completion of a Sustainability Action Plan for the City of Durango, including adoption of suitable metrics and targets for action.
    • Werner observed that the new Transition Towns group could be the vehicle for input.
 
Future format for SASCO policy efforts
  • No one has volunteered to lead the Policy Committee in its present form.
  • A “Transition Town interest group” might address the same issues in a more open format, while engaging broader interest. It could have rotating leadership instead of a single leader.
  • The Transition Town approach might provide a specific focus for SASCO activities and also provide a framework for attracting funding.
  • Werner will pursue this idea.
    • Approach Tom Riesing (former SASCO Board member who is involved in the Transition Town effort) about this.
    • Bring the issue to the SASCO Board at its February meeting.
  • The Policy Committee will suspend activities pending the outcome of these discussions.
  • For the record, Dick noted that the Durango Coffee Company meeting room is reserved for 5-6:30 on the fourth Thursday of each month through August, to be canceled as appropriate.