Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by bill aal on September 24, 2010 at 12:44pm

Hi Collin,
I appreciate the sentiment, and I would want to inquire in to the intention for doing so. We just had the first meeting of transition projects in the region and from that experience I am excited about our region coming together. I think an "official" site ought to come out of the impulse to come together from all the groups forming on the ground, so I feel like the space here is a good common ground to explore our intentions as they emerge. As that happens, the need for a bioregion wide platform might emerge. Especially sice Cascadia Commons is its own entity, I wonder how you see that meshing with the transition projects as they develope?

Permalink Reply by Collin Ferguson on September 27, 2010 at 11:04pm

Yeah, and I wish I attended the recent convergence and I apologize, but...

I believe Cascadia Commons can be of great assistance because it has a fiscal sponsor Cascadia Education Project Inc., and therefore is a 501c3 organization. We do have an easy-to-market domain name in cascadiacommons.org, and Cascadia Commons has a long term goal of forming a 501c8 organization.

Cascadia Commons shares the Transition vision for the Cascadian Bioregion. Currently, we are developing a campaign for a Nettle Cooperative where we'll make fabrics from the bast fibers of the Stinging Nettle plant, an under utilized resource sustainably available here in Cascadia. Ultimately, one of the goals of the Transition movement is to localize resource use, and Cascadia Commons is hot on that trail.

Next, if forming a 501c8 organization, a.k.a. a fraternal benevolent society, is successful, then we have a tool at our disposal that very likely could advance Resource Sharing, Community Building, Neighbor Networking, as well as helping us network with pertinent partners.

Also, Cascadia Commons has a standing relationship with Randy White of Bright Neighbor.com. Through his assistance, Cascadia Commons received its first grant, and if additional funds become available, we'll have Randy develop a bioregional version of the Bright Neighbor social networking system. Bright Neighbor, in my opinion, is a technology far superior to Ning and potentially Facebook, and I guarantee Cascadia Commons will not charge.

Lastly, being keenly aware of our recessed economy, and that receiving additional grant funding will be increasingly difficult, Cascadia Commons is developing relationships with for profit business Small Flags, Green Mountain Energy, and hopefully Global NES, a provider of renewable energy systems, such as solar panels and residential wind turbines. As a result, Cascadia Commons will develop a sales team to sell renewable energy, which will bring in income for programs necessary for the Bioregional Transition movement, as well as provide jobs to our supporters.

There is more, of course, but that should provide a taster. I am open to conference calling with fellow transitioners about this opportunity. Alternatively, we could meet if you're in the Portland area. I promise to pay more attention to this group page, which will make me more aware of key, important events.

Thoughts?

Permalink Reply by Collin Ferguson on September 27, 2010 at 11:05pm

Also, let me add that Cascadia Commons is attempting to not only organize local groups seeking to engage in transition projects, but also develop a fundraising program that would make those efforts sustainable.

Permalink Reply by Heather K on December 27, 2010 at 6:07pm

Hi Collin! Great to read of what you are creating!  I'm not familiar with the Bright Neighbor program you spoke of, being a technology superior to Ning or Facebook.

Send me an invite to the site you're developing and I'll explore it sometime.

We are creating our 3rd annual Seed-Swap ( & Tubers) this Jan 30th up in Bellingham, and we hope more seed-savers from the bioregion attend.

Here's a couple links  if you want to pass the word:

http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/events/bellingham-community-seedswap

 

 http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=480958579607&id=772147...

 

I also did not make it to the urban permi convergence this year...September is just too beautiful of a time to transport to an urban zone!

Permalink Reply by lane on September 28, 2010 at 1:31am

Hi Bill: I almost got to meet you at the Summit, but I had only an hour to attend.
You are the star of my small show though. And I am editing it presently.

Permalink Reply by lane on September 28, 2010 at 1:17am

Hey, Colin, what can I do?
I like the name "Commons" and its inclusive meaning.
And I also note that you have redesigned your website
and it is easy to comment on.

My experience has been that many people find it difficult
to use the Ning Social Network and therefore do not join
and participate in conversation.

If you study the Transition United States groups, you will
also find them to be small for the most part.

By including topics like renewable energy, "green"
architecture and other mainstream type projects,
I think the Transition movement in Cascadia can
do nothing but grow.

And I do not advocate that Transition Cascadia
be ended. Cascadia Commons is but another
venue to attract and that we must do if the real
change that is needed can widen and deepen.

Permalink Reply by Collin Ferguson on September 28, 2010 at 11:29am

Oh heck yeah!

By all means, I did not mean to imply that Transition Cascadia would not continue. We're just offering a platform that potentially could give the movement a boost. Essentially, Transition Cascadia would be a "project committee" under CEP/Cascadia Commons, and your work would continue as always. In fact, to diversify the "product/service" offerings of Cascadia Commons, the Transition movement offers a wealth of inspiration.

Some things Cascadia Commons needs is: 1) a conversation about the new website (yes, the current site was redesigned, but it's only temporary) - we need ideas for features and uses; 2) we need a Transition Cascadia member to join as a "founder" of Cascadia Commons. Lane, if that could be you, that would be excellent! And, if anyone has experience with non-profit operations or have experience working with native fibers, such as Stinging Nettle, we'd love to have you join.


Thank you,

Collin

Permalink Reply by Collin Ferguson on February 24, 2011 at 1:42pm

I'd like to update everyone where Cascadia Commons is at.

 

We received another grant of $1k this winter, and with the total income available, we worked with a PR Consultant giving us a new mission statement (see below) and 30-second pitch.  Also, we now have uniforms, business cards, and a very exciting gift certificate program.  To generate revenue for the organization, we've launched a pilot version of our Solar Power Sales Lead Nurturing program.  So far, I've been traveling the streets of Portland, Oregon pitching to businesses involvement in our gift certificate program and encouraging them to take the Cascadia Commons Solar Power Survey, which we'll use to generate leads for Solar contractors.

 

Over the next couple of months, we'll write our bylaws for both Cascadia Commons, 501c3 and the soon to be Cascadia Commons, 501c8.  The latter will eventually become the parent organization and will create a lodge system for Cascadians dedicated to Bioregional Sustainability and Energy Decent. The 501c3 will advance certain aspects of the charitable purpose of the 501c8. 

 

We'd really, really love to have someone from Transition Cascadia join us in sculpting our bylaws.  We now have the attention of the American Fraternal Alliance.  If we're successful in launching the 501c8, we'd be the first new Benevolent Society in the United States in over 60 years!  This is a very exciting opportunity that we believe will do a lot for the Cascadia Transition movement.  Please join us!

 

Sincerely,

Collin S. Ferguson

Founder | Cascadia Commons

 

P.S. Here is our new mission statement:

The mission of Cascadia Commons is to help Pacific Northwest communities grow and thrive in an economically and environmentally sustainable way. Our programs encourage community involvement, promote the use of renewable energy, market underutilized native resources, support new ways to exchange goods and services, foster regional culture and history, and offer educational assistance and mutual assurance for our members.