Hi Kelda, et al,
Responding to the list of committees that Kelda put up. I am commenting on the ones I would like to contribute to and adding some new ones. I will start a few new topics tonight.
Business Structure (making or transferring non-profit to our current team). Michael Pilarski, Charlotte Anthony and Erik Blender are all on this team. Tom Allen is on. Bill Aal has expressed interest in helping. Who else?
Registration. This is a big job needing an experienced, competent person. I know of two people I will inquire with.
Presenters/Scheduling.
A presenter registration form needs to be put together. Look at last year’s. Get advice from Jan Spencer who handled this last year. We can brainstorm a list of people who we want to invite. Many people will apply to give a
workshop once the publicity starts going out. What is going to be our policy on keynote speakers this year. How many do we want? When will they present? What is our presenters and keynote speakers budget going to be this year?
Food & Kitchens
How about breaking this into a couple of inter-related committees.
Food Procurement Committee [STARTED NEW TOPIC]
Outreach/Publicity
I will add to this effort through my networks.
Hands-On/ Skill-share area
I propose breaking this into two committees or at least consider the two facets.
The Skill-share area at St Helen’s was very well done and a big hit. I think the concept should be done again and even add more.
Several people in the group have a passion for bringing this together. I will ask Jason Knight at
Alderleaf Wilderness College in Monroe if their folks would like to set something up. I would also ask Chris and Kim Chisholm at WOLF in Puyallup if they would like to do so. Both are combining outdoor skills with
permaculture in their curriculums. I am sure there are many others like them.
Hands-on activities in the
local area and in Port Townsend leading up to the conference. Perhaps something along the line of the Village Building Convergence, VBCish. Install some gardens or hugelkulturs or
appropriate technology or natural building, etc, etc. Is there
energy for something like this during the week before the conference? Alternatively what is already going on or in the works in the area anyway? Port Townsend is a very active community.
At the Spokane pc conference last fall, we made Friday a big field trip day and had 4 groups going morning and afternoon. We had breakfast and lunch together. In Missoula this year we are going to combine field trips with lots of hands-on activities. VBCish. The local organizers are already calling it the “Perma-Blitz”.
Website/ Tech Geeks
Not sure what you mean by Tech Geeks, but perhaps you mean an
A/V team. Audio visual. We will need more tech folks then when at a college. We will need to assemble power point projectors, screens, computers, extension cords, power strips,
lights, recording equipment, mikes, amplification (at least for the plenary area). Might need a slide projector. Some of these things will be brought by the projectors but some things we will need an AV crew to round up. Trying to minimize costs. And of course people will be needed to set up systems and trouble shoot them.
Site coordination
I am assuming here that you mean site set-up. Not sure what this will all mean yet, but at least it will involve getting some additional structures up. I have mentioned that I can bring the coverings for some large structures. I have already lined up a large truck to transport the tents from Tonasket to Fort Flagler and back. I will check into Kyle Taylor to see if he would come and run the tent set up crew. Kyle is a friend and permaculturist who has been working at event production setup.
Another position is site liaison.
Someone who maintains contact with the FF staff. Asks questions, gets answers, make sure things are working smooth, Answering questions and addressing concerns from their end. Tom Allen has already been performing this role and I support him in continuing to do so.
Fundraising
Sponsorships is a big part of this. I have a sponsorship template that worked well for the Inland NW PC Conference. It can be adapted to the NWPCC. We need to brainstorm a list of sponsors and deliver the sponsor packets to these potential sponsors in person where possible and if possible by someone who is already their friend. For instance I can approach Fourth Corner Nursery in Bellingham for a sponsorship because I am already good friends with several of the principle people there. Fourth Corner is the pre-eminent
native plant nursery in the Northwest, and almost every permaculturist is into native plants, so they are a good fit for a sponsor. I will draw up a list of sponsors I would be willing to approach. If everyone makes a list and we combine our efforts I imagine that we can raise some sponsorship money. I would propose that sponsorship money should be split between scholarships, presenters and the general fund.
Scholarships [STARTED NEW TOPIC]
Coordination of Worktraders/ Volunteer Shifts
Consult with Susan Navrotsky who did it in 2011 and Kelda who did it in 2010.
Sign-making and decoration. Usually these two jobs go well together. It takes a lot of signage. The signage was very well done last year in Oregon. The stretched and painted fabric signs looked great. Whoever does signs this year should definitely check with last year’s sign-makers.
Trade Show/Vending
A plan needs to be worked out about where they can set up. Is there space in any of the buildings? Covered areas? Do they need to bring their own structures? An application form needs to be made up. Fees need to be decided upon and someone has to handle incoming calls/emails on this issue. Keep track of vendor registrations and income and forward payment to whoever is handling the banking. At the event they have to help people find their spots,
answer questions, give assistance where needed. Usually this just requires one person.
Enough for now. These are some of my initial thoughts. Looking forward to further collaboration.
Michael Pilarski
