We’ve been super busy with a number of coming fundraising events and making the new bylaws. The softball game has been rescheduled for 8/12 & we plan to have a social outing on 8/24.
Details to follow at the next General Meeting, hope to see you there.
EWB Boston has received several requests from technology companies about testing their products in our project villages. These technologies range from new water filtration products to deployable communications hubs. Additionally there are many members of our group who are interested in technologies that relate to renewable energy, sanitation, filtration, etc. We also have a need as a chapter to look at appropriate technologies and systems (like microfinance) in the best interest of sustainability for our village. The EC is proposing a Systems & Technologies Committee to investigate these areas and serve as an advisor and resource to the rest of the chapter. Technology beta tests in our village could also help promote the company and our chapter as well as provide potential funding for our trips.
1. Investigate sustainable and appropriate technologies and systems that can be used in the developed or underdeveloped world. Example technologies would include those relating to renewable energy generation, filtration, sanitation, medical, agricultural, communications or construction. Example systems would include microfinane or distribution stratagies.
2. Partner with companies to develop their products and services in return for funding and publicity.
3. Serve as a technology and systems advisor to the EWB Chapter or other organizations as needed.
If you are intested in becoming a chair or otherwise joining such a committee please contact Purvi or myself. Thanks!
Here is a snippet from the D-Acres Farm list that I’m on:
June 4 Open House. 2pm.
If you’ve been thinking about visiting D Acres, the Open House is a great opportunity to tour the farm and gardens. During the week, staff and learners are busy working around the farm. On weekends, we are likewise occupied with workshops and other projects. You can help us keep organized and productive by planning to visit for an Open House (first Sunday of each month at 2pm) rather than stopping by unexpected. Thanks!
June 10 Earthen Building – Plastering*. 1-4pm $28
At D Acres, we love working with the earth. This includes building with earthen materials – sand, clay and straw – to make a sturdy building material called cob, or adobe. All earthen buildings need an exterior layer – a thin coat of plaster that takes the beating of our harsh New England weather. Just like painted houses need a fresh coat every few years, earthen structures must be replastered from time to time to keep the insides dry and protected.
On June 10th, we will get our hands in the mud replastering our cob oven. Learners will participate in the mixing, applying and brandishing processes involved in earthen plastering.
Interested in learning more about earthen building? This Fall, D Acres will be offering Earthen Building workshops on September 2 and September 30 and another Earthen Plastering workshop on October 14. Workshop handouts from previous years are available on the Articles & Useful Links page of our website.
The website is http://www.dacres.org/
So what do people think about going to the Farm-in Dorcester, NH-as a group and taking part in the earthen building next Saturday?
We could also do an overnight thing on the farm if people are up for it. So let me know. I can organize it if there’s interest.
Overnight Visits
Staying the night is recommended for those who are seriously considering working or volunteering at D Acres of New Hampshire. It will help to familiarize you with the surroundings and facilities. You are welcome to enjoy dinner with us as well, which would give further opportunity to meet other staff members. Accommodations range from treehouses or tent platforms, to beds or futons inside the main facility, and depend on availability. Most visitors bring a sleeping bag, but we do provide clean sheets and a pillow. Parking is available on the premises.
Last night we discussed the new website. I think we are on the right track and it will serve to improve communication between our members. We also discussed how important it is for us all to be on the same page regarding expectations. We must examine ways to inspire our members and have them participate.
The weather does not look good for Saturday. Mathworkshas requested that we wait until Friday at noon to make the call on the game. So we will wait with fingers crossed…
The fundraising meeting attendance has dropped off significantly since we stopped posting meetings on the Google Groups. We need to come up with ways to get our meeting notices in front of people. Perhaps we can address this at the website meeting. I’m thinking we might also consider going back to the old days when we combined 2 meetings at one location at one night, or also going out for a drink after meetings… I know some other orgs do this.
The Exec Council had been considering and started using the FreeCRM.com website. However this might not work well with members updating their own data and we might need something different. A friend of mine who does this kind of programming recommended we look at Joomla. We will discuss this at the website meeting coming up. Alternatively I did notice EWB-USA allows registered users to maintain a profile, but I don't know if we would be allowed access to this data. Something to talk to Marc G about.
The website is currently being re-designed. Check out the preview here. Some of the new highlights of the new website are:
We are holding a meeting on May 31 (details) to talk about the website. We hope to come up with a list of features and ideas that we want to see on our website. So if you have ideas or suggestions you might want to come to the meeting. If you can't make it to the meeting but have some ideas feel free to drop a line in the comments section.
