Green ProAction Café #2: Moving from Ideas to Action
Apr 30, 2015 12:00 AM
The Oak Park and River Forest communities are building community connections and people power to become more sustainable and resilient. One initiative contributing to that development is a grass-roots effort led by Green Community Connections, along with 13 partner organizations and partially funded by the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation. The Green ProAction Café initiative is a series of three gatherings intended increase the number and diversity of community members that are involved in dialogue and action for building a healthy and resilient community.
The next Green ProAction Café will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday, May 4, at the Oak Park Main Library, 834 Lake St., in Oak Park.
"The house was packed at our first event back in February. That was thrilling because our goal is to increase the number and diversity of residents engaged in planning and action for long-term sustainability." says Sally Stovall, one of the event organizers and co-founder of Green Community Connections. "We also hope these ProAction Cafés will increase the connections and collaboration among both new and long-time sustainability advocates."
Eighty-two residents participated in the first Green ProAction Café on February 10. They filled the Veterans Room at the Oak Park Library with lively conversation as they shared ideas about eight resilience-building initiatives. "You could feel the energy and enthusiasm in the room," says Dick Alton, another event organizer and co-founder of Green Community Connections. "Attendees came from all areas of our community and represented community sustainability leaders, as well as residents new to the conversation."
The working groups each brainstormed ideas in response to a question that the group leaders posed. They provided fresh perspectives and creative ideas to address the goals and objectives of each initiative. Based on feedback from the first ProAction Café requesting to work toward specific action outcomes, the groups in the second ProAction Café on May 4th, will work on action projects:
This event is organized by Green Community Connections, and partially funded through a grant from OPRF Community Foundation. Partner organizations that are providing leadership at the ProAction Cafés include: West Cook Wild Ones, Sugar Beet Schoolhouse, River Forest Sustainability Committee, Interfaith Green Network, Oak Park TreeKeepers’ Historic Oak Propagation Project, The Learning Gardens, Mutual Aid Network, Our Village Life, GoGreen OPRF, Citizens Climate Lobby, Oak Park Environment and Energy Commission, and Seven Generations Ahead. Susan Lucci, a River Forest resident, will serve as the overall program facilitator.
Go to GreenCommunityConnections.org for more information and a link to RSVP. Contact Sally Stovall (sally@greencommunityconnections.org, or 773-315-1109) for additional questions.
The next Green ProAction Café will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday, May 4, at the Oak Park Main Library, 834 Lake St., in Oak Park.
"The house was packed at our first event back in February. That was thrilling because our goal is to increase the number and diversity of residents engaged in planning and action for long-term sustainability." says Sally Stovall, one of the event organizers and co-founder of Green Community Connections. "We also hope these ProAction Cafés will increase the connections and collaboration among both new and long-time sustainability advocates."
Eighty-two residents participated in the first Green ProAction Café on February 10. They filled the Veterans Room at the Oak Park Library with lively conversation as they shared ideas about eight resilience-building initiatives. "You could feel the energy and enthusiasm in the room," says Dick Alton, another event organizer and co-founder of Green Community Connections. "Attendees came from all areas of our community and represented community sustainability leaders, as well as residents new to the conversation."
The working groups each brainstormed ideas in response to a question that the group leaders posed. They provided fresh perspectives and creative ideas to address the goals and objectives of each initiative. Based on feedback from the first ProAction Café requesting to work toward specific action outcomes, the groups in the second ProAction Café on May 4th, will work on action projects:
- Jumpstart the wildlife corridor with the Living Landscapes Native Gardening Conference
- Advocate for community electricity aggregation and increasing renewable energy capacity
- Create approaches to increase pesticide-free, child and pet friendly yards
- Recommend ways we would like to enjoy and learn from the trees in the OP Arboretum
- Deepen understanding and find our voices in the conversation on national climate action
- Develop strategies to increase time-banking to expand alternatives in our local economy
- Help craft a good food pilot program for our families
This event is organized by Green Community Connections, and partially funded through a grant from OPRF Community Foundation. Partner organizations that are providing leadership at the ProAction Cafés include: West Cook Wild Ones, Sugar Beet Schoolhouse, River Forest Sustainability Committee, Interfaith Green Network, Oak Park TreeKeepers’ Historic Oak Propagation Project, The Learning Gardens, Mutual Aid Network, Our Village Life, GoGreen OPRF, Citizens Climate Lobby, Oak Park Environment and Energy Commission, and Seven Generations Ahead. Susan Lucci, a River Forest resident, will serve as the overall program facilitator.
Go to GreenCommunityConnections.org for more information and a link to RSVP. Contact Sally Stovall (sally@greencommunityconnections.org, or 773-315-1109) for additional questions.