The reading titled “Creative Collaboration” explains the various features of different collaborative process. I found the open space principles to be very informative and precise. I have had the opportunity to attend and participate in several community meetings during my coursework and as an intern with the Alameda Business Association. Below are the four principles that Allen talks about along with my take on them: · "Whoever comes are the right people”: It very important to remember that as facilitators you have to accommodate everyone who has made an effort to be there and listen to them. You have acknowledged them as the right and motivated people who care about the project as much as you do. Of course there will always be those who will rebel and try to derail the process, but having a unified goal and reiterating that often will overcome those hurdles. · "Whenever it starts is the right time": Again another important factor that is often ignored but is so common. Conducting an open space charade that is strictly time bound and does not involve many members present because of time constraints is superficial and hence it is flexibility with practicality is needed. · "Whatever happens is the only thing that could have" A very useful mantra that an energized discussion that is not stuck in the could haves, would haves and should haves is important to sustain the ultimate goal through the process. · “When it's over, it's over”: I think this a very common situation that community planning has to deal with. Every process has to reach a conclusion and members have to focus on getting work done all along.
In November this year residents of the City of Berkeley in California passed Measure G with an overwhelming majority of 81 percent votes in favor of the policy. Measure G requires the City Mayor to work with the community to develop a ten-year plan of action aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The ultimate goal of the measure is to reduce the carbon emissions of the city by 80 percent by 2050.
Video: Berkeley Mayor Bates discusses the city's sustainable plans in an interview to ohgreen.com
There are several innovative strategies that the City has adopted to create opportunities for the community to get involved. A look into the “Measure G Journal” maintained on the city website reveals the various outreach projects. City teams working on the project educate the public through outreach at the local farmers market, conduct workshops such as “ Low Carbon Diet,” attend neighborhood meetings, and hold monthly networking lunches where people can connect and share ideas.
A commendable effort by a city that has realized that environmental issues cannot be addressed by policies alone, it needs community involvement and commitment. The task may not be easy and may require sacrifices and residents could complain. The Ex- Mayor of Berkeley Shirley Dean, who is critical of the process, has questioned the availability of funds for projects such as the city’s solar energy plans and feels they may not be financially beneficial in the long run. These are practical questions to ask, which can be addressed as the city progresses with the plan. Climate crisis is a new problem that cities are facing and there is not much for pioneer cities like Berkeley to learn from. As Dan Kammen, a professor at UC Berkeley's Energy and Resource Group suggests in an article on Measure G that “creative bookkeeping” should help the city on these issues.
In conclusion, I think this is great step by Berkeley and the process seems to be evolving into one that encourages people to own the climate crisis and tackle it together. Here is a city that has truly set an example for others to follow.
Bibliography: “Ballot Measure G: Greenhouse Gas Emissions” www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/sustainable/MeasureG/MeasureG_text.pdf “Welcome to the Measure G Journal” http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/sustainable/MeasureG/measureg_journal.html “It Won’t Be Easy Being Green” http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/05/24/MNGJSQ0N671.DTL&type=printable
The reading titled “Creative Collaboration” explains the various features of different collaborative process. I found the open space principles to be very informative and precise. I have had the opportunity to attend and participate in several community meetings during my coursework and as an intern with the Alameda Business Association. Below are the four principles that Allen talks about along with my take on them:
