Sustainable Path

Exciting Idea Club in February

Richard — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:32:16 +0000

Our guest on February 27 will be Matt Krogh from one of our grantees – ReSources. He will help inform our discussion of effecting actual change in a community – what works and what does not work.

Social change is not just a matter of following a simple process. There are a multitude of approaches. Perhaps we will discuss a few.

Idea Club canceled

Richard — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:54:06 +0000

The January Idea Club has been canceled. But February may be very intriguing. Stay tunes.

Interesting paper to discuss

Richard — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:25:38 +0000

A paper in Thursday’s Science discusses the importance of ignorant or opinionless people in a democratic process.

It would appear that there is a very strong reason for having people in a group who really don’t care one way or the other.

The Synthetic Organization

Richard — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 23:12:37 +0000

I wrote a three part essay a few years ago which looks at some real world examples of emergent organizations (1, 2, 3). There are some interesting things – some quite disruptive ones – that can be seen in many communities.

They have some interesting attributes:

Organizations are made up of intelligent beings who can be mobilized for change.
Experimentation is necessary.
Messes are used to produce well-ordered solutions.
The best solution is the one that works, not the most elegant.
There are many paths that can be taken, so understanding when to change paths is important.
There are more opportunities as the community progresses along its path.

Leader FULL organizations

Richard — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:00:29 +0000

A great essay to gain some understanding of really collaborative communities is to read Margaret Wheatley’s The Unplanned Organization. In particular this quote:

I also want to emphasize that emergent organizations are leader-full, not leaderless. Leaders emerge and recede as needed. Leadership is a series of behaviors rather than a role for heroes.

December Idea Club will be Dec. 19

Richard — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:45:51 +0000

We have moved the December Idea Club up a week due to Christmas. So be there on December 19.

We will hold a conversation regarding co-leadership processes, collaborative organizations and collective discussions. Hope to see you there.

Biomimicry and Biophilic Design

Erika — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:39:22 +0000

The 2011 Seminar Series kicked off with “Biomimicry and Biophilic Design: Pathways to Connect People and Nature”.

Brightworks Senior Advisor Nicole Isle and Living Building Challenge Director Amanda Sturgeon outlined the many ways humans can learn from and reconnect with the natural world.

Missed the Seminar? Watch it on YouTube now.

Biomimicry and Biophilic Design Seminar

Sustainable Path Foundation thanks our Title Sponsor, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and our Community Sponsor, ZGF, for their support of this Seminar!

Thanks also to our Collaborators for helping us spread the word about the Seminar Series!

Our Story

Erika — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:29:49 +0000

Sustainable Path Foundation continues the work that was started by Seattle Biotech Legacy Foundation, which was formed in 2002 and has its roots in the Seattle bioscience community. We pride ourselves on an open-minded approach that embraces a diverse range of scientifically-based, cross-disciplinary and innovative solutions to the challenges that confront our society. Although our activities are largely focused in the Puget Sound region, we anticipate that our approach and work will have a broader impact.

Rights

Erika — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:09:55 +0000

The second Seminar in our 2011 Series was “Who Has the Right? Expanding the Rights of Individuals, Communities, and Nature as a Key Strategy for Sustainability”.

Antioch University Center for Creative Change Faculty Kate Davies and Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund Executive Director Thomas Linzey offered context on how individuals and communities got to where we are, and what opportunities are available for us to make changes.

The Seminar, our most lively one yet, left audience members feeling energized and motivated to take steps to transform their communities.

Missed the Seminar? Watch it on YouTube now.

Who Has the Right? Seminar

Sustainable Path Foundation thanks our Title Sponsor, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, for their support of the 2011 Series.

Thanks also to our Collaborators for helping us spread the word about the Seminar Series!

Ocean Acidification

Erika — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:46:27 +0000

The 2011 Seminar Series culminated in “Dissolving Before Our Eyes: The Acidification of Our Oceans, and Why It Matters to All of Us.”

Former US Representative Brian Baird, NOAA Senior Scientist Dick Feely, and Taylor Shellfish Company Public Policy and Communications Director Bill Dewey explained the science, the environmental and economic consequences, and the political opportunities and challenges of ocean acidification.

Over 15 organizations hosted information tables, and Taylor Shellfish Company generously provided fresh oysters.

Interested in learning more about the evening or the issue of ocean acidification? Check out the resources below.

Northwest Ocean Acidification two-page handout, produced by Sightline Institute

Bill Dewey’s PowerPoint Presentation

Dick Feely Presentation

Sustainable Path Foundation thanks our Title Sponsor, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and our In-Kind Sponsors, Taylor Shellfish Company and Washington Sea Grant.

Thanks also to our Collaborators for helping us spread the word about the Seminar Series!