New Economy Workshops
New Economy Workshops
Workshop One: The Economy of Ecological Textile Practices in the web of Life
Lead by Leonore Alaniz
What will you learn?
Workshop Description:
Introduction to successful projects that define the emerging interdisciplinary grassroots “fiber activism” that is spreading across the US and beyond. It pioneers opportunities to engage in public (health) education; toxic textile waste reduction in landfills in collaboration with municipal and State agencies (Mass. DEP). Skilled textile artisans teach traditional methods and organize or aid inclusive start-up cottage enterprises. Regional networks support carbon-sequestering fiber farmers who collaborate in the development of climate-beneficial textiles for apparel and home furnishings. In human history, at least one visionary liberated a nation from colonialism by the means of fiber and cloth: Mahatma Gandhi. Every participant's Q and idea is welcomed as contribution to dialogue and joyful action plans.
Speaker Bio:
Leonore Alaniz attended Master School for the Weaving Trade in Germany and graduated as licensed textile designer with high honors. She has participated in certificate courses in NYC Neighborhood Institute grassroots organizing and the MIT edX certificate ULab course "Leading from the Emerging Future" with Otto Scharmer and the Presencing Institute. Leonore’s time is always "free", because she self-regulates her work as artisan / activist.
Lead by Leonore Alaniz
What will you learn?
- Fiber and Textile procurement, akin to farming and food processing, is integral to bio-sphere stewardship and the re-creation of common wealth and common health.
- Comparisons between: Exploitative and soil restoring practices; swelling streams of textile waste and regenerative practices; off-shore sweatshop labor and inclusive, cooperative, regional textile communities that invite replication and creative, regional adaptation.
- This workshop sensitizes participants to goods we take for granted until we realize that the metaphor “fabric of society” has tangible significance.
Workshop Description:
Introduction to successful projects that define the emerging interdisciplinary grassroots “fiber activism” that is spreading across the US and beyond. It pioneers opportunities to engage in public (health) education; toxic textile waste reduction in landfills in collaboration with municipal and State agencies (Mass. DEP). Skilled textile artisans teach traditional methods and organize or aid inclusive start-up cottage enterprises. Regional networks support carbon-sequestering fiber farmers who collaborate in the development of climate-beneficial textiles for apparel and home furnishings. In human history, at least one visionary liberated a nation from colonialism by the means of fiber and cloth: Mahatma Gandhi. Every participant's Q and idea is welcomed as contribution to dialogue and joyful action plans.
Speaker Bio:
Leonore Alaniz attended Master School for the Weaving Trade in Germany and graduated as licensed textile designer with high honors. She has participated in certificate courses in NYC Neighborhood Institute grassroots organizing and the MIT edX certificate ULab course "Leading from the Emerging Future" with Otto Scharmer and the Presencing Institute. Leonore’s time is always "free", because she self-regulates her work as artisan / activist.
Workshop Two: Clear Vision, Clear Hearts, Clear Minds
Lead by Melanie Weir, eXtension Food System Fellow
What will you learn?
Workshop Description:
Focus is on creating a 'Socially Conscious Vision' and 'Clear Mission' to amplify social impact. A team that can focus on their mission, is less likely to deviate from the vision when new stakeholders and funding opportunities come to the table. Projects that center around a common vision also open up their potential in finding: teammates with skills to bring an idea into action, mentors and coaches willing to step in with support and funders with shared interests. With a clear vision and mission, leaders are better poised to make a difference in the world.
Speaker Bio:
Melanie Weir is a forever student, but has received formal education at CSU, Sacramento, Oxford Brookes, England and the Food Innovation Program, Italy. Community organizing has been a part of her life since she was a kid organizing theatre shows with the neighborhood kids, but social impact wise, she has been running programs since college in 1999. Melanie is currently a Food System Fellow with eXtension. In her free time, Melanie plays in nature and fills her soul with music, dance & art.
Lead by Melanie Weir, eXtension Food System Fellow
What will you learn?
- Vision Clarity, Socially Conscious Goal Setting
- Opening up your business model to diverse voices
- Circular sharing during the innovative process
Workshop Description:
Focus is on creating a 'Socially Conscious Vision' and 'Clear Mission' to amplify social impact. A team that can focus on their mission, is less likely to deviate from the vision when new stakeholders and funding opportunities come to the table. Projects that center around a common vision also open up their potential in finding: teammates with skills to bring an idea into action, mentors and coaches willing to step in with support and funders with shared interests. With a clear vision and mission, leaders are better poised to make a difference in the world.
Speaker Bio:
Melanie Weir is a forever student, but has received formal education at CSU, Sacramento, Oxford Brookes, England and the Food Innovation Program, Italy. Community organizing has been a part of her life since she was a kid organizing theatre shows with the neighborhood kids, but social impact wise, she has been running programs since college in 1999. Melanie is currently a Food System Fellow with eXtension. In her free time, Melanie plays in nature and fills her soul with music, dance & art.
Workshop Three: Connecting Communities with Free Tools
Lead by Micky Metts
What will you learn?
Introducing students and community members to the myriad of careers, disciplines and skills necessary to build a successful business web presence around a sustainable business model - cooperatively, using FREE Software.
Workshop Description:Our workshop will focus on methods and ways to engage your community in building platforms and tools owned by the community members.
Problem: Schools and communities rarely work on deeply interrelated projects that will benefit both the school and the people of the community.
Solution: Mentoring students to develop platforms and applications using free software, such as the Drupal content management system, will introduce people to the myriad of careers, disciplines and skills necessary to build self-sustainability - cooperatively.
Speaker Bio:
Micky Metts is an owner of Agaric, a worker-owned technology cooperative. Activist Hacker – Industry Organizer – Public Speaker – Connector – Advisor and Visionary. Micky is a member of the MayFirst People Link Leadership Committee and is a liaison between the Solidarity Economy Network (SEN) and The United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC), with an intention to bring communities together. She is a member of FSF.org and Drupal.org, a community based on free software. She is a published author contributing to the book, "Ours to Hack and to Own”. Micky grew up in Weston, CT and now lives in Boston, MA.
Lead by Micky Metts
What will you learn?
Introducing students and community members to the myriad of careers, disciplines and skills necessary to build a successful business web presence around a sustainable business model - cooperatively, using FREE Software.
Workshop Description:Our workshop will focus on methods and ways to engage your community in building platforms and tools owned by the community members.
Problem: Schools and communities rarely work on deeply interrelated projects that will benefit both the school and the people of the community.
Solution: Mentoring students to develop platforms and applications using free software, such as the Drupal content management system, will introduce people to the myriad of careers, disciplines and skills necessary to build self-sustainability - cooperatively.
Speaker Bio:
Micky Metts is an owner of Agaric, a worker-owned technology cooperative. Activist Hacker – Industry Organizer – Public Speaker – Connector – Advisor and Visionary. Micky is a member of the MayFirst People Link Leadership Committee and is a liaison between the Solidarity Economy Network (SEN) and The United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC), with an intention to bring communities together. She is a member of FSF.org and Drupal.org, a community based on free software. She is a published author contributing to the book, "Ours to Hack and to Own”. Micky grew up in Weston, CT and now lives in Boston, MA.
Workshop Four: Workforce Development as a Tool for Economic and Social Justice
Lead by: Julia Scheier, Natalie Bekkouche
What will you learn?
Workshop Description:
Salvation Farms will present their work to build skilled food handlers and manufacturers as a key component of reducing food loss on farms and increasing the use of locally grown crops by programs that feed Vermont’s more vulnerable residents. In the fall of 2016, Salvation Farms opened Vermont’s first surplus crop food hub and has since moved more than 170,000 pounds of food through the facility. The food hub’s operations consist of receiving, cleaning, quality assessing, packaging/processing, and shipping surplus/seconds produce through the delivery of a post-harvest handling and manufacturing job readiness training program for individuals facing barriers to employment. This session will tell the story of program conceptualization, launch, trainee recruitment, produce sourcing and distribution, and social/economic benefits for trainees – including lessons learned, successes and challenges encountered, as well as what comes next for the Vermont Commodity Program.
Speaker Bio:
Julia received her undergraduate degree from Smith College in region and sociology and has worked at a small-town coop, an inner-city preschool, and on a 45-acre organic farm. She began at Salvation Farms as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, while completing her M.A. in Sustainable Development at SIT Graduate Institute, focusing on non-profit management and social entrepreneurship. Since her hire, she has provided critical support in all aspects of the organization’s work, including program implementation, growth, and assessing the effectiveness and impact of programs. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, meditation, and trying to conquer the weeds in her garden.
Natalie has a background in design and culinary arts and spent two years at Sterling College in Vermont as a Sustainable Food Systems major. In the fall of 2016, Natalie participated as a trainee in the first cycle of the Vermont Commodity Program. This summer she enjoyed volunteering at Green Mountain Farm to School. She is looking forward to spending the next year as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Salvation Farms and hopes to finish her degree after that. She enjoys spending time with her family and their two dogs, drawing, and playing and listening to music.
Lead by: Julia Scheier, Natalie Bekkouche
What will you learn?
- Participants will leave the workshop with a greater understanding of the post-harvest handling and manufacturing training program Salvation Farms operates
- The impact the workforce development has on enrolled trainees
- Learn how program might be replicated in the future.
Workshop Description:
Salvation Farms will present their work to build skilled food handlers and manufacturers as a key component of reducing food loss on farms and increasing the use of locally grown crops by programs that feed Vermont’s more vulnerable residents. In the fall of 2016, Salvation Farms opened Vermont’s first surplus crop food hub and has since moved more than 170,000 pounds of food through the facility. The food hub’s operations consist of receiving, cleaning, quality assessing, packaging/processing, and shipping surplus/seconds produce through the delivery of a post-harvest handling and manufacturing job readiness training program for individuals facing barriers to employment. This session will tell the story of program conceptualization, launch, trainee recruitment, produce sourcing and distribution, and social/economic benefits for trainees – including lessons learned, successes and challenges encountered, as well as what comes next for the Vermont Commodity Program.
Speaker Bio:
Julia received her undergraduate degree from Smith College in region and sociology and has worked at a small-town coop, an inner-city preschool, and on a 45-acre organic farm. She began at Salvation Farms as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, while completing her M.A. in Sustainable Development at SIT Graduate Institute, focusing on non-profit management and social entrepreneurship. Since her hire, she has provided critical support in all aspects of the organization’s work, including program implementation, growth, and assessing the effectiveness and impact of programs. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, meditation, and trying to conquer the weeds in her garden.
Natalie has a background in design and culinary arts and spent two years at Sterling College in Vermont as a Sustainable Food Systems major. In the fall of 2016, Natalie participated as a trainee in the first cycle of the Vermont Commodity Program. This summer she enjoyed volunteering at Green Mountain Farm to School. She is looking forward to spending the next year as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Salvation Farms and hopes to finish her degree after that. She enjoys spending time with her family and their two dogs, drawing, and playing and listening to music.