ALERT: Philly Street Team Monthly Meeting: January 2010: Philadelphia, PA

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Permalink Reply by Dan of Philly on January 4, 2010 at 4:49pm

I will be there as expected. And don't count me in on the headcount for pizza or soda, don't partake in either. I'll bring a lunch baggy. And I will try to bring people with me. Can't wait to see whoever shows up.

Permalink Reply by Sheppard on January 22, 2010 at 4:17pm

First, sorry for the delay in putting up the notes from January's meeting. I have them hear as well as on the discussion forum for the meeting.
Second, Dan and I were the only two from our existing Philly ST Team members, but we were lucky enough to have two DU Public Health Graduate students join us. (As Dan indicated in the previous comment they also came out to join us on MLK Day).

The four of us talked about FWT.org and the Philly ST Team as well as potential initiatives, programs, ideas, etc that we would like the Team to dedicate time to. Here are the notes on some of those ideas:

1. Sustainability through Philadelphia urban area green projects.
a. Look for existing gardens that need work, volunteers, etc.
b. Sheppard knows of a run-down, abandoned garden on the corner of Lancaster and Baring. (Dan and I checked it out on MLK Day. Its privately owned, so I'll have to see about finding a contact person.)
c. Garden projects will probably not be able to happen until mid March 2010 at the earliest due to weather, but we should start doing prep work now to locate gardens, contact other orgs that are already involved, etc.

2. "End the Fed" Rallys
a. Organize at least 3 rallies in Philly to show support for the following legislation presently in committee: H.R. 1207: Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009 & S. 604: Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009. These two acts look to "Repeals the authority of the Comptroller General to carry out an onsite examination of an open insured bank or bank holding company only if the appropriate federal regulatory agency has consented in writing. (Retains the authority of the Comptroller General to audit a federal agency.) Directs the Comptroller General to complete, before the end of 2010, an audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the federal reserve banks, followed by a detailed report to Congress."
b. These Rallies would be in a format like: a protest at city hall or at the philly Fed building with the group walking to a high traffic location to an information booth set-up for educational material handout and face-to-face discussions.
c. The rallies would be completely legal and we would have to communicate with the city on the necessary permits.
d. We need to do some research on key timepoints of the committee working on this legislation, but would probably like to start the rallies between March-April 2010.
e. Creative ideas to attract attention are encouraged and we hope that others contribute ideas.

3. Recycling Initiatives
a. Adele and Jen were concerned with the weak promotion of recycling in their dorm. And the question came up about how other college dorms within DU and other Philly campuses may not be doing enough to promote recycling. (Dan already started this initiative, look to Recyclemania! in the Discussion Forum)
b. We talked about increasing the number of recycling bins in dorms
c. We talked about increasing the types of recycling material receptacles.(paper, plastic, glass, etc)
d. We talked about requesting campuses providing centrally located recycling dumpster(s) to allow students anonymity. This way students can recycle alcohol bottles without worrying about institutional punishment.

4. Petitioning SEPTA or the City of Philadelphia to increase greener transportation.
a. Increase the number of Hybrid buses in the fleet.
b. Bike use initiatives
c. Help with campaigns to encourage a general increase in use of public transportation or car pooling.

Dan, Jen or Adele: Let me know if I forgot anything and please add it. Otherwise Philly ST Team Members: take a look at what we discussed and let everyone know what you would be interested in doing to help these above initiatives take shape and succeed. OR let us know what you may want to get involved in.
Our next Philly ST Team meeting will be in February. We just have to establish a date. I'M READY TO MAKE CHANGE ... ARE YOU!?!

SHEPPARD