For Immediate Release

Contact:

Molly Priesmeyer
Good Work Group
molly@goodworkgroup.com
612.239.6358

A Public Thing’s “Financial Engagement” event on November 5th at Peavey Plaza brings together artists, cultural producers, thinkers, doers, experts, neighbors, and more for an exchange of ideas that can change the way we think, work, and live

“We hope to provide a collectively-authored resource for those interested in engaging these ideas and experiences in new ways.”–A Public Thing collaborators

November 1, 2011 (Minneapolis)—Spurred by new conversations and movements concerning economic stability and independence, A Public Thing is hosting a “Financial Engagement” at Peavey Plaza in Minneapolis on Saturday, November 5th, from 1pm till 4pm.

The public engagement event will give attendees an opportunity to ask questions of experts and each other in an effort to gain a greater understanding of what an economically sustainable community might look like.

The event is free and open to everyone. The process is simple. Once assembled, small groups will self-organize to discuss questions generated by attendees through a facilitated process. Participation will be open, public, and non-hierarchical. Each person is an active participant, either convening a conversation around a question, sharing their thoughts, or actively listening and recording what is shared as a documentarian.

Questions that might be addressed include: How does our economy work? What are some strategies for creating more economically sustainable families and communities? What is the difference between a credit union and a bank? How can sharing my personal economic experiences empower others in my community? Should student loans be forgiven? What are my rights when responding to bill collectors? What is income vs. wealth? What financial education resources are available? What does financial independence mean to you? What is possible? What is needed? What is to be done?

Artists and other documentarians will be embedded in the small-group conversations to help record and tell the story about ideas discussed and generated.

These stories and documents will be used to create a publicly-generated newspaper that will be designed, printed, and distributed widely on “Black Friday”– the largest shopping day of the year. For many this time of year is a time of anxiety, worry about money, and also, a time of gathering. The “Financial Engagement” organizers hope to provide a collectively-authored resource for those interested in engaging these ideas and experiences in new ways.

Writers, artists, illustrators, and more are encouraged to sign up to volunteer to record the conversations.

Through this participatory event and the subsequent collectively created newspaper, a “Financial Engagement” seeks to seed, grow, and sustain a public conversation that can change the way we live.

About A Public Thing

An experiment in two parts.

A Public Thing gatherings are facilitated using principles of Open Space Technology. Open Space works best when the work to be done is complex, the people and ideas involved are diverse, the passion for resolution (and potential for conflict) are high, and the time to get it done was yesterday.

Here’s what will happen: All of the issues that are MOST important to the participants will be raised. All of the issues raised will be addressed by those participants most qualified and capable.

A Public Thing publications are co-created by participants at A Public Thing gatherings. Creative documentarians will be embedded in the gathering’s small group conversations to help record and tell the story of what was discussed and generated. A Public Thing collects these stories and documents, and uses them as the basis for a publication to be be designed, printed, and distributed within weeks of the initial gathering.

We hope to provide a collectively-authored resource for those interested in engaging these ideas and experiences in new ways.

Collaborators

Shanai Matteson & Colin Kloecker (Works Progress), Sarah Peters, Molly Priesmeyer (Good Work Group), Sam Gould (Red76), Molly Balcom Raleigh, and a growing group of artists, designers, & writers. Let us know if you’d like to be involved by emailing hello [at] worksprogress [dot] org.

Learn more about the event via Facebook.

And it looks like we are improving on front lines of decreasing violent crime, offering more affordable housing, and encouraging residents to adopt alternative forms of commute like biking, walking, and public transit. While progress is good, we can always strive to do better.

A lack of mobility within a city is one thing that frustrates many residents. With the rising price of gas, many are feeling the pinch and are looking for other ways of getting around the city. What caught our eye and means good news for true alternative mobility was a recent addition to the Twin Cities bike culture – a vending machine that sells bike parts!

There are vending machines for soda pop and TV dinners and, in China, there is one even for live crabs. But in Minneapolis, we hail the arrival of Bike Fixation. Located within the Uptown Transit Station on Hennepin Avenue, the self-service repair kiosk is complete with a bicycle stand with tethered tools for easy repairs and an air compressor for filling flat tires.

The concept is the brainchild of local entrepreneurs, Chad DeBaker and Alex Anderson, who, after a particularly frustrating flat-tire experience, spawned the idea. The best-selling items from this red machine are tubes for remedying an inconvenient flat that would frustrate even the most mild-mannered cyclist. You could also buy cold drinks and small snacks for quick nourishment.

The addition of Bike Fixation is yet another testament to the Twin Cities’ commitment to providing easy access to alternative transportation options. Besides being named the number one city for biking in America by the Bicycling magazine–one-upping our perpetual competitor, Portland– the Midtown Greenway reveals why our bike culture is thriving. Convenience in and an ease for getting out of our cars and onto the sidewalks and bike lanes makes the switch less painful.

In fact, biking is actually good for the economy. And let’s not leave out the health and emotional benefits of ditching our fuel-guzzlers.

If you are new to the bike/walk scene, Bike Walk Twin Cities is a great resource for getting started. Check out their website and learn how to get around safely and explore different routes. To help grow the bike culture here, the organization also launched the Bike Walk Move campaign to support an active lifestyle. (Did you know that on average, it costs a family $8,000 per year for each car it owns?_

Besides creating health and economic benefits, we see walking and biking as a community-building and engagement exercise that improves our connection to the city, one neighborhood at a time. So slow down and explore the city! You will be amazed to discover that hole-in-the-wall restaurant or a cool mural that you would have missed driving all the time.

For more info, check out  this cool infographic.

Better yet, go take a Nice Ride.

–By Clem Auyeng

Of course, we respectfully disagree. Annoying phrase? Maybe. But our vote goes to “natural-cut fries.” (Seriously. What are those anyway?) And by no means has it peaked. In fact, we’re just starting to see its real potential. The power that social media has for social entrepreneurs, small companies, and grassroots campaigns is exponential, and at the same time, like marketing, its end results hard measure. But unlike static advertising and marketing, we can see it amplify in real-time, as conversations about ideas, grassroots efforts, and campaigns begin to manifest themselves in real-world conversations, serving as catalysts for change.

An article in the Guardian last week did a nice job of summarizing how social enterprises are using social media to their advantage. It’s fairly basic, as it should be, since so many businesses and organizations find social media confounding. The author outlines easy ways to engage your audience, such as:

So, on your Twitter profile, for example, you could introduce yourself and explain what you do for your organisation, to create an open and personal feel. Then, a good first content post should consist of something that will interest your target audience. For example, some recent news from your industry with a comment from you giving your opinion. Try asking: “What do you think?”. Showing your interest in what others have to say is vital to engagement, even though it is OK to disagree in a polite and constructive way. Aim to create a sense of community rather than to simply build your contacts.

This is great advice, since engagement and listening are key. But it also leaves businesses and orgs new to social-media wide open for the drumbeat of “You’re doing it wrong!”

I’m not going to list examples, but I will outline three of the ways folks do it wrong so that you can avoid pitfalls, best represent your brand, and affect change. Don’t take it personally. You’re not alone. But you’re “you are “doing it wrong” if you’re:

1. Not providing a service: Social-media is an extension of your campaign and brand. You should be using it to provide a service to people. Are you simply marketing to them? Or are you providing them with news and information that is educational and interesting and can help further your identity? For example: Let’s say your company is a small, sustainable architecture firm. Can you use Twitter to talk about sustainable services in your area beyond just architecture? Can you become a valuable and trusted resource for your mission and local sustainability? Can you help amplify your brand and your mission by extending it into conversations that educate, inform, and inspire?

2. Spammy McSpammy: We all know this person or organization. It doesn’t matter if they’re connected to a good cause or not; retweeting everything or auto-tweeting/filtering 100 posts a day simply because they include relevant hashtags just feels spammy. No one wants to be spammed, even if it is a Minnesota “meat.” Just because something has #fairtrade #eco #green #sustainable doesn’t mean it’s valuable to your readers/audience. All too often a Twitter feed loaded with hashtags can feel more like marketing than real engagement. Respect your readers first. Make it about them, not just you. Be aware of the conversation first, and don’t let auto filters do the work for you. It’s the conversations that are relevant, not the hashtags.

3. Thinking about followers instead of valuable engagement: See above–the hashtag over-user is also guilty of this. But others are as well, such as the folks who follow everyone under the chirping Twitter moon just so they can get a follow-back. Think wisely about the community you are creating. It shouldn’t be simply based on followers, but engagement. It’s the same rule that we at GWG have for media ads: Why would you place a banner ad on a site that has page views from all over the world instead of on one that has maybe way fewer page views but speaks directly to and with your core audience?

Remember: Your goal is to provide something of value. And that’s impossible to do when you have only page views/followers (e.g. the “Fools Gold of the Internet”) in mind. Think about engagement and true community instead. Think about your story: How do your conversations connect to your story and mission? Think about what you are creating instead of what you are immediately getting in return.

In other words, dear friends of the internet and social good, remember this mantra: Provide a service. Provide value. Provide respect. Provide community engagement, outreach, and education. If you’re doing this, you’re doing it right. This is how you stand out as a leader in social good and social change.

–Molly P.

How can you choose a paper that will support the integrity of your project and the environment?

FSC 101

The Real Weight of Your Paper Choice

Good Work Group recommends using paper that is FSC-approved. The Forrest Stewardship Council advocates for fair-practice economically, socially, and environmentally, and it is the only globally-valid standard.  FSC’s certification system is also recognized by ISEAL, an agricultural social auditing organization and leader in setting new standards for best-practices.

FSC stewardship includes (among many others):

• best-practices and responsibility in forest management
• worker and human rights
• community relations and assurance that basic needs are met
• replenishment of seed trees in logging areas
• conservation of rare, threatened, and endangered species
• biodiversity (maintaining all living species)
• watershed protection and erosion prevention

The FSC advocates for the prevention of:

• toxic chemicals
• illegal harvesting of timber

Use the FSC Logo

In order to sport the FCS logo on your print and marketing materials, you must be approved by the FSC, and have met the following guidelines:

• Use FSC-approved paper
• Use an FSC-approved printer

Read more about using the FSC trademark.

*The* Sustainable Paper List

Good Work Group’s top brand picks for FSC-approved paper manufacturers*:
*Not all papers created by these companies are FSC-approved. Check the certification list below for the full list of FSC-approved papers.

Domtar
Finch Paper
Fraser Papers
Mohawk
Neenah
New Leaf
Smart Papers
Wausau

Full List of FSC-approved papers:
January, 2010 (PDF)

Printing With a Conscience

Affordable Online Printing

48 Hour Print is an affordable online printer that is now FSC-approved.
www.48hourprint.com

Buying Sustainable Paper

You can purchase your own FSC-approved paper for printing at your home or office, or to bring to your local low-volume printer. Oftentimes, your print cost will be reduced, in some cases up to .70 cents per print! Purchase FSC-approved papers at your local paper warehouse, or online. Here are a few options (note that not all papers available are FSC-approved; you can use the Sustainable Paper List outlined above as a starting point.):

Xpedx
www.xpedx.com

Paper Papers
www.paper-papers.com

Quality Paper for Any Budget, Sustainability Included

Good Work Group’s Quality Eco-friendly Paper Picks

Neenah Environment®

Though one would never be able to tell by its sophisticated appearance, Neenah Envioronment® is a 100% recycled paper (30% post consumer). This beautiful archival paper is made with 100% green energy and certified by the Forest Stewardship Counsel (FSC). A clear choice for any organization or company that aligns with sustainable or green initiatives.

Press: Offset or Digital
Recommended for: Stationary and business cards, brochures, booklets, posters, fliers, direct mail

Domtar Cougar® DigitalChoice™ Super Smooth

(part of Domtar’s EarthChoice® family)

If you’re looking to maintain high-quality standards and get the job done on low-end budget, Cougar® DigitalChoice™ Super Smooth  is your paper. This archival paper is certified by Rainforest Alliance, Forest Stewardship Counsel (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and it’s recycled content uses 10% post consumer.

Press: Digital
Recommended for: Stationary and business cards, brochures, booklets, direct mail

On one hand? You could wind up with wayward pen marks from a Bic you used to draw with local artists like Andy DuCett and Jennifer Davis in the Drawing Club at Mears Park. On the other? It could be covered in steamy juices from a brat from the Modern Cafe. So let’s make it simple: Check out both! All you need is a bike, a bus, a car, a magic carpet, or that one tree-trunk-looking flying-dog thing from Neverending Story.

The MN Original party starts in Mears Park at 5pm, promising interactive and arty events like the Drawing Club. Along with making art with local artists, you can enjoy live performances by Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps, Nachito Herrera, and the Mad Ripple Hootenanny, and food for purchase, courtesy of Barrio Tequila Bar. The Fair Food Fight gathering begins at 6pm but promises to go late, with DJ Danny Sigelman behind the turntables spinning plenty of classics and local favorites for the local-foods smackdown.

Eat! Draw! And be merry!

For more info, check out Fair Food Fight and MN Original’s Party in the Park Facebook page.

–Molly P.

Composting benefits you by producing healthy, enriched soil that can be used in gardens to encourage strong roots and optimal growth for vegetables, herbs, and flowers. By composting organic materials at your home, or at a local compost site, it also benefits the earth by:

• reducing waste and trash, which reduces methane in our environment
• conserving water — healthy soil retains water and decreases run-off
• producing micro-organisms that help protect plants against pests and disease

1. Compost This!

• Yard and grass trimmings
• Food waste (no meats, animal products, fats or grease)
• Coffee grounds and tea leaves (or tea bags, if compostable)

2. Freeze It — Nip Bugs In the Bud

I don’t know where those little gnats come from, but it’s inevitable that they will show up within 24 hours when you store compost in the house (even if it’s covered), before taking it out to the bin. Use a covered container to store the compost, fill it up with your scraps, and stick it back in the freezer. When it fills up, take it out to the compost bin.

3. Build a Bin

You can buy a compost bin, but if you really want to be an eco-star, you can make one out of wood pallets. Make magazine has a DIY pallet-based compost bin that is beautiful.

Another way to compost is to dig a 2-3 foot circle in the middle of your garden. Line the pit with chicken wire, and use wooden stakes or scrap wood to hold the chicken wire in place by pounding them into the dirt at an angle. Put a cover over the top and your ready to start filling. The compost will benefit the plants that surround it, and you can use the dirt in the garden when it’s ready.

chicken wire, stakes, leaves, compost

4. Balance the Ecosystem

A well-balanced compost consists of a 1:1 to 1:2 ratio (1-organic scraps:2-brown materials) layered with:

• fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and other organic matter
• grass clippings or yard trimmings to add nitrogen to the compost

You can also use:

• ashes, but not too many
• leftover dirt from yard projects

Worms, insects and microbes help compost break down. If your compost gets too dry, add some water (preferably from a rain barrel), but don’t let it get too wet.

5. “Cook” It and Let It Breathe

Use a garden tool (I use a small spade) to turn the dirt and work the new compost in so that the older compost oxygenates, and your new compost material works into the dirt. This also prevents your compost from rotting and stinking.

Optimum temperature is 70º to 160º F. Lower temperatures will slow the decomposition process.

6. Put a Lid On It

Covering your compost helps raise the temperature, and keeps the critters out. If rodents, raccoons, or other varmint start making appearances, it’s time to look into further security measures.

7. How Long Will It Take?

It can take several weeks to several months for your compost to be ready, dependent on many factors, including bin size, heat and what’s in the compost. You can compost in the winter if you buy a winter composter for indoor use. It is imperative to properly manage the compost if you keep it indoors, so that you don’t attract rodents or pests, and so that it doesn’t stink.

8. Get Facts From the EPA

“The amount of food waste generated in the US is huge. It is the third largest waste stream after paper and yard waste. In 2008, about 12.7 percent of the total municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in America was food scraps. Less than three percent of that 32 million tons was recovered and recycled. The rest – 31 million tons – was thrown away into landfills or incinerators. Landfills are the second largest human-related source of methane in the United States, accounting for greater than 20 percent of all methane emissions.”

- from the official EPA website