2010 Membership Drive for Sustainable Berea
Founded in 2005, Sustainable Brea is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose roughly 300 members are working toward a vision of a better, stronger Berea.
• Our vision is: a vibrant, self-reliant city known for its strong local economy, regional food system, minimal use of fossil fuels, and engaged, skilled citizenry.
• Our mission is: to increase Berea’s resilience – its ability to withstand external economic, energy and environmental shocks – by partnering with other community groups and individuals to re-localize our economy, food system, and energy sources while greatly reducing the city’s reliance on fossil fuels.
To work toward these goals, Sustainable Berea has:
• Published a re-skilling calendar in 2009 and a 2010 calendar that focuses on food production
• Published a local recipe book based on the first three annual 100-mile potluck events
• Sponsored biannual fruit tree and berry bush sales for three years
• Sold our 501st rain barrel in November 2009 to encourage water conservation
• To date, sold 43 raised beds to encourage food production
• Held monthly reskilling workshops in Berea
• Donated raised beds to churches and public buildings to encourage education and gardening
• Sponsored the Berea Solar Tour (part of the national tour) for four years
• Accepted and arranged numerous speaking engagements for board members across the city, state, and region
• Earned the designation as Transition Town Initiative ( #13 in the USA) in Feb, 2009
We have raised special gifts of support from 61 businesses, corporations, the state, and individuals to support our work, in addition to the memberships that have come from the city, region and across the country. We need your help to expand our work, grow our projects, and cover our operating expenses.
We have a matching grant from Dean and Nina Cornett that will match dollar for dollar, every membership and/or special gift that comes to Sustainable Berea from now until February 20th, 2010. This is a wonderful way to see your contributions doubled!
In addition to asking for your support in the upcoming year, we are inviting you to join us for our FIRST annual membership meeting, Saturday, February 13, 2010, from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, in the Trustees Room, Seabury Center, Berea College.
The PERC BRUNCH – (Partnering for an Engaged, Resilient Community) will have music provided by Al White and the Blue Grass Ensemble. Quiche, soup and salad will be cooked and served by our board members.
At the PERC BRUNCH we will look at the SB agenda for 2010. We invite you to voice your opinion on our proposed 2010 agenda AND JOIN our activities as we move Berea toward a more resilient community. There will be numerous door prizes and a raffle for one of Eddie Shupe’s fabulous cedar raised beds.
Although not necessary, we would appreciate you letting us know you are coming. Just call the SB office at: 859-985-1689 or email: info@sustainableberea.org.
You may pick up your ticket at the office or at the brunch. We are asking for a $5 contribution per person for the PERC BRUNCH. (children 10 and under are free). Join us!
Sincerely,
SB Board members:
Bryce Baumann
Kent Gilbert
Bruce Gregg
Peter Hackbert
Mark Jeantheau
Becky McCane
Laurel McIvor
Cheyenne Olson
Richard Olson
Eddie Shupe
George Schloemer
Robin Taylor
P.S. Click here to read about Dean and Nina Cornett and their offer to double your contribution.
