Sustainable MetroWest Gathering 2013 presentation by Katrien Vander Straeten

1. Transition Wayland
(Kaat Vander Straeten)
Founded in April 2011
Core group of ~ 8 volunteers
Email distribution list (“Big List”) with ~ 200
Funding (brand new!): Grow Grant from NEGEF

2. Recent successes
l Solarize '12 > 74 PV arrays for 658 kW
l Earth Day '13: 34 open houses > 600 visits
l Spin-off: Hannah Williams Playground
Ecological Food Garden: permaculture garden
l Spin-off: BEElieve Beekeepers > 6 new
beekeepers, support and awareness raising
l Spin-off: Wayland Walks, 1 walk/month, map

3. Looking forward
l Home efficiency push (with Energy Committee)
l Municipal and/or private solar PV (with Energy
Committee)
l Community Garden: experimental grain growing
l Go co-op and create a common space
l More skills trainings

4. Lessons Learned
l Collaborate collaborate!
with other groups in town, schools, houses of worship, the press
l Give it Away!
l Need to engage more youth and elders
l Learn facilitation, group development, other skills

5. MetroWest Ideas
l Work together to bring trainings to the 'hood
- Leadership
- Facilitation
- Group Development
- Website and Graphic Design
- Grant writing, fundraising
- Bookkeeping, legalities