I’m typing fast, having learned my lesson last time that it’s necessary to get these minutes posted quickly. I’ve taken a shot at paraphrasing things people said, but would warmly welcome comments and corrections.
Thanks!
Claudia
This was a short meeting. John, David and Katica there in spirit but not body, and we were joined by Kim, Leslie and Gordon. (Kell had come to Ganas with the intention of being there –we all had a great time chatting Friday night – but in the morning he was busy arguing with stomach bacteria so we’ll have to schedule a catch-up).
Really the main discussion was each of us discussing where we were and what we were thinking about, relative to the project at hand. These discussions included elements of values, practicalities, and question and answer. It was interesting to note that Eric, Jenny, Claudia and Kim all described different initial visions of the place, all of which have been under discussion at some point and all of which could eventually coexist.
Gordon mainly wants to live as far off the grid and outside of the sphere of corporate influence as possible. He wants to maintain relationships with Ganas people, and pointed out that multiple groups with reasonably consonant aims could benefit greatly by sharing space and resources, without a huge necessity for them to share exactly the same goals.
Leslie’s interest in the project relates to her interest in being in the country and growing her own food, and also to her interest in Jim who has long been expressing a wish to fire up a “Ganas farm” type project.
Kim had already been working on the idea of a retreat center, and was also attracted to the idea of a Dharma community that worked on the issue of end-of-life care (she’s taking a contemplative care course). She told us about a big piece of land (640 acres) near Walton, NY (pretty near to Livingston Manor and Roscoe, not far from where Grow2 was) which she has recently placed into a Charitable Remainder trust (I think that’s the term) for that purpose. The parameters are complex – we’re hoping she’ll post a written description to supplement our fuzzy memories of the conversation – but it seems at least a possibility that this project could take place there. We decided that it’s a perfect opportunity to run the exercise Eric got us started on last time – “if we had to get the project up and running in this place as soon as possible, what are the logistics and what’s the business plan?”
Possible dates for this:
Jan 7-8 (John could be there but Kell couldn’t)
Jan 14-15 (no John; not sure about Kell)
February 4-5
February 11-12
February 18-19
