[Communications] Question

Thu Mar 12 08:59:33 CDT 2020

Mike,

We are moving towards cancellation, and I realize our decision has been
slow to come, but we are an organic, democratic organization. It is
necessary to take in all comments from our presenters, attendees and
committee chairs and you before announcing. We risk unpleasant judgement,
but we won't leave you hanging. A decision will be forthcoming Friday and
you can help us get the word out.

Regards
Lorraine

On Thu, Mar 12, 2020, 1:07 AM Mike Nowak <mike at mikenowak.net> wrote:

> Lorraine,
>     It seems like a million years since we communicated on Wednesday, but
> that's how fast the world is changing. While I appreciate the shout out in
> your newsletter, I have to question why CCGA is still planning to have the
> conference on March 21. Today I received notice that the Chicago Flower &
> Garden Show had been canceled, as well as the Spring Symposium at the Allen
> Centennial Garden in Madison, Wisconsin. Both of the Chicago St. Patrick's
> Day parades have been canceled, as well as a Loyola Chicago environmental
> conference.
>     Why are you still planning to have the CCGA Conference? At this point,
> it defies all logic.
>     Frankly, I'm uncomfortable telling people to show up to your event on
> March 21.
>     Please let us know why you plan to hold this event as scheduled.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
> On 3/11/2020 5:29 PM, CCGA wrote:
>
> 8th Annual Conference Updates • Meet the Presenters, Part 2!
>
> View this email in your browser
> <https://mailchi.mp/7f980f7a167d/ccga-8th-annual-gardeners-conference-register-1334053?e=f76ac3fb02>
>
> *News for Community Gardeners*
>
>
> *“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength
> that will endure as long as life lasts."*
>   - Rachel Carson
>
> Saturday, March 21 from 9:00am - 2:30pm
> Whitney Young Magnet High School
> 211 S Laflin St, Chicago, IL 60607
> Register for the conference
> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=e1bf87bef8&e=f76ac3fb02>
>
> Hello Community Gardeners!
>
> The first day of Spring is nearly here, and we are finalizing details for
> the 8th Annual Conference on March 21. Good weather will energize all of
> us, new as well as returning gardeners. Let's work together to ensure our
> community gardens are a friendly, green, safe, and fun place to unwind and
> recharge during these uncertain times.
>
> Listen this Sunday to the Mike Nowak Show to hear Mike Strode talk about
> his workshop "The Offers and Needs Market." The show has been called the
> "greenest show on the air or in the cloud," and our other Mike is pretty
> green too; he is an urban cyclist. Mike Stroud has told us his grounding
> philosophy is mycelium, collaborative agility, empathic individualization,
> and all things human glue. Let's all tune in on Sunday to hear more about
> what all of that means for creating greater human resilience.
>
> *Listen to the Mike Nowak Show on WCGO 1590 AM or 95.5 FM, Sundays from
> 9-11am. Tune in to hear Mike Strode from 10:30 to 10:45 a.m.*
> Over the winter the CCGA Resources committee was the recipient of many,
> many herb, flower, and vegetable seed packets from reputable seed companies
> known for providing fresh, non-GMO seeds. They've been generously grouping
> packets and donating these to seed libraries and community gardens and
> distributing them at workshops. We are more than community gardeners, we
> are people connected to each other through growing food for ourselves, for
> pollinators, and small wildlife that depend on a healthy insect population
> to produce young.
>
> Each and every person attending our March 21 conference will receive a
> bundled packet of seeds. Every seed sown is a little act of rebellion to
> protect our right to grow food and preserve biodiversity. We are glad that
> Resources is sharing the wealth before and beyond our conference!
>
> We'll also provide attendees with these awesome, sustainable bamboo
> utensils. They provide a lightweight, long-lasting alternative to
> disposable silverware. In addition, each carrying case is made from
> recycled plastic water bottles! Keep a set in your bag, glove compartment,
> lunch box or desk, and see how many disposable utensils you can pass by.
>
> We care deeply about the health and well-being of our attendees,
> presenters, exhibitors, support team, and community. CCGA is closely
> monitoring the evolving situation regarding the novel coronavirus
> (COVID-19) and at this time, we plan to move forward with the 8th Annual
> Conference as planned. We will continue to follow the official guidance
> from the Chicago Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease
> Control and Prevention (CDC). If you have any questions or concerns about
> attending the conference, please reach out to
> communications at chicagocommunitygardens.org.
>
> Distinctive Calls and High-pitched Whistles in our Trees, from the Likes
> of Birds!
>
>
>
> *“Strictly for the birds” can insinuate that something is not worth
> consideration, and this careless slang bears a hint of how poorly these
> graceful creatures of flight can be thought of. By conference time (next
> weekend!) Spring will officially be here in Chicago, and we should hear the
> birdsongs of robins and blackbirds and the chirps and cackles of
> woodpeckers as they head here to nest in our oaks, sycamores, and in the
> hackberry and hickory trees. Even year-round birds like black-capped
> chickadees get noisier in Spring. Purple martins search for human-made
> nesting boxes. Who doesn’t want to continue seeing these birds and hearing
> those rollicking songs and flute-like excited twitters?  Our 8th Annual
> Conference offers hands-on possibilities to rebuild our connections to the
> natural world. Meet more of the amazing presenters for this year's
> workshops!*
>
>
> *WORKSHOP:*
> *Birds as Connectors to Nearby Nature*
> *Meet Lillian Holden (left) and Jeramie Strickland.*
>
>
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