'It will matter to you as long as you
haven't realized your inner purpose'

Kate, Kathy, Victoria, Joe, Gerry, Delores, Ross and Mike welcomed Judy, Edward, Isabel, Earl, Ron, Rael and Tim to their first meeting.

Mike opened the meeting space with a welcome and brief round of introductions (name, how long you've been attending, why you attended today). Reasons for attending today's meeting included; interested in idea of simplicity & sharing ideas, become more conscious of possessions and the affect of those possessions on society/planet, have a "buy nothing year", lived abroad and learned we don't need as much as we are led to believe, need a boost of like minded thinking, interested in the environment and actually doing something about it, want to get an infusion of ideas.

The group then began posting discussion topics…

• Documentary film - "End of Suburbia"
  re: the end of fossil fuels, what the gov't & news media are not telling, discussion following
• How do I go about investing finances in a socially responsible way?
• Eating inexpensively

... and decided to first watch the 78 minute documentary, then fold the remaining topics into discussion following the film.

END of SUBURBIA (Kathy)...
This documentary film explored possible US and world consequences of running out of oil and natural gas. Some experts believe world oil production has reached its peak (the easily pumped oil has been taken - remaining supplies are harder, more time consuming to pump hence resulting in an overall decline in world production). What might be the consequences of less oil, especially at a time of maximum consumption? How might the China to US supply line of products be affected (what is Wal-Mart going to do when its supply chain is interrupted)? Food production, trucking, automobiles, electrical generation, home heating & cooling, living in the suburbs, continual world conflicts, potential fight between China and US over middle east oil supplies, jobs, the end of the "3000 Mile Caesar Salad" were among the possibilities discussed. The film also included a historical perspective on oil and how the suburbs burst onto the American landscape in the late 1940's/1950's.

Group discussion included potential food shortages (oil used in production and pest control). For the first time in its history, the US imported more food in 2004 then it exported. What can you do? Learn to garden, save seeds from this year's production, make sun tea (Rael mentioned Sumac is great for sun applications). Perhaps US Leaders need to bring back WWII's Victory Garden concept.

Kathy and Isabel related experiences with their solar energy home systems. Illinois still offers solar grants for qualifying applications (grants are a remnant from the 1970's Carter Administration Energy Program). The Midwest Energy Fair in next weekend (June 17-20) in Custer, WI. Ross said the more we use alternative energy resources, the better and more cost effective they become mentioning flexible/cuttable solar sheets as a recent example.

Ross talked about his experiences with biodiesel, with Isabel saying they were preparing to make the biodiesel move soon. Even the SiFi writers community is picking up on the "end of oil" as a theme for new story lines.

Gerry wondered how do you tell others about this? Simply being an example instead of pursuing folks works best for Ross & Mike. Being an example attracts those interested. Use that interest to tell YOUR story.

Several folks mentioned the film generated fear within them. Mike said since 9/11, he has learned to make a conscious choice not live in fear. Why? Fear for him is living in the future which leaves no space for living now. Now is the only moment any of us have, and now leaves space for possibility and potential.

How do you invest in a socially responsible way? Vote wisely with your dollars - buy locally, minimize corporate (big box) store purchases, support local business and community events/activities. Living simply doesn't require a lot of money. Not needing a lot of money reduces the need for earning a lot of money, which reduces payroll taxes - a major source of US Government income (37% for Fiscal Year 2003). (Other sources were 33% from Social Security taxes, 17% from borrowing to cover deficit, 6% from corporate taxes, 7% excise/customs/gift and misc taxes [from page 74 of IRS 2004 1040 booklet]).