SELMAannarbor.org

SELMA is the Soule-Eberwhite-Liberty-Madison Affiliation

Archive for December, 2008

Summary of Pre-Kickoff “Idea Fest”, 7/13/08

POTENTIAL FUNCTIONS/ACTIVITIES OF SELMA
* Communal or shared gardening/food raising (perhaps by planting
volunteered lawn extensions with communal vegetable gardens).
* Socializing through neighborhood-wide rotating dinner parties.
* Maintaining a neighborhood “tool chest”, either centralized or
“virtual” and distributed across everyone’s properties.
* Maintaining a roster of the neighborhood’s “skill base”, identifying
the skills, trades, or specialized knowledge/training of those around
us.
* Collective purchasing of food (organic produce, staples, etc.) or
supplies.
* Promoting the sustainability of our neighborhood through
environmental initiatives.
* Fundraising for neighborhood initiatives (book drives for sale to
books by chance, etc.)

WHAT WE NEED TO GET STARTED
* Neighborhood map
* E-mail/contact list
* Two or three “starter” projects

ISSUES TO CONSIDER AS WE MOVE FORWARD
* Is the proposed (approximate) geographic vicinity appropriate?
* Should equipment/property held by the group be maintained in a
centralized location, or be distributed throughout the neighborhood (a
“virtual” collection)?
* The logistical complexity and need for management should be kept to
a minimum.
* The security/privacy of web-based member information is an important
issue.

NEXT STEPS
* Expand membership of SELMA Google Goup
* Spread the word about SELMA idea at upcoming neighborhood gatherings
* Schedule first rotating every-other-friday-night pizza dinner
* Set-up “tools offered” and “tools requested” for virtual tool shed
* Kickoff first lawn extension communal garden

Great local link: AnnArbor_eCycle

Have you seen this? It’s actually a yahoo group. giving only, no buy/
sell.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnnArbor_eCycle/

Dan

SELMA neighborhood commerce center

102_2370New SELMA sighting at 722 Soule:

SELMA self-serve now up and running

Note: During the cold, cold days of Michigan winter, eggs and bread are best picked up directly from the house.

While they last: Bread – $5/loaf, Eggs – $2/6 pack

8:30 to 9:00 am or when you can catch us. Free samples!

Subscriptions available for a sure loaf and free Selma delivery.

The neighborhood commerce center is open to any and all who want to market their wares.

Ideas?  Suggestions?

Jeff