Hello friends!
The past two days have been generally successful.
Thursday morning, most of the SoS team accompanied Adam to the SAF Gardens. The gardens have donated lots of produce in the past few weeks, and so we wanted to volunteer to show our support. They worked for a couple of hours there, then returned to OMNI to do more work. I hope that we make a habit of it in the future.
I wasn't personally able to attend the SAF volunteer work, mostly because I spent my morning working on fliers. I have nearly perfected my messaging for my project called Green Food Solutions (Check out my blog, the paper year, for more info.) , so I made a simple flier to spread the word. Furthermore, I'm giving a cooking demonstration at the Farmer's Market on Tuesday, August 17. During training, I promised myself I would begin advertising by August 5. So, naturally, I had to crack down.
After finishing the fliers, I went to OMNI to join the rest of the team. It was a quiet day, and I worked on recipes for an upcoming cooking class. A very successful meeting with my potential coworker/boss left me giddy and empowered. I went in to tell Ryan, Amanda, and Gladys the news, and we giggled for awhile.
That evening, I handed out fliers at the First Thursday art opening at the Underground. It was satisfying to have something to show to people -- an emblem of our hard work. I think it was a general success. While I was there, I ran into Joel, Banah, and Andrea who were also enjoying the art.
Today, Friday, I got to OMNI late to find Banah, Joel, Adam, and Stephan all working on the bamboo beds outside. The details have escaped me., but I know they've been very innovated, utilizing knew materials in creative ways. I think that project has united the team more than any other.
Earlier that morning, Amanda, Andrea, Stephan, and Ryan (correct me if I'm forgetting someone) went to a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce building. They talked, briefly, about an upcoming event during August Gathering (Structured as a board meeting, different cities will cite their successes and challenges for each other and the public.). While the meeting at the Chamber generally went well, there was little to no promise about future funding. Furthermore, there seemed to be a general air of competition versus comradary. This especially came up while discussing other cities that might attend AG. Like Joel mentioned in his blog, the SoS community is an oasis of support. Sometimes we forget the actualities of the outside world. Rather than let them bring us down, however, I find them to be a call to action. Working to shift these unpleasant realities is the next step to making a generally supportive community.
Back at Omni, Banah whipped up a delicious meal of vegetables and rice around 1:00. We ate as a team, and Amanda made note that our community meals are expanding. Too true! It's comforting to be able to eat as a group -- it fosters a sense of family and security. I remember the first few meals I ate at Omni, sitting alone in the main room. How it's changed! In a way, we are eating our vision. We are proving that it can be done. And I find that satisfying.
Sometime after lunch, Ryan and Amanda were part of the August Gathering call. While exhausting, it proved productive. Because much of the team woke up early to make the meeting, there was a Friday-afternoon laze in the air. It was slightly overcast, and Adam and Ryan both took mini naps in the library. Joining them looked ridiculously tempting.
Later in the afternoon, Joel and I worked on editing the sponsorship letter. We both wanted to personalize it without making it any less legitimate. Kelsy, who drafted the letter format, did a really excellent job; I am very grateful for her help. With that, I went home, leaving much of the team still at Omni. Who knows what they accomplished afterward!
We're missing Karina, who left for the Carolinas this morning. Regardless, she'll keep in touch via internet and continue working at her own pace. I can't believe that by the time she gets back it will be August Gathering!
Thank you all for your time and support. A team's a team's a team...
Have a lovely weekend!
-Serena
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