• 8:00 – Registration
• 9:00 to 10:10 – Workshops A
• 10:30 to 11:40 – Workshops B

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS – A -
9:00 to 10:10 AM

A. 1. Spirituality of Sustainability: Stories, Rituals, Prayers, and Reflective Experiences
The fundamental starting point for embracing sustainability lies in the creative side of our brain and flows from a conversion experience. Come hear how rituals, stories, prayer, and reflective exercises helped the IHM Sisters respond to a call to live sustainably, and learn how these practices can be applied to your own community and family. All participants will receive a free resource DVD filled with examples of the practices discussed in the workshop.
Presenters: Danielle Conroyd is Project Director for the IHM Sisters’ Monroe Campus Long Range Master Plan and Executive Director of the River Raisin Institute. She oversaw the sustainable, award-winning renovation of the IHM Motherhouse. Sharon McNeil, Ecology Director for the St. Mary Organic Farm in Monroe, is an educator, community organizer, and advocate for plants, animals, and humans. Nancy Seubert coordinates the Justice, Peace and Sustainability Office for the IHM Sisters, and has a Master of Divinity degree.

A. 2. Planning Your Green Home: Use Free Energy First
What’s the easiest, most cost-effective way to green your home? Identify and reduce the energy you currently waste. Deepen your understanding of the economics of an energy-efficient home. Learn how to sort through and evaluate the flood of information on all things green, from insulation to renewable energy sources.
Presenter: Kenneth C. Byczynski, of Kenco Energy Services, is a Building Science Consultant and inventor with 30 years experience saving energy in homes and buildings.

A. 3. What is the Transition Movement?
The Transition Movement is a proactive and creative response to the triple threat of peak oil, climate change, and economic crisis through community-driven relocalization. If that sounds daunting, come and be encouraged by examples of Transition already at work in Detroit. Be confirmed in Detroit’s potential to recreate itself as the age of the automobile comes to a close.
Presenter: Gregg Newsom is co-founder of Detroit Evolution Laboratory. Since 2007, Gregg and his wife, Angela, have offered yoga, bodywork, vegan and raw food kitchen classes and catering, and have organized community-building events.

A. 4. Appropriate Technology: New Low Cost Technologies for Renewable Energy
If you think it takes a lot of money and resources to make renewable energy and sustainable products think again. The presenter’s work in Guatemala and Nicaragua will introduce you to new, innovative technology designs that can improve the environment and livelihood of low income people around the world, and here in Detroit.
Presenter: John Barrie is Principal Architect and Executive Director of the Appropriate Technology Collaborative. He is currently working with groups of engineering and design students from various colleges to develop new appropriate technologies for low income people.

A. 5. Bridging Cultures to Build Communities: Promoting Cross-Cultural Dialogue by Looking at Privilege and Perceptions
If the members of our urban and suburban communities are to develop more interconnectedness of vision and action, they need to understand how they have been isolated based on race and perception. By viewing and discussing the video “The House We Live In,” participants will begin bridging the gaps that white privilege continues to foster. Participants of all racial and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to attend.
Presenters: Rita J. Crooks is Director of Diversity for Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion. She has more than 15 years experience in Human Resources including diversity training. Billie Hickey is Adult Program Coordinator for Michigan Roundtable. In her free time she works at Gloryland Community Garden in Detroit with a diverse team of gardeners.

A. 6. The Truth Is Not Enough: Crafting Change That Sticks
For those who have been frustrated that others just don’t “get it,” this workshop will show how to integrate more diverse worldviews into your work and avoid the common cultural and social pitfalls into which many activists fall. Participants will have a chance to apply these tools and discuss them in the workshop.
Presenter: Jacob Stevens Corvidae is the Green Programs Manager for WARM Training Center. He has been working with grassroots groups on sustainable development since 1998, and is co-founder of Sustainable Detroit and the Urban Ecovillage Network.

A. 7. Sustainable Food at Universities and the Role of Students
By using SEED Wayne and the Heidelberg Community Garden as examples, the presenters will discuss the ways in which faculty and college students are working together to bring about more just and sustainable food systems through campus and community actions.
Presenters: Dr. Kami Pothukuchi is a professor in the Department of Geography and Urban Planning at Wayne State University and faculty coordinator for SEED Wayne, a sustainable food systems program of the university. William Ahee is a student leader for SEED Wayne and a partner on the Heidelberg Community Garden.

Saturday, October 17, 2009
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS – B -
10:30 to 11:40 AM

B. 1. Indigenous in the City: Growing Through Education and Awareness
To help participants learn about indigenous issues in the city, the American Indian Health and Family Services (AIHFS) staff and youth will show and discuss the Native American Rights Fund video, “Modern Day Warriors.” Proving that learning can be fun, they will end with a bingo game and song.
Presenters: Cecelia LaPointe, Ojibwa, is Project Specialist at AIHFS. Nickole Fox, Blackfoot and Cherokee, is Prevention/Volunteer Coordinator. Martha Hinojosa, CPC, Ojibwa, is Prevention Consultant. They are joined by AIHFS Youth Program participants.

B. 2. COMING HOME: Concrete Steps Michigan Communities Can Take to Reinvent Their Local Economies
This workshop addresses the economic crisis facing our state through a discussion of concrete steps citizens can take to reinvent and relocalize their local economies without outside help. The workshop is built on the work of the E. F. Schumacher Society in the United States.
Presenter: Christopher Bedford is co-founder and president of the Sweetwater Local Foods Market, and is an award-winning and nationally known advocacy film maker. He is currently organizing a Farm to School Campaign for Muskegon County.

B. 3. Climate Change and Food: Ensuring Food as a Human Right
By examining food systems around the world, participants will find out what they can do politically to bring about much-needed change in food policy. They will also learn how to develop buying habits that can influence the production of sustainably grown local food.
Presenter: Bonnie Bucqueroux is a former professor of digital journalism who currently devotes herself to the new online multimedia publication, “Sustainable Farmer,” a website that explores issues in raising food and fiber in ways that respect all living things.

B. 4. Eating Healthy on a Shoestring Budget
In this interactive discussion, participants will learn how to shop for food in a way that is environmentally friendly and cash flow sensitive. A list of those who grow, sell, and promote locally grown produce, as well as menu guides, will be available.
Presenter: Velonda Thompson, Ph.D., is a nutritionist and is president of Be-Fit, Inc., a nutrition and health promotion consulting company. She is an adjunct professor at Schoolcraft College and a professor of nutrition at the University of Phoenix.

B. 5. Race, Food and Resistance
Can Detroit have an inclusive food culture – for all her citizens? Participants will examine and discuss issues of race and class within the local food system, focusing on the social relations of groups working toward healthy food access based on community ownership of the food system. Bring an openness to engage a challenging topic in a safe environment.
Presenters: Lisa Richter facilitates Earthworks Urban Farm’s outreach to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen community, the neighborhood, and the broader Detroit audience, and coordinates volunteer activities/support for W.I.C. markets. Monica White is assistant professor in Wayne State’s Department of Sociology. Her research investigates communities of color and grassroots organizations that develop sustainable community food systems which respond to hunger and food accessibility.

B. 6. Sustainable Education: Through Educators’ Eyes
Sustainable education is happening in Detroit. Children, the community and the planet are richer for it. Participants will have the opportunity to consider three models.