Pc principles applied for event management

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Holmgren's Permaculture principles as applied in Event Management and Organization Case story based on organization of ESBG 2011 + Example of system design for transparent participatory organizations By Max Vittrup Jensen

1. Observe & Interact: 

1. Observe & Interact Observed a need to host the European Strawbale Gathering in Central Europe, making it more available for Eastern Europeans Felt a need to get ESBG back to be a participatory, less top controlled event Believed it would be possible to host at the PermaLot Centre of Natural Building in Czech Republic, despite lack of resources and finances Arranged for a diverse team to make it happen

2. Catch & Store Energy: 

2. Catch & Store Energy Conference output; world cafe/open space. Wrap, of wall, plastered wall, funding and initiation of bus stop + sharing of knowledge, networking Team gained experience in large event hosting and inclusive team work PermaLot Centre of Natural Building gained more recognition locally and nationally.

3. Obtain a Yield: 

3. Obtain a Yield The ESBG generated national media interest; 6 articles, 2 radio and 2 TV interviews, hence promoting the potential of SB building in C.R. Started annual “National Open Door in SB houses” event. Participants gained new knowledge, met new colleagues, new friends PermaLot gained stabilized parking lot/ manipulation areas, received 2 ton of plaster, 20 Ecopanels, a sprayer from donors, and more finalized infrastructure; Inhabitants of Bouzov a new bus stop.

4. Apply Self-Regulation & Accept Feedback: 

4. Apply Self-Regulation & Accept Feedback Prior to accept of hosting ESBG, our intentions, infrastructure and team was presented. Initial surveys of what should be included in a ESBG; subsequent survey of participants needs All internal and external team communication was through one Google account, creating complete transparency within the team. All budgets and documents online. Extensive promotion of 'mycelium' structure, rather than traditional pyramid hierarchy

5. Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services: 

5. Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services Utilizing already existing physical structures in PermaLot Centre of Natural Building Benefiting from established national straw bale networks Encouraging reuse of goods & services through networking All 'humanure' was separated and captured for fertilizer/manure. Eight new fruit trees to be planted in the manure.

6. Produce No Waste: 

6. Produce No Waste All activities either in existing or rented infrastructure; apart from some new permanent infrastructure such as new well and gravel on parking lot No printed leaflets, invitations etc. Only a poster exhibition which will be reused frequently We used wooden 'souvenir' name tags instead of typical PVC badges All central information made available online for general public, at conference and/or online

7. Design From Patterns to Details: 

7. Design From Patterns to Details Zoning: Created places for intimate talks as well as several large social areas for 100 people lectures and workshops within the existing infrastructure Ensured max. ride-share, various accommodation levels from tent to hotel, affordability across incomes, local organic food and available information to people not present

8. Integrate Rather Than Segregate: 

8. Integrate Rather Than Segregate Integrating tour of SB homes, public concert, conference and fair/workshops + open door event into the overall ESBG program Making all communication and involvement participatory through extensive use of Google documents Not having 'us vs. them'; no-one paid to lecture, lead workshops etc. Rather a way to share information with colleagues, build respect and friendships.

9. Use Small & Slow Solutions: 

9. Use Small & Slow Solutions Utilizing our place to the full Growing some of the food ourselves; buying organic food from other small producers Marketing through online networks, word of mouth Using ESBG to gain public acceptance of SB building in Czech Republic and beyond, significantly by starting the small public bus stop

10. Use & Value Diversity: 

10. Use & Value Diversity Utilized the variety of skills of the team members; facilitators, IT, practical hands, communication, attention to details, tea house manager, accounting, etc. Delegated the E-cohabitat fair and cooking to designated specialists with an understanding for the overall concept. Integrated participants in giving workshops and presentations

11. Use Edges & Value the Marginal: 

11. Use Edges & Value the Marginal Bringing balers from everywhere to a small organic farm, rather than to a conference center in a city Utilizing our parking area and sheep pastures for an European event Transforming an old ruined bus shelter into a media object; a creative participatory straw bale bus shelter

12. Creatively Use & Respond to Change: 

12. Creatively Use & Respond to Change Made higher turn-over figure and 'profit' than we otherwise could have with our marginal land and limited farm skills We demonstrated that ESBG can be made participatory and hosted for a relatively small budget Reached out to the general public through inexpensive marketing with the message that time has come to accept Straw bale construction commercially

Applied Pc Ethics: 

Applied Pc Ethics Earth Care Promoting ecological energy saving bio-degradable building material/ technique Holistic hosting of large event minimizing car and air-miles while generating a minimum waste event Organic, vegetarian, predominantly local menu

Applied Pc Ethics: 

Applied Pc Ethics People Care Extremely inclusive through extensive use of Google services Minimum negative impact on local community; donation of bus stop Ensured representation of max. countries and level of SB experience

Applied Pc Ethics: 

Applied Pc Ethics Fair Share Utilizing local services when possible Based on non-profit. Potential for work exchange Sharing of skills and knowledge, also with general public

Permaculture Approach: 

Permaculture Approach MAPS – Where are the resources? Overlays, Observations ELEMENT ANALYSIS – How are they connected? Needs, Supplies, Intrinsic Values SECTOR PLANNING – Where to put everything? Zoning, List by Importance, Priorities, Frequency of Use OBSERVATIONS – Phenomenon, Inferences, Investigations, Strategies EXPERIENTIAL – Self-consciousness

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Summery: ...in other words; Permaculture needn't only be about gardening or various approaches to growing food It is a design science, based on observation of natural systems and applicable to any systems thinking.

Dilemma of typical organization: 

Dilemma of typical organization Build up of a traditional board structure, with a few people responsible for the running of the organization, typically lacking sufficient involvement from the members. A frequent cause for members not to be active is due to lack of instant feed-back loops, transparency and feeling distanced/non-included. Lack of support from members may cause board members to loose contact with the ‘base’, may cause organizational decisions to be more personal motivated and/or cause a feeling of lack of motivation resulting in ‘Burn-Out’.

Problem - Solution: 

Problem - Solution In other words, such organization is suffering from a diversification of elements that, though are permaculture in principle, is out of touch with the cohesive whole. This lack of the “bigger picture” prevents the audience from seeing the connections , The key to success is to connect the dots .

The Problem is the Solution: 

The Problem is the Solution ESBG 2009 Non-exposure Limited possibility for involvement, though some may want to be involved. Non-relevance Perception that it is a spectator event. Non-inviting Lack of ‘open’ central info point, lack of transperancy.

The Problem is the Solution: 

The Problem is the Solution ESBG 2011 Non-exposure Limited possibility for involvement, though some may want to be involved. Non-relevance Perception that it is a spectator event. Non-inviting Lack of ‘open’ central info point, lack of transparency Show by Example Bring in direct contact, highlight benefits & ease Outreach Gather a team sell the term & generate selective interest. Welcome Establish an open transparent organizational structure

The Problem is the Solution: 

The Problem is the Solution Perma-culture Show by Example Bring in direct contact, highlight benefits & ease Outreach Gather a crew, sell the term & generate selective interest. Welcome Establish an open transparent organisational structure Organize Establish a core contact group, network info. Show by Example Bring in direct contact, highlight benefits & ease Outreach Gather a team, sell the term & generate selective interest.

The Solution: You want your audience to...: 

The Solution: You want your audience to... Partici-patory ESBG Know what permaculture is: a) The 3 Ethics & Principles b) Emphasize savings (time/$) c) Balance & diversification 2) See its relevance & application 3) Know where to go for more info Generate interest Through exposure = passive marketing Inviting open transparent organisational structure Cater to short attention span & need for speed

Here’s how…: 

Here’s how… About 1 year old: 650 members and growing. Secret: All is open and participatory. For the people / By the people.

Example of Zones in PC marketing: 

Example of Zones in PC marketing 5 4 3 2 1 0 CRITICAL MASS ZONES: 0 – Pitch to Pc Group, establish product 1 – Build a contact point (website, info center) 2 – Network to related groups, specialized marketing 3 – Use sources to build products & establish presence 4 – Outreach through guerrilla marketing 5 – Trickle-feed Continue to passively generate interest through presence marketing & word-of-mouth; continue to develop guerrilla marketing, expand outreach to fringe groups.

Solution: 

Solution Through online tools such as Google, Ning, Grouply, your organization may completely transform into an open social network. Board members simply work as moderators of various discussions confined to the subject of the organization. Such organization welcome ‘coup de etate’, and is not associated with location/ other organizations/ specific people.

Slide 28: 

Thank you for your attention. www.PermaLot.org www.Jen-Sen.cz www.SlameneStavitelstvi.cz