Stardate SL Journal 5/3/08

The recommendation I would make to my Service Learning Organization is to continue efforts to reach out to the greater community. In conversations with MEC members I have used the term reaching out to the "mainstream," which I personally don't care for, but refers to those people who might not consider themselves environmentally aware.

Much in the way "conservation" was touted during the draught ridden and oil shortage years of the Carter Administration, it is our responsibility to "sell" sustainability to the greater, consumer oriented culture.

For the MEC, I would like to see them at the forefront of efforts in this community to promote the transistion of our neighbors from a consumer/waste culture to a more eco-friendly culture / systems oriented culture / sustainable culture.

I personally would place emphasis on communications skills that invite a greater participation from the general public. Educational seminars and fun activities can continue, but have to be broadened. For example, the use of edgy or retro promotional graphics, may need to be modified to reach a greater population. The look of the MEC's magazine may need to be redesigned.

Of course I'm not saying this means a compromise of principle; I'm saying perhaps that underlying principles may need to be expanded.

During my more non conforming days (80's), any artist or group looking to reach a wider, more commercial or mainstream audience was thought to be "selling out." And to be honest, the idea of going mainstream still makes ME cringe... but we are in desparate times which may, in fact, require such desparate measures if our vision is to save the planet, ultimately.

Unfortunately, (and I really hate to say this), I think a certain image revamp is necessary for the MEC overall. The MEC does seem to attract and interact with a very similar minded group of people and may be preaching to the choir.

The challenge for the MEC will be to embrace others who may neither have experience or even commonality with their current membership. The MEC may even need to extend itself to those who in the past may have been at odds with its goals.

Only in outreach can the MEC accomplish its goals on a grander scale.

I respect the MEC exactly as it stands today, but knowing that its vision is ultimately a global vision, this difficult endevour to reach out will need a steady and determined push.