For The Love of Life

Theosophical order of service, Usa
WinTer 2010
For the Love of Life
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
Native americaN Proverb

theosoPhical order of service, Usa
contents
Winter 2009-2010
Editor Ananya Rajan Designer Lindsay Freeman OfficErs anD BOarD Of DirEctOrs
2 3 5

By TIM BOyD
from the presidents desk sustaining ourselves
Honorary President President Vice President secretary treasurer Directors
Jean Gullo Tim Boyd Joseph Gullo Betty Bland Jeanne Proulx Ananya Rajan Nancy Secrest Miles Standish
By ANNETTE TABAR
alive with spirit Beeing friendly our Town
DEPartmEnts anD cOOrDinatOrs animal Welfare P. O. Box 660 Warrenville, IL 60555 arts & music Jean Gullo PO Box 41584 Tucson, AZ 85717 Ecology Morry Secrest 1191 42nd Street Washougal, WA 98671 family Karen McCormick 12270 Volver Road Felton, CA 95018 Healing Ananya Rajan 9776 Compton Drive Huntley, IL 60142 Healing network Hutsy Contractor 6676 Harran Drive Tucson, AZ 85704 National: 800-967-0017 Tucson: 520-883-2284
By ANANyA S. RAJAN
By nancy sEcrEst
13

By ANANyA S. RAJAN
The powerful Tools of Will, vision, and love
16 people, profits, and our planet

By NANCy SECREST
20 Tos action Group silent auction

By JEANNE PROuLx AND ZENOBIA NIPPERT
Peace P. O. Box 660 Warrenville, IL 60555 social services P. O. Box 660 Warrenville, IL 60555 tOs/Usa Website www.theoservice.org Lloyd Standish webmaster
21

By KAREN MCCORMICK
rosebud christmas Update
23 Being a Beacon of light

By ANNETTE TABAR
Disclaimer Articles and material in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Theosophical Order of Service or the editor of this journal. An effort is made at all times to give a fair consideration of views. The Editor
23 The polar express

By ANANyA S. RAJAN
25 small acts Go a long Way!
from the presidents desk
By Ti m B oyd
hile visiting my family in New york for the holidays I found myself walking through a familiar neighborhood, a place in Morningside Heights where I usually walk during my trips home. My wife noticed it first. The little Indian restaurant where we had been eating for years was gone, replaced by a new establishment. We both felt a pang of sadness. We had many pleasant memories of meals and conversations with the family that operated it. Over the years the lady whose sons operated the place had come to know my family and me. We would both look forward to our visits to the city as a time to catch up and renew our acquaintance. A business closing in New york is not uncommon, particularly a small business. In the current economic times it has come to be something that is happening with unsettling frequency, but this one started me thinking about the idea of sustainability in a different way. Fortunately for all of us sustainability as a concept and increasingly as a practice, is rapidly gaining traction in the world today. It seems that in every direction we look it is becoming clear that the way we have become accustomed to living on the earth cannot be sustained. The chief prod causing this shift in focus is the growing awareness of TOS PRESIDENT TIM BOyD human induced global climate change and its effect on the intricate web of life. The evidence is mounting that, as a human family, we are on a course that, if not altered very soon, guarantees catastrophic consequences. The oceans are rising while the numbers of fish and other living things in them are falling. The weather patterns are becoming less predictable and more volatile. The polar glaciers are disappearing at an alarming rate. Animal and plant species are regularly becoming extinct. We have all heard it. The list goes on and on. But there is something more going on. What makes human life sustainable is more than air and water and food. Although the natural environments of the earth, the air and the waters have become our 2
main focus when we speak of sustainability, we live in a number of interconnected environments. We require human relationships that affirm our value to each other. People despair when their lives have no meaning to others. Through countless little acts we weave the fabric of relationships that make our lives not only sustainable, but joyous. Semi-annual conversations at an obscure Indian restaurant may not be considered a climate changing event, but the cumulative effect of the innumerable acts such as this is what makes life worth living. From the human perspective sustainability is about a continuation of well-being. As the science of ecology has demonstrated, well being in all areas of the natural world depends on maintaining the web of relationships, the fabric of life. Every tear in that fabric diminishes us. For the past one hundred plus years the TOS has focused on sustainability from a variety of directions. The most important has been building relationships that affirm our connection with each other. During this past year our TOS Action group in Wheaton has worked in homeless shelters, cared for animals, formed links with families unable to afford Christmas gifts for their children. In South Dakota we have sponsored both Christmas giving and back to school supplies for children at the Rosebud reservation. At the orphanage in Chushul, Tibet we raised the money and arranged for the construction of dormitory space, functional bathrooms with showers, the installation of a septic system, and the repair and upgrading of the water system. In the Philippines we again raised money for the Golden Link School (now also the Golden Link College) where 85% of the students come from such poor families that they require full scholarships. One of the initiatives at the Golden Link will be to provide bicycles for many of the highly motivated students who now walk several miles to school each day. We continue promoting our battery recycling program. It is our goal to have a TOS recycling box in every state. In this issue of our magazine we hope to broaden the conversation on sustainability. It is an enormous and complicated issue, but ultimately it is a matter of choice. How will I choose to behave? How will I choose to gather information to guide me? How will I reach out to those around me? No matter which way the climate shifts, it is up to us to strengthen our connections with each other.
Winter 2009-2010
sustaining ourselves
ith the current focus on healthcare, it is easy to get caught up in the various view points. Doctors are worried that certain procedures prescribed will not be covered by insurance, insurance companies worry about what the changes will mean for them financially, and small businesses find aspects of the healthcare bill unfair and unfriendly. Healthcare has become a ten-headed monster that has grown so vast and so strong that it is difficult to know exactly how to approach it. But there is one way to put the healthcare issue into your own hands and that is through sustainable methods. Normally when we think of sustainability, we think about conserving the limited resources of the planet along with finding alternative forms of energ y, but what
MANy PEOPLE HAVE FOuND TAI CHI AS A FORM OF RELAxATION AND RENEWAL FOR THEIR MIND AND BODy. about sustainability toward ourselves? Sustainability as it is defined in the Merriam Websters dictionary relates to a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged. We think of the planets resources in relation to ourselves and then the consequences of losing those resources in relation to ourselves, but how often do we think of ourselves as a resource or even our body and mind as resources? Many of us will readily agree that we take our minds and bodies for granted. We work long hours without a break, we dont regularly exercise, we eat foods in proportions that are not healthy for us, and load ourselves with medications that are made of synthetic materials to
combat not feeling well. For some reason we forget that our bodies are not machines and that they cannot be fixed with an oil change. Our bodies are more like an animals; they need exercise, nutritious food, and clean water to drink. However our lifestyles have become such that we rarely find time for an enjoyable walk, many of us eat on the fly as we run from one thing to another, living off of caffeine so we can have energy for the next activity. The mental impact of this kind of life takes its toll on many. Today, it is said that more people suffer from depression than ever before, and within the uS alone, studies say that at least twenty million people suffer from clinical depression. At the same time, as depression seems to be the buzz word of late, people often wonder if they are depressed when they go for periods of time not feeling happy. Now we have websites for people to check to see if they are depressed. (I recently visited one and based off the list of general questions, I should probably get some help. Needless to say, many websites are created by psychologists hoping to build clientele.) But on a serious note, it is not surprising that people worry about their mental state when their lives are so busy and their stress levels so high. We basically live our lives out of balance. What we do on a macro scale to the Earth, we seem to be doing on a micro scale to ourselves. We use up the resources we have within faster than we replenish them and when we deplete ourselves completely, we push ourselves to keep going instead of finding an alternative way to live. The toll it takes on our bodies is no different than the toll taken by our planet through overpopulation, pollution, and the excessive drain of its precious resources. Eventually when our bodies reach a breaking point, they shut down and we are forced to stop. Our planet is no different. Like a fever that rages through our body, the Earths own mechanisms for finding balance come in the form of tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. When these disasters happen, we have no choice but to stop, reflect, and start over. Sustainability toward ourselves is a lot easier than trying to sustain our planets resources. However, it is also one way we can work toward sustaining our planet because by taking responsibility of our health, we cut back on the medical waste produced every time we visit the doctor or hospital, on the costs created through insurance CONTINuED ON PAGE 4 3
JEFF GRESKO
Sustaining Ourselves
CONTINuED FROM PAGE 3 companies, and it allows us to come in to tune with ourselves instead of allowing someone else to make our health decisions. Granted nothing replaces seeing a trained medical profession and getting their opinion first before moving into alternative therapies or medicine, but once a baseline is created one can often lessen their trips to the doctor through preventive and maintenance methods while also helping our planet. And natural medicine often has the benefit of not producing side-effects, which can cause other health problems. One alternative therapy that many in the theosophical world are familiar with is Therapeutic Touch (TT). Developed by Dora Kunz and Dolores Krieger in 1972, TT is an ancient healing modality that works with the human energy field by removing energy blockage and creating balance and flow through the human energy field. Many who study energy healing state that any illness we suffer often starts in our energy field first and eventually manifests itself in the physical body. Research has shown that TT is capable of reducing pain, easing tension, and even improving the physical healing of the body. It is now widely accepted and used in hospitals and other health care institutions by nurses who employ its techniques in their practice. When Therapeutic Touch made its entrance into the theosophical world, members participated in the many workshops offered by Dora and Dolores. Once the techniques were learned, members started TT circles in their lodges and offered TT sessions to those in need. The acceptance of Therapeutic Touch and the fact that it was
accepted by those in the medical field opened the doors to other forms of energy healing. Today, we have so many different names for energy healing such as Healing Touch and Hands on Healing. The Japanese form of energy healing known as Reiki is very popular among many with those being attuned to the third degree becoming Reiki Masters. To give readers an idea of the work being done by some TS/TOS members with regard to healing, TOS liaison Annette Tabar was kind enough to send in the following article about the work being done by the Cleveland Besant Branch and the energy healing the lodge offers under the leadership of member Beverly Cotton.
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
edith WhartoN
Comments, Questions, or Ideas for the TOS? Call us at 630-668-1571 ext. 332 or email us at theoservice@gmail.org. Wed love to hear from you!
4 Winter 2009-2010
WWW.THERAPEuTICTOuCH.ORG
alive with spirit

ll life is rhythmic, cyclic pulsations of radiant energy. Whether waves or particles, all matter can be seen as a dance of energy. As our human bodies are designed for the transformation of energy, it is valuable to know thyself to maintain homeostasis, the state of perfect balance. We are one with the butterfly who flaps its wings with a loving energy which is felt around the world. The Cleveland Besant Branch has been actively sharing this radiant dance of energy since the early 1970s when a core group met weekly to raise the consciousness of the Masters teachings. By the mid 1980s, many Besant Branch members embraced Therapeutic Touch techniques, a method of releasing blocked energy patterns to effect healing. Dora Kunz was a regular visitor to Cleveland at that time and held numerous training programs, both public and for TS members only. Energy healing work continued to expand through the Target Prayer group, a collaborative effort with members from the Edgar Casey study group, and with other likeminded healing practitioners who used the power of prayer to effect positive change. Today requests for healing received at National Headquarters are still forwarded to our healing circle, thus increasing the healing vibration with many hearts and minds connected along the way. By the late 1990s, our community was further blessed as Beverly Cotton, a Reiki Master of the usui lineage started a Reiki group that quickly expanded to over 150 practitioners who have been attuned with this Japanese/Tibetan healing art. Beverly joined the Theosophical Society as a member at large in 1988. Her valuable service continues today, as Reiki I and II practitioners and Reiki Level III Masters meet weekly for meditation, prayer, and hands-on treatment using pure Reiki techniques and symbols for healing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual imbalances of those in need. Chronic conditions of arthritis, fibromyalgia, lower back pain, knee pain, pre- and post- surgery support and general life stressors are among the most common presenting conditions. At times, individuals with energy blocks that are suspect or confirmed cases of cancer have also benefitted by Reiki treatments by teams of practitioners at any one of the four tables that are set up weekly. For those unable to attend in person, their names are written on slips of paper and placed into a sacred chalice for prayer and distance healing as the radiance of this life-giving energy is infinite. There is no charge for Reiki attunements or treatments. Donations are welcomed to support the Besant Branch activities. Each
By A n n e TTe TA BA r
Reiki practitioner (two-thirds are Reiki Masters) makes a personal commitment to uphold Reiki principles in daily life and to participate weekly during the Reiki group practice. Professionals, including one medical doctor and a retired nurse, have entered the study of Reiki along with others who desire to support the health of family and friends. TSA-TOS member, Linda Joy McKee, also a Reiki Master trained by Beverly ten years ago, states I feel it has really been something I can use for those who are around me. My husband has Today requests for healing said that he feels its a definite received at National healing energy Headquarters are still for his sports injuries. Others forwarded to our healing have expressed appreciation for circle, thus increasing the a Reiki treatment especially when healing vibration with they attend many hearts and minds Healing from the Heart programs connected along the way. at our branch. Reiki practitioners have offered their healing services throughout the greater Cleveland community under the name of Comfort Touch due to the reluctance of some in the belief of a universal life forcea life force inherent within us and of which we all play a vital part. It is through Beverlys commitment to serve that new Reiki healing teams are moving into the neighborhoods to help rebalance and heal the wounds created by our society. Dedicated theosophists like Beverly Cotton and her group of Reiki practitioners are already a part of the solution to sustainability, providing for future generations. As one person is rebalanced and renewed, others receptive to this vital life sustaining spirit embrace a loving energy that has no boundaries, no limitationsthe wave of the future that is green and freely shared. Stress levels are high in this Northeast Ohio region as economic factors forecast a long gloomy recovery. As more families find health care a necessity they cant afford, there is a greater need to align with the universal life force, the Holy Spirit, for healings. What creatively comes forth through necessity becomes a way of life maintenance for the greater good of all. 5
Beeing friendly
By A nA nyA S. r A jA n
So it is on these grounds that we hold Theosofest and, in turn, gift others the energy that has been created on the land. It is also during Theosofest that we come into contact with the lesser liked, but just as important, world of bees. Bees have always been on the grounds at Olcott, buzzing from one clover or wildflower to another during the summer that it wasnt until Theosofest that I noticed they were not as prevalent as the year before. unfortunately, most people who picnic outdoors often mistake the yellow jackets (a type of wasp) for honey bees, not realizing how crucial honey bees are. Its the yellow jackets one needs to be careful of at picnics, not the honey bee. I have to admit that I have a skeptical mind. I had heard through a friend that there was a problem in the bee population, but never gave it a second thought until I noticed the real absence of bees at Olcott. Ironically, there happened to be a presentation about the decrease in the honey bee population at Theosofest, so I attended it. It was fascinating to listen to the research that has been done on bees, but sad at how much of it had gone unnoticed until our government realized how the decrease in honey bees would hurt our country economically. More than $15 billion worth of u.S. agricultural products each year rely on bee pollination, the most crucial being alfalfa which is used to feed cows, thus effecting the meat and dairy industry. However, other products such as strawberries, blueberries, apples, and another big cash crop, almonds are also affected. What I enjoyed about the bee presenter, Susan Kivikko, was how she
ne of the programs I look forward to the most in the fall is Theosofest. I enjoy seeing the number of different people who come to display their services or wares all gathered together on the grounds at Olcott, the national headquarters of the Theosophical Society. I enjoy hearing the stories people tell of how they came to a path of self-awareness and service, and the fact that it happens outside on the grounds of Olcott makes it all the more magical. Many Theosophists have walked the grounds of the Theosophical Society headquarters, some for a respite from a grueling lecture tour, others as a stopping place to give a lecture or two. The entirety of the sacrifice and service provided by these individuals is known only by them alone, but Olcott has been blessed by the presence of every one of them, and thats what makes the land so special. It carries the energy of Theosophists known and unknown who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of humanity. The other factor that makes the land special is that it is a safe haven
for wildlife. Long before sustainability was the in word, residents of Olcott have historically been conservationists, believing that we are the caretakers of the plant and animal kingdom. Recycling was nothing new to Theosophists nor was organic farming. One of the teachings of Theosophy is the oneness of all life; therefore the understanding that whatever affects any life on the planet will eventually affect all life is widely accepted. Long time residents of Olcott will tell stories of how on a beautiful day past TS President Dora Kunz would suddenly tell everyone to get outside and get their hands in the dirt. While it might have interrupted a workday, it made employees step out of the mechanical mind and get into touch with nature, something crucial to remind us of our role as beings on this planet. As a child, I remember seeing past President Joy Mills riding a tractor and cutting the grass. As much as Joy loved her work behind the desk, she loved being outside in the fresh air even more, observing the changes on the Olcott grounds. At one time it was not uncommon to see a number of deer pass across the lawns, but with the development which has surrounded Olcott there are fewer deer. Today the geese have taken over the land, bunnies and squirrels house themselves on the grounds, along with a number of different birds. Winter 2009-2010
TSA ARCHIVES
related her fascination with bees to the audience. No different than the affectionate way we talk about our house pets, she described how bees have personalities and within a hive, groups of bees have different jobs. She referred the audience to the book A Spring without Bees, whose author Michael Schacker provides a heart-felt look at these little creatures whose lives determine our food supply. After reading the book, I began imagining campaigns and placards saying BEE AWARE! so others know how crucial these pollinators are. As Susan spoke, I realized that part of our lack of concern about bees is because of our general distaste for insects. By talking about them as we would talk about our pets, we move from looking at them just as annoying creatures who disturb our picnics, to little beings who not only perform an incredible job, but are really no different than our house pets. unfortunately, we cant look into a bees eyes or stroke their head (well maybe if youre a beekeeper), they arent cuddly and because of their size, they seem insignificant. It is this lack of connection that we, as a general public, dont realize the importance of these little creatures. To give readers a different point of view about bees, Id like to use the information provided in Schackers book to explain to those who, like myself, really never paid attention to how complex a beehive is. Everyone is familiar with the queen bee. If it wasnt for her, there would be no beginning to a hive. Shes the one who keeps on mating with the drone bees, who are all maleand unfortunately succumb to their fate right after mating with
the queen. (What a life.) The queen can lay up to 2,000 eggs a day and actually store male sperm for years. The worker bees are the bees that we come into contact with most as their job is to find sources of honey and pollinate. But once these bees get back to the hive, there are nurse bees or caretaking bees who decontaminate them. This prevents any infections from coming in such as mites (which can destroy a hive), pathogens, dirt, and even debris that worker bees might pick up from outside. And believe it or not, these bees are all female. In fact, all the other bees, other than the drones, are sisters and daughters of the queen bee. Aside from these family members, there are also bees who guard the hive, bees who manage the heating and cooling of the hive, bees who clean the hive, comb-builders, and honey processors. What amazes me about this system is how complex it is. Susan Kivikko mentioned how intelligent bees are and even demonstrated some of the movements bees will perform in order to communicate. After breaking the genetic code of bees, researchers found that bees have a higher number of genes geared toward learning than fruit flies or mosquitoes. Through signs, signals, and what Susan called dances, bees are able to tell each other where there are new areas of nectar and how to get there (even when it is miles and miles away), when For the Love of Life
there is a sick bee in the hive, when the honey created for that day is not good, and even whether something is the same or different. The downside to bees is how fragile their systems are. They have a lower resistance to pathogens and insecticides which is why nurse bees are crucial as they help to prevent these poisons from entering the hive. However, in the fall of 2004 and then again in the fall of 2005, there appeared to be a die off of bees in the uS. In the fall of 2006,
the problem was termed as Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD. unlike when a hive is killed by an insecticide or a pathogen, hives with CCD are found empty except for the queen bee, the unhatched brood, a few worker bees and the honey. The whole colony of bees collapses because of the number of bees it takes to keep the hive functioning. Normally when a hive is abandoned, predators like wax moths and beetles will make their way into the hive. In the case of CCD, this does not happen right away. There are no dead bodies. The bees just disappear and abandon the hive which means CONTINuED ON PAGE 8 7
CAROLINABEES.COM
Beeing Friendly
CONTINuED FROM PAGE 7 they are not pollinating or producing honey. The impact of CCD for commercial beekeepers has been extensive. By mid-January of 2007, CCD had been by attacking their nervous system. This would make complete sense as to why there are no dead bees in the hives and why bees, who normally will die to protect the hive, abandon it. As usual the problem is not good news for the big money chemical companies. French beekeepers were originally the ones who realized CCD was due to neonicotinoids when they suffered severe CCD in France in 1994. This was after the countrys agriculture department introduced a new pesticide called GAuCHO to spray their sunflowers. The pesticide is deadly to bees and was being sprayed on the flowering food crops as well. GAuCHO is a neonicotinoid. When the citizens of France protested and a ban was put on spraying GAuCHO for two years, the bees came back. The citizens and farmers were lucky they had a government that was willing to listen to them. It is predicted that 2010 will be a rough year with regard to food supplies. None of us will be starving by any means, but different sources say that food prices may rise due to the shortage of vegetables and fruits grown because of the decrease in bee pollination. In California, where almonds are a huge industry, the fear of neonicotinoid as the reason for CCD has pushed growers to switch to a more environmental friendly pesticide.
VINCINTHOM
And now that the government is aware of the economical implications of CCD, there has been reauthorization of the Farm Bill with financial incentives to growers who restore the habitats of pollinators. With such awareness, we can only hope that we have not responded too late.
Bee Friendly Flower and Plants
Here is a list of bee-friendly plant and flowers that help feed bees in your area. The list is supplied by Planet Green and can be found at www.planetgreen.discovery.com, a wonderful website to visit to keep informed about environmental issues and things you can do to help the planet. Rosemary Sage Mint Chives Oregano Marjoram Lavender Bee Balm Zinnia Sunflower Fennel Lambs Ears Black-eyed Susan Tulip poplar Clover Rhododendron Also, the wilder and more natural your yard, the more bees are going to be drawn there for food. Learn to love your dandelions, since theyre an essential food source for bees in early spring. And of course, skip the pesticides!
reported in twenty-two states. Some beekeepers had lost up to ninety-five percent of their hives. The normal rate due to infection of some kind is about twenty percent on the high side. The problem with CCD is that it was happening so quickly that what the uSDA declared a crisis was changed to a catastrophe because the damage was so extensive and the risks to the food supply so great. The interesting factor in all of this is organic beekeepers, who dont use chemicals on their plants or to maintain the hives, had not experienced CCD. Michael Schacker gives his own theory as to why CCD is happening and it is the prevalent thought among beekeepers: Neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids is basically a nicotine- based pesticide that is used to kill insects that destroy crops. While it is supposed to be relatively safe for humans and animals, it kills insects 8
Winter 2009-2010
our Town
By n An cy S e c r eST
watched a documentary the other night on the Science the documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, produced by Al channel about the last ice age. The ice age lasted a long Gore, There is no doubt we can solve this problem. In fact, time, longer than my brain can comprehend. However, we have a moral obligation to do so. Small changes to your according to the documentary, only forty years after the daily routine can add up to big differences in helping to stop ice age ended, the planet went into a global warming global warming. The time to come together to solve this period that killed off many plant and animal species, such problem is nowTAKE ACTION. as the woolly mammoth in North America. Extinction in I live in a small town of approximately 14,000 people. only forty years! That my brain can Our town, Washougal, WA, is known comprehend. Many humans living at as the gateway to the Columbia that time also died due to the heat, Gorge Scenic Area. The scenic area the extreme drought conditions and gets its name from the Columbia the resulting lack of food. Human River that borders the states of adaptability, however, allowed our Oregon and Washington. Lewis and species to survive. For one thing, we Clark traveled here documenting figured out how to hunt big game many plant and animal species thereby replacing one source of food and mapping the area for settlers with another. following the Oregon Trail. Its a The earth is currently going place with lots of natural beauty. through another period of global The brooks and streams feeding into warming with melting glaciers the Columbia are the birthplace of and polar ice caps. In fact some salmon fry beginning their journey geologists believe that the glaciers down the river to the ocean. The on Mt. Kilimanjaro may disappear ancient forests contain many plant by the years 2020. According to and animal species currently on the the Intergovernmental Panel on endangered species list. The snow Climate Change (IPCC), this era melting from the peak of Mt. Hood of global warming is unlikely to in the Cascade Mountain Range be entirely natural in origin and forms magnificent waterfalls. The the balance of evidence suggests effect created as the wind blows a discernable human influence between the mountain ranges on of the global climate. The World either side of the east-west running Health Organization (WHO) predicts gorge brings wind surfers to the that if global warming continues area in droves. I am fortunate to live we can expect that deaths from TOP: WASHOuGALS CITy HALL WHERE VINES herefortunate to see every day global warming will double in ARE BEING uSED TO CREATE GREEN SCREENS. reasons our planet needs to remain just 25 yearsto 300,000 people greeneasons for individuals, a year. Besides this and other BOTTOM: ONE OF THE WATERFRONTS OF businesses, and communities to consequences, more than a million WASHOuGAL VISITED THE By BIRDS AND work toward sustainability. species worldwide could be driven to WILDLIFE OF WASHINGTON. Sustainability combines the extinction by 2050 (Bjerklie).. We are ideas of economic development and already seeing drought conditions in Africa, Australia and protection of the environment. It is now generally believed elsewhere; increased wildfires and hurricane activity and that we can only sustain our environment by decreasing the the loss of habitat for polar bears and other arctic animal amount of carbon dioxide that is put into the atmosphere species. Can the human species survive again? Will human by human beings. This is otherwise known as our adaptability save the day for our species and others? Per CONTINuED ON PAGE 10
NANCy SECREST NANCy SECREST
Our Town
CONTINuED FROM PAGE 9 carbon footprint. Every individual, household, business, community, and so on has a carbon footprint. Simply put a carbon footprint is determined by assessing how much carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere through the activities and practices of human beings. Only those practices that reduce the carbon footprint, thereby helping to decrease global warming, are considered ecologically sustainable. Our town, like yours Im sure, is concerned about the environment. On September 29, 2007 the city council passed Resolution 951, supporting sustainable practices and encouraging the formal adoption of sustainable goals. It further resolved to begin the following: Conduct an energy efficiency and water conservation audit of all city facilities. Encourage the city use and development of renewable, domestic energy sources. Increase city-wide recycling. Determine Washougals carbon footprint and establish strategies, goals, and timeline for the reduction of carbon emissions. Plant and protect our city trees. utilize hybrid vehicles and other forms of clean transportation within the city fleet where feasible. Build infrastructure for and encourage the use of pedestrian and bicycle transportation. The Council also resolved to be a leader in sustainable business opportunities fulfilling the vision for a prosperous, healthy, and green future by: Developing and encouraging water conservation programs and policies for use by our citizens and businesses. Creating incentives and considering requirements for green buildings. Joining and collaborating with other cities and organizations that are leaders in seeking sustainability. Creating a standing sustainability committee comprised of citizens and businesses to assist the city in this significant effort. To know how Washougal was doing since the passing of the resolution and how to improve the citys sustainability, 10 city officials took part in the Carbon Disclosure Project dedicated to measuring cities carbon footprints. According to the Executive Summary: The CDP u.S. Cities Pilot Project was launched by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and ICLEI [International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives]Local Governments for Sustainability in 2008 to encourage cities to voluntarily report their greenhouse gas emissions and disclose other information related to climate change. Local governments own and operate a considerable portfolio of buildings, fleets, and other infrastructure and through their progressive actions to reduce emissions have a great potential to lead by example. CDPs standardized and proven process has enabled the 18 participating cities to publicly disclose information in a form recognized around the world, providing a snapshot of engagement in the issues. The participating cities varied in size with our small town at one end of the spectrum and New york City at the other. Our town, being one of the smallest to participate, found it had the smallest footprint, but that it was still unsustainable. According to an article in the Columbian: The project measured direct emissions, such as auto exhaust for patrol cars and street sweepers. It also took account of the source of electricity. Washougal benefited from the fact that Clark Public utilities [the local electric company] draws much of its power supply from the Northwests abundant network of carbon-free hydroelectric dams. Bottom line: Washougal city government spews an estimated 2,362 metric tons of greenhouse gases annually. New york City, powered largely by coalburning power plants and serving about 600 times as many residents, emits almost 4.3 million metric tonsabout three times as much per resident as Washougal and four times the emissions calculated for the next-highest emitter, Chicago. With this first step being taken, our town entered the path to sustainability. Since then, Washougal has initiated a Sustainable City Task Force, taken steps to attract ecofriendly businesses, launched a new recycling program,
Winter 2009-2010
THE HISTORIC COLOMBIA RIVER. assessed the sustainability of its motor pool, and become home to one of the first green building homes built in the state of Washington. In addition, our town has encouraged its citizens to put green practices into use in their own homes and businesses as well as initiating those practices at city facilities. The Sustainable City Task Force is comprised of five to nine members with diverse backgrounds who will research and suggest various projects to the city council and the Mayor. It is projected that these individuals will play a vital role in reducing the citys carbon footprint. They are expected to be able to engage in rigorous, civil discourse with local businesses and citizens in order to encourage others to join in the citys green goals. Naturally, our town is interested in economic development along with environmental sustainability. All governments need tax dollars to function. The new goal is to be both economically and ecologically sustainable. Our town wants to attract like-minded businesses to the area. It was recently announced that three clean-technology companies have either located to our town or pledged to do so. This coup will also bring hundreds of new, living wage jobs to the area. Besides being clean-technology itself, one of these companies produces products that will assist others with their own green goals. Our town also took a look at its fleet of vehicles to gauge their impact on the environment and researched the best replacement vehicles. The desire is to replace all vehicles, except trucks that run on diesel fuel, with hybrid or other vehicles that use less gas and give off less CO2 emissions when this becomes economically feasible. Considering the current economy and the cost of new vehicles, that will need to wait a bit. Like most cities, our town has collected recyclable materials along with its weekly garbage collections for several years now. This spring, our town launched a new
recycling program that makes recycling much easier for its citizens. Paper, plastics, and other recyclables can now be mixed in a large bin with only glass needing to be separated into a smaller bin. Our towns waste disposal company now picks up old batteries curbside as long as they are placed in a plastic bag on top of the recycle bin (we at TOS would like to think that our efforts at battery recycling had some impact in encouraging that change), as well as motor oil and anti-freeze that is placed in plastic gallon jugs and marked as to its contents. A housing development in our town got one of the States first homes meeting national green building standards. Its one of only three in the State and was built by Renaissance Homes of Lake Oswego, OR. According to the Vancouver Business Journal, The home is expected to meet standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, one of the nations primary benchmarks for environmentally friendly building practicesRenaissance is using green building techniques from the ground up, including specially prepared layers of soil, rock and local aggregate to keep all storm water on site. From the lumber to mold prevention, to the ninety-five percent energy efficient furnace and the hot water distribution system, the home is designed with sustainability and eco-friendliness in mind. Building here allows the firm to test the feasibility of building similar homes in the region. Our town has made a point of researching green practices, initiating their use in city facilities and communicating them to its residents and local businesses. We should all unplug electrical appliances when not in use. We can use less water in our showers and while shaving or brushing our teeth. Another way to save water is by using drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses in your garden. Master Gardeners encourage homeowners not to water grass. We can also buy organic or local foods. Better yet, we can plant our own small gardens if space is available or join the community garden. Our town has one. We can plant a tree. Most importantly we can spread the word about having a sustainable planet. In this article, our town is a synonym for your town and many others. Some of our TOS liaisons shared with us accomplishments their own towns have made on the path to sustainability as well as what they hope to see in the future. CONTINuED ON PAGE 12 11
NANCy SECREST
Our Town
CONTINuED FROM PAGE 9 Eneida from Los Angeles applauds vertical farming, solar power plants, sustainable drinking water sources and the use of plastic-eating microbes. California has long been a leader in environmental efforts. Gini from Kansas City is now able to recycle the #6 Styrofoam block that is used in packaging electronics at a recycling center in her town called Bridge the Gap. Barbara from Maplewood, NJ belongs to the Taskforce for Humanity Coalition www.taskforceforhumanity.org. She reported about her towns Climate Action Plan: The Township of Maplewood has a long tradition of leadership in environmental initiatives from the ten year-old jitney program [a small bus that carries passengers over a regular route], to the recycling program and the new police and court building which is the first green certified municipal public building in New Jersey. Maplewood was selected by Clean Air Cool Planet as one of a few municipalities in the country to qualify for a grant to assist in the compiling of the Action Plan. On June, 9, 2007 a community town hall meeting on the Action Plan was attended by over a hundred people who provided the vision and ideas for the plan. A Climate Action Plan was developed by residents and the Environmental Advisory Committee to ensure that it achieved the goals it created. The Plan was approved by the Township Committee on September 18, 2007. The Action Plan is now in the implementation phase. Maplewoods community-wide electricity use in 2007 was 3.5% lower than in 2006saving us over 2500 tons of carbon dioxide and $500,000. The challenge for 2008 is to sustain the momentum and find new ways to reduce our greenhouse gas impact. Betty from Portland, OR also reported on Portlands Climate Action Plan. It plans an eighty percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. Portland is a very environmentally friendly city and was recently named the most bicycle friendly city in the country. The city has a Bureau of Planning and Sustainability that promotes and runs various programs. Like Washougal, Portland makes it easy for its residents to 12 recycle by having them only sort out glass. The bureau helps residents and businesses learn about options for reuse of their refuse, encouraging them to recycle materials that can be made into new products. Through its Clean Energy Works Program, Portland offers financing to residents who make energy efficient upgrades to their homes. It also offers free disposal of hazardous waste at two locations within the city and at temporary sites set up in neighborhoods. Besides this, all building projects in Portland with a permit value of $50,000 or more are required to separate and recycle certain materials from the job site. The city also has two programs to recycle food. Portland Composts! collects food that has expired along with large amounts of food waste from institutions, while its Fork-It-Over-Program helps grocery stores and restaurants donate food which is still edible to charities rather than composting it or sending it to a landfill. There is no question that every city in our nation will have to reduce their carbon emissions. Many of our towns have already taken actions in this direction. Much more needs to be done. It is up to us as citizens and good stewards of planet earth to ensure that our public officials follow the path to a sustainable future for our towns, its citizens and the planet. We must make our voices heard in town meetings, letters/emails/phone calls to our mayors and city council members. We should make ourselves available to work on local task forces, etc. to the best of our ability. Of course, we all need to look to our own business, household and personal practices to set a good example. This grass roots effort may quite possibly provide more of a remedy to global warming than anything else. Outside of our city hall is a newly planted vine trained to climb a series of wires running up to the roof line of the 32-year-old building. The vine will shade the window in the summer, reducing the need for air conditioning, and die back in the winter, allowing the sun to warm it Its the little stuffIts not earth-shaking (Columbian). The little stufftaken all togethercould, however, be earth saving.
rEfErEncEs David Bjerklie, Feeling the Heat, Time March 26, 2006. Carbonsense, Executive Summary of Carbon Disclosure Project: Cities Pilot Project 2008. Erik Robinson, Washougals Carbon Footprint Measures up. City is not sustainable, but its getting close r, Columbian, July 11, 2008. Charity Thompson, Washougal Gets States Third Green LEED Home, Vancouver Business Journal October 12, 2007
Winter 2009-2010
The powerful Tools of Will, vision, and love

By A n A nyA S. r A jA n
he reconstruction in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans qualifications needed to apply for Road Home Funds, and after Hurricane Katrina is happening very differently helping residents to file insurance claims. The idea is that by than anyone could have envisioned. After the neighbors helping neighbors a community is formed. complete decimation of the Lower Ninth Ward and the According to an article in a September 10, 2007 article promise to rebuild New Orleans as long as it takes, the by the Nation, residents of the Lower Ninth already had Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) found the a very strong community before Katrina hit. It was not task too overwhelming. Red tape and a lack of vision or uncommon for neighbors to visit one another, watch each planning by the federal and local governments, along with others houses when out of town, and help each other when the rather heated debate of who will fund the rebuilding in need. and how much each sector will put in almost brought The ruinous terrain of the Lower Ninth contrasts with things to a grinding halt. the vibrancy of the culture there. New Orleans remains Given the devastation of the area, its location, and troubled by deep race and class divides and high levels of the fact that it easily could be destroyed again if another crime, but the city, by all accounts, also had a lot more civic storm like Katrina hit, developers of the Bring New Orleans life than most of the united Statesnot just cavorting in Back Commission were hesitant whether they should bother with the Lower Ninth Ward. It was then that residents of the area decided to take matters into their own hands. In October 2005, the Sierra Club held a press conference in the Lower Ninth stressing the need to repair the inequities of the past. The past president of Holy Cross Neighborhood Association (HCNA), Pam Daishell, a long time environmentalist and organizer, vowed they would rebuildusing the word sustainable in her statement. She then went to work finding various parties that had the same enthusiasm as the residents of the Lower Ninth. The movers and shakers who got the ball rolling come from various backgroundssome with nothing in common other than wanting to build an area that others gave up on. They consist of the Malik Rahim, ACTOR AND ACTIVIST BRAD PITT HAS BEEN INSTRuMENTAL IN THE EFFORT an ex-Black Panther, an accountant, a number TO REBuILD THE LOWER NINTH WARD OF NEW ORLEANS THROuGH of members from the Methodist church, the SuSTAINABLE METHODS. Sierra Club, the mayor of Portland, students and activists, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who have the streets during Mardi Gras season but a long tradition put a lot of their own money into the rebuilding process. of gregariousness and neighborliness; people knew An organization called NENA was formed by Patricia their neighbors, talked to strangers, called everyone by Jones and other neighbors in April 2006. NENA stands for endearments, invited everyone on the block to the crawfish Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association. The boil, had strong networks in carnival krewes, second-lines, purpose of NENA is to keep returning residents informed music groups, social clubs, churches, to say nothing of the about building codes when rebuilding their homes, extended families so many people haveIts why a lot of answering questions that deal with the paperwork and the CONTINuED ON PAGE 14 For the Love of Life
WWW.MAKEITRIGHTNOLA.ORG
13
The Powerful Tools

CONTINuED FROM PAGE 13 people come back, or want to, and its a major resource for reclaiming the citythough it cant replace money and institutional willpower. Somehow money and institutional willpower has not been a problem with the rebuilding of the area, but the process is much more innovative than onlookers expected. Residents are aware of what caused the destruction of their homes and it was not only because of Katrina. Many residents say it was the interference of the government who HOuSES HAVE BEEN BuILT OFF OF THE GROuND TO AVOID FLOODING, destroyed some of the wetlands and bayous, ALONG WITH ESCAPE ROuTES THROuGH THE ROOF. SOME HOuSES HAVE turning them into waterways held in by levees. ALSO BEEN DESIGN TO FLOAT. Pam Daishell believes that the land needs to be reverted back to its original form as much as possible and as well. This has made Make It Right very popular with the university of Wisconsins Water Resource Management community leaders who want to restore the area to is doing the research to see if this is feasible. Granted there its original setting and preserve the community. At a are areas in New Orleans that are on low lying areas which community meeting, residents of the area to be developed continually flood, but the Lower Ninth Ward is not on came up with a few criteria for the homes to be built: low lying territory. When the Industrial Canal was built, it basically separated the Lower Ninth from the rest of New They needed to be built on the existing lot size Orleans. The work being done by the residents of the Lower They needed to be elevated and out of the way of future Ninth Ward must have put some pressure on the Army flooding Corps of Engineers because there is a new project proposed They needed to include rooftop access or a simple way to to create and restore the wetlands on the Mississippi River escape in case of flooding Gulf Outlet Canal (MR-GO) which also played a major role in They needed to have prominent porches or stoops for the flooding of the areas near Lake Borgne. socializing While the work to restore the wetlands is impressive, They needed to be built of material tough enough to hold so is the rebuilding of the houses in the neighborhoods. up in a hurricane, but environmentally friendly as well. It The Atlantic Monthys November issue highlighted the needed to follow the cradle to cradle philosophycaring number of different architects and builders who made their for ones generation and for future ones as well. way down to New Orleans after Katrina. As mentioned before, Brad Pitt was one of these people. He apparently But Make It Right is not alone in striving to rebuild has a passion for architecture and with a number of other the Lower Ninth by green standards. Global Green uSA, architects formed Make It Right, which focuses specifically the uS affiliate of Green Cross International, founded by on rebuilding the Lower Ninth Ward. According to the President Mikhail Gorbachev, has been helping raise funds Atlantic article, Make It Right committed to rebuilding for the rebuilding, while The Home Depot Foundation 150 new homes to be able to give residents a feel of a has partnered with the Holy Cross Project to aid in the neighborhood. Pitt himself, when he is in New Orleanshe rebuilding of that neighborhood through sustainable apparently bought a 1830s mansion in the French Quarter methods and materials. Part of the Holy Cross Project while filming The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttonwill consists of building a green eighteen unit apartment walk through the Lower Ninth, observe how the rebuilding building! And it was with Pitt as jury chairman that Global is going, visit with residents and get their feedback. Green held a contest to choose an architectural firm to Pitt is not only into architecture, but sustainability design the homes and apartments to be built. The selection 14 Winter 2009-2010
What is exciting about the rebuilding of the Lower Ninth is the enthusiasm of its residents. Often seen as a crime-ridden, uneducated, poor community that lacks the ability to help itself, the residents seem to have taken the tragedy of a deluge and turned it into a time of opportunity.
panel chose a young firm from New york City called Workshop/apd. The Global Green headquarters is a prototype of the houses to be built. At present the construction manager of Global Green lives there. And while it might be easy to criticize the fact that not all of the kinks have been worked out with regard to the green technology that lessens the houses carbon footprint, the creativity behind building green homes is fascinating. It is very much like living in a new country where one has to learn how to think and operate things differently. Homeowners are given training on the operation of their home and a manual to refer to if they get stuck. There is also a hotline to call in case of emergencies. All the houses are designed with a thousand gallon cistern to capture rainwater which is used to flush the dual-flush toilets (one flush gives a spritz, while a second flush is with more hydraulic vigor) and to water plants. Green screens are encouragedvines and creepers which dont mind the sun and heatas these block out the sun, keep the house cool on summer days, provide greenery, and sometimes smell good, such as jasmine vines. Each house is designed to be net-zero energy which means it produces as much energy as it consumes every year. And as mentioned before, the houses are built from material that is reuseable. Of course not everyone is on board with this type of thinking. There are other architects and builders in New Orleans who feel differently about the time, money, and effort put into building green homes. Two other architects mentioned in the Atlantic article were more concerned about preserving the style of houses often found in the area before Katrina, while other builders believe in getting people back into their houses as quickly as possible, while keeping in mind the need to build the houses on higher foundations to avoid flooding. What is exciting about the rebuilding of the Lower Ninth is the enthusiasm of its residents. Often seen as a crime-ridden, uneducated, poor community that lacks the ability to help itself, the residents seem to have taken the tragedy of a deluge and turned it into a time of opportunity. It is almost as though Katrina gave them the ability to start afresh with a different view. But it didnt happen overnight. It took the work of many community leaders, along with their persistence and vision. Should we ever have to face such an event in our own lives, we can look to the residents of the Lower Ninth Ward and the work being done by Global Green and Make It Right for inspiration. To know more about the work being done by Global Green in the Lower Ninth, log on to www.globalgreen.org. To find out more about the work being done by Make It Right, log on to www.makeitrightnola.org. Note: While writing this article, a notice was released on the Global Green website that Pam Dashiell died on December 2, 2009 at the age of 61. May her life be an inspiration for others.
ASIDE FROM BuILDING HOuSES MADE FROM SuSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLy MATERIALS, yARDS ARE LANDSCAPED WITH PLANTS THAT REQuIRE LITTLE WATER.
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people, profits, and our planet
By n A n cy Sec r e ST
f we go back far enough, one could say that the invention of the wheel and the ability of humankind to use fire started the global warming problem that the world is facing today. Without wheels and gears, most of the machines we are so familiar with today would not have been invented. Without fire, there would have been no heat to power the steam, coal, and petroleum driven engines and machines whose factories spew out so much CO2 today. So lets blame the cave men for global warming! (Whew, that got us off the hook!) No, theres much more to it than that, but it is a people problem. It began (tongue in cheek) with the first humans. Now we must solve it using the same human ingenuity that invented the wheel. Figuratively speaking, one might even say that we must discover alternatives to fire. When early humans made their discoveries, it changed their lives forever, and it affected their environment. The invention of the wheel made their lives easier. They could now carry heavier objects such as a whole animal carcass back to their dwelling. They could be more mobile. Fire made them braver as all other animals were afraid of it. They expanded their
hunting territories and changed their diet incorporating some foods that could only be digested if cooked. They needed to forage less. This must have given early humankind more time to spend developing social relationships, although anthropologists have not found a great deal of proof to support that theory. The intention of these early humans was survival. Specifically, they needed the ability to find more and better food. They achieved that and, unwittingly, effected a change in their environment and probably their societal groups in the process. Down through the centuries, humankind has evolved. We developed farming and animal husbandry becoming place bound societies. Some people were able to combine their imaginations with skillful hands to develop building crafts. These banded together to form guilds with a process of entry for those who followed to attain the knowledge their elders possessed. Others went from the grinding of grain with hand held stones to developing a milling process that served whole communities. Each new change in farming or production methods had its own impact on the surrounding environment and on society. As a result, our chosen leaders have changed from those who possessed the best hunting skills to the best farmer or rancher to those who could best lead and organize diverse groups of people. As our evolution continued, the industrial revolution started in the united Kingdom in the late eighteenth and early Winter 2009-2010
nineteenth centuries and spread throughout Europe and to North America. There were major changes in agricultural, manufacturing, mining, and transport. It started with the invention of new weaving and spinning machines that revolutionized the textile industry. Steam power mainly fueled by coal was introduced. The onset of the industrial revolution marked a major turning point in human society in the western world where almost every aspect of daily life was eventually influenced. Its effects can now be seen in China and other eastern countries. Pretty much everyone now agrees that the increased use of coal and its resulting CO2 emissions have had an enormous impact on our environment. The industrial revolution also made money. Those with the ingenuity to develop the new machines and products, or the fortunes and daring to invest in these new ventures, either became rich or richer and the size of the middle class increased. The focus was on profitmaking innovations and the intended resultprofitwas clearly achieved. However, the major societal change from an agricultural to a more urbanbased setting, created unforeseen by-products such as a negative impact on the environment. The twentieth century saw the ushering in of the electronic era that still persists today. Our environment now needs to deal with the disposal of items such as cathode ray tubes from TVs and computer monitors, batteries, cell phones, absolutely enormous amounts of plastic, including soiled diapers and water bottles, creating an atmosphere
16
way too full of carbon dioxide. What can we do? Can we learn from our mistakes? Humankinds imagination, ingenuity, skill, and hard work have helped us to progress. Our lives are far more comfortable and easier than they have ever been especially in the united States and Europe. Now emerging nations are following the same path. How can we all enjoy good standards of living while living in such a way that our environment and societies remain sustainable? In his book The Triple Bottom Line, Andrew W. Savitz acknowledges that business practices and the products produced affect not only the financial bottom line, but the bottom line of the environment and society as well. (An easier way to remember this concept is to think of the relationship of the three Ps: people, planet, and profits.) Granted, this is not a new development. From the discovery of the wheel and the use of fire to the development of agriculture and the industrial revolution, new processes, new products, and new discoveries have always affected the Triple Bottom Line (TBL). What is new is the acknowledgement and awareness of the fact that while businesses create financial profits, businesses and the products produced create measurable affects on the environment and its sustainability, thus resulting in societal changes. The three bottom lines have an effect on each other. As stated on Savitzs consultancy website Sustainable Business Strategies (www.getsustainable. net): For businesses, sustainability is a powerful and defining idea: a sustainable corporation is one that
Pretty much everyone now agrees that the increased use of coal and its resulting CO2 emissions have had an enormous impact on our environment.
creates profit for its shareholders while protecting the environment and improving the lives of those with whom it interacts. It operates so that its business interests and the interests of the environment and society intersect. A sustainable business stands an excellent chance of being more successful tomorrow than it is today, and remaining successful, not just for months or even years, but for decades or generations. Its a matter of awareness first, then intention and follow through. A truly sustainable business must make sustainability part of its vision and mission. A sustainable business must develop goals that readily follow that vision and mission and that are set For the Love of Life
by the tone at the top. This means that directives must come from the CEO and board members who must openly advertise the companys dedication to sustainability at all three levels. The supply chain and all stakeholders also need to be involved for sustainability to be successful. Current operational methods need to be examined. A sustainable business will want to include its employees at all levels in addressing how to make sustainable practices and procedures work to ensure operational efficiency. One way to do this is by looking at what raw materials are used in the business at one end and what byproducts and/or waste remain at the other. For instance, if your business is a restaurant, first you can ask, what do I produce? A restaurant is in business to provide quality food and service to the general public in a pleasant atmosphere. Raw materials used could include produce, canned goods, other raw food items, paper products, plastic wrap, Styrofoam packaging for to go items, and cooking oil. Restaurants also need tables and chairs, appliances that run on gas or electric power, dishes, silverware, dishwashing soap, employees and other items. These are the things that go into making your restaurant a success. From these raw materials you produce quality food items for your customers and good serviceyour marketing goaland hopefully profits. The byproducts and waste produced by a restaurant include lots of leftovers and other garbage in the form of the portions of foods discarded in the preparation process, used cooking CONTINuED ON PAGE 18 17
People, Profits and Our Planet

CONTINuED FROM PAGE 17 oil, used plastic, paper and cans, used Styrofoam and phosphate residue from the soap. There is also the CO2 released by the cooking process and by the trucks that delivered the raw material and other items, as well as the energy used in the cooking/ cleaning processes. In this exercise, a sustainable restaurant will look at the by-products and remaining waste. It will analyze it to determine if more sustainable methods can be used and what they might be. Some restaurants are now donating edible leftovers to charities that feed the homeless and those in poverty. Not so edible food scrapes can be turned over to many cities for composting. Local citizens can then obtain the resulting compost for use in their home or community gardens. The restaurant might also be able to figure out ways to produce its food offerings with less waste. To combat the problem of paper and plastic waste the restaurant could choose to use cloth napkins and kitchen towels instead of paper, and soaps without harmful phosphates for washing them and the dirty dishes. Paper or a form of recyclable plastic should be used in place of Styrofoam for to go items. Styrofoam lasts forever in a landfill and should not be used at all. The waste cooking oil can be used to produce bio-diesel and to reduce the CO2 emissions, for which the restaurant is responsible; produce and other items can be bought locally so materials dont have to be transported so far. The restaurant can also purchase energy efficient appliances. And lets not forget the people who provide the service to the customers. Employees should be treated with 18 respect and goodwill. If the folks preparing the food and serving the customers are happy, it only stands to reason they will give better service and be more dedicated to ensuring that the triple bottom line is met. This exercise can be used with any business, large or small, whether they produce a product or a service. Many service industries such as accounting firms and insurance agencies produce a myriad of paper. Some of them are currently exploring ways to cut down on this. The paperless office is being explored by more companies. While being completely paperless is probably not feasibleat least not yetmany companies are using technological advances in computer software and copy machines for document storage. Some accounting software allows original loan documents and other contracts to be scanned into the system, electronically attached to their corresponding general ledger accounts, and stored within the accounting software. The same is true of accounts payable invoices. Other document storage systems work by scanning permanent records, purchase orders, invoices, and whatever else is desired, into the storage software for storage on disk or other media. Other businesses communicate solely by email or electronic fax, cutting paper out of the communication process all together. Many companies are looking at ways to increase recycling. Mitsubishi Electric reuses the cushioning materials used for packaging its produces. They also recycle waste plastic sheeting and polystyrene foam Winter 2009-2010 that are turned into plastic products by an outside contractor. In addition, Mitsubishi uses waste cooking oil from its cafeterias to produce biodiesel and uses it to fuel its forklifts. In the November 2007 issue of Fast Company an article title 50 Ways to Green your Business provide examples different companies are taking toward their Triple Bottom Line: IKEA opts for flat packaging a process that packs products in as much of a vacuum as possible so that boxes can be filled to their capacity. Consequently, trucks can carry more products to their stores reducing CO2 emissions in the process.
Hewlett-Packard has made a $100 million business of recycling 11 million toner cartridges each year. Wal-Mart provided funding to truck manufacturers to develop the first heavy-duty diesel-hybrid 18-wheeler. C3 Presents banned Styrofoam cups
from the sixth annual Austin City Limits Music Festival this year. The Philadelphia Eagles cleaning crew makes two sweeps after each gameone to pick up recyclables and another for trash. JP Morgan Chase is collecting rainwater on the top of its fifty-three storied New york headquarters. The water will be funneled into a 55,000-gallon tank in the basement then piped up for toilet flushing. Combined with new low-flush urinals and toilets, the system will save water and cost by thirty percent. Kaiser Permanente HMO began replacing its vinyl flooring with PVC-free recycled rubber in 2005. It costs more to install, but reduced maintenance costs by eighty percent in five years and also resulted in fewer slips and falls. And from Savitzs website the following example was given of how a small action can go a long way. In 2004 Citigroup, the financial services leader conducted a simple test in a small subset of its offices. It bought 30-percent-recycled paper for printers and made double-sided copies its default standard. The simple test reduced paper consumption by 10 tons and $100,000. The energy saved in the paper-making process reduced greenhouse gas production by 28 tons. Some potential executives are now opting to add green riders to their contracts right along with
stock options. These riders will help to ensure that the companies that individuals work for and help to run follow through with their visions of sustainability. As people become more aware and committed to the importance of sustainability, such actions will surely increase. Green investing is becoming more popular too. Some folks consider investments in companies that produce solar panels or wind energy devices to be the up and coming thing right now. Who knows? Such products could go the way of IBM stock at the birth of the computer age. We can all help at our places of business (as well as our homes) right now. We do not have to be the CEO to encourage sustainable business practices. Pay attention to how much paper you use. Print on both sides of the paper. If your company does not already use recycled paper, suggest it. Remember that recycled paper products include copy paper, toilet paper, and break room paper products. Stop using bottled water. use reusable containers, rather than baggies, to pack your lunch. (There is currently a bubble of plastic the size of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean). Never use Styrofoam. Take the stairs, rather than an elevator, to save energy if you only need to climb a few flights. Recycle ink and toner cartridges and replace them with refilled cartridges. Do your For the Love of Life
banking and bill paying on-line to reduce paper usage. Dont use toxin cleaners for keyboards. Just turn them upside down and shake a little. use plants in your office to clean the air and provide additional oxygen. They are pretty and brighten up the place too. Plug office electronics into a power strip so that you can turn them all off at one time and do so every evening to save energy. This will help you to pass your fire inspection too. Treat your co-workers and customers with respect and appreciation. Laugh a lot. Meditate. From the cave dwellers to modern mankind, humans have affected the environment and societal groups with just about all of our actions. Its time we acknowledge that and work toward correcting errors and ensuring that our environment and societies are sustainable for generations to come. Businesses played a large part in causing the problems. Many have already taken steps toward correcting our environment problems. Much more needs to be done. We must pay attention to the triple bottom line serving not just the goal of profit, but of the planet and its people as well.
One should pay attention to even the smallest crawling creature for these too may have a valuable lesson to teach us.
black elk
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Tos action Group silent auction

By j eA n n e Pro u l x A n d Z e n o B i A n i PPe rT
n September 10, 2009 the Theosophical Society hosted its annual Theosofest at its headquarters in Wheaton, Illinois. This year the TOS Action Group of Wheaton hosted a Silent Auction to raise money for our service activities. The TOS Action Group is dedicated to the manifestation of the core principles of Theosophy through service. We believe that without service the knowledge we attain throughout our lives cannot completely take root within us. The seven branches of service include: Art/Music, Environment, Animal Welfare, Healing, Peace, Family/ Education, and Social Service. Toward that end, the funds raised will aid in serving the homeless community and others who have met with hard times. Throughout the coming year, the money will be used to serve lunch for about 100-150 at Hesed House in Aurora, IL. The meal will be prepared by us, then delivered and served by TOS members and other volunteers. In addition, we will purchase food and gift baskets for needy families at the holidays, including homeless veterans at the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, here in Wheaton. We will also be making a financial gift to Anderson Animal Shelter. Altogether, the auction raised $856 for our service projects. The auction improved on the successes of past auctions and TOS will be hosting another auction at the 2010 Theosofest next September. Accordingly we are, again, asking for donations for the new auction. This years items were donated by vendors participating in the 2009 Theosofest. Vendors were asked to donate anything of their
choice. Most offered merchandise from their booths such as paintings done in acrylic, watercolors, or oil; T-shirts, a honey basket, meditation pillows and gift certificates for services like a Tarot reading, Raindrop therapy, or a massage. The Olcott Library generously donated a rare edition of Manly P. Halls Secret Teachings of All Ages, and our own Pam King donated a beautiful handmade quilt which we titled Midwinter Summer Dreams for one of the door prizes. The other door prize was a striking painting of a mandala created and donated by Iona yabat. Also included in the donations were a set of six drawings by Judy Hensel. The TOS also sold copies of our books The Essence of Healing and Christmas and Solstice and along with our tote bags. This year we sold water and snacks for the first timea big hit with the Theosofest guestsand one we will continue again next year. A special thanks goes to everyone who participated and helped make this years event a big success. If you have an item you wish to donate for our 2010 Auction, please contact the TOS either through email at theoservice@gmail.com or leave a message on our new phone 630-668-1571 ext 332. As mentioned in our summer newsletter, the national office for the TOS is now located at the Theosophical Society of America at 1926 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL 60187. And dont forget to visit our website at: www.theoservice.org.
20
Winter 2009-2010
rosebud christmas Update
By K A r e n m cco rmic K
Poverty creates a sense of hopelessness in a person. And that is why suicide, addiction, drop-out, and crime rates are so high in poverty-stricken areas of our reservation.
labradford eagle deer
A teenager from the Rosebud Reservation who spoke before the United Nations in 2007 on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. tatistics dont put living faces on the harsh realities of an extremely impoverished community, but they help us to place all of our relations into a clearer perspective within the greater scheme of things. The Sicangu Lakota Nation in Rosebud, South Dakota has around 25,000 members. According to census numbers, 50 to 60% of Rosebud children under the age of eighteen live below poverty levels in the fifth poorest county in the united States. To fill in the overall picture, approximately 40% of these children live in single-parent households and 6 out of 10 families live in substandard housing. you can imagine how desperate Christmastime can be under these circumstances. In many cases, gifts are non-existent for some children. All too aware of these dispiriting circumstances, I decided to play Santa for some of these Lakota kids seven years ago. I made contact with a well-known Native family on the Rosebud Reservationwho personally know many needy families in their community, especially those headed by single mothers. Thus my Lakota Christmas Project began. I continued with my new tradition every Christmas, the first few years being funded by myself and a few friends. Fortunately, just when I needed the help, the TOS stepped in to fund my efforts in 2007 and has generously financed this project ever since. Numerous Rosebud families have benefited via TOS these past three years. One story from last Christmas 2008: a young Native American father with several small children was slowly recovering from a nearly-fatal car wreck which had necessitated brain surgery. Needless to say, that familys holidays were greatly cheered by many of the gifts that we had sent to Rosebud. With greater resources at hand (the yearly TOS grants have doubled from the original $500 to $1000!), Ive been able to expand the project to include a Winter Coat Giveaway every January, as well as a Back-to-School
Backpack effort in September. Of the latter, Carter Camp, who was featured in the recent PBS series We Shall Remain, commented this past fall: I picked up the backpacks and Linda [his wife] gave them out. Karen, the kids really appreciate those packsand finding all the things in them! As I write this report in December, two gigantic parcels are en route to Rosebud for Christmas 2009. One has nearly 30 lbs. of brand new toys for children of all ages, from infants on up; the second is packed with almost 40 lbs. of new, warm clothing items for every age group, along with miscellaneous gifts such as blankets and throws. (I read that it is nearly 10 degrees below zero this morning, as I write, in South Dakota.) In the Lakota language, Waziya (the Spirit of the North) is another name for Santa Claus. And Im happy that TOS has taken on this special identity for the poorest of the poor children in our country. While these efforts are not some kind of magical, overall solution to the widespread poverty on the Reservation, the hearts of individual children (and adults) are touched by kindness and a bit of joy at this time of year. And who knows what longterm effects these small acts of giving can have? May there be a prayer of hopefulness attached to each gift. O Mitakuye Oyasin! (All My Relations!)
21
Being a Beacon of light

he Cleveland Besant Branch TSA-TOS members have given generously of their time and talent by providing diverse activities to honor our historic energetic focus to educate and sustain the raised consciousness of individuals ready to progress on the path to wholeness. Besides our comparative studies of world religions, we have hosted and raised funds for international causes to educate children and reduce human suffering with speakers such as an initiated African Shona Nganga (traditional healer) from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe who shared teachings of the Water Spirits and a Master Iachak (teacher) from Ecuador who provided Andean insights of transforming hearts and minds with nature. Several Native
By A n n eT Te TA BAr
American elders have also visited to share insights of healing through their tribal traditions. Reconnecting with the Earth programs supported our efforts to heighten awareness of the planets ecosystem and our part in it. Monthly programs included topics such as climate change, conservation, watersheds, creating wildlife habitats, and rain barrels. Through energetic programs we practiced Tai Chi, Qigong, EkKan, yuan, yoga and Laughter 22
yoga. Drumming circles to honor the new seasons with prayers for the planet are well attended. Healing tones, singing bowls, and tuning forks have been experienced and continue to resonate throughout our facility. We learned how to energize water through healing intention and prayer. A weekly meditation groups focus is on oneness, world peace beginning with inner peace. Our weekly study groups revisit traditional theosophical truths that are brought forward for practical application today. The world benefits as individuals come together to learn and grow through a new practice or awareness and by renewing themselves through community with like-minded souls. Over the years, cash and clothing donations traveled west to benefit Indians living on Reservations. Annual visits from theosophist, Dr. V. Kulkarni, resulted in supportive dollars for education of children in India. Generous endowments and members contributions have permitted us to donate funds locally in support of food banks in Parma and Cleveland; the Prevention of Domestic Violence Center, the Salvation Army Homeless Program, and to WVIZ-PBS. Book donations have been provided to five Cleveland Public School libraries. We initiated a Helping Hands Fund for any member who needs a one-time emergency cash gift. Scholarships are offered for various workshops or programs. Joanne Richter, our current president, and TSA member since the 1970s says that she knows that no one has ever been turned away from becoming a member of the Besant Branch for lack of funds. In sharing our prosperity, we are doing our part to lift the vibration of the planet. Two new projects for TSA/TOS members in Cleveland are being launched. One project supports animal rescue efforts to encourage abandoned cat and dog adoptions. Cash donations or designated items such as food, treats, leashes, pet blankets, and beds for Animal Rescue Bundles will be given to the Parma Animal Rescue Center. In the spring 2010, unused tools will be collected and donated to Habitat for Humanity housing projects. There has even been initial talk of getting a construction team together too. Investigating the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man has taken us on a journey of no return. We cannot go back, but must continue to move forward. Taking action is vital to transformation. Being is paramount to the outcome. The ability to trust the process of BEING a LOVING PRESENCE ON EARTH is to be free from the illusion that we are nothing more than a physical
Winter 2009-2010
WWW.CLEVELANDTHEOSOPHy.ORG
The polar express

body and mind. Eckhart Tolle, states in his book The Power of Now, that love is a state of Being, Love is who we are. Going within, into the silence, one can feel this formless and timeless reality. Recognizing this unmanifested life in yourself, you can then feel the same deep life within every other human and every other creature. To look beyond the veil of form and separation is the state of ONENESS. As infinite beings, expressing infinitely, we can transform lower, denser vibrations, waves of negative energy, into a higher consciousness with love. We have the power to change the collective consciousness on this planet Earth and heal the scars created by us over the centuries that cause her to weep now. Dare we imagine waves of loving energy to feed the collective soul of a hungry society? Dare we imagine a true peace that transforms hate, anger, and pain? Dare we imagine that individuals embrace a worldwide morphic field, whose essence is oneness, to know their connectedness with all of creation? Dare we imagine that our generation can turn the tide for future generations to enjoy this legacy of love? Each of us can and must step forward to be the change we desire to see in this world. Focus on love, BE the loving presence on Earth, and attract individuals who are awakened to this higher vibration within themselves. unconditionally love those who are the hardest to love. Let the spirit of loving service grow within you and plant the seed thoughts within others. We may not be in a physical body when the seeds bear fruit, but our children and their childrens children will savor the legacy. There is no greater gift than that of service to our Earth family. Enjoy the joy of giving and remember to take care of plants and animals too.
By A n A nyA S. r A jAn
reat Decisions is a journal brought out by the Foreign Policy Association. I came across it when I visited Muscatine Community College in Iowa. A small group of people get together every month to discuss an article from the publication. While I was there, it just so happened that they were discussing an article called The Arctic Age by Ed Struzik, author of The Big Thaw. This gathering of people in Muscatine is sponsored by the Stanley Foundation, founded by Maxwell Stanley in 1956. According to its website the Stanley Foundation seeks a secure peace with freedom and justice, built on world citizenship and effective global governance. Its now run by Richard Stanley who was present at this meeting of the minds. The article from Great Decisions discusses the melting of the arctic from an economic and ecologic point of view. (Notice how economic comes first.) Apparently with the melting of Arctic comes the desire for the oil and minerals buried beneath the ice. In the summer of 2007, the Russian government sent a two vessel expedition to the North Pole to claim the area as theirs. They believe that as they were there first, once the ice is melted completely, they have first dibs on the resources underneath. If anyone else would like access to the resources, they will need to negotiate with Russia. Never mind that the habitat for a number of different creatures living in the polar region will die, or that the sea levels will rise, or that huge icebergs are breaking off and could cause other problems for the planet. In a 2007 study by the u.S. Geological Survey (uSGS), it is predicted that by 2050, two-thirds of the worlds polar bears will be gone. This includes all those in Alaska and most in the western Arctic region of Canada. As the ice of the Arctic melts away faster than expected, scientists believe we are past the tipping point of recourse and must face the consequences of dealing with rising sea levels and the tragic loss of wildlife. It was this bit of information that really caught my attention. Are we really past the point of no return? Will seeing a polar bear be a rarity to my great grandchildren? Most of the people in the discussion group I was attending were annoyed by the actions of the Russian government. Initially, I thought they were all of the same opinion that I had. However, they were annoyed that the united States didnt stay abreast of what the Russians were doing and the fact that the uS has only three icebreakers, one CONTINuED ON PAGE 24 23
Every day is Earth Day.

UNkNoWN
There is peace in the garden. Peace and results.

rUth stoUt
Polar Express
CONTINuED FROM PAGE 23 used for research and the other two out of commission. The Canadian Navy, apparently, has not operated an icebreaker since the 1950s. This is understandable considering the Arctic has often been considered inaccessible and uninviting to many countries, even those whose borders extend to the area. What goes on in the Arctic is between the frigid environment and the two million people who inhabit it. Perhaps its time we change that viewpoint. Despite stating my viewpoint that we had bigger problems than our access to more oil, the discussion moved back to our need to claim it, instead of the more dire consequence that we may not even be alive to access the oil if the planet is enveloped in water. With regard to the environment, ethics, and economics, there has always been disagreement. To a country that has only known economic struggle and poverty like parts of Russia, what difference do the lives of polar bears make? If looked at only from an economic view, we could ask that question about a lot of things on this planetpeople included. It is only when we are able to step back and look at life from a holistic point of view that we realize that every life is precious, no matter how big or small. We have this ability as humans, which is what makes us different from animals. Aside from the concerns mentioned above, shouldnt we be concerned that those inhabiting the Arctic will lose their food source with the changing of the environment? Or that with the change of the environment, a change in the culture of the natives who live there will be affected? Or what can happen when drilling starts and possible oil spills happen. Do we need to remind the world about the devastation left behind by the Exxon Valdez catastrophe? There is hope for the Arctic (and the polar bears.) But it consists of the uS and other countries becoming involved in environmental issues, which in the past the uS has been hesitant to do when it comes to having to sign treaties. The 1982 uN Convention on the Law of the Sea (uNCLOS) will allow the uS to lay claim to land under the Arctic within a certain zone, but more importantly it will allow the uS to sit at the table and make recommendations to help preserve the environment. The problem is the uS needs to ratify this and, like the Kyoto Treaty, waivers on what the impact would be economically for the country. Another platform, the Arctic Councilformed in 1996, five years after eight Arctic nations signed the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy according to Struzik has made a lot of progress in the past and could be the vehicle that pushes through a treaty to meaningfully address the rules and regulations governing shipping, drilling, disposal of wastes, safety and impacts on aboriginal people and wildlife of the Arctic, thus protecting the area from actions of other countries who will not immediately be impacted if a disaster occurs. However, the greatest resource available to us as citizens who care about the Arctic and the impact of global warming is our voice. If we want our government and the world to know that we feel the environment should be an equal factor when considering economic issues, we have to repeatedly make our opinions heard. At present, we do seem to have a government that is listening to its citizens, so lets take advantage of it.
24
Winter 2009-2010
small acts Go a long Way!

As every little bit helps, here is a list of small things you can do that go a long way from websites that you can visit. From www.globalgreen.org: Just say NO to single-use and disposable plastics like bags and bottles, straws, cups, plates, silverware and razors. Bring your own shopping and produce bags to the market. (Heres an incentive! Buy a couple of our TOS bags for $6.00. you not only help the environment, but you let others know about the TOS!) Carry a reusable bottle with you for drinking on the go. Bring your travel mug to the coffee shop. Pack your own utensils when eating takeout and skip the straw. From the www.localharvest.org: This website provides visitors with information about local organic markets in your area. Just put in your zip code or your city and state and you can find where to buy practically anything that is free range, organic, non-genetically modified and so on. From 100 Ways to Go Green.blogspot.com: Stop your junk mail, phone books, and catalogs you dont read. Go to www.privacyrights.org to find out how you can opt out of junk mail. Join a car co-op. This not only saves gas and wear and tear on your car, but it gives you a break from driving. Or if public transportation is an option, try it out. Think about composting your coffee grinds, vegetable and fruit wastes, or leftover food scraps. Many cities provide composts for a minimal fee. If you live in an apartment, you can ask your landlord if you can set one up in the common yard area for all to use; otherwise, you can have an indoor compost. Winter isnt a bad time to start! To learn how to compost in the winter go to www.compostguy.com. And it doesnt have to be indoors. In the summer, if possible, dry your clothes on a line instead of using the dryer. There is nothing nicer than clothes that smell like sunshine! And the sun is actually a natural way to kill germs. Start using eco-friendly cleaning and personal hygiene products. Think of all the chemicals you wont be using and wont be going down your drain! unplug electrical items not in use to save electricity. Reuse or recycle your old computer. Contact Miles Standish. He refurbishes computers and gives them to those who need them, but cant afford them. Dont forget to recycle your old batteries. If you can, recharge them! If you cant, think about starting a battery recycling program in your area using the TOS battery recycling start-up kit. Go to www. theoservice. org for more information. Recycle your glasses. There are 200 million people around the world you need glasses and cant afford them. Sight is a wonderful thing. Recycle your newspapers, old blankets, sheets, and bedding to an animal shelter. Water your outdoor plants in the early morning and late evening to conserve water. Seed your yard with grass seeds that dont require a lot of watering. Plant trees. They make a yard look beautiful and take up land so you dont have to water your lawn. Buy less and give more. With the money you would have spent on buying yourself something you dont need, help a child who is hungry and needs an education, feed an animal, help the homeless, the possibilities are endless. Give a green giftyour time doing something for someone else; visit a neighbor, friend, or resident of a longterm care facility who does not get regular visitors; pass along a good book you read or a movie; share your knowledge.
The list could go on and on. There are definitely more than 100 ways to go green, these are just a few, other than the usual of turning off lights when they arent being used, dont let your car run endlessly, dont let the water run while brushing your teeth, bundle up and turn down the thermostat, roll down the windows instead of using the air conditioningwell, you get the idea For the Love of Life 25
Theosophical order of service, Usa

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For The Love of Life - Winter 2009-2010

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Theosophical order of service, Usa

For the Love of Life

from the presidents desk sustaining ourselves

Honorary President President Vice President secretary treasurer Directors

alive with spirit Beeing friendly our Town

The powerful Tools of Will, vision, and love

16 people, profits, and our planet

20 Tos action Group silent auction

By JEANNE PROuLx AND ZENOBIA NIPPERT

rosebud christmas Update

23 Being a Beacon of light

23 The polar express

25 small acts Go a long Way!

For the Love of Life

from the presidents desk

For the Love of Life

alive with spirit

For the Love of Life

Bee Friendly Flower and Plants

For the Love of Life

For the Love of Life

The powerful Tools of Will, vision, and love

The Powerful Tools

For the Love of Life

people, profits, and our planet

People, Profits and Our Planet

Tos action Group silent auction

rosebud christmas Update

For the Love of Life

Being a Beacon of light

The polar express

Every day is Earth Day.

There is peace in the garden. Peace and results.

For the Love of Life

small acts Go a long Way!

Theosophical order of service, Usa

For the Love of Life

u.S. POSTAGE Warrenville, Illinois Permit No. 15

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