January 19, 1997

Minutes of the sixth meeting of the Tri-State chapter held on January 19, 1997 at Sam Liebowitz's apartment

In Attendence:
Mike Fenimore
William Gale
Nick Gauthier
Fred Herman
Sam Liebowitz
Ed Nash
Pamela White
Ed Aarons
Larry Reader
Carol Senall

  • Introductions
    • Introductions were kept brief since most of the people present have attended chapter meetings previously. As a vehicle to make the introductions a little different, we had each individual state what they personally expect to get out of FMF, and what they intend to contribute to help make these things possible.
      • new members: Pamela White, Mike Fenimore, Carol Senall
      • guests: Ed Aarons, Larry Reader
    • Listened to their background information

  • Presentation of the Land Based Colony project
    • Sam Liebowitz explained the concept of Space Environments Ecovillage (SEE). A brief summary was given of the documents that are located on the LBC web site, including the Intro Letter, the What Document, and the How Document. The basic concept of creating a co-op structured community that can facilitate research on technologies that do not require sea water, while helping members to share common expenses and thus create savings that can be invested into those technologies, was warmly received by all present.
    • The web site (http://www.neca.com/~dmitri/lbc.htm) address was given as well as the mailing list (fmf-lbc) to everyone present. It was also stated that printouts would be made available to everyone who does not have web/computer access. It was further explained that SEE is both a compliment and a precursor to Aquarius Rising and Aquarius itself. It was stressed that SEE will serve as:
      • An outreach facility.
      • A vehicle for FMF members who want to start doing something.
      • An answer to skeptics who want to see something physical.
      • A place where FMFers can go to be surrounded by fellow members and be immersed in the FMF mindset ona day-to-day basis.
      A detailed question and answer period ensued, where several topics were discussed, including the differences between SEE and Biosphere II.
    • Larry Reader, a guest from the Ganas Intentional Community, spoke about the structure of the Ganas community. Gale also gave some more detailed explanations about the structure and nature of SEE. It was explained that SEE is to be a profit generating investment, as well as a way to obtain low-cost housing. Some ways in which SEE could generate a profit would be through marketing of developed technologies to the local area, and as an out-of-the-way resort. It was further explained that initially members who reside at SEE would earn incomes by commuting to a local city, or through site-independent net-based businesses.
    • The concept of SEE as a Land Based Colony was unanimously adapted by the member of the Tri-state Chapter.
    • Some additional ideas were suggested for inexpensive ways to obtain land & housing:
      • Buy a run down hotel and fix it up.
      • Look for Bank foreclosures
      • Look for land trusts earmarked by the Intentional Community movement
      • Work with an existing community, or one that is in need of help
    • What will we each contribute to this project:
      • Nick - Investment, becoming a colonist, computer graphics
      • Ed A. - Help with the site selection research
      • Sam - Recruitment of colonists, hard copies of net documents, coordination with other chapters
      • Gale - Many hours of research (as has always been the case)
      • Mike F. - Help with web site, scanning in images, and other multimedia projects
      • Pamela W. - Help with the newsletter/artwork
      • Ed N. - Help with data/voice communication research for SEE
      • Fred - Recruitment, etc.

  • Conclave Update
    • After his recent trip to California, Sam gave a brief update on the upcoming FMF Conclave, to be held at the Embassy Suites hotel in Arcadia, California. Arcadia is a suburb of Los Angeles, just outside of Pasedena.

  • Upcoming Field Trips
    • A trip is planned to the Ganas Intentional Community sometime in March
    • The FMF Conclave in Arcadia, CA first weekend in August
    • A trip to the Intentional Communities conference in September

  • Outreach
    • It was agreed to spend some money to purchase the new FMF brochures that Richard Crews had sent to some members.

  • New Business
    • Gale passed around some information about a giant boat to be constructed and sail in international waters by a group of libertarian engineers. Money is being raised by selling rooms on the ship as condo’s. The size of the ship will be many times larger than the Titanic.

  • Next Meeting
    • The next Tri-State Chapter meeting is scheduled for February 23rd, 1997.

  • Merchandise Sold
    • 2 Solaria Tee Shirts
    • 2 Pins
    contact the author of this home page: Dmitri Donskoy
    Last modified: Saturday, January 25, 1997

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