Common Good Bank

I awoke this morning with the clear realization that I need to support this mission and do all I can in the Nashville area to spread consciousness about what the Common Good Bank represents, the potential for major change at the most fundamental economic level in the lives of those who need it most. As I continue to learn more about the Transition Movement (entirely focused on the combined realities of peak oil and climate change, and on developing community resilience through relationship building, skill networks, asset management systems and resource availability at the local level) and become increasingly aware of the inability of either state legislators or our Federal monetary system to act / operate in support of the common good of the American people, I am convinced that this mission is not only appealing in its vision, but essential if we are to preserve our collective ability to act decisively on our own behalf.
We can no longer afford to remain in denial, or wait in the vain hope that our political and financial systems will somehow change on their own. There is too much vested interest in ensuring that this does not happen. I believe we truly live in a world of abundance, but that such abundance can only be experienced when we redefine our understanding of what that means, to give of ourselves without hesitation, and refuse to believe in separation. The Common Good vision reminds us of this deep, abiding connection we all share with each other and with all of life. Let's move fearlessly forward on making it a reality!

The Transition Movement

Basically, in short, "transition", as defined by Rob Hopkins (founder of Transition Town Totnes and "The Transition Handbook"; also responsible for the very first prototype of this initiative, created in Kinsale, Ireland, as a student design project) is a direct response to the dual crises of peak oil and climate change. It is a set of general principles and guidelines, for engaging communities to become more self-sustaining, more resilient to the potential shock of decreased availability of oil in an economy that is predominantly oil-based. Rob talks about creating an EDAP, or "energy descent action plan", individualized to fit the needs of a particularly community, which looks at central categories of resources and assets as well as weaknesses or vulnerabilities (e.g., food, water, transport, buildings, economy and exchange, medicine, etc.) within a community, and begins to identify ways in which to decentralize / relocalize availability of needed resources. There is major emphasis throughout all these processes on positive and proactive visioning, on building relationships, and restoring and strengthening bonds of trust and interdependance among members of the community, with specific techniques offered from the worlds of psychology and addictions counseling to begin to accomplish that. Many parameters for transition are left open, with the understanding that each set of complete circumstances in a given area / region / city / town is going to be different and require unique adaptations.
1st meeting on transition in nashville being held next Monday, Dec. 14th, 7-9:30pm. For more info., contact us.