Reinette Senum

" A good community exists when its elders plant trees to shade the next generation."

Chinese Proverb

• Raise awareness of our community's potential
• Increase the use of clean energy
• Reduce our carbon footprint
• Promote a resilient local economy

By tapping into the combined wisdom of our community we can create a plan and a direction for Nevada City’s energy security. You are most cordially invited!

What does this event bring to our community?

Dedication: PowerUp has already begun putting in hundreds of hours to provide a community vehicle that will support and assist business and community members in keeping accountable to our vision and the actions we collectively agree upon.

A Four Year Promise: PowerUp will support this vision through newsletter updates, scheduling and organizing bi-annual follow-up meetings, workshops, energy reduction tips, and the continuous energy it takes to launch and maintain a grassroots, community vision.

PowerUp’s objective is to support Nevada City in supporting itself for generations to come through what is called the Accordion Principle. In short, this is where the community comes together every six months after the initial facilitation. It is here that we share progress reports, reassess our goals and celebrate our most recent accomplishments.

A Professional Facilitator: Marilyn Snider from Snider and Associates. Ms. Snider specializes in facilitation of strategic planning, team building, community consensus and conflict resolution. Ms. Snider has successfully facilitated for entities such as the American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta; Chevron Energy Solutions; the Environmental Protection Agency; the National Park Service, Washington, D.C.; and over 100 cities and numerous Universities throughout the country, just to name a few.

Accountability: After our collective goals have been established, PowerUp will maintain accountability through monthly on-line updates utilizing local websites such as Yubanet, the Union, KVMR, and KNCO for public transparency. We will also hold bi-annual follow-up meetings to share our progress, reassess our goals and celebrate our victories. We feel this type of diligent accountability will be key in our success!

Multi-Generational Event: PowerUp has spent the last year working with NUHS students as well as Woolman Semester School students and we believe our youths’ input in this process is key. The Woolman students will be attending.

Carbon Calculating Software: PowerUp has spent the last year becoming proficient with the ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) energy inventory software by having conducted Nevada City’s first energy audit and inventory. Utilizing ICLEI software, PowerUp will partner with community businesses, residents and NGO’s who volunteer to establish a measurable baseline giving us a clear understanding of where Nevada City currently stands and where we need to go.

Low Carbon Diet Tips: Utilizing the “Low Carbon Diet; A Program to Lose 5,000 Lbs.” This simple “how to” book is for those who think they have already done everything they can to reduce their carbon footprint as well as for those who have always wanted to reduce their impact, but don’t know where to start. Through a monthly Union article as well as our monthly PowerUp newsletter we will guide you through the process of “walking the sustainable talk.”

A Community Role Model: We all know the most powerful thing one can do is set an example. By setting our sights collectively and creating the steps to reach our targets, plan on inspiring communities and businesses everywhere. This is an idea whose time has come….

A Road Map to Our Future: By the end of this day-long Community Congress Nevada City will have a clear vision and a series of objectives such as targets, measurements, and who is accountable to do what by when! This is a first and expect in four year’s time to have astounded ourselves.

Low Risk: Think about it; it’s hard to fail at this. Example; if we were to set a substantial carbon reduction target of let’s say 80%, but only reach 50% or even 10% we have still succeeded. Any kind of energy/carbon reduction is a win/win for our community, our pocket books and our planet as a whole.

We have always been a unique community. one that knows how to support our fellow residents, neighbors and businesses. This has resulted in Nevada City being home to the doer, thinkers, artists, musicians, writers and our uniques mix of local businesses, residents and families.