05/07/08 Mixer Highlights

The May Mixer took a different direction than the April Mixer. More time was spent mingling and then with introductions, which became a jumping off point for related, and unrelated, discussions. Then more mingling at the end of the evening.

The change in venue to the Creperie, and the wine, along with the mix of old and new participants, seemed to have an overall positive impact on the dynamics of the evening

Peter re-emphasized at Creativity in our context is not about the arts, but creative community solutions, of which the arts can be both a means and an end.

While there was some demand for specific action, participants are not yet interested in picking any one project over another -- purpose of chamber mixers so far are to provide a forum for 'like minds' conversing on topics of personal choice.

The lack of structure provides for the deconstruction of old models and the free flow of ideas. Outcomes will be generated when two ideas collide, much like two atoms in an accelerator, sparking an explosion of action on the part of those feeling so compelled.

At future mixers, after brief intros, with more time for new attendees, participants will be encouraged to share/report news about personal initiatives, hopefully spurring new thinking.

Reviewing past concepts if a good way to see where there is real interest, before moving to open discussion.

One of the topics discussed was the need for using the media to get the word out. Bob Sandidge commented that we are our own media, and rather than relying on the Northwest Herald, etc., we should use the talent assembled to get our own story out.

In terms of getting the word out, participants, and those on the distribution list, are encouraged to recruit and bring two creative-minded friends to next mixer. This is such an
exciting group and conversation that we want to invite others to enjoy and enrich the process.

Areas of interest include, local currency, health care, energetic/healing arts, transportation, community-building in Harvard, eliminating pesticides in populated areas.

Bob Sandidge summed things up this way, "If you want to meet other creative minded people in and around McHenry County this is the place to be. Tonight - an amazingly talented group of creatives started at 6PM and were still going strong at 10:30. Of course there was a little wine involved but mostly the excitement and connectivity came from the exciting ideas from conscious and passionate people. "

Next Mixer, Wed. June 3, 2008 at 6PM at the Creperie on the Woodstock Square.

4/9/08 Mixer Highlights

Chamber of Creativity Framework
1. Be about a new way of looking at things
2. Incubate creativity though a flood of ideas
3. Perpetuate human enthusiasm to keep new people getting on the bus

Project/Issues Ideas
1. Local Currency. A formalized barter system designed to support small business and home-based businesses, and keep money in the community. There are many models to consider from all around the world. The most successful program in the US has been Ithaca Hours in Ithaca, NY To get a quick primer, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_currency

2. What if McHenry County had universal healthcare access? This has economic and community-building implications on a number of levels.

3. Better public transportation, particularly for low income people, who have a hard time getting to medical appointments, government services, etc. Create a Private Van Pool, maybe employing some of the clients of GROW as drivers. Another idea, legalize hitchhiking. Create "Hitching Posts," official pick-up points.

Let's use the time between mixers to use the blog to build on these project/issue ideas

Creative Initiatives

Well, my intended post seems to be too long to fit in this window, so I'll try sending it by email.  

wouldn't this be GREAT?

OK... What if we were to work with the city (cities) government and landlords to do something groovy, creative, and self-promoting in the windows of vacant buildings? It would seem to me that this could be a win-win-win situation...

You can be a published Author too!

Please let me know if you would like to start a new discussion thread on the blog! Here is how things work:

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To become an Author, I need to send you an Invitation, and you need to respond to whatever the invitation instructions are. I've sent seven Invitations out so far, and no one has yet to sign up as an Author!

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Let's blog! Lisa

Welcome

We all know what a Chamber of Commerce is, but what is a Chamber of Creativity? Well, we don't know yet, but a group of folks in McHenry County Illinois has decided to figure it out!

This blog was created to help those daring souls share thoughts, inspirations, concerns and otherwise think through - together - this idea of a Chamber of Creativity!

So, feel free to read through the posts and participate in the discussion!

If you would like to be able to post entries yourself, please contact Lisa at lhaderlein@conservemc.org to get instructions for registering and posting.