Visit to the Omega Center for Sustainable Living in Rhinebeck, NY
June 5, 2010
Rhinebeck, New York
The Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL) is a state-of-the art education center and natural wastewater treatment facility. A model of sustainable architecture, the OCSL is a pioneering project in the Living Building Challenge and is expected to be the first building in the United States to receive the Living Building designation in addition to receiving LEED Platinum certification.
Save the date – time to be announced.
For more info http://www.eomega.org/omega/about/ocsl/ or contact Carole at cfr7217964@aol.com
For directions http://www.eomega.org/omega/visitors/travel-directions/
Carole Franco, FRSA
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Spring 2010 RSA-US-New England Lecture/Discussions: New Paradigms
RSA is a remarkable organization for the talents of the fellows who keep the Society vital by fulfilling its goals as well as moving ahead of these goals with new ideas and formulations, solutions to the problems of society. We are the cogs, wheels and inspiration for progress, not because we set out to be, but because of who we are and continue to be; that is, if those we nominate for election those who are innovative. They need to understand the value of our organization in helping to promote and refine their ideas, to accept improvements that will result through discussion, challenge and encouragement.
It has been of great interest to me that most of our “pledgies” already are at work to achieve the goals and purposes already contained in our various manifestos. Our fellows are ahead and need to be ahead of our organization. An approach that would stimulate RSA’s growth is to help build the work of our most innovative, give them the intellectual and social support they need.
Recently, Lynn Broadbent reminded us of Benjamin Franklin’s creation of a social networking group named “Junto” in 1727. They met in Philadelphia for “mutual improvement and discussion”. The composition of the group was precociously democratic:” a cobbler, a glazier, a scrivener and at least one “gentleman.” Clearly those invited were meant to form a a society of persons who enjoyed each other’s company as they brought forward new ideas to help society, ways they could help each other in moving ahead economically and socially, etc. I see a lot of RSA in this and suggest that Ben breathed a lot of this thinking into the development of the RSA .
In this sense there are no “New Paradigms” although I have chosen these words to shake our roots newly to see if Lynn’s “Social Networks in 1757“ have grafts that can be added to our practice which will reflect Fellow Franklin’s Junto.
It is in this spirit that we introduce the first two of a series of lectures and discussions organized by the New England Section Of RSA-US.
May 6, 2010 – Boston or Cambridge-A Luncheon Meeting
BILL STONE, ESQ FRSA “New Paradigms in the Workplace: making Virtual a Reality”
Bill is an entrepreneur and a lawyer who has designed a life of work, home, leisure, and philanthropy that “beats working in a law office all day”, yet brings him choices in work and play as never before. Bill will disclose his secret through describing the evolution of the firm Outside General Counsel, LLC of which he is a Principal.
June 2010- Office of the UK Consulate General- Cambridge, MA (date TBD)
DR. Phil Budden Consul General UK in Boston, FRSA ”New Paradigms on the Business/Government Interface”
Phil will speak at the new Consulate General in Cambridge post-election. He will deal with international relations and the role of the diplomatic corps in a changing world.
Arthur Mark FRSA
RSA New York: Climate, Copenhagen and Consequences
February 24, 2010, 6 p.m., 92Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013
Nikhil Chandavarkar in conversation with David A. Andelman
An invitation-only event co-presented by the Royal Society for the Arts in the United States and the World Policy Journal
Nikhil Chandavarkar, FRSA, Secretary to UN-Water, offers his unique insights on the outcomes of the COP15 talks in a conversation with David A. Andelman, Editor of the World Policy Journal.
This special event brings together two thought-leaders to offer expert perspectives on the key issues coming out of the COP15 talks. What are prospects for an effective global climate change treaty? What was achieved and what is left to do? How can individuals, organizations, communities and countries play a part in what comes next?
This event is part of a series of programs on sustainability in which RSA-US connects ideas with action locally, nationally, and globally. We will try to address the struggles at each level to define scope, communicate in ways that can be relevant and easy to grasp, and empower people to see themselves as having the ability to make a difference. For more information on the RSA visit www.theRSA.org.
This event is made possible by the generous support of our speakers, partners and sponsors. RSA-US is grateful to the World Policy Journal and 92Y for their partnership.
To reserve a place, email LBroadbent@rsa-us.org. This event will fill quickly so early reservations are recommended. Priority will be given to RSA Fellows and their guests. A cash bar is available for informal discussion after the close of the program.
Suggested hashtag for Twitter users: #RsaNewYork
Social Networks in 1757
If you think social networking is a new idea think again. It turns out that Benjamin Franklin started a social network in 1727, long before Web 2.0. It was called the “Junto” and also known as “the Leather Apron Club”. Its members included a cobbler, a glazier, a scrivener and at least one gentleman, who met for mutual improvement and discussion in Philadelphia. The Junto’s Friday evening meetings were organized around a series of questions, for example:
# Do you know of any fellow citizen, who has lately done a worthy action, deserving praise and imitation? or who has committed an error proper for us to be warned against and avoid?
# What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or heard? of imprudence? of passion? or of any other vice or folly?
# What happy effects of temperance? of prudence? of moderation? or of any other virtue?
# Do you think of any thing at present, in which the Junto may be serviceable to mankind? to their country, to their friends, or to themselves?
# Do you know of any deserving young beginner lately set up, whom it lies in the power of the Junto any way to encourage?
# Have you lately observed any defect in the laws, of which it would be proper to move the legislature an amendment? Or do you know of any beneficial law that is wanting?
# Have you lately observed any encroachment on the just liberties of the people?
# Hath any body attacked your reputation lately? and what can the Junto do towards securing it?
# Is there any man whose friendship you want, and which the Junto, or any of them, can procure for you?
# Have you any weighty affair in hand, in which you think the advice of the Junto may be of service?
The group is credited with promoting innovations such as volunteer fire-fighting clubs, improved security (night watchmen), and a public hospital. Not so very different from the RSA networks of today! Hope to see you at a Junto Soon!
