Activity Report Explorer

Alaska Soles • Entered by Loren Karro on March 30, 2020

Alaska Soles Kickoff Meeting

March 11, 2020

Key Issue: Doesn’t apply
Activity Type: Broadband Meeting (prep, implementation & follow up)

Short Description of Activity

On March 11 we held the kickoff meeting for the Alaska Soles Broadband! It was held in the REI Anchorage activity room. After the sign in and attempt to personally greet every attendee, we introduced ourselves. WE showed a powerpoint presentation for about 20 minutes, answered some questions, discussed the planned April meeting and the April fundraiser, and thanked REI and the Alaska Rock Gym for their help. Martin from REI was present, as were two others, and he was introduced. We then asked attendees to introduce themselves and give a couple of key words that describe their interest relating the Alaska Soles. We had a short discussion as to ways to include other diverse groups, notably Alaska Natives. WE then wrapped it up, cleaned up the room and Kirstie, Kathy and Loren had a debriefing over supper at a local restaurant.

Reflection/Evaluation

We had prepared ourselves for a very small turnout in light of the recent Covid 19 pandemic. We felt 5 people attending would be okay, 10 would make us ecstatic. WE had 12 attendees besides the 3 steering committee members. Some were there not knowing anything about the Broads, some were there on our personal invitation and with some knowledge, at least one had been a prior Broads member. All showed interest as we reviewed the Broads’ goals and values. WE had disclosed some of the local and national issues that we had already been working on (changes to the NEPA regs, changes to the Roadless Rule affecting the Tongass, issue with the proposed Pebble mine and the proposed Ambler Road) but we didn’t have time to get to prioritizing the issues for our Broadband. We did talk about doing that at our next meeting. I think the comradely was good, the lack of pressure for instant action or commitment was a good thing, and that the personal information shared helped everyone feel part of the group. Some of the members had definite ideas and desires for future issues and stewardship activities but the details were left to be discussed at the next meeting. We did give everyone a Broad’s bookmark with the Broads’ “Views” and the national website listed but I wish we had more emphatically given out the information for joining the national organization and looking us up on the web. We did mention that we got monies back for each Broadband area member who joined the national Broads. We will stress this in a future email. Because of the shut down due to the pandemic, we will be cancelling the April meeting and the April fundraiser. I am concerned as to how to maintain any interest or momentum in view of the long time between the kickoff meeting and any future meeting. WE had already decided that after the unspecified May meeting (maybe to be held in Palmer) we might not have any regular meetings until summer’s end, as most Alaskans are busy with outdoor and subsistence activities through the summer months and a good number disperse to remote camps. However we did leave the door open for group hikes, stewardship projects and advocacy work as the situations and interest warranted. A follow up email was sent out thanking everyone one for coming and mentioning that we were looking forward to future activities (which at the time we didn’t know would be cancelled). WE also called attention to an advocacy issue coming up that needed addressing and asking anyone interested to submit comments (we provided links to information). We will try to keep the momentum going some by emailing again and, as needed, passing on information regarding comment deadlines etc.

Photos/Uploads

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Photo Captions

Document 1: Powerpoint narration
Document 2: Meeting Synopsis
Photo 3: key words listed by attendees during roundtable introductions.