Renewable Energy Committee Announces Solar 2010 Project

C.O.G.S (Citizens of Greater Springdale (C.O.G.S.) announced it will collaborate with Make-A-Difference Foundation, a Valley, Washington based public charity to achieve a positive outcome in a C.O.G.S. committee on Renewable Energy Solar 2010 project, which advocates the use of designated renewable energies as a means to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, said Sue Cox, chair of C.O.G.S. as the once known Horizons projects enhances its position in community involvement.

Solar 2010 envisions Springdale to designate renewable energy as the means to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and endorses its use as the marketplace produces a greater variety of products at affordable prices.

IMMEDIATE GOAL IS TOWN COUNCIL ACTION

C.O.G.S. Renewable Energy committee and Make-A-Difference Foundation has written an Action Plan to implement all activities according to spokesman Mike Easterly. "We intend to address the town council and get them aboard too," he added."Our immediate goal and the outcome of this Action Plan is for the Springdale Town Council to adopt a resolution establishing a partnership with Citizens of Greater Springdale (C.O.G.S.) and its Renewable Energy committee, and Make-A-Difference Foundation to organize a steering committee that encourages, accelerates, and advises in fulfilling the goal of twelve renewable energy systems to be installed locally by December 2010." Easterly added. The Action Plan asks for community support from commercial businesses and organizations, and private individuals, in fulfilling this goal.

EIGHT RENEWABLE ENERGY APPLICATIONS IDENTIFIED 

To claim validity in renewable energy practices, the partnership has identified eight applications suitable for Springdale. They include solar-electricity, solar collection, wind, micro-hydro generation, wood waste combustion, borehole thermal, solar combustion air, and hydrogen fuel.

COLLABORATION KEY TO SUCCESS

C.O.G.S. is new to renewal energy advocacy, Make-A-Difference Foundation is not. In 2004, the foundation began advocating the use of renewable energy in the home and small business market through its "Green Acre Project." The organization has a mission of inspiring people to inquire and acquire wind an solar systems to grid-tie with local utility companies. As a non-profit, Make-A-Difference Foundation provides educational and hands-on experiences regarding renewable energies and makes solar and wind systems available to consumers at wholesale prices.

Special Focus - Synergy of Springdale (SOS)

Evolving out of the Horizons Circles, SOS tackled Springdale's basic needs. First on their list was creating activities for senior citizens living in the greater Springdale area. Their solution is the Senior Social event held weekly at the Community Church on Wednesday at noon. This popular event started in late summer with two participants. Today, over 25 honored guests enjoy a variety of hot lunches, companionship, bingo, and movies. Below is a slideshow honoring the volunteers and their successful work making Synergy of Springdale a progessive Horizons team project.

C.O.G.S. Community Center

Thanks to the Horizon program, Springdale has a community center!!!!!!! Located on Shaffer Street (the main drag in Springdale) a former restaurant and bar, the building has a commercial kitchen, cooler, handicap accessibility, 2,200 sq.feet and a back and side yard with enough space for a Farmers Market. The many months of meetings, hours of planning have been worth the time and effort. The center provides a home for the continuation of involving our citizens in further planning and implementing projects gleaned from the Horizon program.

Updates

Upcoming Meetings/Education 2008

April 2- SOS (Senior Social) Pot Luck at the Springdale Community Church- noon
April 16 & 23- no Senior Social
April 4- Sus. Comm. Video- WSU ext. Colville- 10-11am, can be viewed on the web
April 8- Steering Comm.- HS Library- Springdale- 7-9pm
April 12 & 13- Green Fest.- Convention Center- Seattle- 10-8pm going green
April 17- Michael Shuman- Ag & Trade Building- Colville-9:30-4pm-going local, eco. dev.
April 18 & 19- Susan Howlett- WSU ext. Colville- 8:30-4pm grant writing
April 22- Pioneer Center, White Salmon- 9:30-4pm Building Skills for Prosperity
April 26- WSU ext. Colville-10-2pm computer class #2 (Hunters is paying, space limited)
May 3 & 4- Living Lightly Institute, Goldendale- 10am- Renewable Energy & Organic Gardening
May 10- WSU ext. Colville-10-2pm computer class #3 (Hunters is paying, space limited)

To be announced:
Patrick Malone- grant writing
Writing a business plan

The New COGS

Springdale Horizons Steering Committee Meeting

Mar. 11, 2008 at 7pm Mary Walker School Library

A ‘WANTED’ (ALIVE) post was distributed on flyers and posted on the blogspot to inform people of the upcoming meeting. There were 10 ALIVE members attending the meeting including: Claudia King, Colleen & Jerry Dodge, Lela Taylor, Margie Wood, Mike Pammler, Raqeebah Amatallah, Sue Cox, Terry Waters, and Janet Jensen.

Interim Board is as follows:
Chairperson- Sue Cox
Co-chair- Susan Lattin
Secretary- Janet Jensen & Raqeebah Amatallah
Treasurer- Terry Waters
Blog/Reporter- Mike Easterly, Jerry Dodge, & Janet Jensen
Board Members- Margie Wood, Lela Taylor, Claudia King, & Donna Steig
Advisory- Mike Pammler & Sonny Clemmer
Authorized to sign checks- Mike Pammler, Lela Taylor, Terry Waters, & Claudia King

Ideas for our group name was discussed and voted upon:
Citizens Of A Greater Springdale (COGS)
The name above is the main 'tree' and our branches are:
Synergy of Springdale (SOS)
Economic Development
Radio Station
Habitat for Humanity
Community Center

Alternative Energy
If there are other branches growing on us, please let me know.

It was discussed that the 501C3, mission statement, bylaws, etc. are in the beginning stages. Lela provided the information to obtain an EIN number from IRS for a nonprofit status. Anyone is welcome with input for getting the grants.

There is $4,000 to be spent by June 2008 from the Horizon Project for education. Upcoming:
March 19- Leslie Jones- WSU ext. Colville- 5:30-8pm micro lending
March 20- Cathy McMorris Rogers- Spokane- 8:30-12pm grant writing
March 22- WSU ext. Colville-computer class #1 (Hunters is paying, space limited)
April 12 & 13- Green Fest.- Convention Center- Seattle- 10-8pm going green
April 17- Michael Shuman- WSU ext. Colville- -going local
April 18 & 19- Susan Howlett- WSU ext. Colville- 8:30-4pm grant writing
April 26- WSU ext. Colville-computer class #2 (Hunters is paying, space limited)
May 10- WSU ext. Colville-computer class #3 (Hunters is paying, space limited)
To be announced:
Patrick Malone- grant writing
Writing a business plan

Youth group of about 20 students will be doing tasks for the community. Mike Pammler will have details.
Meeting closed just before 9 pm. The next meeting will be held at the Mary Walker School Library on April 8, 2008 at 7 pm.

What is Horizons?

What Is Horizons?


You ask, and why should my opinion be important? Well guess what, we all belong to a community. Communities are only as strong as the people who inhabit them. If our people are in need of help, due to economic down turns, health problems, social isolation, lack of appropriate shelter, education, etc. we, as a community, have within us the power to change these situations.

Horizons is a program whose goals are to give communities like ours, the tools to develop leadership, improve the local economy, and reduce poverty. Now you can’t beat that!

Horizons is not a government program, not a hand out or a top down program. Horizons is a grass roots endeavor to create prosperity in small rural areas like ours. Horizons was founded by The Northwest Foundation, associated with The Pew Endowment for social change, and W.S.U. Extension, Colville, as the local sponsor.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever does.” Margaret Mead

Our democracy is only as strong as our middle class.

WANTED

WANTED

(ALIVE)

Springdale Horizon Group is looking for positive, active, motivated people to participate in the action process of the Horizon's program.

A meeting will be held at the Mary Walker School Library on Mar. 11, 2008 at 7:00pm.

Past, present, and new people are invited to attend.

REWARD

A community that is strong, healthy, safe, self-reliant, economically developed, poverty reduced, leadership expanded for individuals and families.