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Colin, Don, Ken, Lisa, JR, Linda, Pam, Woody, Dave, Ross, Micky, Bob, Lenny and Mike welcomed Karen, Kim, Mark, Steve and Kathryn to their first meeting.

After a brief round of introductions and explanation of the meeting format , the group listed items for open space discussion:

• The (VS Chicago) Intranet -- what do you think so far? Why haven't you posted any news, events, etc.? Is it worth having? Suggestions for generating activity?
• Living off the Grid
• "Helping" appliances become more GREEN
• How do you live by V.S. (voluntary simplicity) principles when you live in an affluent neighborhood?
• Does Simplicity provide meaning.. Necessary vs. sufficient?
• New York Times article, "The pursuit of Less" -- Live in Big City & still survive, Community, Trends
• What is your life's organizing principle now that you're aware of YMOYL (the book, Your Money Or Your Life)?
• How are the Fishes doing?

The group reviewed and arranged the items, creating five discussion spaces (two spaces would convene concurrently in time slot #1, two spaces would convene in time slot #2, and the fifth space when the groups reconvene before noon to share insights from the meeting). Here are some highlights from the five open space discussions…

NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE & HOW TO LIVE BY V.S. PRINCIPLES IN AN AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOOD...
Don read an article in a recent issue of the New York Times that reported the struggles of living a "simple life" in the city. Mention was made of a reasonable dinner for four costing $1500, how "Simplicity" has become a marketing buzz word, and what folks are doing to get a sense of community going. Several new magazines have hit the newsstands espousing the simple life through flimsy feature articles and heavily advertising all the stuff one absolutely needs in order to live simply. The article did mention the book, Your Money Or Your Life, but however falsely reported coauthors Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez are married.

Discussion then progressed to living simply in an affluent neighborhood. After moving, Kim found herself in a very nice neighborhood. She however quickly became aware that cutting her own lawn and driving a seven year old car wasn't what the other neighbors were doing or expecting of someone living in their neighborhood. Kim and her family enjoyed a great summer. They slowed down the pace of life by recognizing what truly made them happy -- and it wasn't keeping up with the Joneses. The group suggested staying in touch with others practicing simplicity (those who encounter life more consciously and directly) as one means of continuing the simple life.

HELPING APPLIANCES BECOME GREEN & LIVING OFF THE GRID...
Micky asked about "Green Plugs" and Woody did a great job of explaining how they work/when they should be used. Recommended for 1992 AND OLDER refrigerators/freezers, window air conditions and washer/gas dryers, the plugs sense electrical flow and then automatically adjust that flow for maximum efficiency. The importance of keeping refrigerator coils clean was then discussed -- Mike got in the habit of cleaning coils once a month and noticed the appliance runs much quieter. An inexpensive "coil cleaning brush" and a vacuum cleaner does a great job. The appliance then runs less, which should then increase its longevity. Ross mentioned an article comparing Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV's) energy consumption to that of a standard passenger automobile. The SUV would use more energy in ONE YEAR, equivalent to: leaving your refrigerator door open for 6 years, OR leaving your TV turned on for 28 years.

Kathryn and Steve then shared their experiences with "living off the grid" in Michigan. While not their original intent to do so, circumstances, the beauty of the surroundings and growing awareness of the environment provided them opportunity to learn and live without electricity for the past twenty-five years. The group was much appreciative of their sharing. Steve said the only time they are aware the electricity is off in their town is when they hear static on their radio, meaning the radio station has lost power. They use a gas refrigerator, can leave their home for extended periods of time without worry, and enjoy a very real sense of community as neighbors routinely drop over "unannounced" (from Mike: anyone remember those days... when folks just got together without need to consult their calenders?). Steve also mentioned they seek not so much a self-sustaining life style, but one that is less dependant.

HOW ARE THE FISHES DOING...
Mark enjoys life as a Marine Biologist doing fish population studies in Alaska. He reports the fish are not doing well. Over fishing is one of the biggest problems (where huge nets used commercially trap and kill everything -- even the small younger fish). But "Sport Fishing" is causing declines too. Seems the sportsmen trample through spawning areas, crushing eggs and destroying habitat.

DOES SIMPLICITY PROVIDE MEANING/NECESSARY VERS SUFFICIENT & WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE NOT THAT YOU'RE AWARE OF YMOYL...
Discussion included: "How do you balance meaningful, socially significant work with living simply? Is possible to have so much of this work that it causes your life to become very hectic and stressful?? If it's socially significant and meaningful, how do you find balance???" Kathryn shared a measure she uses when doing community work -- "What energy are you receiving in return for what you are doing? If you are receiving a lot of energy, the work is good for you. If you are continually drained, perhaps it is time to disenfranchise yourself from some of it, which would then allow others to have the opportunity to do that work".

THE VS INTRANET...
We discussed progress so far, potential improvements and ways to remind folks of the intranet page. Folks need not worry if an activity they come across should be posted -- just post it to the community calendar. You can also make use of the e-mail option to let folks automatically know of upcoming events. Mike will send an e-mail to the VS mailing list reminding them about the page.