Panels and Speaker Program

FRIDAY

Rogue Valley Mayors Sustainability Initiatives

Friday, July 3rd @ 3:00pm – Main Stage

Whatever your idea is of sustainability, it is clear that all municipalities, no matter what their size, are faced with considerable financial and social challenges all of which have at their root the dual ideas of cheap oil and open disposable systems. The cities and towns of the Rogue Valley are blessed with an abundance of natural resources and creative innovative population used to developing creative out-of-the box solutions to core challenges. Come here how some of our local mayors are cultivating sustainable communities through public policy.

Some questions that may be addressed include:

What does sustainability mean to you as a mayor and how does it affect your day-to-day actions, policies and decisions as an elected official of your community?
What specific actions have you taken for your community since taking office that are considered sustainable?
What is your vision for sustainability in your community over the next 10 to 20 years? Please be specific.
How do you see the progress you make toward a more sustainable community affecting other communities in our valley? How can all the cities and communities in the valley work more effectively together?
What role can citizens take in helping to make our communities more sustainable?

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Jeff Golden
John Stromberg, Mayor, City of Ashland
Carlos DeBritto, Mayor, City of Phoenix

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Building Energy Efficiency

 Friday, July 3th @ 3:00pm in Breakout Room #2 (White Medium)

You are invited to come to the 2:00 P. M. seminar explaining SIPs and ICF’s to learn about the product qualities and characteristics and then attend the panel discussion at 3:00 to discover more about how to use them in building your own home or commercial building. www.eco-panel.org

Join Eco-Panel and their panelists:

John Turman: Building Designer; Co-owner of Design Residential, Inc. and Eco-Panel, L.L.C.
Gary Dorris: Award Winning, Certified Sustainable Builder; Owner of Dorris Construction; Co-Owner of Eco-Panel, L.L.C.
Carole Berg: ADPPA Certified Building Designer; Co-owner of Design Residential and -Panel, L.L.C.
Allen Resnick: Home owner of a home with ICF’s and SIPs
Steve Sirianni: Builder and home-owner of a home currently being built of SIPs and another related building product, Faswall

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

SATURDAY

Health & Wellness Empowerment

Saturday, July 4th @ 4:00pm – Breakout Room # 1 (Red Large)

Getting and staying healthy is no longer an option; it is an economic and social imperative. Whether you are young, middle-aged or a senior you know the value of good health; and, you know that a doctor is not going to make you healthy. Join our esteemed panel as they discuss core issues around health and wellness empowerment and what it means for you in these changing times. Questions can include:

Please define health and wellness empowerment from your perspective and background and why empowerment is the key word.
What do you consider the essence of good health and how do you take care of yourself? What was your personal path to gaining health and wellness?
What health or treatment modalities are included in health and wellness? How is it different than conventional allopathic medicine?
Why all these different health modalities? Why not just go to a regular MD and get the healthcare you need?
How is the current healthcare system, some would say disease care system, non-functional? What would you suggest as a means for people to deal with its dis-function?

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Mara Jackson, Denizen TV
Linda Cotrufello, Healthy Transformation
Michael Pope, Acupuncture
Nanci Koerber, Melaleuca
Kimberly Ulrich, Ashland Ayurveda
Bonnie Nedrow, Hidden Springs
James Jordan, Nutritional Consultant

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Green-Building, Certification & Financing

Saturday, July 4th @ 5:00pm – Breakout Room # 2 (White Medium)

Building a green home, getting it financed and certified for occupancy is similar to a conventional home yet there are little tricks of the trade that, if you know them, will make the process smoother, more enjoyable, faster and potentially less expensive.

Join our panel of experts as they explore the ins and outs of green building, including answers to:

What makes a building green? What kinds of certifications are there? How do I get my home certified green?
What types of building types are considered green? Straw bale? Cob? Adobe?
Do I need a certified green architect to build a certified green home? How do I find a green architect or builder?
Why and how is financing a green home different than a conventional home?
Are green homes more expensive than conventional homes? What is the value I get from building green? How much longer is the payback period? Is the home worth more at resale?
What are the core reasons for doing a green retrofit or remodel?
What are some specific green improvements that can lower costs of home ownership?
What are some specific green improvements that increase the value of your home?
How do the financial payback periods compare with conventional retrofits or remodels?
What types of financial incentives are available for homeowners wanting to green their home?

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Don McCoy, Oregon Green Homes
Nabil Taha, Precision Structural Engineering
John & Carole Turman - Berg, Design Residential (green building design)
Bruce Carpenter, inERGY Homes - Green Builder
Nick Terrano, inERGY Homes - EarthAdvantage Trained Contractor

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Sustainable Living Programs

Friday, July 3rd @ 4:00pm – Breakout Room # 1 (Red Large)

Learn how to make your home or business more sustainable. You can save resources and money through efficient practices. Energy, green materials, indoor environmental quality, water conservation, and green building standards will be discussed. Becoming a green business is healthy for your business. Sustainability practices benefit your customers, community and coworkers. Get recommendations for using green materials and products, reducing consumption, and improving recycling.

Join the wave of the future and improve your triple bottom line:

Facilitator: Shelley Lotz, Sustainable Living Programs (green building)
Karen Chase, Oregon Department of Energy
Larry Giardina, Ashland Conservation Department
Steve Asher, Eco-Solutions & Asher Homes
Jim McGinnis, Oregon Conservation Commission

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Creating Green Economy, Jobs & Businesses

Friday, July 3rd @ 5:00pm – Breakout Room # 1 (Red Large)

It is apparent to virtually everyone that applying green and sustainable principles to all aspects of our society is a key to rebuilding our national economy. But, practically speaking, what does this mean for everyday businesses and what does it mean for an economy that is becoming increasing high technology oriented. Join our panelists as they discuss how a green economy has already started in the Rogue Valley, what it means for our regional economy and how you can be part of it.

Some questions that may be discussed include:

What is a green economy? What defines a green business?
What is the triple bottom line? How does that affect conventional businesses? How does it affect a regional economy?
What are the differences between a green business and a traditional business? How can a business move from traditional to green?
Are green businesses any more profitable than conventional businesses? How is profit defined?
What practical steps can a conventional business take on a day-to-day basis to transition to being green?
How do you start a green business? What resources are available in the Rogue Valley to assist?

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Marc Strauch
Mark Von Holle
Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection (solar energy and green jobs)

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Green Transportation & Electric Vehicles

Saturday, July 4th @ 3:00pm – Breakout Room (Red Large)

Individual petroleum-powered vehicles have been at the core of our country’s economic development for the past 90+ years. The automobile and related industries fueled suburban development and with it the erosion of vitally productive farm lands leading to irrevocable changes in land use. The decline of a petroleum-based economy poses many questions affecting the economic ecosystem of the Rogue Valley, not least of which are basic activities such as getting to work or school as well as medical and social systems. This panel will explore what it means to live and work in an agriculturally-based community that is moving toward greater urbanization yet is caught in the web of classical American suburbanization due to formerly cheap gas.

Some questions our panel could address include:

How do you see oil / gasoline prices affecting consumer choices in cars and other personal transportation vehicles?
What alternatives does the Rogue Valley have for personal transportation? How much time do we have to make a reasonably smooth transition?
How has the use of non-traditionally fueled vehicles altered the economic and social fabric of the Rogue Valley? What trends are appearing? How might they influence the Valley over the next 10 to 20 years?
What role can consumers play in this transition? What role for government? What role for business? For NGOs?
What is your vision for green transportation in the Rogue Valley?

Panelists include:

Facilitator:
Becky Brown , Ashland Car Share (membership car-share program)
David or Elycia, Rising Phoenix Biofuels (alternative fuel)
Chris Benware, Rogue Biofuels (alternative fuel)
Sean Rarey, Grants Pass Electric Vehicles (electric vehicles)

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Conservation, Recycling & Saving Energy

Saturday, July 4th @ 5:00pm – Breakout Room # 2 (White Medium)

Conservation and recycling are an essential part of a new green economy. Yes, many people think that if we recycle our plastics, glass and paper that we are doing our part. But, this is just a small piece of the puzzle. Do we know where our water comes from? Do we know where our waste goes? Do we use everything to its maximum value? Do we fully recognize the first law of thermodynamics in every act we take? The first law of thermodynamics, an expression of the principle of conservation of energy, states that energy can be transformed, changed from one form to another, but it can neither be created nor destroyed. Join our panelists as they explore these fundamental concepts for the green economy.

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Larry Korn
Barbara & Kevin Talbert, Master Recycling (coordinated recycling for TOGE)

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Living Off-the-Grid, Renewable Energy & Micro-Utilities

Saturday, July 4th @ 6:00pm – Breakout Room # 1 (Red Large)

In these times of rising fuel and electric prices and significant geo-political challenges to our country’s energy ecosystem it is obvious that transitioning to renewable energy systems and locally produced and distributed power are essential components of true energy independence and self-sufficiency. Join our panelists as they discuss what is happening in the Rogue Valley and how you can be part of the solution.

Some questions that can be posed include:

Where does southern Oregon get its energy? Liquid fuels and electricity? Does Oregon produce much of its own energy? What does this mean for our regional and state economy?
What sources of renewable energy are available to us now in the Rogue Valley? Is this at the municipal or regional level? How can it be financed? What are the benefits to consumers and the Valley?
Is living off the grid really an option? Doesn’t that mean doing without 21st century conveniences provided by electricity?
What are micro-utilities? What value do they provide the Rogue Valley? Is it practical for small producers or individual home-owners or communities?
What can individual home-owners do right now to move toward their own energy self-sufficiency?

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Jeanne Manning
Raymond Brown, GBDS.USR
Mike Houser, Ocean Energy Management (combining ocean wave, current and wind energy in coastal Oregon)
John David Van Hove, GBDS.US for Stirling Energy Systems (provided early angel funding for largest solar-thermal technology)

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

SUNDAY

Food Self-Sufficiency & Local Food Systems

Sunday, July 5th @ 12:00 NOON – Main Stage

Rising prices for store-bought food based on a petroleum-focused ecosystem of growers, fertilizers, and transporters ha ve changed the way many people make their food choices. No longer are foods grown thousands of miles away and out-of-season financially viable or practical for many consumers. The Rogue Valley is blessed with an abundance of natural resources that enable local food self-sufficiency and an abundance of knowledgeable people who help provide a local ecosystem of knowledge and action.

Topics for this panel presentation may include:

What does food self-sufficiency mean to you? Is it feasible? …practical?...within what time frame?
Is there a relationship between locally grown and organic food and a positive effect on local/ regional economics?
What fallback provisions are in place if transportation and other prices become prohibitive and food must be sourced locally or at least regionally?
What role does the community, non-profits and local governments play in achieving food self-sufficiency?
What are 5 things that anyone can do right now to begin a path toward their own food self-sufficiency?

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Larry Korn, Translator for One Straw Revolution
Mary Shaw, Culinary Educator, Ashland Food Co-op
Wendy Siporin, THRIVE
Scott McGuire, Co-Creative Living
Maud Powell or Phil Van Buskirk, OSU Extension in Central Point
Christopher Daugherty, Dynamic Food Systems & Spontaneity Quest

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Rogue Valley Community Sustainability Initiatives

Sunday, July 5th @ 1:00pm – Breakout Room # 1 (Red Large)

Sustainability is a community effort. There are pockets of activity all over the valley, each with their own perspective and context of how to create sustainable communities. There are no rules and there is no “right” way. But, there is a lot of exploration and many people eager to connect with others to find out what sustainability and community mean to them. Join our panelists as they discuss cutting edge initiatives in the Rogue Valley.

Some topics could include:

What are some of the sustainability initiative that are represented today on this panel? How did they start? How far along are they? How or why did you, personally, get involved?
Is this a national or global movement? Is there any order or structure to it?
How is local government involved (if at all)? What role do local citizens play?
How can people find out more about local/regional groups and get involved? What actions can an individual take?

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Jeff Golden, Southern Oregon Town Hall
Shaktari Belew, Transition Towns
Melanie Mindlin, Ashland Planning Commission Sustainability Committee
Lisa Parvati, The Wellness Guide

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Community Exchange Systems

Sunday, July 5th @ 1:00pm – Breakout Room # 2 (White Medium)

We’ve all been part of the recent massive shifts in our nation’s economy over the last year. Whether you believe that the US dollar is in irretrievable freefall or that it will rebound, one thing is clear: people have less cash to purchase needed goods and services and the chimera of easy credit is no longer viable (even if it were available). Join our panelists as they discuss alternative means to exchanging value that enable win-win situation for traditional buyers and sellers.

Some topics could include:

Define community exchange systems and provide some historic context.
What types of community exchange systems are in use today and where?
How are they used? How effective are they? What percentage of the local/regional economy do they account for?
What community exchange systems are being proposed for use in the Rogue Valley?
What practical steps can be taken locally/regionally to implement a community exchange systems? How can people get involved in local/regional groups that are already active?

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Eugene Casternovia
Crystal Arnold, Crystal Consults
Sharon Miranda, Our Next Change
John David Van Hove, Cascadia HOUR
Shaktari Belew, Will’s Bills
Catie Feryl

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Student & Youth Action

Sunday, July 5th @ 2:00pm, Main Stage

Topic: Youth and the Environment; An Evolutionary Look from Grade School to College

Youth representatives: Grade school, John Muir School, middle school, high school, home school, Wilderness school, college/ SOU

The Oregon Green Expo wants to provide a public forum in which youth from the Rogue Valley can express their views on environmental and green issues and share with the public the actions they are taking to make a positive difference in our community. Five students of varying ages representing different schools and community will participate in a question and answer panel moderated by a facilitator.

Questions could include:

What do you and your peers see as the most critical environmental or green issues facing humanity and the planet today?
How are these global challenges relevant to your life in the Rogue Valley?
What types of actions are you and your peers taking to address these challenges?
What do you see about environmental issues that you wish adults could see and understand?
What actions do you wish adults or your parents would take about green issues?
If you could say one thing to President Obama about the environment, what would you say? What request would you have? What action would you want him to take?

Panelists include:

Facilitator:
Karen Logan, Author of Clean House, Clean Planet
Taliesien Deliverance, Home School
Heather Huntley, Medford High School and Kidz Zone Coordinator
Zachery Krebs, Youth Leadership Council
Wylie Bettinger, The Acorn Project

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Entrepreneurial Rogue Valley, Green Financing & Socially Responsible Investing

Sunday, July 5th @ 2:00pm – Breakout Room # 2 (White Medium)

The traditional model of the rugged individualist entrepreneur who single-handedly builds a business has morphed into a more sustainable and life-supporting networked team each with specialized business and technical skills. Building a thriving regional green economy requires an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, skilled workers, angel and subsequent funding, government support. Join our panelists as they discuss what is happening in the Rogue Valley.

What defines an entrepreneur these days? What are some examples of new or up-and-coming green businesses in the Rogue Valley? How did these businesses start?
What is socially responsible investing? How is it different than traditional/conventional investing? What role does it play in entrepreneurship? How does it relate to green financing?
Is there a typical process for entrepreneurs to start a business?...get funding?...launch a product?
What resources or organizations are available in the Rogue Valley/southern Oregon to help entrepreneurs? Are there local or online networks? Business incubators? How to get involved?

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Marc Strauch
Jobie McCormick, Conscous Financial Planning
David Wick, Triple Bottom Line 21
Paul Mace, Navaware

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Social Networking Media for Building Local Communities

Sunday, July 5th @ 3:00pm – Breakout Room # 1 (Red Large)

The rapid use of online social networking technologies has changed our world. But what does the virtual world have to do with our local and regional community? Turns out, that there is a direct one-to-one relationship between what happens virtually and what can happen locally. This panel will explore the interface between online and physical municipalities and how each informs and facilities community.

Some questions that may be addressed include:

What is an online social network? How do they work? What are some popular online social networks? Why do people use them? Are there any local or regional online social networks?
Explain the differences and similarities between virtual and real communities and how, in some ways, they are mirrors of each other.
How do you make the cross-over from being an online community to the physical community?
How can social networks influence what happens locally? What tools are available in the online social networking world that can be applied in the local/regional physical world?
How does a person take their physical community and make an online social network?

Panelists include:

Facilitator: Ed Taylor
Sharon Miranda, Web Spirit Community
Jason Gallagher, EQ.TV
John David Van Hove, Ashland Resource Center
Shaktari Belew, Transition Towns
Lisa Pavati, Ashland Wellness Guide

See all keynotes and breakout rooms.

Seed Saving, CSA’s, Permaculture & Organic Agriculture

Sunday, July 5th @ 3:00pm – Breakout Room # 2 (White Medium)

The Rogue Valley is blessed with an abundance of arable land and water resources. Yet, with significant changes in climate and an economy in which much of our food supply is sourced from petroleum-based agriculture imported by petroleum-based transportation it has become more evident that community agriculture, locally or home-grown foods and organic and other specialty forms of agriculture that are based on live seeds and local systems need to make up a greater percentage of our local food systems. These are important issues, especially when considering changes in weather systems which impact ground and surface water as well as local economics.

Join our panelists as they ponder many questions including:

How much of our food is grown or sourced locally, say within 100 miles of Medford?
How is organic agriculture different from permaculture and different from conventional agriculture?
What is community supported agriculture? How is it different than growing a garden in your back yard?
What is seed saving? Why is it important? Does it have anything to do with genetically modified foods?
What groups or organizations in the Rogue Valley are working on local food sustainability? What if food can no longer be trucked from California or Mexico…..where would we get our food?
What can an individual citizen do? What can school kids do? Seniors? What role does government play?

Panelsits include: