Ecosophia Midsummer 2026

[peter_van_erp]

This, my first entry on Dreamwidth. is my link for anyone who has ideas for expanding the Annual Ecosophia midsummmer potluck which I host.

Both JMG and Erica Lopez, on the Ecosophia post of July 2, suggested we expand to a multi day event similar to Ecosophia Glastonbury 2025.

2025 https://www.ecosophia.net/climate-change-an-unwelcome-future/

We need help in organizing.

We need people who are able to lead discussions or present.

I have ideas for what to do here in Divine Providence.

Comments

(frozen)

[michele7]

Hi, sorry to be picky, but you wrote above JULY 19-21, 2026. You mean JUNE, right?

What is the format going to look like? Workshops? Discussions? Are people going to be on their own to get food? I'm in central Florida, but I'm happy to help. I may even consider leading a workshop on some of the Frugal Friday ideas, if that's something people might be interested in.

[erikalopez]

thanks for setting this up, Peter. this is soooo hella cool.
(setting up this acct aaargh!)
xxxxx

[inavalon]

A quiet little voice prompted me to announce my interest in this event. Perhaps I'm one of those tentative quiets who just needs a nudge to fly. [Hi Erika :)]

I'm Goldenhawk, currently active in the Yeats -- A Vision book club on Ecosophia.

[erikalopez]

x!

[erikalopez]

Goldenhawk, thank you! Fly with us!
xxxxx

Correct date, format

[peter_van_erp]

I meant June 19-21, 2026.
I forsee some presentations, a couple guided tours of Providence history, a meeting with Roger Williams, with at least one planned dinner.

[jasonhep]

Consider me interested in coming. I did a presentation at the Glastonbury conference about the eco-philosopher Arne Naess - I'd be happy to do something similar.

Looking forward to hearing more :-)

Jason

Ecosophia MidSummer

[jepspinner]

Peter,
I am interested in attending and would be happy to organize a get together for those interested in fiber arts and herbs and can provide more detail as we go along. Your potlucks have always been something I was sorry to miss, but couldn't justify the trip; if we are doing a three day program, I have to come! I live in Virginia and so would drive up for the event.
Thanks,
Jean

[scotlyn]

Hi Peter, and Erika,
I will not make this event, but I wish it every success!

One tidbit I will offer is this. Brigid, who did a lot of the organising for Glastonbury, was very quick to ASK me to give a talk on acupuncture, as soon as I expressed my interest in attending. I really didn't want to give a talk, so I volunteered to do a couple of practical things INSTEAD. (some sample needling and a "sitting posture" workshop for meditators)...

But, a mere couple of weeks before the event, Brigid sent out her schedule (which, incidentally, she was still revising up to the last minute), and I realised that I was STILL marked down for the talk I didn't want to give AND the other practical sessions I had volunteered for. Anyway, in the heel of the hunt I squared my shoulders and went through with it, and it went better than expected.

What I am trying to point out here is that, if I had not been dragooned, I would NOT have volunteered. On the other hand, since it seemed to go well, I enjoyed that part of the weekend more than I expected. Of course, the unprogrammed eating and drinking sessions each evening also went swimmingly. Something about people meeting people whose names or handles you've been reading for ages makes it all magical.

So, basically, I will offer two pieces of advice.
1) don't be shy about asking people to give talks or presentations on stuff that you know interests them. They may not, in a million years, have considered volunteering. ;)
2) don't worry too much. It will be a blast! People will find one another and enjoy one another! Regardless! :)


All going well, I'll send another wee bottle to toast with.

Be well, stay free!

[walt_f]

My experience in organizing events (such as small conventions) is several decades out of date. But for what it's worth, I do have that experience. So I might be able to advise and, because I also live an hour's drive from Providence, assist.

The fly in the ointment is my wife's condition, whose progression I can't predict in advance and which may make it more difficult for me to actually attend. I would love to be intensively involved in planning and in the event but I'm afraid of not being able to deliver when the time comes.

I think the most basic decision is, will Adocentyn take place entirely at your property or will there be a venue (rented meeting space)? A whole lot of other questions depend on that. I assume you're not planning on renting space, but if you are, you need to book now, and consider how you're going to cover the cost (e.g. patron donors or admission fees). Weather is a potential issue if you're using your yard. Consider a rented "tent" canopy as an option. I don't have any experience with public park events but Providence allows gatherings of 25-100 in public parks with a $100 or $150 permit, presumably per day. I imagine such park gatherings would be very "public" in terms of curious onlookers being around. There don't seem to be any permits required for gatherings below 25 people in public parks so that's a consideration for daytime outings. I recall you seem to have an ample collection of chairs for your own yard. Might some activities require a large table to sit around? There are ways to improvise that.

The events I ran didn't involve providing or catering food (apart from weddings that are in a whole different league cost-wise). For my gaming conventions I would write up a printed local food guide with a map to nearby restaurants, ranging from the very cheapest I could find to moderate fine dining not requiring reservations, as well as bars and food markets, with hours and typical prices. Maybe that's not necessary nowadays with apps. (That's what I meant about being out of date.) I'd advise against providing any meals on-site (I know you do fine with the potlucks but the focus on an event is different); maybe plan some deliveries that attendees can buy into. Just providing soft drinks or even just cups and ice for bring-your-own is a lot to do for three days, though is probably worthwhile for general comfort.

[michael_20]

Definitely want to get on the list to attend. Is there still time for that?

I'm not sure I have expertise in anything that other ecosophians would want to hear about. :-) But I'll try to think of something.

Michael

[michael_20]

Hmmm .... Do you think there would be any interest in a talk on "Certification in an Age of Decline"?