Colorado Transition Network

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS ON COLORADO TRANSITION NETWORK

I'm thinking that we might consider organizing our Re-skilling into guild type groups or associations. Each group or guild could have a location to visit on this site, complete with resources and names of members who could serve as mentors to others wishing to learn new skills. We could include custom Google-map links to maps that include resources specific the needs of individuals interested in learning or practicing a given skill. For instance, a "Light Carpentry" guild would provide suggestions for sources of supplies such as Resource 2000, McGuckin Hardware, Internet resources, suggestions for how to obtain equipment and supplies via Craigs List, etc. They could keep a list of members owning equipment they would be willing to share with others, as well as a list of members willing to give time to instruct others in the context of projects. For instance, if somebody wanted to build a raised garden bed and had no idea what a lag screw was, or how to pick out a two-by-four or how to cut it, this person could contact the guild and find somebody to show them the ropes.
We could have guilds based on fairly broad catagories, such as a "Textiles" or "Clothing" guild, and within this group would be folks who can knit or crochet, people who can sew and repair clothes, people who like to invent and design equipment using textiles (e.g. backpacks, technical jackets). A guild such as this would be able to consult with The Handweaver's Guild in Boulder, staff at Shuttles, Spindles and Skeins, the local Bernina shop, Jo Ann Fabrics, Neptune Mountaineering, etc.
I think that guilds would also be able to put on Reskilling classes, potentially on a rotating schedule so as to increase the offerings for Reskilling. Other ideas I have for guilds would be:
-Small appliance repair (keep it out of the landfill!)
-Home plumbing repair
-Brewing and Fermentation (need an airlock?)
-Functional pottery
-Leatherworking (know any cobblers?)
-Computer repair (things that move and get hot)
-Bread baking (more fermentation)
-Cheesemaking (even more fermentation)
-Vegetable Gardening
-Food Storage
What do you think?

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I like the guilds idea. Although it kind of reminds me of my scout days! : )
Some others might include (and will probably need sexier names than this):
- Water collection and purification
- Greenhouses, cold frames and winter gardening
- Foraging (native plants and identification)
- Gleaning
- Advanced recycling (highly complex machines, old dwellings, etc.)
- Human powered vehicles
- Energy Generation
- Livestock (chickens, sheep, cows, rabbits, etc)

On another note, your pictures are lovely and your greenhouse is truly cool! I mean, warm! I'm inspired.
Your suggestions for guilds are great! Maybe we could encourage others to sign up for these based on their interests, experience and abilities and then set up "virtual shop" on this web page. I would find it very interesting to know where people's interests and investment are.

I'm glad you like the looks of my greenhouse and my pictures! Plants are so very photogenic...
I think this is a great idea! It really captures the essence of what the transition movement is all about: reconnecting with community, sharing resources/knowledge/ equipment. It's all just a matter of organization, but the cost would be minimal with huge potential benefits. I would add to the reskilling list: medicinal herbs, soap-making, candle-making, green cleaning, self-healing techniques, composting

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