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Our Committees

In 1997 Imago began to plan its first EarthSpirit Rising Conference. It was decided that the majority of the planning and implementation of the conference would be accomplished by volunteers. The plan came out of an awareness of how many people are deeply interested in the concept of ecology and spirituality and are willing to volunteer to bring about this really exciting conference. The second reason was our belief that many people who would want to come to this conference live simply. With volunteers doing much of the work on the conference we have been able to keep the cost extremely low.

Below are the committees and committee members for this EarthSpirit Rising Conference on Ecology, Spirituality and Living Economies.

Executive

The Executive Committee selects the theme for the bi-annual EarthSpirit Rising Conference and does the early work of identifying and contacting speakers. The Executive Committee draws together the planning committees and sets their creative energies working to develop an exciting, stimulating conference. The less creative but essential work of conference administration and participant registration also belong to the Executive Committee.

Committee members include:

• Chris Clements
• Elizabeth Cummings
• Rob Monteserin
• Louise Lawarre
• Eileen Schenk
• Jim Schenk
• Bob Staggenborg

Communications

The task of this committee is to get the word out to people about the Imago’s EarthSpirit Rising 2009. There are many people who would want to be a part of this timely and important conference who will miss it because they will not hear about it. Our job is to reduce this number. The Committee has the responsibility for developing this website, and for bringing together focalizers from cities across the Midwest who will help let people know about the conference in their cities. It will also put together newsletter articles, press releases, e-mail blitzes, and other forms of information that will help the focalizers carry out their task of informing people about the conference. The committee members will also be willing to travel to different communities to support the focalizers by talking about this exciting conference to people the focalizers feel can help get the word out.

Committee members include:

• Jim Schenk
• Suellyn Shupe
• Mary Lu Lageman
• Vince Stross

Fundraising

The Fundraising Committee is charged with securing financial support in order to make the conference a success on many levels. Strong financial support makes it possible to bring some of the most innovative thinkers as plenary presenters; and it helps keep the fees for the conference affordable so cost is not a limiting factor for attendance. In addition, the process of securing financial support brings committee members into conversation with businesses, organizations and communities, building connections and networks around the region. The seeds of energy and creativity germinated at the conference can take root within these networks and grow into local living economies.

Committee members include:

Chris Clements and Louise Laware in conjunction with the Executive Committee

Programming

The Program Committee is charged with much of the responsibility of making the Conference and exciting, informative, challenging, transformative experience. This includes developing the program, identifying workshop presenters, coordinating the schedule, arranging for conference rituals, Sacred Space at the conference, and Spiritual Practices. This committee also makes arrangements for pre- and post-conference workshops, the youth conference, the bookstore, and evening entertainment.

Committee members include:

• Eileen Schenk
• Elizabeth Cummings
• Diane Sutherland Luczaj
• Isabelle Healy
• Sharon Wilson
• Adrian Hawk
• Louise Lawarre
• Jim Schenk

Site

The Site Committee works with the Cintas Center and Xavier University to make the physical space at the conference as comfortable and effective as possible, and arrange for the conference meals.  This includes meeting spaces, audio/visual equipment, decor, signs for all the meeting spaces and dorm assignments for all participants requesting housing.  All meals for the conference are vegetarian, with an emphasis on organic and local if possible.  The Site Committee also coordinates conference volunteers who help make it easier for attendees to navigate the campus and conference center.

Committee members include:

• Bob Staggenborg
• Beth Staggenborg
• Rob Monteserin
• Amy Matthews