ecoleadernews Leadership institute for ecology and the economy

Sonoma County, CA SPRING 2006

SR Placemaking
Institute Bids Project Underway
Farewell to The Leadership Institute’s new
Sundergill, program- Santa Rosa
Placemaking- is taking on the JC
Welcomes Narath neighborhood, as it’s first project.
Under the guidance of Joseph
Congratulations to Ron Kennedy, a fellow of the
Sundergill. After heading the Leadership Institute, the project
Institute for over two years, he is modeled after a similar City
accepted a position as the Pacific Repair of Portland, of which
Region Director of the National Kennedy was involved with in
Parks Conservation Association in 2001.
San Francisco. A public presentation held in
“Ron was indefatigable in December drew an audience of
working to fulfill the mission of over 75 community members
the Institute, said Board Chair including State Assemblyperson
Rick Theis. “It has been a great Noreen Evans and Santa Rosa
pleasure for me to work with Ron City Councilmember Steve
and see our vision blossom under Class of 2006, Day 1, hike to Annadel State Park Rabinowitsh. The plans have also
his direction. Needless to say, we been well-received by Santa
regret losing him, but are ecstatic increase the spirit of community Park, Death Valley, the Rosa’s Mayor Jane Bender and
about this major step forward in in neighborhoods. Mojave Desert, Sequoia-Kings City Manager Jeffrey Kolin.
his career.” He brought several volunteer Canyon, the Channel Islands, The project intends to engage
Under Ron’s leadership, interns on board to help him carry Yosemite, and Hawaii’s Haleakala residents of the JC neighborhood
applications for participation in out his work, including one who (Ron has reminded us that in the design and construction of a
the Institute's flagship program, developed a report on the negative somebody’s got to do it). More public art project, bringing
Leadership Training for a economic impacts of big box stores information is at www.npca.org. together neighbors of all
Sustainable Future, doubled. He on the local economy. Ron and his wife Helen generations and acting as a
also mounted the North Coast’s “Best of all,” Theis said, “he continue to reside in Windsor. symbol of neighborhood cohesion.
first conference on smart growth raised the money to hire a The Institute wishes them both Kennedy encourages local
and sustainable development. Program Director. His choice of the best of luck. neighborhood themes like Luther
With his encouragement and Tanya Narath, a Fellow of the Burbank for the Burbank
support, Fellows of the Institute class of 2005, was brilliant and neighborhood or Italian themes
lead the Junior College prophetic, as she proved totally
Get Community Smart! for the West End and says the
Neighborhood Association and the capable of filling his very big The Leadership Institute has neighborhood residents will
Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition shoes.” recently registered with the decide themes by way of public
to secure improvements in Santa Ron began working for Community Smart program—a design brainstorming processes.
Rosa Junior College’s garage The National Park Conservation card-based program that Suggested art projects are
development that will provide Association at the end of generates funds for local schools intersection paintings, benches,
greater pedestrian and bicycle November. Their mission is to and nonprofits when consumers kiosks, or gardens that can
safety. protect and enhance our National use their cards at participating become gathering places for the
During his tenure, the Park System for present and merchants. The program is free, community.
Institute also launched the future generations. Ron’s region offering three types of cards— Recent controversy over the
Village Renaissance program includes the Redwoods National credit, debit, or non-payment cash new SRJC parking garage has
under the direction of Fellow Joe card. When a consumer uses the highlighted the need and desire
card at a participating merchant, for a more pedestrian friendly
the merchant donates a portion of neighborhood. Informal gathering
their proceeds to the designated places add to community vitality
school or nonprofit. and give residents a sense of
Tanya Ron Local participating merchants place.
Narath, Sundergill, include Fiesta Market, Oliver’s “My vision is that the resulting
New Former Market, Pacific Market and many projects will be largely generated
Executive President other local restaurants, shops, by local people, designed and built
Director and services. Just by swiping the by them with professional
card at qualifying transactions, guidance, and demonstrate local
the merchants will donate a initiative, use of sustainable
portion of your purchase. Join materials, and deep engagement
online at with the community,” Kennedy
www.communitysmart.com and says. The project is to be
register the Leadership Institute constructed with recycled,
for Ecology and the Economy as donated, and/or natural materials
your beneficiary. build during a multi-day
workshop.
(Continued on page 2)

555 Fifth Street, Suite 300A Tanya Narath, Executive Director

Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 578-9133
www.ecoleader.org
Mission:
Educating leaders to create public
policy that is environmentally
friendly and socially equitable for a
healthy economy and a sustainable
community.
Rick Theis, Founder & Board Chair
Steve Rabinowitsh, Vice President
Judy Withee, Vice Chair
Greg Young, Secretary
Claudia Haskel, Treasurer
Jake Mackenzie, Director
Noreen Evans, Director
Irma Cordova, Director
Charles Evans, Director
Rebecca Woodbury, Intern
 Leadership Institute
Calendar Welcomes New Director
For all events listed below, contact the Leadership Institute office at (707) 578-9133 or Charles
ecoleader@ecoleader.org for more information or to register.
April 7, 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. The Leadership Institute Evans, new
Sustainable Enterprise Conference, 1212 Valley House Drive, Rohnert would like to welcome it’s newest to board of
Park. For more information, see www.sec2006.com director, Charles Evans. directors
April 13, 9:45 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Currently, Evans is a member of
Grand Tour of Rail and Ferry Services, led by Lionel Gambill. Enjoy the the Santa Rosa Housing
following services– Larkspur Golden Gate Ferry, San Francisco Light Rail, CalTran Authority and Santa Rosa
equipment, Alameda/Oakland Ferry, Amtrak Capitol Corridor, Altamont Commuter Redevelopment Agency.
Express, BART. $50, includes lunch at Jack London Square. For reservations call
707-578-9133, 707-837-8814. Sponsored by the Leadership Institute, Friends of Previously, he served ten years on
Smart, and Sonoma County Conservation Action. the Santa Rosa Planning
Commission and was chairman of University and is a local real
May 10, 9:45 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Santa Rosa Art in Public Places. estate investor and developer.
Grand Tour of Rail and Ferry Services. See information above.

Placemaking increased sense of local identity, hopes to instill a deep sense of

neighborhood beautification, ownership of the project by the
We’ve Moved!
(Continued from page 1)
Kennedy, director of Village lower crime rates, reduced traffic community and have each project
Renaissance, a non-profit working speed, and an overall increased “adopted” by a small group of
with the Leadership Institute on tolerance and diversity. residents who will take care of The Leadership Institute has
the Placemaking project, Kennedy hopes that the initial cleaning and maintenance. changed headquarters and is no
personally led four projects with project in the JC neighborhood For Kennedy, “this concept is a longer located at 50 Santa Rosa
City Repair in Portland including will spur others not just in other new one and ever evolving. It is Ave, Suite 308.
a small gathering place called the Santa Rosa neighborhoods, but in up to us to determine how it goes.”
“Solar Sanctuary” and a bench neighboring towns as well. Partnering organizations to the Our new office is at:
and sculptural tower in Already Kennedy has presented project include Santa Rosa Junior 555 Fifth Street, Suite 300A
commemoration of the life of bike the idea to the Sebastopol City College Neighborhood Association, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
activist Matt Sheckel called the Council and held a series of City Repair, Daily Acts, Vital
“Memorial Lifehouse.” meetings with Sebastopol’s Mayor Systems, New College of Our telephone remains the
City Repair has been very Larry Robinson. He plans on California, and Santa Rosa City same, (707) 578-9133.
successful in Portland, leading giving public presentations in the Councilmember Steve
city officials to legalize the coming months to promote the
placemaking initiatives. Positive project. member.
Campaign Workshop a
results have resulted in greater Vandalism is an important Panelists included Caroline
social interaction between issue that, Kennedy believes,
Success
Baneulos, Debora Fudge, Janet
neighbors, needs to be addressed with the November 12, the Leadership Orchard, Pat Wiggins, Pam
Institute hosted an all-day non- Torliatt, John Sawyer, David
Leadership Course ing tour of the wastewater partisan Campaign Workshop Keller, Leah Gold, Noreen Evans,
Completes Seventh Class treatment plant. attended by 30 students. Steve Rabinowitsh, and Jake
Accepting Applications Moderators included Jim Mackenzie. Campaign Consultant
in Series The Leadership Institute is Leddy- District Director for Guy Conner also gave a thorough
now accepting applications for our Senator Wes Chesbro, Terry presentation on campaign
March 1, 2006, members of the
seventh annual Leadership Price- Campaign Consultant, and planning. The day concluded with
2006 Leadership Training for a
Training for a Sustainable Craig Litwin- Sebastopol City an American Idol election contest.
Sustainable Future completed
Future, a 9-month program Council
their seventh class on the topic of
promoting sustainability in public
Smart Growth: Transportation
policy. The program is designed
and Land Use. Students heard
for current and potential
Major Donors
Following is the list of donors who gave
presentations on the future of $100 or more to the Institute in 2005.
community leaders who want to
transportation and land use in the
become more effective in shaping
bay area, Sonoma County’s Benefactors ($1000+) Catalysts ($100+)
public policy in Sonoma County Mike Andrews
transportation plan, and an Keith Abeles
and the North Bay. Classes are Codding Enterprises Peter Ashcroft
update on the Sonoma-Marin Fledgling Fund Jenny Bard
taught by locally recognized
Area Rail Transit (SMART) Linda and Kenneth Lamb Robert Brannigan
leaders and experts from Jake & Barbara Mackenzie Kim Caruso
project. Fellow Lisa Moore, Cotati Beth and Hugo Martinez
government, business, labor, Roger and Suzanne Chevalier, CPT
City Council Member, and Janet Albert and Shanna Narath Thomas E. Cochrane and Susan Clark
educational, environmental, and Steve & Lynnie Rabinowitsh Community Foundation Sonoma County
Orchard, Mayor of Cotati, gave
community organizations. Jean Schulz Concerned Citizens for Santa Rosa
students an overview of Cotati’s Rick Theis and Carolyn Johnson Guy Conner and Pat Wiggins
The course covers a broad Warren and Janis Watkins
downtown specific plan and a Irma Cordova, Esq.
spectrum of issues, from local to Greg Young and Jean Davis David and Indigo Crone
walking tour of Cotati. Leaders ($500+) Ted and Pat Eliot
global. Ecological, economic, and
Highlights of the February Bonnie Berkeley and Bill Smith Wendy Eliot and Michael Fitzgibbon
social equity aspects of each topic Michael Dimock Carolyn and Michael Ellis
class on Government and
are presented within the overall Charles Evans Cary Fargo and Anna Ransome
Education included an overview of City of Petaluma Steve Frye
framework of sustainability. City of Rohnert Park Debora Fudge
CEQA by Tom Lanphar, Fellow
Topics include: agriculture, City of Santa Rosa William Gilchrist
’02, followed by a panel discussion Noreen Evans and Mark Fudem Robin Goble
planning and land use, housing,
on EIR’s. During Dr. Carl Wong’s Claudia Haskel and Randi Seidner Greenbelt Alliance
transportation, watersheds and Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Joyce & Martin Griffin
update on education in Sonoma Open Space District Hugh Helm and Christine Engel
ecosystems, principles of
County, reporters from TV 50 Carolyne Stayton Joany Goodwin
sustainability, ecological Raini Sugg and Steve Vallarino Veronica Jacobi and David Gougler
arrived to interview Dr. Wong
economics, social justice issues, Ron and Helen Sundergill David Haberman
about the just-released feasibility Town of Windsor Ms. Jeremy Hewes
the role of government, Judy Withee and Stephen E. Sweaney Robert Judd and Linda Blair
study on consolidation of West
influencing public policy, effective Scott Vouri Charity Kirk
County school districts. After a Sustainers ($250+) John Kramer and Nancy Dobbs
leadership, and more.
lively Q&A session, TV 50 Burbank Housing Development Corporation Louisa Leavitt

interviewed several of the class The class meets for a full day Bob and Heidi Burke Leif Noble
Connie Codding North Bay Council
members on-camera to capture on the first Thursday of each Christopherson Homes North Coast Builders Exchange
their views on the topic of school month beginning on September 7, Una Glass and Michael Kyes Terry Price and Kerry Campbell
Ted Rabinowitsh and Diane Stuart
consolidations. 2006. Cost is on a sliding scale, Susan and Joseph Gorin
Nancy & Willard Richards
Lawrence Jaffe
January’s class on Water $500 to $1,000 based on income, Geza Kadar and Tara Harvey Robert Sanoff
for the full 9-month course, Jessica Lamden John Sawyer
Ecology and Policy occurred right Marin Community Foundation - Miguel Ruelas David Schonbrunn
after the massive storms that hit including transportation, binder and Sid Hartman Fund David and Paula Shatkin

Sonoma County. Fortunately, the and all materials. A limited Larry and Laura Martin Douglas Simon
North Bay Labor Council Sonoma County Housing Advocacy Group
Laguna Wastewater Treatment number of openings are available Larry Robinson Sonoma Land Trust
Plant was able to host the class at a reduced fee based on financial Don And Marilyn Sanders Matt Stevens
Kate Symonds Jack Stuppin
again this year in spite of the need. Space is limited to 30 Deborah Swanson and Tad Nitasaka
Orrin and Terri Thiessen
flooding. In addition to participants; the application Lisa Vasse and Elizabeth Christie Don Taylor
deadline is July 1. For more Beverly Wasson Annabel Yates
presentations from a variety of Ms. Terry Watt Yvette Williams van Aggelen
experts on water ecology and information, contact the Carl Wong Windsor Chamber of Commerce

policy, Denise Cadman gave the Leadership Institute at (707) 578- Western Sonoma County Rural Alliance Jim Wood
Gary Wysocky
class a fascinat- 9133, or visit www.ecoleader.org.