San Francisco Oil Awareness
14 December 2005
Friend's Meeting House

Attendees: 13

I. Announcements. The January 11, 2006 meeting will feature a speaker Marc Geller on an electric vehicle fueled by PV-generated electricity.

II. Agenda.

1. Short Presentations.
Following up on a proposal to hold regular short discussions on various energy alternatives, Loren agreed to talk on wind power in February, Sharon on ocean energy in February, and David on biofuels in January or March.

2. Meeting structure
Jennifer introduced a proposed meeting format, focusing on a consensus process to determine the agenda and to move agenda items. The format would include a Facilitator to set time, guide the agenda, review, enforce timelimlits, coordination and closing the meeting, along with a Notetaker and a Scribe. A summary of the format is posted at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sfoilawareness/message/7

The group agreed on the need to adopt such a format and agreed on rotating positions, as needed. The positions for the following meeting will be from volunteers taken at the end of each meeting.

3. Board of Supervisors group
The subgroup planning an outreach program to the SF Board of Supervisors distributed a draft of the letter to be sent to each Supervisors prior to organizing meetings between each/most supervisors and the Oil Awareness group. There was broad agreement on the approach of the letter, and further comments are to be sent to Jennifer. The subgroup will meet first will Cal Broomhead, Energy Manager, San Francisco Dept. of the Environment to discuss the approach in early January. The goal of the activity is to engage and educate the Board of Supervisors to affect a proactive response from the City on peak oil.

4. End of Suburbia showing
Dennis reported on attendance at a showing of End of Suburbia at a club in the Sunset hosted by the Green Party and attended by Jake McGoldrick. Supervisor McGoldrick spoke after the film, but there was not much discussion of peak oil issues.

The group agreed that fliers or postcards about SFOA and peak oil should be be available at such events, and the need to review what flier material is already available for use in such venues.

The group also felt that it would be beneficial to hold joint promotions and showings of EOS with other groups.

III. Other items:

1. Meeting Schedule. A discussion of the possibility or need of meeting more than once a month resulted in agreement that the main group will retain its monthly schedule, but that subgroups may meet more often as needed.

2. Mailing List. The group agreed that it was important to have a mailling list with only SFOA members, to facilitate group discussion and exchange. As the Meet Up arrangement will terminate in December, the new list will be located at Yahoo. Dennis agreed to set up the group and send out an initial mailing.

3. Other Activities. Michael reported on a meeting with Julian Darley and other PostCarbon Institute staff during their visit to the Bay Area in November. Of the 40 or so US outposts, many are in the Bay Area, and the visit was focused on fund raising. Other upcoming events include the ASPO conference in Italy (July 2006) and the ASPO US conference in Boston in autumn 2006.

10. Flyering. Allysa called for other interested people to join her in handing out fliers at the Syriana movie showing.

IV. Closing:
Positions for January 2006 meeting: Facilitator: Dennis or Allyse; Notetaker: Jennifer; Scribe: Sharon

The meeting ended at 8:30 pm, following by socializing.