August Working Cities Wednesday

Working Cities Wednesday

August 2019 Pitches

Group 1

Topic: Wellness Meditation Group

Leader: Soncere Williams

Phone:

Email: [email protected]

Next meeting date: Touch base via email in two weeks

Summary:

  • Healthy twist of vulgarity
  • Makes people giggle, uplifting
  • Accessible to multiple areas in community
    • Locations, childcare, language, liability?
  • Positivity advocate

Three things to do before the next meeting:

  • Contact following locations
    • Christian Center, Pittsfield Senior Center, Library, Crane Center, Tyler St Lab, Veterans outreach, VA Clinic, Community connections, 18 Degrees Family Resource Center, BCC, Soldier On, sleep study program
  • Finish template for proposal
  • Start FB group
  • Contact pitch

Resources you may need:

  • Contact info for agencies/locations listed above (which we know where to get)

Names

Kayla / BHS / [email protected]

Kate Lauzon / Working Cities / 413 841 5841 / [email protected]

Joseph Fish / 516 507 4980 / [email protected]

Ranisha Grice / Working Cities / 413 841 0234 / [email protected]

Group 2

Topic: Getting a “trishaw” bike in Pittsfield

Leader: Nicholas Russo

Phone: 413 841 8425

Email: [email protected]

Next meeting date: 9/25/19

Summary:

  • Cost/fundraising
  • Volunteers
  • Storage/maintenance
  • New paradigm of transport
  • Zero emissions/noise

Three things to do before the next meeting:

  • Think about possible sponsors/donors
  • Prepare marketing materials, powerpoint
    • Shuttle service, sightseeing
  • Volunteers/free rides vs. employees/charter
  • Talk to:
    • Elder services, BCARC, BFAIR, United Way innovation grant, Rose and Cole’s (possible fees?), BRTA (visitor), historical/educational institutions, First Fridays, Tyler St Lab, City of Pittsfield

Resources you may need:

  • Insurance/liability consideration (pro-bono)
    • Brad Gordon (mediator/lawyer)
  • AARP Cycling Without Age (need for point 2 re: marketing, shuttle etc)
  • Volunteers, enthusiasm
  • Research in Northampton

Names

Nicholas Russo

Nycole Gallagher / BUW / 413 329 2278 / [email protected]

Zach

Ernest Huffman / Working Cities / 413 752 2760 / [email protected]

Group 3

Topic: Tenants Rights Association

Leader: Sera Bishop

Phone: N/A

Email: N/A

Next meeting date: 9/25/19

Summary:

  • Desire to create a committee to assist in addressing tenants rights
  • The existing problems of tenancy
  • Who do we get this info out to?
  • Existing resources- so we don’t duplicate with this info
  • How will people want to engage with this as a tenant? In person? Paperwork to print?

Three things to do before the next meeting:

  • Reach out to set up another meeting
  • Brainstorm ideas individually
  • Organize some of the resources we know of so they can be combined.
  • Chain of command- what is the chain of command to hold officials accountable?

Resources you may need:

  • Law library
  • Check in with Kenny Warren
  • Hearing other people’s stories and complaints they’d like addressed/questions they have

Names

Karen Roche / Working Cities / 413 841 5519 / [email protected]

Dubois Thomas / Habitat for Humanity / 413 442 3181 /  [email protected]

Karen Kalinowsky / 413 329 0397 / [email protected]

Gaylamar Artis / PIVAT / 413 841 1321

Renee Singh / 413 358 7440 / [email protected]

Kevin Morandi / City Councilor / 413 499 0108 / [email protected]

R.A. / RLC / 413 841 4497

Group 4

Topic: Ambassador Continuation

Leader: Amarie Starr

Phone: 917 565 6891

Email: [email protected]

Next meeting date: N/A

Summary:

  • Funding sponsors
  • We will keep this program up and running
  • Age gaps
  • How many hours can get funded?
  • Benefits
  • Tour people, get assistance parking
  • How can you help me? Helping residents
  • The color of your shirt makes a difference- bright orange

Three things to do before the next meeting:

  • Talk to city council and ask about the tourist station
  • Talk to the sponsors
  • Do research on what orgs can use ambassadors

Resources you may need:

  • Community navigators
  • Banks
  • City Councils
  • The BRTA bus station

Names

Ranisha Grice / Working Cities / 413 841 0234 / [email protected]

Jessica Jones / 770 337 4723 / [email protected]

Virgina O’Leary / Pittsfield Prospers / 334 750 3132 / [email protected]

Sam Reggio / Berkshire Athenaeum / 413 499 9480 / [email protected]

Amarie Starr / DPI / 917 565 6891 / [email protected]

Cheyenne Vanbramer / DPI / 413 464 5937 / [email protected]

Group 5

Topic: No Bullying Flashmob

Leader: Sherrie Bethel McGregor

Phone: 415 841 4466

Email: [email protected]

Next meeting date: N/A

Summary:

  • Saturday at farmer’s market
  • Jacob’s Pillow rehearsal
  • Annual Flyer
  • Social media

Three things to do before the next meeting:

  • Contact employers
  • Community center
  • High school
  • Elizabeth Freeman Center (flyer)

Resources you may need:

  • Flyers / music / PA system
  • Dance class / teacher
  • Volunteers
  • City hall permit

Names

N/A