In a recent issue of the New Yorker, an article reported how a small island off Denmark converted from traditional energy sources to wind turbine generated electricity.
Regardless of your views on energy issues, the process of how that community accomplished such an ambitious project provides a playbook in local activism for any number of issues, goals and challenges.
Many of the factors that worked there and the hurdles faced might inform anyone planning a community project here. Whether it is converting to wind power in Denmark or improving recreation facilities, opening an animal shelter, saving greenspace or fighting drug addiction in Pickens County, there are some common steps to mobilizing a community.
One member of the island of Samsø told the reporter they were not a wealthy, well-educated, or idealistic community and were not a community open to change. In fact, he described the place as a typical conservative farming community.
Other than the farming part, the description would apply to Pickens County. This should encourage anyone here who has tried to address issues like skate parks or more public art. If another community with no pre-existing advantages can transform its entire energy profile, surely we can get a workable animal shelter.
Scanning this “The Island in the Wind,” article provided a basic how-to for success with community projects.
1. Government “seed” funding. –The island would never have attempted anything without outside funding to open an office, establish a group and get everything off the ground in terms of planning.
2. Educated people involved. –In their case, an engineer was certainly required. A layman can’t redesign your power grid. Here it might be a paid consultant with experience designing parks or a professional drug counselor. The Danes succeeded with a mix of local residents and outside experts.
3. Local government co-operation. –The project was driven by private groups, but local officials were at least moderately supportive.
4. Continued funding for a full-time staff person. –Local groups like The Good Samaritan Center, Mountain Conservation Trust, and The Joy House may rely on hundreds of volunteer hours, but ultimately these successful organizations have someone there answering phones on a regular basis, and nine times out of ten, a paycheck is required.
5. Social relations. –The community there did not immediately embrace the idea of wind power. “There was this conservative hesitating, waiting for the neighbor to do the move,” said one resident. “I know the community, and I know this is what usually happens.” Sound pretty familiar?
On the island, that hesitancy was conquered through social networking and getting more people involved, creating a snowball effect. The article noted “free beer” was used initially to build attendance at meetings.
6. Friendly competition. –After the community became sold on the idea, organizers noted a contest-like approach developed.
7. Government nurturing. –Laws in place helped the community get their projects approved and helped them sell excess electricity generated by their new windmills. Here, government nurturing might be the waiving of fees or some help meeting requirements or foregoing of some rules or regulations as a non-profit sets up a new venture.
8. Self-sustaining. –Long-term viability is as important as getting things off the ground. In Denmark, the island community now sells its surplus electricity to cover operating expenses and to generate profits for shareholders who invested in windmills at the start-up. With a profit motive somewhere down the line (even if it is only lower taxes for the county) you produce a better chance of keeping things running. Just opening an animal shelter would be a perfect example of shortsighted planning. Similarly, someone has to crew and maintain any new park, and how do we pay for that?
Finally, the islanders of Samsø noted they did not roll out an immediately successful plan. An early organizer told the reporter of numerous failed attempts and wasted efforts along the way.
Hopefully this Danish example from across the globe will set wheels to turning in local minds much closer to home. |
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