Nor Any Drop to Drink

Mike McGinnis shared three potentially useful resources for wicked water challenge competitors.  We’ve posted links on the “resources” page of the site.  Mike’s pointed us towards a new study by the Public Policy Institute of California on our water crisis, to the UC Davis “Waterblog”, and to a 2007 book by renowned California activist Dorothy Green that walks you through the thicket of water regulations in the state.

This afternoon’s “Nor Any Drop To Drink” stakeholder conversation is with Norm Groot, Executive Director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, 4:30-6 pm, at the DLC.

We’ve just made it even easier to reach out to MIIS’ “Innovation Incubator” to assist you with your “Nor Any Drop To Drink” wicked water challenge ideas.  You’ll find the “Inn-Inc” logo on our competition’s web site landing page, where you can click and set up a consultation with them.

From brainstorming techniques, to design thinking approaches and tools, to providing team work spaces….and much, much more, you should feel free to reach out to Inn-Inc for support in developing your innovation idea for the Challenge.

Join us Feb. 21 @ CF434, 12:30-2 pm, for a skill-building session on community water dialogues.   Facilitating the session will be Lisa Lurie, a Conservation Program Specialist and watershed coordinator with the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County.  In this role she leads voluntary, collaborative projects to address water supply and water quality issues in the lower Pajaro River Watershed (which straddles Monterey and Santa Cruz counties).

Our  intimate “Chatham House Rules” conversation with District 4′s Kristi Markey, Chief of Staff to Supervisor Jane Parker (a MIIS alum) has changed its location.  It will be held at MG102, beginning @ 4:30 pm.

You’ve heard an environmental activist’s perspective, a water/environmental planner’s perspective….now get a taste of how elected officials in the County are grappling with the conflicting interests and positions they face.

Come engage in an intimate “Chatham House Rules” conversation with District 4’s Kristi Markey, Chief of Staff to Supervisor Jane Parker (a MIIS alum).  You’ve heard an environmental activist’s perspective, a water/environmental planner’s perspective….now get a taste of how elected officials in the County are grappling with the conflicting interests and positions they face.

Come converse with Steve Shimek at the DLC, from 4:30-6, today, February 17.  The Otter Project protects watersheds and coastal oceans for the benefit of California sea otters and humans through science-based policy and advocacy.  What’s good water policy advocacy require on the Central Coast and in our County?  What’s Steve’s mental map of the stakeholder and issue terrain?  Guaranteed to be provocative and lively!

If you can’t make it, hunt around your team for a member who can!  Divide and conquer, and efficiently bring back ideas and skills into your group.

February 14, DLC, 12:15-4:  bring your lunch and learn a few handy tools, tricks, processes, and techniques to get your competition team hitting on all cylinders.  We’ll talk about ways to improve team processes, relationships, handle conflict productively, ,and more.  Curators for this event:  Bob Cole and Kent Glenzer, with an assist from fellow students who have already successfully competed in such competitions.  Expect practical, competition-focused advice!

On Feb 26, from 5-6:30, at the DLC.  Dan Cort will be on campus for a conversation about the County’s wicked water challenges.  Provocation assured!  Check out Dan’s TEDx talk or his book Downtown Turnaround.  Most important:  be ready to have conventional wisdom challenged, and common mental models shattered. 

Mark your calendars to come here Norm Groot, Executive Director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, present the perspectives of our County’s agricultural producers.  February 24, 4:30-6 pm, at the DLC.