sust-mar: otesha project: coast 2 coast journal

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From: Steve Parr <steveotesha@riseup.net>
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2005 15:03:58 -0400
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____________________________________________________________________________

                               .
Otesha Coast-to-Coast Tour Journal #1
Feb 7th 2005
by Tour Coordinators - Keli Bellaire, Steven Parr, Simon Moll
Halifax

A pile of backpacks, bike helmets, mittens, coats. Nearby computer 
keyboards chattering away like the teeth of people shuffling through 
the snow outside.

Steve is on the budget, and things are looking good, grant writing and 
number crunching has worked out. Coast to Coast got a grant from the 
Walter & Duncan Gorden Foundation, and lots of funding has come in for 
all of the bike tours through Environment Canada.

Keli has pulled some late nights recently putting together a new 
inspirational slideshow for the end of the presentation; it’s going to 
be amazing! She is also organizing a fundraising event that is going to 
give Halifax a chance to show their support for the tour.

Simon is tying up the route plan with help from the amazing route 
planners. He can’t wipe the smile off his face after talking to tour 
members from coast to coast and hearing about the excitement and 
preparation that is linking the tour across the country.

Since the three of us started working together in September, we have 
spent some time reflecting on what we have learned in the past 5 months 
of building this project. We have found that communicating 
intentionally, appreciating playing and laughing, challenging each 
other, and being honest with ourselves is just as important as 
recording our ideas and actions, practicing presentations, and 
connecting with local community.

We have made progress and made mistakes, and constantly found that the 
reception and results that The Otesha Project generates is something 
that keeps us motivated and mirthful. Challenges that we have faced 
have brought us learning and fun. Speaking of a challenge full of 
learning and fun, we encourage everyone to take part in the nationwide 
effort to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Take the One Tonne 
Challenge at www.co2zilla.ca.

The Otesha Coast to Coast Tour will be a team of 15 presenters from all 
over Canada for who will converge in Vancouver BC before biking to 
Corner Brook NFLD, talking with over 10,000 young people along the way. 
We seek to enable and empower our generation to take action for a 
sustainable and just future. We have an evolving presentation that will 
grow to reflect the passions and talents of the group.

We are still looking for a primary driver for the hybrid support 
vehicle to be part of the tour and there are stops along the route that 
need local hosts and presentation venues to be organized. Contact us if 
you can help: coast2coast@otesha.ca

We are grateful to everyone who has encouraged us along the way: Jess, 
Joss, our families, the Coast to Coast preparation crew, the Otesha 
collective, the staff at Canada World Youth ECSO, Education and 
Development in a Global Environment (EDGE), Heartwood, Angela Bischoff, 
Caigeann and Kim Thompson, Kathryn Bates-Khan, Ted Scrutton with Nova 
Scotia Sport and Recreation and everyone else who shares their 
enthusiasm and positivity with us.

www.otesha.ca


---------------------------------
Steve Parr
Otesha Project Coast 2 Coast coordinator
1 902 446 1747
steveotesha@riseup.net
www.otesha.ca

____________________________________________________________________________
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