Wow... it has been a while since I have been here. With travels and projects, I have had little time to do anything more than comment on the occasional post. Thank you for holding my place!
Some of you may remember that I am the Communications Manager for a nonprofit focused on research, innovation, and education of nature-inspired systems, especially around Biomimicry and Circular Economy.
In the last general assembly, our executive board announced the need to step-down. The organization grew too fast over the last year, and they are no longer able to support the load in addition to their careers (which are all in related fields).
You can immagine the discussion after that: What do we do? Do we shut everything down? Are there others interested in taking over?
Many members of the organization are either students with little experience or career professionals busily developing their own nature-inspired projects.
After much meditation and reflection, a small group has come forward with a proposal to step into the vacant leadership positions and give new life to the org.
So as you may have guessed, I am part of that small group that came forward. In fact, I am the senior person of the group, the rest are super talented students that I am learning so much from.
We see the value in creating a platform for nature-inspired professionals to network and learn, and what to do what we can to create it.
Here is a snippet of our proposal for the group:
To develop a shared vision and mission, we asked ourselves, “What do all our members have in common?”
A love of nature, of course. Biophilia, (according to a theory of the biologist E. O. Wilson) suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.
Our members look to nature for more than mechanical inspiration. We want to honor our biophilic needs and reconnect. Biomimicry and circular economy teach us that we should not only take from nature, we need to also give, because we are part of the ancient circle that connects all the species on the planet.
To develop systemic sustainability solutions that are socially beneficial we need to create an ethos with respect for, responsibility to, and gratitude for all species and for our home planet.
For this reason, we recommend the following vision and mission:
Vision
A global ethos where humanity re-establishes its biophilic connection and co-creates with nature and inspired by nature.
Mission
To provide our members with a strong network of shared resources, knowledge, and expertise to facilitate the adoption of nature-inspired systems.
Do you like it? Would love to hear your thoughts!
The name of our organization was originally conceived by one of the founders. Since there is one part of the nonprofit that will be moved to a nearby university, he would like the name to follow. It is a decision the whole membership needs to take, but in the case that it happens, we want to be prepared.
Until now, our name has been Bioversum - Nature Inspired Systems.
Since we have put so much energy into branding the NPO, if we need to change the name, we would maybe like something similar. Then again, we would also like something that takes into consideration the biophilic and nature-inspired direction we want to take.
Biomimicry, biophilia, nature-inspired, circular... these are some of the important values we want to transmit. How do we put them together to get a name?
Here are some of the ideas we have so far:
Honestly, none of them sound right.
@yvesoler - for more aboutFacilitating evolutionary Interspecies Communication to CoCreate Nature-Inspired Places, Products, and Processes.
Plant neurobiology, biomimicry, social innovation, plant music, design, interspecies communication, urban planning... These are just some of the biophilic topics I cover on my website and here on Steemit. Follow along and comment often. My goal is to create discussion, not give a conference! And if you explore related topics, let me know in the comments, I would love to follow you.
