Relationship Building

I have just returned to MCC from the Monroe County Office located on Main Street in Downtown Rochester. I had been asked by Jon if I could attend a meeting taking place between Rochelle B. Bell, an Environmental Planner, and Reinhard Gsellmeier, Assistant Engineering Operations Manager PE, LEED AP.

The email of this transaction is as follows:
"I contacted Reinhard Gsellmeier (PE, LEED-AP, Project Manager, MC Dept. of
Environmental Services - Facilities) (and I should add: avid mountaineer
and bicyclist) about the conversation you and I had about connecting RIT,
UR and MCC with each other and with the surrounding municipalities. I
asked Reinhard if we (MC) might have an interest in being part of the
effort to develop alternative transportation between MCC and the community.

Reinhard wrote back saying that he knows Valarie Avalone quite well and
agreed to meet to discuss how best to proceed. We are meeting on Monday
(10/18) at 11:00 here in my office. You are welcome to join us if you are
free. If you cannot make it I'll do my best to introduce the concept and
we'll see where it goes from there. I now have maps to illustrate your
ideas."


Rochelle and I worked together to explain the overall idea of GRATS to Reinhard in order to see what, if any, were the next steps in developing MCC's portion of GRATS. Reinhard enthusiastic about the idea explained that he has some connections due to his current LEED work on MCC's campus though he is more of the do/build it guy once all the details fall into place. AKA- He is the Go Man when he gets the OK to GO.

Reinhard also brought up NYC's Comprehensive Sustainability Plan
Reinhard hooked me up with this movement via this email:
"Catelyn, I don't have a specific contact for you. The NYC plan to improve
bike ridership is part of an overall sustainability initiative being
undertaken by the City. My notes say it's called PLANYC (not sure about
spelling). In the interest of promoting bike ridership and reducing
vehicle use, NYC's program will basically reallocate space (asphalt) from
vehicles to bicycles.

Sorry I don't have more to add. It was good to meet you. Good luck with
this very worthwhile effort. "


Our meeting ended with some new contacts and Rochelle doing some homework. It turns out that Rochelle and I will be working together with the goal of getting people at MCC organized.


On a personal thought level:
The main issue at this meeting, which I captured in the first five minutes, is that yes we are all dealing with years and years of disconnect. In people, positions, processes, groups, medias, levels, standards, ways of life...just simple living. I was sitting down with two people trying to figure out how the Monroe County office is truly connected to Monroe Community College...basically who is who is the grand scheme of things...How does the office of Monroe County communicate with the Monroe Community College...when do they need to communicate and on what projects, etc, etc.



http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/Sustainability/newsandevents.htm
http://www.gflawma.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/MC.pdf
50 West Main Street, Suite 8100, Rochester, NY 14614
http://www.greenmonroe.org/