Environmental advocates meet tonight; cheers
By Alexandra Bogdanovic
Deborah Williamson and a bunch of friends are getting together for drinks tonight (Wednesday). But it won't be an ordinary gathering.
The meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Poplar Springs Inn in Casanova, will be the fourth since Williamson started a group called Green Drinks Warrenton back in the spring.
Green Drinks is a grassroots effort which began in Europe 19 years ago and has since caught on in many other countries, including the United States. Williamson said she decided to start a local chapter after talking with a friend in Maryland.
“We were talking about environmental causes, which are of interest to me, and she told me she'd joined [Green Drinks in her community],” Williamson recalled. “I checked it out and found out there was a chapter in Washington, D.C., but nothing closer. When I went to a meeting, felt as if I'd walked into a room full of family.”
Even so, the thought of driving so far just for meetings didn't appeal to Williamson, who said she wanted to have those types of friendships “closer to home.”
She contacted the organization and learned there are no restrictions on the number of chapters in any given area, as long as they are 30 to 50 miles apart.
Williamson decided to start her own chapter here and held the first meeting in May. Warrenton Mayor George Fitch was the guest speaker.
“Essentially, I just put out a flier [to advertise the first meeting] and 30 to 35 people came,” Williamson said. “We've consistently had 20 to 25 people since then.”
Anyone who's interested in the environment and related issues is welcome to come. The group has attracted students consultants, government officials, businessmen and businesswomen.
Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at different locations throughout the county.
This month's speaker is Michael Rainger from Intragroups.com. He'll talk about sustainable living and related issues. Williamson said the staff at Poplar Springs will also discuss their efforts to use organic products in their cuisine.
She added that the featured discussions will be brief, so everyone has ample time to mingle, network and share ideas.
At least one concept borne out of brainstorming and networking during the last few meetings is already becoming reality, Williamson said.
Two Brumfield Elementary School mothers had expressed interest in starting a group to promote environmental efforts in the school.
“We talked about how they could take it outside of Brumfield. They've networked with other PTOs and spoken to the board of supervisors. Now other schools are looking to implement [similar programs] using Brumfield as a model,” Williamson said.
For more information about Green Drinks Warrenton, visit www.greendrinks.org and then click on the link to find a city.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com