The Big ONE is a movement that originated in the San Francisco bay area. It represents a tectonic shift in thinking and living for our collective sustainability. It grew underground for two years and is finally surfacing in 2008 as a two-day community building convergence that’s FREE and 100% noncommercial. It’s the first annual gathering of its kind in the Bay Area and will be held on June 21st and 22nd, 2008 at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park of San Francisco, California.

Description:
The intention is to develop new relationships through dialogue, committed engagement, and trust before, during and after the convergence. We will collectively re-envision our communities. We will develop sustainability awareness and action, civic engagement, and localization of culture, economy, and decision-making. We promote respect for all life and the planet that sustains us.

Ten thematic neighborhood tents will make up the village and the event will include live eclectic music both days. Each neighborhood will represent a community need, addressing such issues as Youth Engagement and Empowerment; Social Justice; Global Warming; Green Jobs; Greening the City and Schoolyards; Civic Engagement; Story Telling from our Elders; Sustainable Community (food, water and sewage security);
Permaculture & Design; Health & Wellness; Education; Music, Dance and Art; GLBTQ;
Race & Culture; Spirituality; and Community Communication.

The "Village of Engagement" is a gathering of people from the Bay Area Non-Profit community, Foundations, members of the Community, Schools, Worker-Owned Coops, Entrepreneurs, representatives from our respective Bay Area City Governments and even for-profit entities although there will be no sales of any kind and the emphasis is on developing solutions. Participants will have the opportunity to design, envision, collaborate, and dialog with new friends on the future of their own neighborhoods. To prepare for the challenging times ahead of us, we encourage you to come, be heard, and engage. The format of your participation can be setting up a table or tent in one of the neighborhoods to collaborate and share information, interactive classes, powerpoint presentations, hands-on demos of sustainable skills, forums or artistic endeavors. We provide the space....you fill it with your dreams. We are using the Wiser Earth platform to organize, plan and co-create the event at:
www.beautifulcommunities.org. So, start engaging now!

This is a 100% noncommercial event. Nothing is for sale. We encourage everyone to bring food and drink and extra to share with your new friends! Come experience and participate.

“The New Me is We” www.beautifulcommunities.org

History:
The Big One is fiscally sponsored by ADPSR, Architects, Designers & Planners for Social Responsibility and is an integral component of the Beautiful Communities Project. The movement started to build momentum in the San Francisco bay area about three years ago in 2005 when the World Environment Day was celebrated here. However, it took the movement 3 years to germinate and now at the Summer solstice of 2008, it is surfacing.

Contact people:

Sudeep Rao, Board Member, (phone), (email) Tori Jacobs, Co-Chair, (phone), (email) Saba Malik, Co-Chair, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (415) 814-3373
Office fax number: (520) 843-3373

Address:

50 California St, Suite 3350 Attn: Tori Jacobs San Francisco, CA 94102 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.beautifulcommunities.org

Directions:

cross st is Davis   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Embarcadero,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5   Nearest Bus Stop: Market & Embarcadero

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	Hindi, Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	None
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	Yes