To find humor in tough times is a gift and serves as a potent tool to help cope with stress and unpleasantness, diffuse anger, and provide emotional relief. Our intrinsic desire to laugh motivates us to share humor with others and makes for an easy conduit to start a dialogue, which is why public speakers often use laughter as an icebreaker for a crowd.

We at ITP found our funny bones during our recent Grant Partner Gathering in San Francisco at the TPWWest offices.  Prompted by meeting facilitator Rich Cox, ITP Grant Partners (GPs) participated in an energetic brainstorming session that provided a little comic relief in the face of promoting the alarming message of the effects of our changing climate.  

Our 15 attending GPs were divided into 3 groups with one member of the group presenting their project.  The others were then asked to offer any idea that came to mind to promote or help further the presenting members project and write those on post its and affix to the walls.  No idea was too "far out" as it could be the divine spark for a viable strategy, and those ideas came forth at breakneck speed!

Days later, we asked GPs to email us some of the memorable "far & not so far out-takes" offered that afternoon - here are a few:  hunky organic farmer's calendar; adopt-a-farmer and Angelina & Brad in the big screen version of The Organic Life; Erin Brokovich type spokesperson for GAIA; Slushy the Snowman as the mascot for Winters Past; people immersed waste deep in water in a viral video, cross-the-line bracelets and chalk outlines of valued items lost to rising sea levels for HighWaterLine.

GP and artist Eve Mosher appreciated how sharing their recollection was a "great way to stay connected and vibrant" in the days following the gathering.

But perhaps the best observation to spring forth from that brainstorming session was from Joshua Fouts and seconded by Trathen Heckman: "…the most "far-out" and inspiring thing for me was the collaborative energy and synergy created between the people and ideas that Maggie has curated, invested in and convened in this community she is building. Several times during the day I was struck with a sense of wonder at being part of an art project: The sculpture and scaffolding of creative ideas around Maggie's vision.  Being a part of that is truly FAR OUT!"

Issues surrounding climate change are a frightening subject, we were thankful to find a lighter way that afternoon for the messengers to weather delivering their messages.  

Please visit our gallery to view some images from the 2013 ITP Grant Partner Gathering.