banner2800 1
soldcap400
banner2800 2
When the people lead, the leaders follow
The Backbone Campaign specializes in the creation of spectacle imagery, innovative messaging and political theater. Most of our work involves what we call Artful Activism, in which we engage progressive activists and organizers in the strategic use of creative tactics such as festival arts, flash mobs, music and other theatrical forms of nonviolent direct action.
Local Laboratory (3)
Vashon Community Solar, Project Update (2-15-12)
Written by Bill MoyerVCS Progress Report to Potential Investors & Community Members:
We want to update Backbone supporters, fellow Vashon Islanders and potential investors on our proposed Vashon Community Solar (VCS) project at the King County Transfer Station on Vashon.
Since late October we have been working with a multi-departmental team at the County. We’ve identified an empty expanse of land north of the Vashon recycling centre as ideal: excellent solar exposure, easy access to the main panel, reasonable security, and no conflicting plans for other usage. The site is large enough to permit installation of the largest size solar array permitted under the legislation, generating up to 75 kW, and thus will have good economies of scale.
VCS is far along in working through legal, financial and accounting issues and will be poised to sign up investors quickly when we get the green light from the County, thereby maximizing the remaining production incentive period. We still plan on offering investment units in multiples of $1,000 (with $1,000 as the minimum).
The County have a mandate to increase their use of renewable energy but they have advised that they will only put the effort into installing community solar if it has the potential to be a large-scale, multi-site program. They are in the process of identifying likely sites and devising template agreements that can:
- be executed as quickly (because of the fixed-term incentive period) as County procedures permit, and
- apply at every site.
The County must obtain approval for each specific site. The discussions are taking rather longer than we would wish, but the excellent site and the ground-breaking nature of the project keep ‘our eyes on the prize’.
Vashon’s project is the furthest along, and has been a helpful prototype to the County for fleshing out various issues. We’re excited at the idea of this positive, public-private partnership and are striving to install the array in time for the long sunny days of summer. Your support will be essential in bringing the project to reality. We thank the hundred-plus people who have taken the VCS survey and encourage everyone else to do so, at www.vashoncommunitysolar.org
Stay tuned!
with gratitude,
Carol Eggen & Bill Moyer
Vashon Community Solar
(A project of the Backbone Campaign)
Timeline to Victory - An Agitator's Perspective on How a Community Beat Goliath
Written by Bill Moyer
On a beautiful Wednesday, Nov. 10th (2010) King County Executive Dow Constantine hosted a 1pm press conference on the shores of West Seattle with the waves clapping against the bulkhead. Amongst tears and hollers of joy, historic words were spoken. The deserving stars of the day Dow Constantine, Sharon Nelson, Peter Goldmark and many others stepped up to the podium. Even the conflicted Jan Drago had some quaint though somewhat vague remarks that sounded more like a farewell address. CalPortland's Ron Summers, who less than two years ago claimed that nothing would keep the mine from expanding struck a sportsmanlike tone. Of course - $36 million is not $65 million, but it's not chump change.
It was fascinating to see everyone come together. It was also typical that the only folks not actually invited were the rabble (us). Luckily, I found out about it by chance, fetched the puppet and headed in. I have discussed and speculated about only a tiny part of a thirteen year struggle. This fight had so many chapters, fronts, and flanks. Many others have been engaged in the fight longer than I and can tell their version of the story better than I. Though the various flanks in this fight did not always work in perfect harmony, they did in my opinion (and some more politically minded would disagree) never work at cross purposes. It is already an amazing case study of the inter-relationship between legislative, litigation, acquisition, and direct action flanks; and how each has a vital role in delivering victory.
As a reporter confidentially said to me two days before the Martinez decision against Glacier in August of 2009 - "this battle will be decided in the court of public opinion. And we both know where that is going." I wasn't so sure. But in hindsight - I can see that he was right.
Here is, in chronological order (top to bottom) description of the grassroots direct action campaign and how it interwove with political and legal developments. I've included articles of the last couple years and a sampling of the earned media received since the Sutherland quid pro quo lease was granted. I believe it is an inspiring and instructive outline of how the direct action campaign can turn the tide for community interest over corporate power.
I hope you enjoy the journey - and figuratively or literally see yourself in the pictures.
Congratulations all!
Bill Moyer
E.D. Backbone Campaign and proud member of the Mosquito Fleet.
Almost "chronological" - For fun, let's start with last news footage of the Wednesday, Nov. 10 Press Conference announcing Purchase Agreement:
(Kudos to Gary Chittim of King 5 News - he's one of the heroes in this story - IMHO)
King 5 News, Nov. 10, 2010
Now for a look at what was happening approximately 2 years ago, and a step by step transformation of momentum from defeat to victory from the perspective of Backbone Campaign & Mosquito Fleet:
Anti-bills appear doomed
Vashon Beachcomber, March 28, 2008
Glacier gets OK for Maury Island dock, opponents vow to keep fighting
Vashon Beachcomber, July 9, 2008.
(Permit from Army Corps of Engineers)
State OKs dock for Maury Island gravel mine
Seattle Times, Dec. 2, 2008
"Maury Island mine expansion OK'd"
Seattle PI, Dec. 2, 2008.
Lease clears way for Maury Island mining project
Seattle Times, Dec. 4, 2008
Glacier gets lease, begins work on Maury pier
Vashon Beachcomber, Dec. 6, 2008
It looked like they had us licked. Legislation to protect Maury Island and failed. Glacier received their Permits from Feds. And then outgoing State Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland approved a lease of State aquatic lands. Ultimately, long-time community ally County Executive Ron Sims felt he had no choice but to capitulate and grant Glacier a permit for construction, as they had obtained all other permissions and failing to do so would only trigger another lawsuit that the County could not afford.
Glacier had all the momentum in the courts and in the press. Governor Gregoire wouldn't lift a finger and David Dicks (son of Congressman Norm Dicks) head of Puget Sound Partnership thought it was not a priority, ad a "fait accompli."
Dec. 8, 2008:
KIRO coverage:
Islanders Protest Glacier at Early Morning Demonstration Beachcomber
We were outraged by the lease of supposedly State protected, public aquatic lands to the mining company by outgoing State Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland in an obvious quid pro quo for the $50k campaign contribution he received from GlacierNW.
Backbone Campaign and Preserve Our Islands organized a first in a series of demonstrations.
Here's our Press Release for that morning.
Knowing that the off-island press wouldn't send reporters to a small demonstration on the remote beach, we scheduled it during the AM commute, made a giant sign and called the traffic helicopters. KIRO took the bait.
As the snow began to fall in mid-December, we held an introductory non-violent direct action training with John Sellers of Ruckus Society. People began to get excited...
Governor's silence on Glacier troubles activists
Vashon Beachcomber, Dec 31, 2008
Lame ducks not lacking last quacks
Seattle PI Jan. 1, 2009
Jan. 2, 2009 Road Blockades:
Gravel-dock protesters block 2 roads on Maury Island - Seattle Times
Protesters barricaded two Maury Island roads at dawn today, hoping to stop construction of a loading dock for a gravel mine.
Protesters attempt to slow work at Glacier's construction site- Vashon Beachcomber
Seattle PI Photo Essay by Mike Urban
After delaying work for a number of hours, the workers eventually found another way in. When the nine people who were locked down decided that we had achieved our goals of delaying work, getting press attention and inspiring the community, we dissolved the blockade.
Everyone immediately went to a meeting where we got to work turning out people and building banners for the rally that was scheduled for two days later.
Jan. 4, 2009:
"The Posterchild for Saving Puget Sound" King5News
Hundreds turn out to oppose glacier
Beachcomber, Jan 4, 2009
In one month's time we went from 50 to 500 people on the beach. Direct actions (blockading roads) inspired and galvanized the community and attracted the press. The creativity and accessibility of the tone and tactics expanded our support in the general public. For fun - here's are the Holiday Carols that were sung on the road and on the beach. Glacier Related Carols
The Governor's office finally started to return Backbone Campaign calls and gave us a meeting with a representative of the Governor. Regional environmental organization leaders also asked for a meeting and got one, with Gov. Gregoire. We were playing an important role as agitators that made others look more reasonable. And to the public - we more or less looked like them.
14 Legislators sign letter asking for Gregoire's help
Seattle Times - Jan. 6, 2009
"Fourteen legislators on Monday sent a letter asking her (Gregoire) to suspend and possibly overturn a state lease issued in early December that cleared the way for a major expansion of the mine. The appeal thrusts Gregoire into an issue that has prompted years of lawsuits and, most recently, a protest by hundreds of mine opponents this past weekend."
A Letter from the Blockaders to the Community
Beachcomber, Jan. 7, 2009
Jan. 2009 On Water Actions:
The Mosquito Fleet direct action campaign continued to delay work, earn attention See Seattle PI article and photos HERE.
Activists on Vashon had planned to serve a cake in the shape of Maury Island with a Tonka truck outside the Governor's inauguration, but restrained themselves when called by certain leaders, concerned about embarrassing Governor Gregoire.
Those same people deftly mentioned their request during a meeting with Gregoire saying, "We cannot keep them at bay forever."
Disputed lease for Maury Island gravel mine to be reviewed by new state lands commissioner
Seattle Times, Feb. 10, 2009
Delegation to Governor's office
Backbone Campaign actually led two delegations to Olympia in the time between winter and summer actions. The first was to the Governor's office in which members of the Mosquito Fleet (Aleythea Dolstad, Logan Price and Nick Simmons), Prof. Patrick Christie of UW and POI, and Rick Dahms of Dockton Water joined Bill Moyer to deliver a message that our community expected better leadership from the Governor, that we were better allies than adversaries (showing them the media coverage we had earned), and that we recognized the monumental shift in orientation from extraction to sustainability was hard, but essential.
After a spring of touring, Backbone Campaign re-contacted Keith Phillips at the Governor's office to express our disappointment that she hadn't responded to any of our requests. We warned that our resolve was unshakable and that we'd be hosting a training with the very same trainers who organized the 1999 WTO shutdown in Seattle. We reiterated that the only real solution was for the land to be purchased. We also shared that we were concerned that the Governor might not be doing everything she could to make that happen.
We were later informed by a friend at an island agency that the King County Sheriff's office had been asked by the FBI to keep an eye on our upcoming camp.
We then launched a petition to the Governor demanding leadership. We were firmly requested not to pursue or deliver it by those concerned with embarrassing the Governor. We also started the GreenJobsNotGravel.org web survey.
Delegation to DNR
For the second Olympia delegation, Backbone enlisted librarian Rayna Holtz (organizer of Low Tides festival and proposed Beach Stewards program), Steve Graham (community council's Septic Solutions committee) and high school science teacher Tom Devries to visit Bridget Moran, the new head of State Aquatic Lands. They delivered the message that the Vashon-Maury community is an excellent and able partner in ensuring the Aquatic Reserve program is successful. Backbone delivered the message that DNR credibility hinged on not allowing an industrial gravel mine in an Aquatic Reserve. We spoke about Maury Island as the "pivot point" in the shift toward a regulatory system modeled on sustainability rather than extraction.
State questions Glacier's lease, raises 'grave concerns' Vashon Beachcomber, July 7, 2009
"Goldmark, in a two-page letter to Glacier issued late Tuesday, said his staff has carefully reviewed the lease and determined the company has not submitted sufficient information to demonstrate lease compliance."
Showdown at the Shore
King 5 News - July 16 (approx)
Coverage of our July 2009 Training to Confront Glacier's Continued dock construction.
Our LocalizeThis! Action Camp and the on-water rapid response squad was our 800lb. gorilla. The efforts were a collaboration between the Backbone Campaign, Mosquito Fleet, Ruckus Society, and Indigenous People's Power Project. We worked hard to get the press to cover it so that we could broadcast strength, resolve and a principled commitment to our community and the Puget Sound. The coverage demonstrated that we were truly winning in the court of public opinion.
"Tough choices in the recovery of Puget Sound"
Guest Editorial by Commissioner Goldmark,
Aug. 7, 2009
"Sometimes we may have to say no to proposed uses if such activities would threaten the recovery of the ecosystem. What we are witnessing is death by a thousand cuts. It has been all too easy to allow new uses with a slight impact on the health of this tremendous body of water and the orca and salmon that call it home. Far too much is at stake to continue on this path. We need to raise the bar immediately."
(read into the court record in POI's court challenge to GlacierNW and the Army Corps of Engineers)
"Mining company to delay dock work restart 4 days" Seattle Times, Aug. 11, 2009
"Maury Island gravel company to defy state lands commissioner" Seattle Times, Aug. 12, 2009
Leading up to the Aug. 15, 2009 demonstration, Mosquito Fleet and Backbone Campaign organized furiously. We tracked barge and tugboat movement and organized the rapid response squad to intercept the arrival of the construction barge to prevent the continued building of Glacier's barge-loading facility. We had two safety boats, high powered flashlights, and 40 volunteers trained and on alert to be on the water within 1 hr. 24/7. 40 kayaks stood ready.
"Federal judge rules against Glacier, halts pier project"
Vashon Beachcomber Aug. 14, 2009
"Judge rejects Maury Island gravel-mine permit"
Seattle Times, Aug. 14, 2009
"Which raindrop caused the flood?" Martinez wrote in his ruling. "No single project or human activity has caused depletion of the salmon runs or the near-extinction of the SR [southern resident]orca, or the general degradation of the marine environment of Puget Sound. Yet every project has the potential to incrementally increase the burden upon the species and the Sound." US District Justice Ricardo Martinez
Aug. 15, 2009 - Demonstration turned victory rally:
Here Mosquito Fleet activists speak about their commitment and actions, while a banner translated into traditional script sends Glacier's Japanese parent company Taiheiyo a message of stewardship. More related video courtesy of Mark Corliss.
200 plus people, dressed in black and holding umbrellas form a human mural of an orca whale. Great music, speeches, and hot dogs were enjoyed by all.
Kathy Fletcher of People for Puget Sound's analysis on this ruling's broad significance to Puget Sound.
US District Court Judge Ricardo Martinez's ruling against Glacier and Army Corps of Engineers sent the company back into a multi-year Environmental Impact Study process. It was a victory in a battle, but the fight went on. The Army Corps of Engineers did not appeal. Glacier soon abandoned their appeal as well, but re-started the EIS process.
"State budget plan has money to buy controversial Maury Island gravel mine"
Seattle Times, April 13, 2010
The Army Corps began a scoping process for EIS. Amy Carey of POI fought for more community notice and won a delay.
Islanders Speak Up at Army Corps of Engineers' Scoping Hearing
Beachcomber, July 21, 2010
Backbone Campaign handed out Mosquito Fleet T-Shirts. Even the representatives from the Army Corps wanted them. Mica Gaxiola famously finished with warning/promise that if Glacier attempted to restart pier construction, "There will be kayaks!"
Take Action Puget Sound - You Are About to Be Screwed!
Nov. 8 - King County Council was scheduled to vote on an update of the Shoreline Management Plan. Glacier seemed to have the votes to include a "mineral resources" exception to the "natural" (i.e. protected) shoreline designation favored by County Executive Dow Constantine. Glacier had hired a former consultant of interim Council-member Jan Drago to lobby the council. Citizen outrage foiled Glacier's plans and the Council sent the SMP back to the Transportation and Environment committee. This delayed the vote until Drago was replaced by Council-member elect Joe McDermott, who actually represented the Vashon-Maury community.
Together, we defeated the mining company's last best chance!
The Straw that Broke the Corporate Camel's Back? (See Backbone Campaign analysis of the final week of the fight and Glacier's loss in the King County Council.)
On Nov. 10, 2010 a Press Conference was called to announce the monumental news that Glacier's parent company CalPortland (a subsidiary of Taiheiyo Cement of Japan) had signed a Purchase & Sale agreement with the Cascade Land Conservancy and King County to sell the land to the public for $36 million. When completed, this will establish the largest protected shoreline in Puget Sound and a 250-acre park.
David beats Goliath again!
The CUVashon Story
A Win-Win Organizing Strategy for Building Power by Moving Money & Debt
Our story in brief, The Vashon branch of PSCCU opened on March 1, 2011 recruiting the management team from a local Chase Bank (who are much happier now). As of November 1, 2011, $10 million has been moved from Wall Street banks into PSCCU, allowing the credit union to lower interest rates on mortgages. The community has 3 people on the PSCCU Board of Directors. Over $3 million has been loaned to community members. AND an amazing 1,000 Vashon community members have joined, i.e. approximately 10% of population! Read a short account of the CUVashon story here or listen to the podcast.
Feel free to contact the Backbone Campaign for additional information at 206-408-8058 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lessons Summarized:
- The populist call to "Move Your Money!" is not empty rhetoric. We organizers can create real infrastructure for redirecting equity flowing out of our communities back into those communities, and make a real difference in peoples lives.
- Doing the initial work of community surveying to weigh and build interest is a great way to establish credibility with potential credit union partners. (Edit and use our survey - download files below)
- Non-profits that partner with existing small, stable and democrat credit unions (i.e. CU's with a board of directors that is truly accountable to the membership) can achieve more of their innovative goals faster than if they tried to create their own financial institutions
- Permaculture Credit Union, PSCCU, the Self Help credit unions of SC, and others can provide innovative models. Backbone Campaign and CUVashon can share survey resources, policy documents, and other tools and advice to speed your process.
Blog on our effort from Nov. 2011:
Our Community-Our Money: Economic Democracy via Credit Union-Progressive Community Partnerships Is Doable!
11/03/2010 Bill Moyer
Backbone's "Local Laboratory" Projects Bearing Fruit!
Recent articles in our local paper reflect some of the fruits of Backbone Campaign's local efforts. Besides helping to convene community dialogs on local governance, both our efforts to get funding for sustainability programs at the Vashon High School, and our collaboration with other islanders to get a credit union up and running have generated almost weekly local press. Of all these efforts, the lessons of the credit union effort are particularly valuable to organizers around the country. I've been eager to get some of this story into writing, so here's a start.
If we begin to analyze the flow of financial resources such as interest and fees to distantly owned banks, payments to utility companies, and payments to agribusiness from our tax dollars meant to feed our children, we begin to see waste streams of equity drained out of our communities. The story of our efforts to redirect those waste streams is really just beginning, but the lessons learned are already of great potential value to our progressive allies across the country.
As was expanded upon in the articles about CUVashon in our local papers the Beachcomber and Loop, initial efforts to gauge the feasibility of starting our own credit union demonstrated that intense interest and support existed in the community. One immediate reality check we got, was that it is exceedingly difficult to establish a new credit union. The regulatory requirements stipulate that such an effort must first raise two years of operating capital AND self-insure deposits with 7% in reserve.
Our May survey produced 644 responses in approximately one month, with overwhelmingly positive results. (See survey and interactive graphics showing the results at http://CUVashon.org. BTW - we'd be happy to share this survey with you.) The results were overwhelmingly positive AND literally overwhelming. The survey indicated that we could have at least $5 million on deposit almost immediately and we would need to have an operation that could get those funds circulating as loans. In light of the regulatory requirements, we realized that we would have to raise approximately $600,000 for operations and $350,000 for a reserve fund, before opening the doors. What's more, all of these funds would have to be donated, not lent, and we could likely not offer any tax benefit to those making the donations. This MAY have been possible to do, but it would have likely taken a long time, and it would be very hard to replicate in less privileged communities.
The unexpected and ultimately pivotal moment is when the buzz we created, generated interest from a small existing credit union, Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union (PSCCU). The progressive-minded VP of Marketing and Business Development and the CEO approached our group to see if we would partner with them to establish a branch on Vashon. From June to September we met a few times, during which we investigated their economic stability, learned about their coops' aspirations and limitations on growth. Their commitment to the credit union movement principles of economic democracy and returning benefits to the member-owners proved solid. This and their already significant commitment to weatherization financing, and willingness to partner on innovative finance models intrigued us. We communicated our dedication to our community, and the purpose of building local equity, community and environmental sustainability, and the need for the community to feel represented in the organization.
The result, a win-win partnership with a small-but-stable and established financial institution. PSCCU, originally an employee (Puget Sound Energy and Valley Medical employee credit unions merged into PSCCU) now has an expanded field of membership, a potentially far more vibrant market for creating new accounts and loans, and a community partner to help create and grow programs. For this PSCCU committed to establishing a branch on in our community, most likely by next Spring or sooner. They are partnering with the CUVashon crew to create innovative lending programs in a variety of sectors including energy conservation and efficiency, local agriculture, and renewable energy (as a start). And PSCCU is providing three islanders of our choice with 3 year appointments to the PSCCU board of directors. (I am one of those lucky three!)
Money raised by CUVashon that would have been wasted sitting in a self-insurance fund, can now be raised to secure otherwise unsecured lending, create revolving and micro-lending programs and reduce interest rates for borrowers, and work with other non-profit groups to establish innovative financing for project that help them achieve their respective missions.
The lessons for progressive organizers around the country are:
- The populist call to "Move Your Money!" is not empty rhetoric. We organizers can create real infrastructure for redirecting equity flowing out of our communities back into those communities, and make a real difference in peoples lives.
- Doing the initial work of community surveying to weigh and build interest is a great way to establish credibility with potential credit union partners. (Use ours!)
- Non-profits that partner with existing small, stable and democrat (i.e. board of directors is truly accountable to the membership) credit unions can achieve more of their innovative goals faster than if they tried to create their own financial institutions.
- Permaculture Credit Union, PSCCU, the Self Help credit unions of SC, and others can provide innovative models. Backbone Campaign and CUVashon can share survey resources, policy documents, and other tools and advice to speed your process.
The current populist tide is a rising tide. We should have learned when the Democratic Party and affiliated NGOs abandoned it during the Paulson Plan and healthcare debate that someone would step in to seize the energy. The Tea Party that may have never gained steam had there been a vibrant progressive alternative appeal to what is worst in people, rather than what is best - but the anger of its participants is valid. It has further polluted the national dialog with lies, revisionist history, and xenophobia to divide Americans and continued the Bush era project of Grover Norquist to shrink government (except the bloated Pentagon etc.) until it's small enough to drown in a bathtub. That said, for all its destructive potential, its right-wing corporate supporters like the Koch brothers will never fund a movement that delivers quality of life improvements to those who carry the torch. A positive populism is still ours for taking, and organizing around issues like foreclosures, local green jobs, healthy food for our kids etc. can only be strengthened by buttressing and directing our own democratic, cooperative financial institutions.
There must be thousands, if not tens of thousands of employee-based credit unions in need for revitalization. By doing the community groundwork, investigating potential partners, and educating the community's nonprofit sector about how they can partner with a local credit union - local organizers will pay dividends and deliver results to the community in a way progressives rarely do. This is the stuff of real social movements - this is a path to the power we need to build the future we aspire to live in.