The CGI Managing Committee meets every 4th Thursday of the month at 7.30pm, The Heritage Rooms, 13 Milton Row, Dunipace. Meetings are informal - feel free to join us, bring a snack, plan to laugh a lot while accomplishing much...and tell the sitter you may be late!
For more info on meetings or to put something on the agenda, contact us at communitygreeninitiative@yahoo.co.uk. |
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Current CGI Managing Committee Meeting Minutes.
CGI Minutes
We will update these periodically.
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CGI MEMBERS
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| A few members and guests at CGI's June 2009 AGM Reception, Dunipace |
Christine Bell, Michelle McCallum and Tracy McNeil cut the official CGI Happy 1st Birthday Cake, AGM 2009 |
CGI MANAGING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
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MICHAEL MCABE ("MICK") MCINTOSH, Chairman
I am sixty four. I have been involved in community activism for approximately forty years, first in the trade union and labour movement. I have also been involved in local area campaigns in the Muirhouse and Leith areas of Edinburgh and local projects in the Falkirk and Denny & Dunipace areas. I am in CGI because I believe we as a community have a responsability to protect and enhance the enviroment around us and also to point out the lack of commitment on these issues to both local and national politicians. Thankfully this is getting better.
Michael Mcabe Mcintosh
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MICHELLE McCALLUM, Secretary & New Leaf News Editor
As an expat American who relocated to Scotland a few years ago from the incredibly beautiful state of New Mexico, I found Scotland to also have a compelling beauty that was marred by litter, fly tipping and dog fouling. Simultaneously I found a like-minded environmentally concerned community of phenomenal people and together we embarked on this work, to try to bring back a green awareness in those who are disconnected from the earth.
It is exciting to watch this post-industrial area waking up and focusing on its natural heritage and rich assets in biodiversity and wildlife. We are working to pass this green awareness onto the children, as they will inherit all of it, the good bad and ugly. Making this difference has become the passion of my life. |
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CHRISTINE BELL, Treasurer
Mum to Anna (11) and Martin (7). I have always lived in this area and have witnessed a level of deterioration in the environment through neglect and lack of respect for people and places. By dedicating my time, energy and some TLC this place could be a stunningly beautiful place to live.
CGI can and will make that happen. If you want to change the world.... start in your own little corner! |
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DONNA HEANEY
I live in Dunipace with my family and work in Stirling. Although I am new to the group, I have been interested in environmental issues for a long time. I am impressed by what the CGI has done so far and so I became involved. |
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TRACY McNEIL
Since I was a child I have always loved the 'outdoors' and nature, especially water and trees. This has grown in me as I have grown and I have passed the love of nature onto my children. Because of this I joined CGI as it was 'born' and am very passionate about the principals of the group and where we are heading.
In my own life away from CGI, I am a mum, a Brown Owl, and am a self employed Complementary Therapist. I love working with children and helping them to appreciate their own life as well as the life of others around them - including human, animal and plant life. |
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STEVE RATCLIFFE
I am a pensioner and live in Allan Crescent Dunipace. I was born in the area more years ago than I wish to remember and have memories of the village as it used to be. Over the years the traditional industries of the area have declined and are now non existent. In addition we have witnessed unprecedented house building. Without, alas, an increase in facilities. Our area has turned into a dormitory for those who travel to work out with the area and has lost its community spirit.
But hey, the Brownies are coming over the hill!
I am referring to one of CGIs first major clean up when it was uncertain what response we could expect. But there they were, the Brownies and everyone else. Since these early days the response of the community has been tremendous. Now when you walk in our countryside lanes there is a remarkable difference. It is delight to see.
It is fair to say that it is not only the countryside which has benefited from the creation of CGI but also the spirit of the community. This is a community that is reinventing itself. This is a community that will stand up and say “enough is enough” and this is a community that is not frightened to do it itself! |
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GRAHAM STIRLING
“Had so much practice picking up after three kids that I thought I'd do it for the local community as well!!”
Graham Stirling served as inspiration to CGI in its formation, as he was often seen out litter-picking with his trusty 4-legger Venice and daughter Heather. Together they would leave several large sacksful for the council to collect from old Gala Park every week. Such a dedicated “litter man” was finally convinced to join CGI as a valued member of its managing committee. |
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JOHN WATSON
John Watson is a well known figure in the community with a great interest in local biodiversity. He’s the guy who distributes thousands of litter pick fliers for CGI, shows up to help at every event, and “puts the kettle on” for our meetings – one of our unsung heroes!
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JEAN WEIR
I am a new member of CGI and have been made to feel really welcome. I'm trying to do my 'wee bit' for the environment, and my health, by cycling more. You might even see me cycling with Harry and Gigha who have their very own doggy bike trailer! I'm really keen to see more paths and cycle routes being used and I have started to cycle to WASP classes at Denny High using the route that follows the old railway line. I fully support the work being done to encourage Safer and Cleaner Routes to School. So come on folks Get On Your Bike!
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PETER O’DONNELL
Primary interest is in the local environment. As a hard-working community volunteer and activist his focus is on these goals: Making Dunipace & Denny a clean & tidy place to live; helping Dunipace & Denny to be a thriving place to live by making the most of its natural surroundings; making the most of Dunipace &Denny’s amenities ie shops, parks, paths etc; preserving those parts of Dunipace & Denny which have history & heritage; to inculcate a sense of community in the community; and to create a sense of respect for what we have in the community.
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The photographs you see through CGI's website and New Leaf News are courtesy of local photographers: Eddie McEleney, Lyn Bennet, Joe Shaw, bobwmac, Christine Bell, Anna Bell, Michelle McCallum, Fiona Wishart, Richard Broadley and more. For permission to use any of the photos from our collection, please contact us.