Bring Chuck Marohn to the LV

Strongtowns enthusiasts,

My name is Ron Beitler and I'm a township commissioner in Lower Macungie, PA and Strongtowns founding circle member.

I'm also a board member of our Lehigh Valley regional smart growth organization Renew LV . We promote smart growth and smart governance. Current focus is on transportation, local food economy and growth boundaries/farmland preservation.

Each year we host a Smart Growth summit with keynote speaker. Over the last couple years the  summit has grown into a well attended event. Last year over 200 attendees. This year we're thinking even bigger.

The Renew board is currently considering the 2015 keynote. I've been advocating for Chuck Marohn and have gotten alot of interest. It's safe to say he's definitely a target. (and confirmed available for the date!)

"We need to have a conversation not about growth, but about productive growth" - Chuck Marohn, the Curbside Chat. 

Problem is we only have 1000 dollars budgeted for the speaker with the potential to raise another 1000 through a grant application.

Chucks fee are currently 3k plus expenses. (well worth every penny and a product of the curbside chats great success and resonance with communities across the nation)

My ask is for SEPA Strongtowns members and others to be willing to donate $25.00 per person in an effort to fill the gap so we can bring Chuck to the Lehigh Valley in front of an audience of over 200+ people.

Many of the attendees last year were exactly the people who need to hear the Strongtowns message of financial resilience including local elected officials, engineers, solicitors, activists ect.

According to Strongtowns staff there are 51 members in the Lehigh Valley area. I'm looking for 25 dollars from 40 members (or whatever you can afford) to help put us over in terms of raising the money to bring Chuck to our summit.

Here are some conference details:
When: AM Dec 4th
Where: Renaissance Hotel Downtown Allentown.
Host: Renew Lehigh Valley

Here is a link to last years summit agenda

Thank you for your time,

Ron Beitler