For all the european sb interested people who haven't received this via eu sb list
or any other means, some basic info about upcoming sb gathering in czech and a 
pre-gathering survey link. Sorry about the delay in posting and I hope to hear 
more directly from the organisers soon!
norak

Hello,
>
> We are contacting you as we have your name either as a participant of a
> previous straw bale event, or you're a national networker able to share
> this information in your network, or you're simply reading it on the EU
> SB list or the new SB web. This will be last time we write to
> ex-participants, from now on we simply publish news to the networkers,
> e-list and web.
>
> As you may know, the European Strawbale Gathering 2011 is slowly, but
> inevitably coming....
>
> Let me introduce myself and tell you so much as I know in the moment....
>
> My name is Milan Fano Blatny.
> A little about me: I live in the City of Brno, 2 hours away from the
> ESBG11 site in Moravia, Czech Republic. I graduated as a mason and an
> artist, I am an self-builder? and am interested in natural building and
> were a participant of the three annual 'National Building Celebrations'
> arranged by PermaLot. (Host of the ESBG11). www.permalot.org
>

> I am a part of the ESBG11 organizing team, my role for the ESBG team is
> that sort of the 'International communicator'; All your questions,
> comments, requests goes to me and I'll forward them to the appropriate
> team members if I can't answer them myself. -Even when I can answer them
> then please be patient as we have build in a system of transparency
> which means that prior to my answers the other members have a day and
> night to comment on it. It's easier for all if you write in English,
> however if in need I also understand German, Russian, and Spanish.
>
> So at the moment we work like horses to make it all happen.
>
> The most important to remember: The main ESBG11 dates are from
> 23.08.2011 to 28.08.2011.
> The ESBG11 will take place in and around the rural homestead run as a
> demonstration and educational centre for natural building by the NGO
> PermaLot. It is in the outskirts of a remote little Moravian village,
> Bouzov Podoli, near the castle of Bouzov and features two SB buildings +
> much more. Most of the activities will be in Bouzov Podoli and happen in
> various large tents however we'll also rent a gym for a day of
> conference set-up. Franta Zacek and team will be cooking organic meals
> here, much grown on the farm. Accommodation will range in many levels,
> from camping and dormitory in Bouzov Podoli, to nearby pensions and
> hotels.
>
> To giv you an idea of what we're busy with, so far we working on this
> over all plan:
>
> 1) A one week workshop: "House in 5 Days" (Building a small permanent
> house of big-bales in Bouzov Podoli). During the week from 14/08 to
> 19/08 2011.
> Target group: During workshop: About 25 Czech and international
> intermediate straw bale builders. After: Participants at the ESBG,
> viewers of the TV program, general public participating at the eco fair.
> Instructors: Czech Petr Skorepa and one more....(You?)
>
> 2) Optional bus tour of straw bale houses; See
> https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFlWcVNOQ0hWS29nejV0dGxfdGV5NWc6MQfor ideas of what
> to see.
>
> 3)ESBG 2011will start 17:00 Tuesday 23/08. The current rough program
> is outlined in our survey, and lasts until Saturday night the 27/08
> Target group: 130 of the European architects, engineers and builders
> involved in straw bale building.
>
> 4) A large 'Eco-Fair' on Saturday 27/08 as a final day with activities
> for general public (inspired by pre-ESBG09), in order to serve the many
> Czech/Slovaks who'll enjoy meeting the ESBG participants, but whom we
> can't fit in during the week.
> Target group: General public, significantly all of the Czechs who would
> like to come to the ESBG11, but whom we can't accept due to logistic
> problems.
>
> 5) National 'Open Door' day in Czech straw bale houses on 28/08 (2011),
> Target group: General public in Czech Republic, as well as some of the
> ESBG participants too on their way home.
> Marketing: Tom Vaclavik of www.GreenMarketing.cz
>
> Of course, there will be a lot more detailed program, as we know more
> about what you want and what you want to offer.
>
> In the moment we are working on budgeting and creating a system of how
> to select the participants of the gathering, as we have a limit of 130
> participants. Our suggestion is that each country administrates national
> systems of selecting 5 participants (+ a list of others, in case some
> nations can't send 5): We strongly welcome any suggestions; Please use
> the survey.
>
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFlWcVNOQ0hWS29nejV0dGxfdGV5NWc6MQ

> -We also recommend that you arrange for national events to satisfy the
> knowledge request within your country, and relieve the ESBG as being
> 'The Place' to go for basic straw bale building information.
>
> We would like to remind you of our hope to cooperate with any of the
> national groups regarding facilitate some of the program (Anyone wants
> to handle the selection of presenters for the conference), and please let
> us
> know if you have something which you would like to present at the ESBG
> 2011; best way is to write it in the survey
>
> I am looking forward to this Gathering in the beautiful valley of Bouzov
> Podoli, full of straw.
>
> See you there,
>
> Fano