Big Ideas for Cape Cod: Recap and Photo Round-up!
Great communities start with great ideas - and the best communities work together to turn those ideas into action.
When neighbors come together to exchange ideas and connect over shared enthusiasm for their community's future, great things can happen. The Cape Cod community's creative energy was palpable on Tuesday, May 15, as CCYP hosted the first-ever "Big Ideas for Cape Cod," a community live pitch event designed to encourage creative ideas and discussion on the future of Cape Cod. Members of the public were invited to submit their "big idea" in advance - and then present it live at the event with a 2-minute pitch to an audience of peers, fellow Cape Codders, and community leaders. Idea pitches could be on any topic, and presenters were invited to make use of props, PowerPoint, or other resources to make the case for their idea. Cape Cod Community Media Center live streamed the event, providing an opportunity for viewers at home to follow along and participate remotely in the event. Big Ideas for Cape Cod was made possible thanks to our host, Cape Cod Beer, and sponsor, Kinlin Grover!
During the event, a total of 18 pitches were given in quick succession, and presenters were timed to keep their pitches to 2 minutes or less. Big ideas included a suggestion to alleviate Cape Cod's housing shortage by appointing a Cape-wide Housing Czar, a project that turns school-generated food waste into compost, and a myriad of others. Once all the pitches were complete, audience members were invited to vote live for their favorite pitch. Results were displayed in real time on the big screen at the event, and those watching from home could also participate in the live voting process. The top pitch with 19% of the vote was the Cape Cod Pet Collective, pitched by Lisa Guyon. Lisa received a $250 cash prize for her win! Congrats, Lisa - now go make your big idea a reality!
Check out pictures of the event below (photo credit: Photosasha), and video clips of each pitch courtesy of the Cape Cod Community Media Center. Thanks to all who pitched, attended, and participated from home to make this event a success!
Peter Marancik - Cycling Cape Cod
Peter Marancik was the first to give his pitch. Peter proposed turning Cape Cod into a world-famous cycling destination.
Liz Argo - An Electrifying Idea: Creating a Sustainable Community
Liz Argo was the second to pitch and shared her big idea to create Massachusetts' first truly self-contained, sustainable community through microgrid technology and electric vehicles. Learn more about Liz's idea at www.cvecinc.org.
Lisa Guyon - Cape Cod Pet Collective
Lisa Guyon has an idea - to start a program where young professionals can "pet share" with seniors in our community.
Natalia Frois - Inclusion Services
Natalia Frois pitched her idea to legalize hard working immigrants on Cape Cod.
Andrew Todoroff - Cape Cod Challenger Green Project
Andrew Todoroff pitched an expansion of Barnstable High School's successful composting pilot program to reduce food waste and create vocational training opportunities.
Meghan Campbell - Positive Relationships for Our Future Community Members
Meghan Campbell's big idea is to invest in the future of our community by mentoring a child.
Meghan Campbell Positive Relationships For Future Community Members
Samantha Peters - A Community Where People Feel They Belong
Samantha thinks we can work together as a community to foster a generation of Cape Cod kids who feel appreciated and valued, and give back to others.
Dave Scandurra - Food Forest Initiative
Dave planned to pitch an intergenerational community but instead shared his big idea for a Cape-wide food tree planting initiative.
Meadow Hilley - Cape Cod Black Box
Meadow Hilley has an idea to share history through story and community conversation. She proposes to launch an educational campaign to tell the untold story of Cape Cod's role in the transatlantic slave trade. Learn more about Meadow's project, Cape Cod Black Box, at www.capecodblackbox.com.
Brian Smith - A Holistic Approach to Community Problems
Brian Smith, originally planning to present his big idea for planetary restoration through algae-based wastewater treatment, shifted his presentation focus to emphasize the importance of holistic, community-based efforts like CCYP for solving our biggest issues. Learn more about his idea for sustainable wastewater treatment at http://www.aquagen-isi.com/ and watch the video to hear more.
Justine Coppenrath - Washashore Productions
Justine Coppenrath has an idea to launch a Cape Cod-based film production company that employs locals and sets scenes using Cape Cod locations. Check out the details of their big idea in the video and visit http://washashoreproductions.com/ for more.
Marc Goldberg - Preparing the Next Generation of Small Business Owners
Marc Goldberg pitched a certification program designed to give Small Business Management training for mid-career tradespeople, in partnership with Cape Cod Community College.
Marc Goldberg Preparing The Next Generation Of Small Business Owners
Robert Surrette - A Creative Solution to Cape Cod's Housing Shortage
Robert Surrette proposed that the Cape Cod Commission appoint a housing czar to coordinate housing efforts Cape-wide. Read more on Robert's blog at www.rocapecod.com.
Laura Brisbane - Ranked Choice Voting
Laura Brisbane says Cape Cod should change its voting system for elections to Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), where voters rank candidates in order of preference. Check out http://www.voterchoicema.org/ to read more.
Amy Wyman - Good Grief Cape Cod
Amy Wyman wants to apply research on grief to launch a community education project for children and adults on the subject of death and tragedy.
Madhavi Venkatesan - Sustainable Practices
Madhavi took the stage to share her idea for adopting an ecotourism model to balance the needs of Cape Cod as a home, a tourist destination, and a precious natural resource. Learn more about Madhavi's work at https://sustainablepracticesltd.org.
Will Rubenstein + Dave Caolo - Reboot GameLab
Will Rubenstein and Dave Caolo pitched the Reboot Game Lab, a screen-free program of after-school activities, camps, and weekend classes that presents kids opportunities to play table-top games designed to target social, emotional and academic skills. Check out these slides for more details on their idea.
Bob Cody - Cape Cod Innovation Center
Bob Cody pitched his idea for a public-private partnership, the Cape Cod Innovation Center, to drive materials, engineering, and design of coast resilient housing that withstands the brunt of Mother Nature.
