Best Practices for Green Student Organizations

by Patrick Margherio & Ian Bevan

Workshop Outline:

1. About us2. Discussion Group Intro (4 main topics)

a. Effective Campus Networkingb. Sustainable Marketingc. Business case for sustainability d.Cultivating Leadership

3. Discussion Groups4. Reporting and Wrap-Up

Our Mission:Green Tower Sustainability’s (GTS) mission is to provide free consulting services, resources and leadership training to environmentally and socially progressive student groups in universities across the country. Green Tower Sustainability is a project of Green2Gold and the Environmental Education Group.

Free Services Provided:•Initial operational audit & follow up support•Access to GTS Student Consultants•Merchandising & fundraising strategies•Grass-roots marketing•Event planning resources and experience•Assistance in membership growth amidst high turnover rates•Media relations tactics that get your organization on the map•Tutorials on how to use the business argument for sustainability•Access to the online database •We also document your success and inspire others to replicate that success.

Past Successes:•Bike Lane

Massive Events:

Our Successes:•LEED Platinum Student Union

•Check out our website•www.greentowercampus.com•Our Team/Student Consultants•Click through bios

Why Student Orgs?:

Join us today!

Networking on Campus & Community

• Green Infrastructure (how to grow a movement)• Off Campus i.e. events • Professional development

Two Stages1) Planning2) Implementation

Sustainable Marketing

What do you have to market?- Your project or event- Your organization- Yourself

Why are you selling it? - Convince someone to do something

- Grow the organization

Sustainable Marketing

Messaging & Framing

• Don’t Think of an Elephant by George Lakoff

• What is your message?

• How are you framing it?

Implementation Stage

• Flashmobs• Eye-catching events• Go beyond the flyer• Talk to people who have done it

before

SDSU Outdoor Recycling Project

This picture shows the inability for 36,000 students to recycle outdoors prior to 2009!!! It also shows waste - ALWAYS an opportunity for student groups.

This picture shows the inability for 36,000 students to recycle outdoors prior to 2009!!! It also shows waste - ALWAYS an opportunity for student groups.

Recycling Trash

Waste Station & Components

Glass

PlasticsAluminum

2. Different Colored Liners

1. Signage

3. Modified Lid indicates contents

4. Recycling Logo

On both sides

Multi-Stream: Paired Configuration

5. Recycling Logo facing pedestrian traffic

Trash Only 7. Trash Only Decal

Beverage Containers

8. Beverage Containers Only

10” to 1’ Length

3” to 4” Width

Point out the problem, then provide solutions

Leadership

"Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen.”

Leadership Development Process

1. Identifying interest

2. Talking to interested members

3. Education/History of campus issues

4. Giving interested members small responsibility

(Convincing them that they can be leaders)

5. Gradually larger responsibility (Convincing them that they can be good leaders)

6. Self-actualization(They don’t need you anymore!)

Personal Growth

• Investigate

• Collaborate

• Activate