CivicSpark  Greater  Los  Angeles  &  Inland  Empire  By:  Katie  Ward  &  Mikaela  Vournas  

Agenda  •  Introduction  •  Projects  with  the  SGVCOG  • EASY  (Residential  energy  efficiency)  • Go  Green  SGV  (Commercial  energy  efficiency)  

•  Volunteer  Program  for  CivicSpark  (Young  Gardeners)  

•  AmeriCorps  Experience  

July  16,  2015   CivicSpark  Greater  LA  &  Inland  Empire  2  

Introduction  •  Katie  Ward  •  BA  Political  Science  (Cal  Poly  Pomona)  •  Joined  CivicSpark  to  begin  a  career  in  public  service  

•  Mikaela  Vournas  •  BS  Anthropology  (Cal  Poly  San  Luis  Obispo)  •  Joined  CivicSpark  to  get  experience  in  community  outreach  

July  16,  2015   CivicSpark  Greater  LA  &  Inland  Empire  3  

SGVCOG  Projects  •  Regional  Partner:  The  San  Gabriel  Valley  Council  of  Governments  

•  Two  main  projects:  •  Residential  energy  efficiency  assessments  (EASY)  •  Commercial  energy  efficiency  support  and  recognition  (Go  Green  SGV)  

 

July  16,  2015   Footer  text  here  4  

EASY  •   Energy  Assessment  Screening  for  Your  Home  

•  Free  energy  assessments  for  residents  of  the  San  Gabriel  Valley  

•  There  are  4  CivicSpark  AmeriCorps  members  in  our  region  

 

July  16,  2015   CivicSpark  Greater  LA  &  Inland  Empire  5  

Provide  residents  with  information  to  increase  energy  efficiency  and  reduce  their  utility  bills  

Educate  the  community  on  residential  

sustainability  

Provide  customized  support  and  

information  on  rebates  and  financing  options  

Goals  

What  is  in  an  Assessment?  •  Energy  assessors  will  calculate  home  energy  “score”  based  on  size  of  the  home  and  monthly  energy  usage  using  an  online  tool  called  the  ENERGY  STAR  Home  Advisor  

•  Provide  customized  recommendations  using  a  checklist  of  conservation  tips  and  potential  retrofits  

•  Explain  process  of  relevant  rebates  and  financing  options  

July  16,  2015   Footer  text  here  6  

Program  Successes    

July  16,  2015   CivicSpark  Greater  LA  &  Inland  Empire  7  

Mikaela  •  Created  a  checklist  used  during  energy  assessments  •  Promoted  the  program  through  presentations  at  city  council  meetings,  energy  committees,  and  various  community  events  

Katie  •  Created  a  homeowner  presentation  used  during  assessments  •  Created  Access  database  to  track  EASY  program  data  

 

Overall  •  Completed  assessments  in  over  

40  homes  •  Engaged  17  cities  

Go  Green  SGV  •  Support  and  recognition  for  commercial  energy  efficiency  achievements  

•  Provides  free  customized  guidance  on  potential  retrofits  and  availability  of  rebates  and  incentive  programs  • One  on  one  meetings  between  local  business  owners  and  CivicSpark  members  

July  16,  2015   CivicSpark  Greater  LA  &  Inland  Empire  8  

Goals  To  provide  businesses  with  specialized  guidance  to  integrate  environmental  responsibility  into  

their  operations  in  a  manner  that  is  sustainable  as  well  as  profitable  

To  provide  public  recognition  to  businesses  that  show  exemplary  practices  in  energy  efficiency  

and  water  conservation  

To  promote  energy  efficiency  and  overall  sustainable  practices  in  the  region.  

July  16,  2015   CivicSpark  Greater  LA  &  Inland  Empire  9  

How  Does  It  Work?  3  levels  of  achievement:  

•  Partner  •  Requires  initiative  in  planning  for  energy  efficiency  improvements  •  Benefits  include:  Recognition  materials  

•  Member  •  Requires  planning  and  action  for  energy  efficiency  improvements  •  Benefits  include:  Recognition  materials  and  city  recognition  

•  Leader  •  Requires  sustained  action  and  involvement  in  energy  efficiency  improvements  and  education  •  Benefits  include:  Recognition  materials,  city  recognition  &  advertisement  

July  16,  2015   CivicSpark  Greater  LA  &  Inland  Empire  10  

Program  Participation    Mikaela  

•  Created  custom  guide  book  for  rebates,  financing  options  and  incentive  programs  

•  Wrote  action  plans  for  each  item  on  checklist  

•  Working  with  8  cities  to  reach  out  to  businesses  

Katie  

•  Created  Access  database  to  track  business  involvement  

•  Working  with  9  cities  to  reach  out  to  businesses  

July  16,  2015   CivicSpark  Greater  LA  &  Inland  Empire  11  

AmeriCorps  Experience  •  Volunteer  Project  “Young  Gardeners”  • Teaching  sustainability/gardening  lessons  in  local  day  camps  • Recruiting  volunteers  to  assist  

•  Service  Days  • Worked  in  school  gardens  and  for  LA  works  painting  schools  

•  Education  Award  

July  16,  2015   CivicSpark  Greater  LA  &  Inland  Empire  12