Earth Share of Washington

Earth Share Notes - October 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Lessons from a Hurricane

As these words are written, much of America’s Gulf Coast remains uninhabitable. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s web site currently advises, “Cleanup activities related to returning to homes and businesses after Hurricane Katrina can pose significant health and environmental challenges. People may be exposed to potentially life-threatening hazards posed by leaking natural gas lines, and carbon monoxide poisoning from using un-vented fuel-burning equipment indoors.” We’ve read much recently about immediate, intermediate, and long-term responses.

Can we actually prevent recurrences of the New Orleans flood? If we protected more marshlands in the Louisiana delta, would that have saved more lives? Will global warming contribute to more fierce storms, as climatologists predict? Most major magazines, from the New Yorker to Fortune, have devoted articles to this important topic. According to Grist.com, European countries have begun building sturdier dikes and planting warmer-weather crops.

Our staff is frequently asked, “What can one person do to reduce the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming?” On its web site, the group Climate Solutions offers 15 ways families can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15,000 pounds per year (see www.climatesolutions.org).

While we may agree or disagree about humans’ influence over our climate, we do know this: climate change is occurring. During workplace giving season, Earth Share of Washington encourages each of us to reflect on the long-term responses to Hurricane Katrina. Closer to home, has global warming affected Washington State? How will it affect your life? Ask questions; talk to neighbors and family members; share your opinions and start a dialogue.

Regarding the Gulf Coast, we are less interested in blame and more interested in thoughtful re-building, the kind that requires imagination, foresight and restoring both human and ecological dignity.

William Borden
Executive Director

Posted in the October 2005 Earth Page

Puget Sound Energy & the Environment - An Interview with Phil Bussey

- Featured in Green Business: Corporate Initiatives In Focus at esw.org

Phil Bussey is Vice President of Regional and Public Affairs at Puget Sound Energy, a Bellevue-based energy utility. Earth Share of Washington (ESW) recently interviewed Mr. Bussey about the present status of renewable energy, its future direction, and Puget Sound Energy’s role in expanding this fast-growing industry. Here is an excerpt from the interview:

ESW: Let’s talk first about renewable energy. Excluding hydropower, how heavily does Puget Sound Energy (PSE) rely on renewable energy like wind, solar and biomass as a resource?

Phil Bussey: Beyond hydropower, renewable resources currently compose about 1 percent of our power-supply portfolio. I believe you’d find a fairly similar percentage at most other Northwest utilities. Puget Sound Energy’s use of renewables, however, is increasing - in a very big way. In addition, we have one of the most vigorous and comprehensive energy-efficiency programs in the region.

Puget Sound Energy is Washington state’s largest and oldest energy utility, serving nearly 1 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers, primarily in the vibrant Puget Sound region.

Read the interview in its entirety on the Earth Share of Washington website:
http://www.esw.org/giving/puget_sound_energy.html

Posted in the October 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - September 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:
The busy workplace giving season is upon us. Our staff and representatives from our organizations will spend the next several months traveling around Puget Sound, speaking at charitable campaign events.

We face a very challenging task. That is, teaching people at these corporate and government workplaces that environmental issues touch every part of people’s lives from the regional economy to our health and quality of life. Demonstrating this connection motivates me to do this work, and Earth Share is uniquely poised to connect environmental organizations to workplaces, and workplaces to the community.

As you venture outdoors to enjoy the last vestiges of summer and sunshine before the winter rains encroach, consider this – What is it that makes Washington State such a uniquely beautiful place in which to live? I believe it is the commanding presence of Puget Sound and the flowing rivers of Washington, the abundant forests and wildlife, and our livable cities and communities. Like all of our staff and the staff at our organizations, I feel charged with protecting all that makes Washington unique and beautiful.

We look forward to meeting many people on the campaign trail this fall for the first time, and to talking with those that continue to provide their support year after year.

Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the September 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - July 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Volunteers at Earth Share’s Day in the Park turned out in record numbers to restore Golden Gardens Park. On this rainy June day, more than 750 volunteers participated in volunteer restoration projects — removing invasive plants that threaten this urban park, rebuilding hiking trails and cleaning up this popular beach destination.

As a result of the combined efforts of hundreds of volunteers and crew leaders, we accomplished the following feats at Golden Gardens:

• Removed nearly 800 lbs. of trash from the beach.
• Spread 10 tons of new sand on the beach.
• Eradicated invasive plants from the dunes, which will help foster native plant growth.
• Removed more than 1500 lbs. of ivy from the upper forest.
• Cleared huge swaths of land that were previously ivy deserts.
• Mulched bare soil in preparation for fall planting.
• Removed invasive garlic mustard from around the park.
• Protected the delicate wetland ecosystem from invasive plants.
• Resurfaced several stretches of hiking trails in the upper forest.

We could not have realized these goals without the assistance of our talented volunteers, crew leaders, and event sponsors.

If you would like to see pictures of the event, you can visit our online photo gallery at: www.dayinthepark.org

We hope to see you at the park again next year…in the sun!

Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the July 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes: June 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

New Staff
Earth Share of Washington is pleased to announce the hiring of Christina Scholz as Campaign Director. Her experience at United Way of King County – both as workplace fundraiser and coordinator for United Way’s Youth Connections program - allows Christina to hit the ground running. Christina succeeds Ana Garzon, who leaves us in June to continue her academic career at the University of Washington.

Christina grows vegetables, raises chickens, and purchased a diesel vehicle. In her capacity as Campaign Director, she will assist workplaces to expand their employee contribution programs. “I could not think of a better job than to educate the community and raise money for environmental organizations,” she says.

Day in the Park
What sweats and laughs a lot? A Day in the Park volunteer. Saturday, June 11, you are invited to participate in Earth Share of Washington’s only volunteer workday, Day in the Park. Hundreds of volunteers - friends, neighbors, co-workers, people like you - will gather to help remove invasive ivy, maintain trails, remove trash, and restore one of this region’s premier parks, Golden Gardens in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood.

What’s in it for you besides some fun and a workout? We’ll have good food, live music by Kyle Riabko, and prizes.

Visit www.dayinthepark.org to register. We look forward to meeting you there!

William Borden
Executive Director

Posted in the June 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - May 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:
Each April 22 the Gallup Organization releases its annual Earth Day poll, reflecting Americans’ attitudes toward the environment and environmental protection.

This year’s poll results include the following:

When asked if they “think the U.S. government is doing too much, too little, or about the right amount in terms of protecting the environment” a clear majority of Americans (58%) say “too little” and only a small minority (5%) say “too much.” These figures represent the highest ratio of “too little” to “too much” observed since 1992, and a continuing increase in support for governmental action since a low point in March 2003 when 51% held the former view. Such results demonstrate that the vast majority of Americans do not want to see a reduction in the government’s environmental protection efforts (because 92% respond that it is doing “too little” or “about the right amount”).

While Americans believe the government should do more to protect the environment, we shouldn’t rely on the government to take care of our house (eco-logy, the study of the house). We must insist on good government, and we should also assume the personal day-to-day responsibilities of house-tending. This may include volunteering (you’ll see opportunities later in The Earth Page), donating professional services, financial support, or leading by example.

Here’s a good question to ask your friends at the next party, “Are you an environmentalist?” Let us know what you hear (eswinformation@esw.org).

William Borden
Executive Director

Posted in the May 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share's Day in the Park

Presented by IKEA

June 11, 2005 – Earth Share’s Day in the Park 2005 – At Golden Gardens Park in Seattle - Day in the Park invites volunteers to team up with leading non-profit conservation organizations and community groups for an honest day’s work enhancing a local park. Volunteers remove invasive plant species, plant trees & native vegetation, clean up beaches, and rebuild trails. Volunteer teams, under the guidance of Seattle Parks personnel and Earth Share of Washington crew leaders, learn the values of teamwork and stewardship while having fun. It’s an opportunity for everyone to feel good about helping the Earth and giving back to your community parks. To learn more about the event or to signup, please visit http://www.dayinthepark.org

Bring your friends, bring your coworkers, or recruit a volunteer team from your community! A celebration afterwards features fun activities for kids and families, live music, free food, prizes, and giveaways for every volunteer.

Signup today at dayinthepark.org
http://www.dayinthepark.org

Posted in the May 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - April 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:
April is Earth Month
Earth Share of Washington organizations will be hosting volunteer events and celebrations throughout the month of April, in honor of Earth Day – April 22. If you’ve been on the fence about volunteering, now is the time to get involved. Community volunteer activities include hiking trail construction, shoreline planting, parks restoration, invasive plant removal, and a coastline beach cleanup. There are hundreds of activities around Washington in April – from the North Cascades, to Eastern Washington, to your neighborhood.

These volunteer events are focused on protecting your health and quality of life in Washington by preserving clean air & water, restoring parks & recreational areas, and celebrating a healthy community. Grab your friends, family, and coworkers and find an event near you!

Need help finding a volunteer event? Contact Earth Share at eswinformation@esw.org or check out volunteer opportunities posted below or on our website – www.esw.org/help/

Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the April 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - March 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

Special Thanks…
As we receive 2004 charitable giving pledge results from workplaces across Washington, Earth Share would like to take this opportunity to thank all the individual donors, campaign coordinators and workplaces that help to make Washington a healthier and safer place to live. If you do not currently have the option to give to the environment at work through Earth Share, now is a great time to ask your Human Resources manager about adding us as a giving option. Contact Ana Garzon at agarzon@esw.org for details.

Ana Garzon
Campaign Director

Posted in the March 2005 Earth Page

Picture the Earth a Better Place

Yahoo! Photos and Earth Share Team Up to Raise Awareness of Environmental Issues

Taking photographs of our surroundings is one of the most revealing art forms. Whether meticulously crafted or snapped hastily to preserve a moment in time, photos reflect how we view the world in all its beauty, sadness and vastness.

In celebration of Earth Day 2005, Yahoo! Photos and Earth Share are holding a national photo event to celebrate how we each see the Earth, while raising awareness of environmental issues worldwide. Beginning on March 10, 2005, you can submit photos through Yahoo! Photos that you believe best represent what Earth Day means to you. Visit http://photos.yahoo.com to submit your photo by March 30. In honor of the top photographer, Yahoo! Photos will donate $10,000 to the Earth Share member organization(s) of their choice.

“This is a positive way for people around the nation to capture their feelings about Earth Day through photography,” said Kalman Stein, president and CEO of Earth Share (Earth Share of Washington is Earth Share’s local affiliate). “We hope this contest will provide people with an opportunity to share their thoughts about the environment as communicated through the powerful visual medium of photography.”

Photographs will be judged by a panel of experts, including professional photographers and representatives from leading environmental organizations and publications. Ten finalists, chosen by the panel of experts, will be posted on Yahoo! Photos, and users will then be able to vote for their favorite photograph beginning on April 11, 2005. The top photo will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2005, when the photo will be featured on the Yahoo! Earth Day web site.

“We are honored to work with Earth Share to further the appreciation for our environment during Earth Day and throughout the year,” said Jeff Stoddard, director of Yahoo! Photos. “With this photo contest, we are elevating awareness for environmental causes by encouraging people to celebrate their natural surroundings through digital photography.”

Many consumers don’t realize it, but using digital photography greatly reduces the negative impact on the environment. Unlike film photography that requires chemical processing and printing, you can enjoy digital photos immediately on your camera, PC or a website. Plus with digital photos, you only print the pictures you want rather than an entire roll. And with the ability to share photos virtually via email and online, the need to print duplicate photos for friends and family goes away.

InfoTrends, a leading analyst firm, says that about 12-15% of digital camera users don’t print photos at all, instead relying on digital files for viewing, sharing and archiving of photographs. Online photo sharing sites, such as Yahoo! Photos (photos.yahoo.com), provide consumers with the convenience of online storage and photo sharing, while also helping to preserve the environment by decreasing the overall quantity of photos printed.

Yahoo! Photos and Earth Share are dedicated to raising awareness of environmental issues and call upon everyone to submit photos to participate in this worthy event.

Posted in the March 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - February 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

Earth Share is best known for helping companies to build their employee contribution programs. Our 65 leading conservation organizations attract donors from across the state, even across the nation (we receive contributions from as far away Tennessee and New York).

Preliminary reports from last fall’s employee pledge programs are promising, ahead of last year. Companies such as REI and Microsoft add strength to their employees’ generosity with corporate matches.

And where does this money go? To Earth Share organizations, workplace gifts offer substantial help because these gifts are unrestricted. Certainly these contributions support our members’ program work, be it for purchasing lands, restoring ecosystems, or advocating environmental policy. But what happens when the copier breaks? Like our for-profit corporate partners, effective planning involves setting aside funds for long-term opportunities, while having the resources to respond to day-to-day emergencies. Earth Share member organizations, the large ones and the small, speak of the value of these discretionary dollars.

Whether you choose to support environmental organizations, international relief, health care, food banks, social services, or whatever cause moves you, thank you for making this world a better place.

William Borden
Executive Director
wborden@esw.org

Posted in the February 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - January 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

January is a time to reflect on the events of 2004 and, like many, establish a few New Year's resolutions for 2005. As Washingtonians purge their kitchen cabinets of chocolate treats and flock to the gyms in record numbers, the environmental community will be hard at work on its own set of New Year's resolutions.

Since 2002, 14 Washington-based conservation and public interest organizations have established the top legislative priorities for the coming year, Priorities for a Healthy Washington. These priorities espouse goals that are familiar to all Earth Share organizations - to protect our health, our children, and our quality of life. Learn more about the 2005 Legislative Priorities in this month's Earth Page, and find out how to become involved at one of the upcoming events in January or February.

Warm Wishes for the New Year,
Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the January 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - December 2004

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

Many people feel overwhelmed, paralyzed to act, or simply too discouraged by environmental issues. It may seem impossible for one individual to make an impact on the climate, for instance. In fact, if everyone took a few steps to save energy in their home, or curb greenhouse gas emissions, we could collectively do a great deal to help fight global warming. According to K.C. Golden from Climate Solutions (featured in our CLIMATE CHANGE article, below), "People caused it, people can fix it."

The theme of this month's Earth Page is 'a few simple steps to make a difference.' Please consider taking one small step this month to be more engaged in protecting our health, our children, and our quality of life - all affected by environmental issues. Opportunities abound this month from volunteering, to making conscientious holiday shopping purchases. It might even be as simple as learning more about an issue you care about. See our website for more ideas - www.esw.org.

Never underestimate the power that one inspired individual has to lead others by example.

Happy Holidays!
Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the December 2004 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - November 2004

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

In 1800 Thomas Jefferson wrote this in a letter to his daughter, "Politics are such a torment that I would advise every one I love not to mix with them."

Jefferson wrote those words at a particularly difficult time in American history. So divided was our country at the beginning of the nineteenth century that two American leaders, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, fought a duel over their beliefs. As an apolitical organization, we do no lobbying for legislation, nor endorse candidates. There are plenty of conservation organizations that do.

As these words are written, people will visit the polls tomorrow in vast numbers. Their voting will affect the American - and global - environment, including policies governing our air and water quality, land use, transportation and energy systems.

Grab the coffee pot. I think we'll be up late tomorrow night.

William Borden
Executive Director

Posted in the November 2004 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - October 2004

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

Vehicle donations are an increasingly popular way to support a charity, and because of that, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has stepped up its review of such donations.

This is the time of year when people often think about replacing their cars and trucks. Consider donating a used vehicle to a charity. It's a win-win situation: great opportunities for a tax deduction, to recycle your vehicle and to help the planet. Just make sure you report the fair market value of the vehicle. The IRS won't accept a $20,000 deduction on a '92 Volvo.

The IRS offers guidance on vehicle donations at its web site, www.irs.gov. Type "vehicle donation" in the search box.

Vehicle donations contribute to protecting our water and air, our communities, our food, our lands, and our wildlife. We're very grateful that many people choose to contribute to Earth Share of Washington in this fashion, and we want to make sure everyone, including the IRS, is happy with the result.

Information about Earth Share of Washington's vehicle donation program is available at the "How You Can Help" section of its web site - www.esw.org.

- Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the October 2004 Earth Page

Staff Notes - September 2004

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

The busy workplace giving season is upon us. As Earth Share of Washington's (ESW) Campaign Director, I will spend the next several months traveling throughout the Puget Sound inspiring employees at area workplaces to support ESW and the environment through their charitable giving programs.

In doing this, I have opportunities to speak to a wide range of audiences with the goal of connecting environmental support directly with people's health and quality of life. It is the link between a healthy environment and my health that motivates me to do this work, and I believe it is a compelling message to inspire awareness and appreciation in all of us.

Part of this message is also encouraging people to be active and enjoy Washington's outdoors. Getting outside and seeing what our natural environment offers our lives is a great way to motivate our caring and concern for its health. We look forward to reaching many people with our message for the first time, and to talking with those that continue to provide their support year after year.

- Ana Garzon, Campaign Director

Posted in the September 2004 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes

Dear Reader:

Beginning with this issue, The Earth Page will feature Staff Notes, monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington (ESW) staff members on activities and trends.

How's the environment doing these days? In April the Gallup organization released its annual Earth Day poll, headlined, "Environment Not a Pressing Concern." The article states, "Americans recognize that there are problems with environmental conditions, but are becoming less concerned about those problems." This is entirely understandable and expected. With troubles abroad, economic uncertainty, and political enmity, the environment is hardly an issue foremost on our minds right now.

Now some encouraging news. As you know, ESW is best known for helping companies to establish and build effective employee pledge programs. Since 1999, per capita giving to Earth Share has increased nearly 40 percent, from an average of $129 annually to $180! This is remarkable and generous growth in unsteady times. Now add this startling statistic: Washington Trails Association and Volunteers for Outdoor Washington reported an astounding 96,000 hours of volunteer service building and maintaining recreational trails in 2003. That's equivalent to 46 professional trail crews working full-time for a solid year.

All of this underscores the care and commitment of thousands of Washingtonians willing to act. In years ahead, as we reflect on these times of political and international instability, we will also remember this as a time when people chose to give back their time and money to a valued cause that transcends political and ideological differences.

- William Borden, Executive Director

Posted in the August 2004 Earth Page

Day in the Park 2004 a Huge Success - More Than 500 Volunteers in Attendance

SEATTLE, WA -- More than 500 volunteers from across Western Washington converged on Discovery Park and Golden Gardens June 12, to celebrate Earth Share of Washington's Day in the Park 2004. In the morning, volunteers participated in a variety of restoration projects and finished out the day with a grand celebration featuring live music, a barbecue lunch, the grand opening of the newly renovated Golden Garden Bathhouse, and a thank you from Mayor Greg Nickels.

Volunteer Sharon Minter remarked "It was truly a pleasure to serve long side so many great people - and what fun we had! Thanks for including me and giving me the opportunity to give back a little for what we are so largely blessed with."

More than 50 environmental organizations, community groups, businesses, and government agencies participated in Day in the Park 2004.

"Day in the Park is an opportunity for everyone to get involved in helping the Earth and giving back to your community," proclaims Earth Share of Washington Program Coordinator and Day in the Park organizer, Dave Manelski. "For me, the most exciting part about working for Earth Share to plan Day in the Park is building community across so many different organizations. We have environmental organizations, community groups, corporate teams, and Seattle Parks personnel all working together. To see everyone out there giving back and having fun just made my day."

Here is a sample of the projects completed this year:
At Discovery Park:

• Volunteers rebuilt sections of the North Beach Trail,
• removed a large stand of invasive blackberries,
• cleaned up both the North and South Beach of trash,
• and removed a significant amount of ivy from the North Beach Trail.

At Golden Gardens:

• Volunteers saved more than 100 trees from the overwhelming ivy,
• repaired portions of Trail #3,
• eradicated the dunes from invasives, and maintained native vegetation there,
• cleaned up the beach and the fire pits,
• protected delicate wetland vegetation,
• and removed invasive garlic mustard from around the park.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, participating organizations, and sponsors who helped to make Day in the Park 2004 such a great event. A special thanks goes out to title sponsor IKEA, media sponsor 103.7 KMTT The Mountain, and Seattle Parks & Recreation without whom this event would not be possible.

We hope that you'll consider joining us for Day in the Park 2005. In the meantime, take a look at some of the photos from the 2004 event at the Day in the Park website (Thank you Luc Schoonjans and Doug Manelski for your photographic expertise).

Posted in the July 2004 Earth Page

Recycle Your Car - Donate It to Earth Share of Washington

Earth Share of Washington is excited to announce that we are now able to accept donations of used cars. Just send us a little information about your vehicle and a pick-up location and we'll tow it away, transfer the title, and give you a letter for a tax write-off. It couldn't be easier!

Why donate your car?
It's much easier to donate your used car than it is to sell it yourself. And the tax savings might even be more than what you would receive from a trade in. Your donation will support Earth Share of Washington's environmental programs.

To learn more about our car donation program or to send us your old car, please visit our website, www.esw.org/help/car_program.html or call 206-622-9840.

Posted in the May 2004 Earth Page

2003 Workplace Giving Season Draws to a Close

- by Ana Garzon, ESW's Campaign Director

Despite the uncertain economy's direct bearing on government and corporate workplaces throughout Washington, Earth Share of Washington's (ESW) unofficial 2003 campaign totals show promise for a great year for environmental giving. The Washington State Combined Fund Drive, which represents about a third of ESW's annual campaign revenue, showed an 8% increase as of early December, with many pledge forms still waiting to be entered. The Combined Federal Campaign of King County, another large campaign for ESW, also showed a slight overall increase from 2002. From the corporate workplaces, Microsoft came in at about the same levels of 2002, and other campaigns such as Genie Industries were added and generated great results.

A highlight to date in this year's campaigns was the REI Charitable Action Campaign. REI has been one of ESW's strongest workplace campaigns, and in 2003, REI employees pledged at record levels, raising a total of over $55,000 for Earth Share of Washington and its members. In addition, REI's $30,000+ corporate match brings this year's campaign results to unprecedented levels.

Other campaign totals will be coming in as the new year begins, and we will have more information on results into the spring of 2004. Thank you for all your efforts and support during the 2003 campaign season. At ESW, we can definitely feel a growing energy and support for what ESW and its members do to improve our communities and quality of life. Thank you for continuing your role in this important effort!

Posted in the January 2004 Earth Page

Perspectives

- by ESW Executive Director William Borden

"Always do right," spoke Mark Twain to a group of young people. "This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest."

For Earth Share of Washington (ESW), "doing right" means accounting for, and using, each donor dollar with scrutiny. Each year, ESW examines its member organizations for fiscal responsibility, program achievement, and staff and board integrity. Each organization must meet these standards to participate in Earth Share of Washington.

"Doing right" means reducing overhead costs as much as practicable, an innate practice among business leaders. In 2002, ESW spent 3.09% of revenue on fundraising and administration, an extraordinarily low figure.

In May of this year, former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley and a consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, wrote an article for the Harvard Business Review, urging non-profits to examine their programs, identify duplication with similar groups, reduce fundraising costs, and operate in a more business-like manner. Among their findings, non-profit organizations could save $55 billion annually by eliminating inefficiencies, and save an additional $26 billion by raising money through the Internet and by soliciting larger grants from fewer foundations.

Clearly in the non-profit field, duplication of programs and services exists. Also clearly, non-profits have adopted more strategic business practices, devised innovative revenue-generating ideas (witness the explosion of gift shops at museums and zoos), and trimmed expenses to maintain essential operations.

Bradley is one of America's most respected policy advisers and a proponent of progressive environmental policies and sustainability. This report misses the mark by assuming that larger non-profits are more efficiently managed than smaller ones. Some of the most effective of Earth Share of Washington's member organizations consist of a handful of employees. In these organizations you may find the executive director working weekends hauling old refrigerators and junk cars out of streams, or training volunteers to wield a Pulaski (a landscaping tool often used in trail building). In the words of one donor, "For the Microsoft Giving Campaign, I chose Earth Share because it is a coalition that supports a diverse set of issues including environmental clean-up, outdoor recreation, habitat protection, and legal issues."

While we should heed the call for greater efficiency and economies of scale, we must also recognize that the work needs to get done, and at this critical time in our country's history, we need environmental groups large and small working together.

Today, as in the future, "doing right" is meeting – or exceeding – the expectations of our donors, our member organizations, and the public. We are grateful indeed to the thousands of citizens and institutions that have supported our efforts.

Posted in the August 2003 Earth Page

Job Seekers List

Email: agarzon@esw.org

Are you looking for a non-profit job in the Puget Sound region? You're in luck! ESW's own Campaign Director Ana Garzon maintains a non-profit job seekers email list. She sends out job opportunities via email as soon as she receives them. If you would like to join this list, please email Ana (agarzon@esw.org) with your name and email address to signup.

Posted in the July 2003 Earth Page

Staying on the Leading Edge

- by William Borden, Earth Share of Washington Executive Director

"I don't get it," sighed the culinary student, "I've tried everything, but I can't seem to find the technique!"

"Perhaps," said the instructor discreetly, "you should sharpen your knife."

So it is with organizations. Earth Share of Washington honed the knife recently by adopting a new mission statement and a new strategic plan.

Until recently, Earth Share of Washington's (ESW) sole purpose was to raise and disburse money to support the environmental programs of its member organizations. Then, beginning in 2001, ESW staff and board members conducted in-depth interviews with 19 CEOs and community affairs directors in companies throughout King County. We heard the following perceptions about environmental organizations:

• they do not respond to human needs
• they're out of touch with local communities
• they're too narrowly focused
• their missions and programs too often overlap
• they're elitist and lack socioeconomic diversity
• they don't relate to business needs.

An unfortunate chasm of mistrust and misinformation divides these two sectors. How can the conservation community build credibility and trust with people in business? As this state's principal liaison between the environmental community and workplace employees, Earth Share of Washington intends to do something about it.

To help build bridges between conservation organizations and community, Earth Share of Washington re-structured its board, altered its mission and adopted a strategic plan, all within the past year. The plan capitalizes on our existing relationships with the business community. Simply put, we propose to motivate and inspire employees to care for the environment, and to do something positive to help.

So, if funding permits, we intend to embark on an outreach program, in which Earth Share of Washington will link Puget Sound area corporations with leading conservation and environmental organizations. What would employees find useful and engaging ... conservation breakfasts? Lunchtime presentations? Volunteer work parties?

What are your ideas?

At Earth Share of Washington, a dull knife doesn't cut it. We intend to stay on the leading edge, and we will keep you apprised of this program periodically in The Earth Page. Let us know your thoughts at eswinformation@esw.org.

Posted in the June 2003 Earth Page