Environmental leaders employ a unique skillset to support others while planning their own projects. While many elements of environmental leadership can be similar to styles used by sports captains or stage managers, planning environmental projects often involves motivating volunteer groups and hosting abstract projects where its difficult to see the direct outcome. This article examines ways of leading and outlines effective club meeting strategies.
Examples of sustainable practices are: individual actions and role modeling, participation in environmental events, volunteering for local causes, and leading discussions and planning events. Teachers in the classroom can lead by connecting their course material to the environment and in the case of Union college, by allowing students to present about divestment during class time.
Politicians are examples of environmental leaders when they support green bills. Organizations like USGBC demonstrate exceptional leadership by popularizing the idea of green design. Elements of culture like books, movies, music, podcasts, and online material are all examples of environmental leadership.
Earth weeks are the best form of environmental leadership because a specific theme can be reinforced through a series of projects. When simultaneously organizing multiple events, free association can be used to gauge the interest of club members in each event. Free association is a leadership strategy which allows members to choose when to attend meetings and what projects to participate in. Club members choose events of interest and have no obligation to other projects. Elected positions like president or secretary do require weekly participation. One feature of environmental groups and projects which are so unique is that there are roles for everyone. No matter what your interests are, there is a way to connect it to an environmental issue.
A difficult part of running a club is choosing which projects to host. Although it might make sense for the club as a whole to decide what events to do, effective project selection comes directly from the leadership. Club leaders should choose projects: they want to do personally, would support club membership, or support the school’s environmental goals. It is more important to host a specific, passionate, one of a kind event rather than something which has been done before. Passionate and cutting edge projects have a greater impact on discussion and participation than trash pickups or movie nights.
At the same time as planning their own intrinsically motivated projects, leaders should also support initiatives by other club members. Having a wide range of club activities is effective for advancing the free association model. Regardless of the type of event, leaders should delegate tasks effectively to club members interested in helping out.
Case study: Union College Environmental Club
Environmental club hosts educational events about reducing personal carbon footprint. President, treasurer, and secretary are elected positions usually held by junior and senior year students. The club meets weekly for thirty minutes excluding weeks with events. Two hundred dollars are available as club funding, but it is very easy to increase the budget by requesting additional funds from student activities or through other clubs. Since receiving additional money is easy, funding is not an issue for hosting events.
Each meeting begins with a discussion about a recent news topic or environmental issue. Afterwards, there is an open discussion about recent past events and planning future ones.
Projects this year include:
- Planting party
- Participants able to plant flower seeds in soil and take home
- Fast Fashion dinner and discussion where participants were able to repair torn or broken clothes
- This was a really successful event because people were able to fix their clothes using sewing kits, high attendance
- Learned about the environmental impact of clothing manufacturing
- Highly recommend fast fashion event!
- Movie night: Before the Flood by Leonard DiCaprio
- Interview with professor and environmental musician Mark Pedelty
- Invasive species removal at local ecology center
Case study U-sustain:
U-sustain is an organization on campus which focuses on making Union college more green through campus sustainability initiatives. U-sustain is unique because of the large faculty and staff involvement because U-sustain works closely with facilities and academic departments like ecology. While faculty and staff give U-sustain credibility, they are not so much “in charge” as just act like long term members.
Meetings are high energy and use a slideshow format. Concluding the slideshow is an open floor discussion.
While U-sustain is an organization and receives no funding from the school, members can apply for environmental project grants. The green fee is a twenty thousand dollar grant designed to enhance or add an element of sustainability to Union’s campus. Recipients of a presidential green grant ($2,000) use the money for personal environmental project which reaches the broader community. U-sustain, has positions for co-chair, education and outreach manager, green events leaders, and secretary.
Case study: ecomusicology interview with Mark Pedelty
In May, environmental club interviewed Mark Pedelty about the subject of ecomusicology. Ecomusicology looks at the connection between music and the environment. Ecomusicology focuses on the question: If climate change is such an important issue why do we not see it reflected in our music and culture? Mark Pedelty Skyped in to talk to a group of students about his experience with ecomusicology.
This part of the article will examine the leadership process around the ecomusicology event. After announcing the interview at a U-sustain meeting, a volunteer requested to design the poster. Posters are an easy part to delegate and in this case the model of free association worked well (the poster was amazing too). The head of environmental club supported the project by providing food at the event, audience members asked Mark questions, and one of my close friends helped out with technology. The best form of leadership is following. Without my friend’s help the event would never have happened.
One task which could have been delegated was writing an introduction for Mark. While this could have been delegated, it seemed to make the most sense fro me to write it based on my background in the material. Delegation works only if the person preforming the task is interested. With busy schedules many often feel bad about assigning tasks to other people in fear that they might not return to the club. Free association works well because it doesn’t force anyone to participate.
Do other colleges have multiple environmental clubs? Is it the same group of people or do both clubs work independently?
How to run effective meetings:
Group discussions and powerpoint presentations make great meetings. Group discussions, lead by different members each week act as a warmup for conversation. Slideshows demonstrate organization and thoughtfulness. Make slideshows exciting. U-sustain uses a custom presentation format not similar to those used in classrooms. Keep slideshows short and display the conversation question as a reference during discussion.
At each meeting it is important to break away from the classroom setting to make a fun, social environment where people feel inspired to help the environment. Aim for forty five minute meetings on a need to have basis. Begin meetings on time and open up with a group conversation. Have different members lead the discussion each week.
Use club time to actively work on projects, not on brainstorming. Before the meeting, club leaders should decide on what projects to plan. Break into small groups and work on assigned tasks or individual projects. Having things to work on is especially important when retaining perspective members. Actively building something or making progress on a task is much more meaningful and memorable than a brainstorming session. Small groups also allow people to get to know each other and are helpful when getting unstuck. This format is really useful when trying to fit event planning into a busy schedule. Breaking into small groups was really effective when Union college launched its campaign to divest from fossil fuels.
Think about the characteristics of your best meetings. Try and replicate those elements again and make club meetings so good that people want to come back!
Thank you for reading. :)
