Hello Everyone!

Looking forward to seeing each of you at our first meeting tomorrow, Monday Feb 3rd at NOON in the Commons, room 332! It will be an exciting and interesting one with free pizza and drinks. Please make sure to come on time and be prepared to learn about our upcoming service projects, leadership opportunities and group discussions for this semester!

If looking for something to do this Spring Break, make sure to checkout this myUMBC post on ASB’s Environmental Trip (which spurred the creation of ETF) at http://my.umbc.edu/groups/serve/news/40811

Also, we will be using our website (http://umbceforce.wordpress.com/) as the main method of communication this semester, so make sure to follow us and stay updated!

Behind West Virginia’s Massive Chemical Spill, A History Of Poverty And Pollution

We are excited to announce a new paid opportunity for a student dedicated to helping protect the environment by reducing waste and raising awareness on Reycling!

Help to engage the campus and raise awarness on issues such as how to sort waste, how to reduce waste, ways to reuse, why recycling is important, gaining commitments through pledges, and what happens to our waste at UMBC.

The primary role of this position is to facilitate UMBC's participation in Recyclemania in 2014. Recyclemania is fully funding this position.

Sustainability Outreach and Communications Intern:

Intern will report to the Recycling Manager in Facilities Management. The position will be 4 hours per week. Hours may vary to accommodate meetings, and events. Additional tasks may be assigned. Intern must demonstrate evidence of interest and background in sustainability and must feel comfortable reaching out to professionals, peers, and faculty. Intern must be a current UMBC student. The internship will last from February 1^st to March 30^th during Recyclemania. Upon completion, the student will recieve a $250 stipend for the 8 week period, working at least 4 hours per week.

The will assist in promoting recycling on campus through design, online marketing, and events. During the period of Recyclemania the student will:

-Plan and promote events such as a parade, luncheon, and other outreach activities

-Set up and manage a weekly table on mainstreet

-Recruit, develop, and coordinate volunteers and partners

-Collect pledges, and take and post photographs

-Utilize the Recyclemania materials such as ‘event in box’

-Update press releases and blog posts

-Small amount of data entry to report weekly numbers to the Recyclemania website

-Post and manage engaging content on social media

Desired skills and qualifications:

- Experience or interest in learning about planning and coordinating events

- Strong writing and communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Creativity and design skills
- Related coursework in related area such as Environmental Studies, Communications and Design desired but not required
- Awareness of environmental issues
- Involvement in campus sustainability

-Enthusiastic, outgoing, and positive

Examples of Tasks and Responsibilities:

Events:

- Event planning and logistics

- Tabling, coordinating sign-up sheets, pledges, and photo booths

Writing:

- Assist with writing press releases, articles and event summaries

- Assist with conducting interviews and creating articles

Design:

- Assist with posters, designs and fliers

Social Media:

- Assist with updates to myUMBC and Facebook Events Calendar

- Assist with creating and posting of spotlights

- Posting photos and updates following events

- Expand followers on myUMBC and social media

Photography:

- Assist with taking photographs, editing, organizing and uploading content

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and a cover letter to recycle@umbc.edu

In your cover letter please include the following: 

1) why this position interests you

2) what related skills and experiences you possess

3) any other groups, activities, jobs or time commitments you are currently juggling and how you plan to manage your time

Deadline: January 30^th

The Dept. of Geography & Environmental Systems is leading an international field course to Costa Rica from June 1-15, 2014. 

Dr. Maggie Holland of the Dept. of Geography & Environmental Systems is leading an international field course to Costa Rica from June 1-15, 2014.

There will be two info sessions on February 10 from 4-5 p.m. in Admin 218 and February 18 from 3-4pm in Sondheim 001. The deadline to apply is March 10, but early application is strongly recommended.

The 3 credit course is called 'Sustainable Development & Conservation in Costa Rica' and is offered as an upper-level GES special topics course (GES 400/600, 3 credits). It is a mix of field research & service learning.

This course is open to both undergraduate and graduate students across any department at UMBC. Complete applications must be submitted to Admin 222/223 by March 10, 2014 for consideration for the program. There is a limit of 16 participants. Early application is strongly recommended. You can download the application form here: GES Field Course Costa Rica Application Summer 2014

Any questions? Contact the instructors, Dr. Maggie Holland (GES) or Katie Heird (IES)

The course, a mix of field research & service learning, includes:

Join UMBC as we strive to recycle more than ever! Last year we saw our recycling rates climb to an all time high: 40%! Let's beat not only our record, but other schools' too!

RecycleMania is a friendly 8 week long recycling national competition between colleges and universities! In the spirit of the competition, we ask that recycling fans help promote Recyclemania, so we can recycle more of our waste, and reduce the amount of waste we create!

Sustainability leaders and Facilities at ReSET (Retriever Recycling Team) have put together an amazing schedule of events, which can be found here!

Each week, right here, you can find out the latest current recycling and waste data! Find out how we rank, and and if we improve our rates from week to week!

Take a moment to learn all about what, how and why to recycle here at UMBC!


UMBC Recyclemania is supported by the Recycling Promo/Events Team, a partnership between Student Affairs and Facilities Management. For more information about ReSET or to join in this partnership, contact Donna Anderson at ext. 5-2283 or email recycle@umbc.edu

ReCet would be glad to bring recycling bins, displays, informational materials, activities and pledges to events throughout this period, and is looking for event cosponsors. Email sustainability@umbc.edu or recycle@umbc.edu if interested!

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