Week of May 16

Environmental Club members & supporters,


The year is almost over! We are having coordinator elections - if you have any interest in leading, apply. We will train you if you're elected, so don't stress. Our second to last meeting is next Thursday with an earlier starting time (4:30).


Environmental Club events:
Environmental Club Meeting - Change in Starting Time
Thursday, May 20, 2010
4:30 pm
GreenSpace, SMSU 28

At our 2nd to last meeting this year, we'll be accepting coordinator applications. We'll also be talking about this year, how it's gone, what we should do over the summer, our upcoming volunteer activities, and maybe more about the ridiculously horrible oil spill. Maybe we can do something for it

Hope to see you here.


So You Want to Be a Coordinator…
Elections are coming up! Apply to be a coordinator. We'll train you. Elections will be held at our final meeting (with Hot Lips pizza) on Thursday, June 3. The decision is made by the entire group.

POSITION DUTIES:
Coordinator position:
3 available positions
6 - 10 hours a week average
$111/month, 9 months of pay, from end of Sept until end of June, summer prep time is required, and will be determined by elected coordinators
Duties: planning and leading meetings, helping coordinate a campaign (like this year's Take Back the Tap or Earth Day program - campaigns are decided by members at beginning of year), answering emails, staying on top of paperwork for budget, planning events, keeping in touch with other coordinators

Assistant coordinator position:
(was originally Native Garden coordinator)
~4 hours a week
$0/month (But, oh, the satisfaction!)
The assistant coordinator position is a good lead-up to being a full coordinator. Less hours, less responsibility, but good experience.
Duties: helping plan & set up events & meetings, overseeing the Native Garden and organizing a work party if necessary (or convincing someone else to do so!)

Please prepare the following application information:
    * your full name and PSU ID number
    * your motivations for applying
    * previous organizing experience (don't worry if you don't have any, and organizing a study group does count)
    * time availability next year
    * people skills - ability to compromise, fulfill obligations, etc
    * do you have easy access to campus? (live near, bike, or etc)

Submit application no later than the Environmental Club meeting on Thursday, May 19th at 7pm.


Volunteer at the Learning Gardens
Saturday, May 22, 2010
6801 SE 60th Ave.
10:15am - 2pm

Come and help the Environmental Club at their summer kick-off volunteer event!  Join us at the Learning Garden Laboratory for an afternoon of gardening and community.  And guess what!?  Those of you not a fan of our usual early morning volunteer events will be happy to know that this event starts at 10:15!  After a short orientation we'll get our hands in the dirt.


Campus events:
Portland State University's Third-Annual Sustainability Celebration
Monday, May 24, 2010
Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom 3rd floor
4-6 p.m.
4 p.m. Reception and poster session
5 p.m. Program and climate action plan signing

Join us for a celebration of this year's sustainability activities at Portland State University, including:
• Official signing of PSU's 2040 Climate Action Plan by President Wim Wiewel
• Introduction of Robert Costanza, incoming director, Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices
• Sharing of successes by students, faculty and staff
• Poster session for sustainability projects

Light refreshments served. Free and open to the community.

www.pdx.edu/sustainability


Climate Action Plan review
Dear Environmental Club Members,

I am pleased to present the latest version of the PSU Climate Action Plan for review by members of the Environmental Club.

The Plan is available for download at: http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/climate-action-plan
We are hoping that faculty and students will help us identify campus-based research projects that can be included in the Plan.

Comments are being accepted through May 16 at greencampus@pdx.edu and through the following surveys:

    * Students
    * Faculty
    * Staff

Please join us
Portland State University's 3rd Annual Sustainability Celebration will be taking place 4-6pm May 24, 2010 in the SMSU Ballroom (rm 355).
- 4pm Reception/poster session
- 5pm Program with remarks by the President, signing of the Climate Action Plan, stories from PSU students/faculty/staff, and an introduction to the new CSP2 director, Robert Costanza.

Thank you for your consideration,
Noelle Studer-Spevak


Other:
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
I found some interesting info about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Thought I'd share.

Video of the oil leak - shows oil gushing out of broken pipe:
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/05/12/us/1247467832643/video-shows-oil-gushing-into-gulf.html

Other problems the Gulf of Mexico faces - dead zones, trash, industry, and now the oil spill:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/05/09/weekinreview/09marsh.html

Shows daily spread of oil:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/05/01/us/20100501-oil-spill-tracker.html


Almost dead week? No, not really.

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant


Check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/