ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION GROUP FORMED

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION GROUP FORMED

There are few issues as important to humankind as climate change and general degradation of our planet. Rotarians are stepping up. For decades Rotary International has committed to protecting the environment. Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Groups (ESRAG) exist around the world. International President Jennifer Jones invites us to join her “Pollinator Challenge”. Our own club has a long history of environmental actions from tree planting to Huron River cleanup to Adopt-a-Highway. Two weeks ago, our Board of Directors strengthened the RCAA commitment to environmental action when they approved creation of an Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) as a new committee within our club.

Inspired by a Rotary talk last April by Missy Stults, Director of the Ann Arbor Sustainability Office (and a recent member of RCAA), the Board of Directors asked an Environmental Work Group to assess the feasibility, scope and general structure of an environmental committee. That group met over the summer and came up with a plan, which was approved by the Board on September 21.

The scope and aspirations of our ESRAG will be described in more detail at our October 12 Rotary meeting. Here is the general outline.

Projects – should be practical, hands-on environmental action.
Focus – on a few projects, 3-5. We cannot do everything. For now – Tree planting; Zero Waste/Circular Economy; and Aging in Place Efficiently.
Renew – structure in an annual review of initiatives as needs and volunteer interest evolves. Some would be renewed; others might fall off.
Collaborate – with other Rotary groups and other service groups.
Educate – Education is an essential element of all projects

Organizational Structure
Chair/Co-Chairs – Don Duquette & Missy Stults
Sustaining Members, – a core group who commit to regular meetings and take responsibility for certain initiatives. (Could be you?)
Activity Members – Those who join with more modest time commitment to specific action events. Think the Adopt-a-Highway Program. Tom Millard organizes the activity, the rest of us show up for a few hours of satisfying work.
Collaborators – Participants from other Rotary Clubs, Rotaract, STRIVE, external community groups such as Ann Arbor Sustainability Office, Kiwanis, Recycle Ann Arbor, Ecology Center,.

Please come to learn more at the October 12 Rotary meeting where we will unveil more of these plans. Will you join us? If you want to be a Sustaining or Activity Member, please email Don Duquette (duquette@umich.edu)

Be nice to our Mother, the Earth!

Submitted by Don Duquette