(Pauline, Tom and James exemplify remarkable teamwork skills as they collaborate to calculate 1% of revenue.)
You may have seen some new authors on the blog lately and that’s because 1% for the Planet has recently welcomed three new data doctors. With the New Year upon us (happy Year of the Dragon, today!), 1% for the Planet is transferring its database from a system we’ve long since outgrown to a much more robust platform that will cater better to our member companies and nonprofit partners! Later this year, we look forward to launching a new database and website that will allow for greater interconnectivity, enhanced member and nonprofit profiles, transparent giving information and better search mechanisms for our website visitors! More to come on the new database in due time, but first let’s kick things off with some introductions to the new crew: James, Pauline and Tom.
James Kinne gradutated from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, and is our resident pro musician here at 1%. His time outside of the 1% office finds him playing shows and recording with his two groups, Last October and the Phineas Gage Project. His passion for our planet and music merge within the office, supplying a diverse and “interesting” selection of music for all at 1% to hear. Born in New York City, James has always loved Vermont and moved to the Green Mountains in 2005 following his heart. Splitting his time between 1% and music, and sometimes merging the two… it’s safe to say that James dances to his own drummer. Thank goodness he doesn’t currently own a drumset…
Pauline Stevens is a recent graduate of William Smith College is Geneva, NY, where she majored in environmental studies and minored in anthropology. Although she enjoyed living in the Finger Lakes Wine Region for the last four years, she is stoked to be back in Vermont. She has spent the last five summers working on her parent’s organic vegetable farm in Shoreham and while in college, she interned at the New York Wine and Culinary Center and Ventosa Vineyards. Ever since she received a blender for Christmas when she was nine, she has had a strong interest in food and loves every aspect of it- from weekly pizza Tuesdays with friends, to making and selling ice cream to the Shoreham Inn. She’s excited to learn more about how 1% operates and become part of a growing environmental non-profit. Although her new position as a Data Doctor is a major change from having her hands in the dirt every day, she loves spending time with the 1% team and having frequent staring contests with Tom!
Tom Robson is a newly minted alumnus of Dickinson College where he received his B.A. in Environmental Studies. Prior to joining 1% for the Planet he spent his time in Alaska working as an Environmental Scientist for a large engineering company. Life in the for-profit world was interesting, however Tom is excited to help foster new business and non-profit relationships in order to more easily achieve 1%’s mission.
Living in Alaska was nice, but Tom feels more at home working, and recreating in the Green Mountain State, as he’s a New England native. Tom is a competitive cyclist, avid runner, and experienced skier, and the Mad River Valley is the perfect setting for all three passions.
Once the snow melts, Tom is looking forward to cycling up the App Gap!
(Image 1: James, Pauline, Tom | Image 2: Tom, Pauline, James)
Thanks to these guys for their diligent data entry and willingness to flip-flop between monotonous data work and creative writing prompts in a matter of minutes! With the assistance of this jaw-dropping squad, 1% for the Planet is well on its way to providing premium service to the 1% network!!
I recently had the delightful pleasure of attending Patagonia’s Tools for Grassroots Activist Conference. Five days spent with engaging individuals across all lines of work – government, film & entertainment, economics, business, technology, grassroots activism, education – every sector was present and every person had a story of success to share.
After five days of inspiring stories, engaging lectures, collaborative workshops and gusty paddle boarding adventures, the conference facilitators asked us to sum up the week into one key takeaway. One group’s response:
Work with business. Get more businesses to join 1% for the Planet.
Bingo! I returned to 1% for the Planet reenergized and further inspired.
Just for grins, and because the environmental movement tends to lean (too often) toward dreary facts and sad figures, here’s a sampling of inspirational stories to share with our network:
Annie Leonard– if we’re to shift behavior and really redesign, everyone needs to watch her videos. Here’s a woman who has nailed her messaging and exemplifies effective communication in all aspects of her work.
The Elwha Damis coming out right now in Olympic National Park! This dam removal is a huge milestone in the efforts to restore our rivers and salmon populations, and it is one of many to come. Follow American Rivers to keep up to date on removal progress!
The International League of Conservation Photographers joins EP Films to create the film SPOIL, which exemplifies how powerfully film and photography can document and portray the pristine beauty and significance of threatened ecosystems, such as that of the Great Bear Rainforest. If the Enbridge pipeline plans go through, this area will soon be threatened by potential oil spills from tankers that will begin transporting oil through the narrow and windy coast of the Great Bear Rainforest. This film is an incredibly effective means of spreading awareness and prompting a response as it invokes a strong emotion from its audience. Try and watch it without getting a little teary….
Lastly, as we’re all working to protect the planet we love, it’s important that we remember to take the time to enjoy it.
(1% CEO, Terry Kellogg, slacklines with 1% Development Program Manager, Leah Cameron, at our annual staff retreat in Warren, VT)
Over the last year, we have been working with the George Gund Foundation to increase environmental funding for the state through 1% awareness building and new member acquisition.
1% recently traveled to Cleveland, Ohio for the Burning River Festival hosted by Great Lakes Brewing. It was a gathering to celebrate good beer and music while raising awareness of local environmental issues. And also happened to be my first business trip! Not many people get to have their first “business trip” be to a festival featuring local craft beer, three stages for constant music, local business vendors, and a dozen non-profits representing in the “eco village.” The weather was HOT, especially coming from Vermont but it was an awesome experience, nonetheless.
We’d like to thank Great Lakes Brewing and all of the volunteers involved in organizing the festival. It was a fantastic opportunity for 1% to explore a part of the country where we see great potential and inspiring to see Cleveland’s commitment to protecting and reinvesting in their local ecosystem.
Last night was the third week of the Ecotrust Sundown Concert Series and the theme was energy, particularly alternative energy. 1% for the Planet had its usual tent and table, which was hosted by the fantastic Focus the Nation and sweet new member Skate Lift. The NGO and business handed out t-shirts and stickers to the crowds of people who attended while sharing their 1% stories and getting to meet each other and discuss the 1% network. They also got the chance to meet 1%’s VP of Organizational Development, Rebecca Calahan Klein who was in town for the day and made it to the show.
Photo Courtesy of Focus the Nation
We’d like to extend a big thank you to Anne and Sasha from Focus the Nation and Bobby and Anthony from Skate Lift for holding down the fort last night! If you’ll be in Portland make sure to stop by next Thursday at 5:30 for a great concert and exhibits with the theme of forests.
The 1% team has been growing fast this fall with two new additions, Brittany Nunnink (left) and Grace Kronenberg (right). Both have hit the ground running, and can be found behind the 1% HQ during lunch hour with their whitewater kayaks–class-V cornfields only.
Brittany Nunnink is a recent alumna of Scripps College, with a B.A. in Environmental Analysis. A native Vermonter, she’s happy to be out of southern California and back in the Green Mountain State running through sap lines, sipping ginger jack, hiking with her St. Bernard, and of course, helping to promote responsible business practices. Brittany has done some work with Seventh Generation in the past, and is interested in helping more (and soon ALL) businesses to take on a similar responsible business approach – doing business for positive change, while simultaneously perceiving ones business practices with a holistic perspective. Currently, she’s working with member services, helping Chrissy with global membership wrangling and support. She is also hoping to get office composting underway and do some fundraising for a double-sided printer!
Brittany loves beets and we call her the Terminator.
Grace Kronenberg is a 2006 graduate of Middlebury College where she majored in psychology and creative writing. Before joining the 1% team she spent three years growing Choose Responsibility, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting national debate on the 21 year-old drinking age. Previous employment took her to Washington, DC, but she is happy to be back in the Green Mountain State and is looking forward to all the skiing, running, and hiking the Mad River Valley has to offer. Grace is excited to be working at the intersection of business and the environment, and is currently focused on marketing support for the upcoming 1% music and film releases.
Grace is hoping to free the heel this winter and give telemark skiing a try.
We are pleased to share that 1% for the Planet co-founder Yvon Chouinard and the 1% for the Planet community have received a leadership nod by U.S. News & World Report for their commitment to revolutionizing the way business is done on this planet.
To join the movement with your business’s membership please contact us at memberships@onepercentfortheplanet.org.
For the full article please click here. Please click here to learn of the 20 fellow honorees of America’s Best Leaders for 2009.
This Saturday we encourage you to drop all plans, grab your circle of friends and family, and join the big circle, our global community, in action for 1% for the Planet Non-Profit Partner 350.org‘s International Day of Climate Action. Voice, act, dance, paddle, ring, play, sing, whatever you can offer, in show of your support for the number 350, representing 350 parts per million, the scientifically backed “safe upper limit” for CO2 in our atmosphere. With creative events and gatherings across the globe, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with this powerful message that affects us all. Click here to find out what’s happening nearest you.
How are we celebrating? You can find us at Vermont’s 350 Dance Party at Higher Ground in Burlington. Headlined by 1% for the Planet member Barefoot Truth (member since Jan. ’08) the show will be simulcast online and on cable throughout the state so all can join.
1% for the Planet will also have a presence in New York City, circumnavigating Manhattan Island with a group in kayaks stenciled by area students.
Calling all 1% for the Planet members, if you’re participating in a 350 action this Saturday, please write me at kate@onepercentfortheplanet.org. We’d be happy to share your support with updates to our blog post here!
Last week 1% CEO Terry Kellogg interviewed with marketing extraordinaire Lynda Resnick for her first Ruby Tuesday: Pick of the Week of the fall. Terry helped start the season off with a colorful Vermont bang. Titled “Doing Well by Doing Good: 1% for the Planet Lives the Message”, Lynda concludes the interview with a line we love: “If you’re not doing something for the planet, you don’t deserve to be in business. It’s basic to your being. So, I think what you’re doing is fantastic. I wish the very best for you.” Read the full interview on Lynda’s blog by clicking here.
On Tuesday, July 28 at 1:00 pm (EST), we will hold the first of our 1% Brown Bag Lunch conference call for our 1% community of 1% Member businesses and approved environmental organizations.
Our good friends and 1% Recipient organization, Clean Air–Cool Planet, will lead the first call of the series. For about an hour, we will learn about the latest in climate and energy legislation in Washington, D.C., the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), which currently resides in the Senate. The historic bill aims to put a price on the emissions of greenhouse gases created in the United States. The plan may transform the way we support our economy’s growing energy demands, use our transportation systems, and invest in businesses and technology.
If you are a 1% Member business or 1% approved non-profit partner, keep an eye out for call-in details in your inbox. Also, we’ll be sharing the the full-audio recordings right here, on the 1% for the Planet Blog, during the week following the call. And if you find yourself tirelessly trolling social networks for the latest news like we are, you can find and contribute to live updates of the call on the 1% Twitter page.
About the experts:
Clean Air-Cool Planet is a leading non-profit organization dedicated solely to finding and promoting solutions to global warming. CEO Adam Markham will lead with a brief overview of the organization’s work in practical corporate engagement in climate change solutions. President Rafe Pomerance will follow and answer your questions about the American Clean Energy and Security Act – also known as the Waxman-Markey Bill – and efforts in Washington to help develop new climate policies. Formerly Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Environment and Development and U.S. representative to Kyoto negotiations, Pomerance is also the founder of National Clean Air Coalition coordinator and Climate Policy Center.
Our summer internship team, shown here near our planetary headquarters in Waitsfield Vermont.
We have some new friends at our space in the old schoolhouse this summer, and we thought to share the good news. Please join us in welcoming Danny, Cecilia, and Patrick (pictured above in order) to the 1% team!
Danny Kuzio is a recent high-school graduate from Green Mountain Valley School right down the street from 1%, in Waitsfield, Vermont. In the fall he’ll be a first year student at Bates College in Maine where he hopes to study economics or environmental science. This summer he’ll be working mostly with Chrissy in member services and certification, and training for cross-country ski racing in his spare time.
1%’s favorite Danny-hobby: cross-country skiing in our backyard, the Green Mountains (ok… we’re slightly biased)
Cecilia Su has just finished her first year at Dartmouth College, pursuing a B.A. in Government and Economics. She was drawn to 1% because of her interest in environmental problems and policy solutions as well as her faith in 1%’s innovative environmental investment model. In addition to marketing support, Cecilia is spearheading much of 1%’s new media outreach (give a shout-out or follow our Celia-led 1% Twitter updates).
Top “social networking” activity: with friends, shefing-up vegan cookies that aren’t cooked (the “un-cookie”)
Patrick Johnson is an Environmental Policy major at Middlebury College. He refuses to leave Vermont during the brief annual spell of glorious weather and lives over the mountains from 1%, in Charlotte. Patrick has spent time in work relating to venture capital, land conservation, and the study of policy matters related to the reduction of greenhouse gasses. At 1%, he’s focusing on the upcoming release of our 1% short film (stay tuned for more about the film!).
Favorite street-wear: a used-to-be-neon-colored Ducks Unlimited cap from the 70s
A warm welcome from our extended 1% For The Planet family!
