Its Here

Focus the Nation is today! The long hours and days of hard work are about to pay off (or not). Every time I hear that a professor mentioned this in class, or that someone's excited to go to a panel discussion, or even a remark that there's just so much going on, it makes me feel good.

The organizing team itself has done an amazing job at coalescing into a lean, mean, event planning machine. Over the last few weeks I've been able to step way back and let people do the work that they know needs to get done. In terms of organizing, we've already achieved a major goal, which is empowering students, many of whom have no experience doing this, to take on big things.

I met some of the presenters tonight and could hardly control my emotion as they shared their stories of mountain top removal and dirty industry in West Virginia and the Bronx. This day is not only for the attendees, but it is also for the people who will be brought together here and get to know each other.

Ok, time to try and sleep before the big day.

Slots vs. networks

There's an issue that we face in building a coalition of students for change: do you give people a defined role or do you encourage them to come up with their own ideas and how to implement them? In other words, is it more important to create open space or find slots to put people?

Here at the January Institute in MN this thought came up this morning. Clearly, some people really thrive on thinking of crazy, big ideas and then figuring out independently how to make it work. Often thought of as leaders, these people abhor top-down structure and thrive on open environments of possibility. Then there are those people who really want to help out but have no idea what to do. They might be new to the climate movement, and they might be new to taking positive, proactive action of any kind. They usually want to be told what to do, at first. They are looking for slots to fit themselves into.

Recognize this dichotomy? If so, if you're like me and struggle with the best model of involving people of all temperments and skill levels, then you think about this a lot. Here's a different way to think about it: we're all in a group or space or community, but some people have a lot more connections than other people. If you have lots of connections, then you have a good sense of your place and role, and therefore usually a good sense of what type of action you can take that will be effective. On the other hand, if you're new to a group than you will have very few connections and be looking to see how you fit in. That often ends up being to seek a role, but really we should think about it as seeking connections.

Connections are shared passions, recognition of skills, shared insights or maybe just a buddy. Either way, the group defines the niche of the individual as the individual explores the group socially. Its not up to the leader to assign roles or slots, but rather up to the group to reach out and form connections with its members. This makes the group deeper, it makes the group stronger, and if people are connected and welcomed, they will come back, which makes the group bigger.

As we try to build the coalition that will create a just, sustainable and healthy society, we need to remember it means developing connections constantly.

A Greener Eph: Editorials

Not one but two editorials grace the pages of the Record this week from the Thursday Night Group.

College skimps on sustainability: Giving the College a D for not letting Vitamin D do its thing

In a letter to the Williams community on Jan. 24, 2007, President Schapiro declared sustainability to be a “guiding principle” for the College, going on to say, “we need to honor that principle in all that we do.” One very important component of this promise involves more stringent efforts to incorporate renewable power into new building projects. Yet while Williams continues to vocalize its commitment to such projects, it does not appear to be doing all it can to put its money where its mouth is.

And the second one:

Increasing engagement: Implementing lessons learned in D.C. at the College


November 14, 2007 Edition Nov 16, 2007

Increasing engagement: Implementing lessons learned in D.C. at the College
Morgan Goodwin - Contributing Writer

“I never let school interfere with my education,” Mark Twain once said. Now, school’s a pretty important part of learning, but you’re wasting Williams’ resources if you don’t connect classroom learning with the real opportunities around us. We should be creative and brave in order to bring our academic lives to bear on the activities that are important to us.

Thirteen Williams students attended Power Shift 2007, the first national youth climate conference in Washington, D.C., last weekend along with 6000 other students from all 50 states. Every one of us took away valuable lessons that could not have been learned in the classroom here. The conference had panel discussions on challenging racism, how to develop effective messaging and the first-hand effects of climate change in New Orleans and Alaska. We did workshops on anti-oppression work, media strategy and the dirty life cycle of coal. Four thousand students lobbied the capitol on Monday, Nov. 5, learning how to speak to congressmen and what pressures influence our government.

Not a bad week.

A Green Eph: Visit to Middlebury

SUNDAY NIGHT GROUP is the climate activism group at Middlebury. Only about 3 years old, SNG has transformed the campus into a hotbed of national climate action. One year ago SNG was the inspiration for Williams TNG - we even copied the name. Having heard about SNG for so long, and spent loads of energy for the past year trying to emulate it, I finally had a chance to attend a meeting.

Being reading period, we don't have class on Monday or Tuesday. Three of us drove up last night and met Sierra, a junior and leader of the group. We had dinner and then headed up to the gathering. About 55 people filled a big living room, with some beer in the middle of the circle and chatted for a while. The meeting started with rhythmic clapping which spread and quieted the conversation. Everyone went around saying their name and the answer to a random question they had thought of in their head. I said Ella Baker.

There was a period of announcements about events, news, and fun facts, including one from a community member. Then project groups were announced and things split up. Groups consisted of a 'kick the bottle' campaign against bottled water, a mock-presidential debate on the climate, a group working on campus lighting, and another on solar heating for dorms.

I sat in the presidential debate group, which was in its second week, planning an event 2 1/2 weeks out. They divided up roles and brainstormed actors who could fill the roles. The campus improv group was decided upon. Publicity, scripts, location and logistics were all taken care of in a few minutes each.

Then clapping brought everyone back together again, and the circle reformed, standing, to do a quick 'shake-it-to-the-left' dance/song.

I liked clapping as a means of bringing the group in, as opposed to one person shouting (communal vs. individual), and consequently there wasn't nearly as much feel of someone facilitating the meeting. I was most impressed by how readily people volunteered for roles. The expectation of doing work on projects independently, outside of meetings was very strong. And I loved how accepted the song was at the end.

Lots of thoughts here for TNG, but at the same time I don't feel we need to copy it even more - every campus is different. Sierra felt that Middlebury students really respond to the chill atmosphere and the non-hierarchical nature of the group. My feeling is that Williams students respond to a more professional atmosphere, even if it seems chill and relaxed on the surface.

The bottom line: both groups major strength is an emphasis on getting things done and promoting leadership in every member. A bunch of them are coming down on Thursday to see Michael Pollen, and then staying for TNG. It'll be sweet to compare notes.

TNG - what does fighting global warming mean?

Note: This post is originally posted on Ephblog.com, hence the David Kane references. Sorry for the length

92 people attended the first gathering of Thursday Night Group this week. 23 people participated in our overnight leadership retreat to set the agenda and goals for the year. This isn't the kind of activism we've seen at Williams in the recent past (DK, I'm counting on you to prove me wrong here somehow.)

Why is our group so energized this year, and where is all of this going to lead?

1. The college has made a commitment which is starting to filter down through all levels of our community. My econ professor uses climate change regularly as an example of a market externality. The Bell Book was revised, telling all frosh to bring CFLs and not fridges. Security purchased a hybrid patrol vehicle, which uses 1/2 the gas of the other cars, even though its a Highlander. Thanks in part to the dedicated efforts of Karen Merrill, Stephanie Boyd and Steve Klass, change is happening.

2. A national movement is building. Led by amazing organizations like the Energy Action Coalition (link) and dedicated student leaders across the country, the tide is riding high for innovative grassroots activists. The science is getting clearer, the media are coming around and even white house science advisers admit the future looks hotter (link).

3. An amazing team of student leaders are starting to figure out what makes a good group work. Previous environmental efforts have focused on raising awareness, increasing recycling, inviting speakers to campus and talking about solutions. We acknowledge the importance of such activities, but point out that this approach lacks some key elements. It doesn't use people's strengths. Williams students are ambitious and talented people who are capable of very hard work and high quality output. We put people to work. Success leads to more success. TNG achieves results which are meaningful, sometimes tangible, and exciting. The climate action plan predates TNG, but with the recent combination of TNG and Greensense into one, we count that. Lightbulbs might not be as important as trustees private jets, but they are extremely tangible, give us facetime with lots of people and involve students directly in solutions. These things build the group. We take projects seriously and hold people accountable for their responsibilities. In my mind there shouldn't be too many differences between a well run corporation and well run activist group.

Our group philosophy is to constantly increase the size, depth and capacity of our group, by running successful and meaningful campaigns. I think its working.

Where are we now? Perhaps I should start with a few thoughts on what kinds of global warming solutions we're talking about. I highly recommend this short movie on the NH climate campaign I helped organize this summer. In it, if you're too lazy to watch it, Bill McKibbon says the top three things an ordinary citizen can do to fight climate change are organize politically, organize politically and organize politically. Then you can get around to changing some lightbulbs. Climate solutions are not going to work if they are isolated to the richest 20% of our country. An economy/society/country that is 20% sustainable is always going to be unsustainable. National, mandatory emissions reductions are required, and I can tell you exactly when we'll get those: right after 1/20/2009. But only if we can show (and we will) that the people of this country demand a government that looks out for the wellbeing of its citizens and a market that can internalize its externalities (link)

How do we get there? We build a citizen movement. The college is playing its part (with much room for improvement) by setting an example or at least matching its peer institutions commitments. Consumers are helping a little by buying 'green'. The big action is being done by students and active citizens. A North Adams hearing on Senator Pacheco's global warming legislation (co-organized by TNG), the March to ReEnergize NH and Iowa, Step it UP 2007, Powershift and Focus the Nation (headed by an alumn) are where the real pressure is being placed.

Thursday Night Group is building capacity to make political change. Does Do it in the Dark bring in new leaders, increase our prestige, attract recruits and reward our group for succeeding? Yes. Does visiting area high schools give Williams students a chance to connect with passionate high schoolers, increasing their confidence and investment in our movement? Yes, and it has inspired dozens of high school activists to boot. Is fighting a campaign to reduce trustee flying, which would take elusive targets, be invisible to most of the student body and likely have marginal to partial success be a strategic allocation of our group's resources? Right now, I say no. It is an excellent task for a pundit, and an excellent point to remind us of, but the outrages of David Kane would be a poor meter for writing our campaign goals. That being said, keep hounding the administration. (I'm willing to bet he has more alumni connections than me - I challenge him to reduce trustee flying.) All I'm trying to explain here is why we don't jump on every egregious carbon violation in sight.

We will strive to choose campaigns that have the highest combination of organization building, carbon reduction and political impact. I intend to keep ephblog, and certainly Greener Eph readers updated on what those are and how they're going. Suggestions are welcome, help is even more welcome, constructive criticism is highly encouraged, and good publicity is kinda nice too.

A Greener Eph: Thursday Night Group tonight

Come to the first gathering of Thursday Night Group in Dodd living room at 10:00. Arrive early and meet people. Traditional beverages will be served. We will be introducing the group, discussing pressing issues and setting our major campaigns for the year.

We've all heard of global warming, and we've heard a lot of leaders talk about solutions, but the real solutions are going to come from people like you and me. TNG makes significant changes in the college, the community and beyond that protect and improve the way of life for those already suffering from the climate crisis, and for all those yet to come.

We want to get to know you, to hear your ideas and opinions and your vision of a better world. Some of you are very knowledgeable about the climate, and we can all learn from you. Others are very new to this, and we will help you learn.

An unstable climate will affect the poor and disadvantaged more than the rich and privileged, and so we have a duty to act. The solutions will require people from all walks of life, and so we have a duty to include everyone in what we do. Solving this problem requires economics, biology, engineering, social sciences, psychology and faith.

In 1962, Students for a Democratic society wrote in their manifest: "We are people of this generation, bred in at least modest comfort, housed now in universities, looking uncomfortably to the world we inherit..." That call to action is returning.

I'll see you in Dodd.

-morgan-
co-chair thursday night group

Survey

If you have ever been to a TNG meeting, or thought about going to a TNG meeting, please take our survey.

In other news, the Guster concert was a lot of fun. We sold lots of hats and some T-shirts, including some for the band. The band was cool, holding a town-hall forum and inviting us onto their bio-diesel bus (only 20% bio, 80% diesel, but who's counting?) and hanging out in the Red Herring afterwards. Mark Orlowski was in fine form, discussing the finer points of environmental activism and leveraging the endowment.

Finally, shooting of the, as yet unnamed, movie is progressing well. I have to dress up like Indiana Jones tomorrow. "Why?" you might ask. Well, you'll have to wait to find out.

Lastly, I have a few job opportunities that I'm supposed to pass on. If you're looking for something to do for the summer, I'll forward them to you.

Morty at TNG

President Morty Schapiro made it to TNG tonight. He had a beer and chatted with us about his thoughts on carbon reduction and environmentalism. About 20 students attended to ask questions and hear about sustainability from the horses mouth, so to speak. He was open and frank, at least as much as I've seen him, and I think the students attending got a good sense of how the college is handling this.

Some highlights: the inside scoop on why the trustees were so motivated to act. Some said it was good business, some said the prestige, some said because it will attract more students, but none used the reason that Morty gave us as his personal one: because its the right thing to do. he sees the major improvements to the college coming in the forms of better co-gen, more energy efficiency in buildings and operations, moving the parking off-campus and mostly in listening to what the students want. He said the petition of 1100 signatures over a year ago had a huge impact and the climate action plan would absolutely not have happened with out it.

The group seemed good tonight, lots of first-timers and the atmosphere was really happy at the end. Another great Thursday.