The PEA Pod, December 2008
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December 2008 |
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From the Executive DirectorI have been thinking a lot about growth lately. Growth can be planned, like cities and counties (one hopes). Growth can be inevitable, like my waistline during the holidays. And growth can be faster than anticipated, like the growth of PEA over the past two years. With growth can come expected and, sometimes, unintended consequences. The growth of our Triad cities has created urban sprawl, worse than just about any other community in the country. This has resulted in a loss of open space, natural areas, and farmland. Many in our community are trying to fight this particular consequence of growth. The growth of PEA, on the other hand, while creating a few challenges, has mostly produced an ever-increasing number of people committed to creating a sustainable community. The Piedmont Earth Day Fair has grown through the blood, sweat, and tears of more than 100 volunteers (I am still nursing a toe injury from set-up last year). Due to its tremendous growth, we have moved the Fair to the campus of Wake Forest University for 2009. But not only has the Fair grown, so too has PEA. We have grown in numbers, membership is increasing, and in the impact of our programming – our PEA Partner Savings Program will lead to the growth of our local green businesses. PEA’s growth requires a corresponding growth in resources – financial and human. We have an amazing cadre of volunteers, including Volunteer of the Year, Jenna Dutrow, but we need more manpower. We need help organizing our next Environmental Exchange. We need someone to help manage our membership. We need someone to coordinate entertainment for the 2009 Fair. And more. To find out what you can do to help PEA, check out the volunteer page on our website. And, while you are there, join or renew your membership on-line. Our Education page has a great feature on Greening Your Holidays – and the best way to do so is through a gift membership to PEA! I thank you for making PEA the dynamic, growing force for change that it is. Happy Holidays! Terri E. LeGrand Choose Local and Green for Holiday ShoppingGreen businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, social and environmental problems, making people and the planet just as important as growing their businesses. Green businesses are popping up all over the Triad, and choosing a gift from a green business can help deepen the meaning of the gift. Here are just a few local green businesses where you can shop this Holiday season. Check out the PEA Eco-Directory for more information about these and other green businesses.
And when you need a break from shopping, drop by Caffé Prada for a coffee or glass of wine. Locally owned, Caffé Prada is the greenest coffee shop/café in the Triad. PEA members receive a 10% discount year round. Upcoming Events to Benefit PEAWednesday, Dec. 10th – Join us at World Villages from 5-8 pm for a wide selection of Fair Trade gifts. PEA will receive 15% of all sales that evening. Please come shop and support PEA. Give the Gift of a Sustainable CommunityWhat better way to show you care than to give the gift of a sustainable future. Gift memberships to PEA are available now for just $25. Download this form and mail it by December 16 and your recipient will receive a special holiday membership package in the mail by Christmas Day, including a collapsible/reusable Chico shopping bag, membership card and a reminder card listing the Top 10 Ways to Go Green. Must be a current member to give gift memberships. PEA Announces New Board MembersPEA welcomed five new and one returning member to its Board of Directors in October. The PEA Board of Directors is a group of eleven skilled professionals dedicated to moving our community toward sustainability. We are thrilled to welcome Sarah Olson, founder of Green Drinks Winston-Salem and principal of Leap Realty, LLC.; Nadiyah Quander, owner of O’Baby Organics; Gayle Tuch, Attorney at Law; Mike Turner, Chief Operating Officer of Family Services, Inc.; and Charlie Whittington-Reaves, principal of Lending Made Easy. Returning to the Board for another two-year term is Gus Preschle, who also serves on the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club Foothills Group and helped to design and build the first green home of Forsyth County Habitat for Humanity. Sponsors for 2009 Earth Day Fair Being RecruitedSponsors are being recruited for the 2009 Earth Day Fair. Don’t miss this opportunity to reach thousands of people while supporting an important community event. We have a variety of sponsorship levels to choose from. Click here to download a sponsorship packet, and contact Terri LeGrand, tlegrand@peaNC.org, with any questions. Interest in sponsoring our special areas is high, so act fast before these opportunities are gone. 2009 Earth Day Fair Planning UnderwayThe 2009 Earth Day Fair organizing team is busy making plans for the best and biggest Earth Day celebration in the state. To be held on the campus of Wake Forest University, the 2009 Fair will be a Zero-Waste event. Other exciting plans include more than 100 exhibitors, a Green Car Parade, a Green Jobs Fair, and panel discussions on topics ranging from Climate Change to Sustainable Eating. Our children will receive a Passport to the Earth, earning stamps at 12 different exhibits and activities. There will be much, much more, but we need your help. There are still openings on our Organizing Team. We need someone to coordinate entertainment – contracting with talent, creating a schedule, and managing the logistics of our main stage. We also need a Volunteer Coordinator to oversee volunteer scheduling, recruitment and logistics. More information and other team opportunities are available on our website. No experience is necessary for any of these jobs – only an excitement and commitment to working on this amazing event. Earth Day Fair Exhibitor Registration Has BegunThe Piedmont Earth Day Fair will be held on April 18, 2009 on the campus of Wake Forest University. We are expecting over 100 Exhibitors and attendance of about 7,500. New this year, you must register on-line to reserve booth space. On-line registration begins December 3rd. Visit the Earth Day page of our website for all the details. Also new this year, every booth space comes with a table and 2 chairs for no extra cost. Register by February 15 to be guaranteed a booth and to get the early bird discount. PEA Unveils Education PageOver and over, the PEA staff hears comments like: “I want to go green but I’m unsure exactly how to do it.” Or, “I recycle but what else should I be doing?” To respond to those queries, PEA has created simple suggestions for How to Go Green. We’ve presented this information on our newly added Education Page. We will continuously add and update these articles in an effort to help YOU adopt sustainable practices at home and at work. Check it out. PEA to Host Environmental Exchange January 29thThe topic for our next Environmental Exchange is Greening Small Businesses. PEA will host a panel discussion of experts in sustainable development, green building, energy & water management, waste reduction, and more. Small businesses are seeing the benefits of including sustainability practices in their business planning. More information and details on this event will be available on our website in January. Save the date. PEA Partner Savings Program UnderwayPEA members now receive discounts at over 20 participating businesses. Visit our Eco-Directory to get the details. Or, download this handy print and save wallet-sized handout to keep with your PEA membership card. Not a member yet? Join on-line today.
If you are a business interested in offering discounts to PEA members, email info@peaNC.org for an information packet and application for the PEA Partner Savings Program. Not a Member Yet? Join Today!Please join and become part of the solution for a sustainable future. To become a member, you may join on-line or download the membership form from our website and mail it to us. PEA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported solely by membership dues and donations. |
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| ©2008 Piedmont Environmental Alliance | e-newsletter by Kilpatrick Design | |||
