Working Collaboratively For Sustainability:

Empowering Students for a New Generation

Uniting students across the Northwest through interdisciplinary collaboration for Sustainability.

What is this conference all about?

We live in uncertain times and quite often the voice of our generation goes unheeded as decisions are made that will alter the future dramatically. We have the potential to get our voices heard and provide valuable insight on the topics that will most affect us. This conference seeks to convene leaders from universities across our region to learn how to harness our potential and hone the skills we need to be vocal advocates for our peers. University students from across the Pacific Northwest are invited to participate in an interdisciplinary educational and networking opportunity on Saturday April 4^th, 2009 at Seattle University. A variety of workshops and speakers will provide students coming from a wide-range of organizing experiences with the tools they need to collaborate for change regarding sustainability issues on campuses, in communities, and in conjunction with international projects. Students are welcome to take part in the entire three day conference that begins April 2^nd and integrates business, government, and the nonprofit sector or simply the Saturday student event.

Conference Agenda:

7:30- Registration Begins

8-8:30- Breakfast and Introductions

8:30-9- Morning Keynote Speaker

9:30-10:45- Session I: Campus Sustainability and Responsibility

11-12:15- Session II: Community Engagement

12:30-1- Lunch

1-1:30- Lunchtime Keynote

1:45-3- Session III: Collaborative Partnerships

3:15-4:15- Opportunity Fair  

4:30-5- Conference Wrap-Up  

5-5:30- Closing Keynote

Session I: Campus Sustainability and Responsibility

1. Financing Sustainability: Revolving Loan Funds and Green Fees
2. Utilizing Your University’s Endowment: Socially Responsible Investment and Sustainable Community Investment
3. From Trash to Treasure: Managing Your University’s Wasted Resources
4. Reducing Your Campus’ Carbon Footprint: Retrofitting and Alternative Energy
5. Rock Your Campus: Leading a Movement and Overcoming Obstacles
6. Transportation Transformation: Bike-share programs, Electric Vehicles, Integrating Community Transit on Campus

Session II: Community Action

7. How to Make Your Government Work for You: Effective Lobbying and Advocacy Tactics
8. Synergy: Connecting Campuses and Community Partners
9. From Farm to Fork: The Local Imperative
10. Thinking Outside the Box: Creative Activism and Media to Differentiate Your Movement
11. Awakening the Dreamer
12. Fundraising 101: Because Money is Power

Session III: Collaborative Partnerships

13. The Ins and Outs of Networking: Leaving a Lasting Impression
14. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel: Creating and Maintaining Allies
15. Collaboration Through Education: Incorporating Sustainability into Curriculum
16. Simple Solutions: Sustainable Technology in the Developing World
17. We’re in This Together: Bringing International Projects Closer to Home
18. Expand the Movement: Coalition Building and Conference Organizing