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ResourcesEcoLeaders 2010
* Please note there has been a date change. See below.
Are you passionate about the environment and interested in developing your ability to effect change in your community shoulder to shoulder with other Calgarians?
EcoLeaders 2010 (formerly EcoLogic 201) is a 20 + hour course for individuals who are aware of and committed to reducing their eco-footprint, but are interested in doing more. The EcoLeaders course investigates our roles as ecologically aware individuals through the lens of integrated community development. It is for anyone who feels compelled to make a sustainable difference in their community; whether that community is of business entrepreneurs, like-minded mothers who want to make change in their neighbourhood, students at their university, green-minded community members, friends, family or any group of people who simply want to make a difference.
For more information or to apply by March 4th, please contact education@greencalgary.org or [403] 230 1443 ext 225.
At Green Calgary leadership is not defined as policy making, but rather the ability to motivate people to make change in their community. We will provide a forum for strategic thinking and personal development as we explore through interactive activities the interconnectedness of critical environmental issues, what it means to be a leader, and how to create and direct various environmental campaigns and projects.
Details:
Many people approach Green Calgary staff and say "I'm already recycling, saving energy, conserving water and trying not to use my car. What's the next step?" The answer is EcoLeaders 2010. This course builds on the extensive work of Green Calgary’s popular and motivational EcoLogic 201.
The course explores our current environmental crisis and major issues such as: over-consumption and waste, water depletion and conservation, unsustainable food practices, energy and climate change, indoor air quality and toxins. The topics will be satellite issues for the central issue that humanity faces, and will become research points for a critical thinking approach to sustainability. “What is sustainability?” “How do we approach it effectively?” “How can I, just one person, enact change”? Voice as community is explored and projects are created and taken on to engage in the leadership principles that are employed.
Main Components:
Our Current Environmental Crisis
Critical Thinking and Leadership
Sustainability and Our Future
Campaign / Project Creation & Implementation
Outcomes: Participants will
- understand well-researched environmental issues
- explore varying concepts of community and development
- learn about and develop leadership skills
- engage in community projects and Green Calgary campaigns
Participants will be exposed to a variety of issues and given practical actions they can implement in their lives. The topics are presented both by experts in their respective fields and by Green Calgary staff. Participants will be expected to participate in the creation and implementation of a project. There will be homework assigned throughout the course that reflect the topics of facilitation.
Retreat / Field Trips:
The course will begin with a day-long retreat to beautiful Kananaskis Country where we will engage in interactive activities and leadership principles, setting the stage for the rest of the course. There will be two other optional field trips, including a trip to the Bonnybrook Waste Water Treatment Plant, as well as to the Shepherd Landfill.
Graduation: Graduates need to miss no more than 2 classes to receive their certificate. Those missing classes will be expected to do supplementary research projects. Graduates will join the established EcoCalgarian community for ongoing learning and sharing. A ceremony will be after the Shepherd Landfill on May 8th.
Cost: Everything included $450; plus a 20 hour time commitment to volunteerism (see below). Subsidies are available.
Location: Sessions are held at The City of Calgary Water Centre, 625 25th Ave. SE Calgary, on the corner of 25th Ave and Spiller Rd.
Dates: The course takes place every Thursday night, from 6.30pm to 9pm, over 8 weeks. Dates run: March 18th– May 13th, 2010 (April 22 is an optional Earth Day event). The retreat will take place from 10am - 6pm on Saturday March 13th, 2010 (Camp Chief Hector in Kananaski Country). Please note there will be a follow up class about 4 months later, July 8th, 2010, which will include a trip to the Inglewood Community Garden (10am – 2pm).
There are two optional field trips: The Bonnybrook Waste Water Treatment Plant field trip March 27th and the Shepherd Landfill field trip May 15th (both dates 9am-12pm).
Application: To apply by March 4th, or for more information, please contact education@greencalgary.org or [403] 230 1443 ext 225. The course will run with a minimum of 15 people and a maximum of 20 people.
Facilitator: The course will be facilitated by Green Calgary’s Manager of Environmental Education, Mike Unrau; who will be joined by guest speakers, leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts to create an integrated approach to the course topics.
Notes: Due to individual sensitivities, this is a scent free course. Thank you for your compliance.
Volunteer Component:
All EcoLeaders 2010 participants will have an expected volunteer time commitment. Participants can fulfill their hours in many different ways, including the project and campaign there are working on as part of the course, or another project or initiative in their own community or workplace which will achieve lasting change. Also, participants may volunteer for Green Calgary, in one of the following roles:
- Volunteering with Green Calgary’s Education Program as an educator or otherwise
- Volunteering at Green Calgary's EcoStore
- Volunteering at Green Calgary's Annual Rain Barrel Sale or other one-day events
- Program specific volunteering such as giving presentations
- Research
- Building projects
- Administrative tasks
- Working booths at gardening shows
- Self-directed projects such as writing articles
Testimonials from participants in the EcoLogic 201:
"Thank for putting together a very organized, interesting and interactive course- the best course I've taken - I think everyone should take this course and I've highly recommended it to people that I know." - 2009 Ecologic graduate
"This is an essential course for Calgarians who are passionate about the environment. The course is loaded with content presented in a dynamic and meaningful way. Interaction with other participants, presentations from environmental experts and field trips provide extra value. It changed many of my behaviours and added to my knowledge so that I can now influence friends, family and co-workers. Highly recommended." - 2008 EcoLogic graduate
"It was fabulous to spend this time with others who share the same interests and goals. Everything was interesting, much of it was new, and it was all food for thought." - EcoLogic 201 graduate
