enAct: Students Engaged Actively in Environmental Issues

News #1

bendtracy — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:58:06 +0000

Hello Everyone, in this news letter you fill find that:

Agee is learning about websites
we have a new program
Butale is progressing
DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER HERE

22 Hours Left to Vote for BSC’s ‘Green’ President – SPEAK YOUR VOICE and Vote NOW!

bendtracy — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:48:01 +0000

Hey All,

As my final act as President, I will announce the two candidates for BSC’s enAct Presidential Position:

Guakhar Amandossova, a rising junior Biology major – Chris Johnson, a rising junior UES major – Lindsey Motlow, a rising sophomore Music Composition Major

You can send a vote NOW to voteenact@gmail.com indicating Chris, Gaukhar, or Lindsey, and that vote will be counted – MUST BE E-MAILED BEFORE 4 PM TOMORROW!

Come Thursday at 5 PM on the second floor of Norton to hear who enAct’s next President will be, and who our other leaders are too!

Here’s what Gaukhar has to say about what being President means to her:

“To receive the chance in becoming the President of enAct would be one of the greatest opportunities for me to make a difference on our campus of Birmingham-Southern College towards making our campus sustainable. In addition, it would be a great opportunity to place BSC in line with other schools, such as Duke, Yale, and Brown, U.A.B, and Auburn, who are making outstanding moves toward becoming environmentally friendly. I feel that BSC can become a green campus and equal to and better than the schools mentioned above. Also, I feel that it is essential that enAct become a leader in making BSC a sustainable community. As president, I would immediately take action towards these particular goals:

• I would like to promote an establishment of an SGA sustainability chair, who should be one of the members from enAct.
• To spread campus awareness about energy efficiency and sustainability, I think it would be a great idea if we could set up a competition between the dorms, fraternity and sorority houses, on who will use the least electricity, this activity will help more effective involvement of the student body in sustainability activities.
• I would really like to promote the establishment of an Office of Sustainability at BSC consisting of faculty members and students who will be in charge of sustainability issues on campus.
• For the Cafeteria I would like to introduce hormone and antibiotic free meats, poultry and dairy, cage free eggs and grass fed beef, purchase supplies from sustainable sources, and introduction of biodegradable containers. It is important to introduce local food in to the cafeteria, such as organic fruits and vegetables, and local produce: honey, etc.
• I would like to introduce an electronics recycling program that accepts computers, light bulbs, and printer cartridges on our campus.
• I would like to establish a strong partnership with U.A.B and Samford in various environmental projects such as recycling, and green roof projects.
• Build a green roof on the library that will soon be renovated, and hopefully on other buildings.
• I would like to introduce a point system for those who ride the shuttle bus, something similar to the Greek point system.
• In terms of climate change, I would like for the school to purchase micro-wind turbines, and geothermal wells.
• In order to keep our organization in order and make sure that officer duties are being fulfilled, I think it would be important that we delegate responsibilities and tasks to each of the members.”

Here’s what Chris has to say about what being President means to him:

“The position of president is arguably the most important in enAct, and is ultimately the glue that bonds members, the engine that drives progress and the forward thinking planner. The president makes decisions on behalf of the entire organization, but more importantly works with members, faculty, and staff and outside organizations to bring goals into realized action. Without a president, enAct may not be the organization it is today, and furthermore campus sustainability would suffer: leadership is vital to the success of any organization.

I have a talent in seeing possibilities, what needs to be done, and I am willing to say what needs to be said. I believe that people, groups and things can and should be working together in a purposeful manner to achieve goals, and work is a means to that end. I am not threatened by unfamiliar information or unexpected occurrences, however preparation is key because there is little point in knowing where events will lead if you are not ready. Part of my personality is a feeling of responsibility to be considerate, caring, and accepting toward others, and to build bridges that allow people from all backgrounds to come together and develop a faith that goes beyond them. I am a catalyst for change and look for the repercussions in every action for the costs and benefits it creates.”

Here’s what Lindsey Motlow has to say about what being President will mean to her:

I am extremely passionate about making enact an extremely active, respected group on campus. I am really zealous about what enact stands for, and am excited to try and spread our passions and concerns around as much as possible. I am not perfect, though, I definitely fail at being a great sustainability-preacher-an

d-actor but also understand the difficulties in trying to work our way into an environmentally conscious whole as a school and as people in general and am wiling to fight against all the apathy or unawareness as much as possible.

I am extremely obsessed with being reliable and honest. If I say that I am going to do something, there is very little that would keep me from actually doing it. I won’t make promises without knowing that I mean them…(pet peeve) I’d like to increase the activity of the group toward raising a firm financial base for future access aside from SGA money. I’d also really like to play into the really diverse nature of the Enact group and implement our talented members in all academic and fine art areas to spread our goals across campus and plan really effective awareness and fundraising events.

My goal for the next year is really the implementation of all the talent and different people we have in or interested in our group to plan a good year’s worth of effective awareness and fundraising events on campus (small) as well as two or three big events and collect a strong monetary base to pull from in future years to give credibility and solidity to the group. I think that this monetary base is crucial to the respect that we will get not only from the SGA but also from the student body as a whole, and focusing our actions on a large number of small-scale, campus directed, awareness/fundraising events that implement talent from all over the school will in turn give us more involvement in weekend river cleanup events etc. If there is one officer (with experience) dedicated to setting up these cleanup events and the like with local organizations, the rest of the group can get more done toward the goal of campus awareness and activity and the year will NOT be “wasted” on fundraising. These things go hand in hand.

Kick it into Third Gear. 4 days. Really Really Green.

bendtracy — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 01:02:27 +0000

1. We have amassed over 170 guests in just 7 DAYS, let’s get to 200 by Thursday so INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! TELL YOUR CLASSES! Facebook event is at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116796538336369&ref=nf

Download Flyer Here = Send to your classes + Greek Chapters + Friends!

2. Buy your tickets in the atrium – Raffle tickets for Hair are only $1

3. If you are a musicians or an artist and want to play (unplugged) or display your art, e-mail Annie Condit (artists) and Lindsey Motlow (music) to find out where to set-up — SET-UP WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 2:30 – 3:30

4. Fraternities and Sororities: Like frisbee? E-mail jaguyton@bsc.edu and compete (Pro and Intramural Category) in 5-person mini Ultimate Games for some awesome prizes (games are from 3:30 – 5 PM).

ALL ENACT VOLUNTEERS WILL MEET AT THE LAKE AT 2:15

ELECTIONS. ELECTIONS. ELECTIONS.

That’s right. enAct wants to continue doing AWESOME events like this one next year, but now we need YOU to lead them.

enAct will be electing MANY new officers = YOU GET TO CHOOSE. YOU GET TO LEAD.

OFFICER SELF-NOMINATION = TELL US WHY YOU SHOULD LEAD = GET ELECTED = LEAD + PLAN + ORGANIZE = PARTNERSHIPS WITH BUSINESS + NON-PROFTI = INTERNSHIPS = BETTER CAREERS = BETTER LIFE….So improve your life this week and nominate yourself for an officer position.

Look for an election flyer with more info. before Thursday! Students wanting to vote (not already a part of enAct) must register at the table or at the Earth Day Festival in order to have their vote count!

See you all there,

Ben Tracy
enAct President
404-713-1956

Some Pretty Cool Stuff is Going Down.

bendtracy — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:56:26 +0000

Hey Y’all,

Just your friendly late-night Eco-Reminder:

- If you CAN, come when able to help sell tickets in the Atrium ALL THIS WEEK FROM 11-1:30 PM
- GO TO PATRICIA HANSEN’S OFFICE IN THE LEADERSHIP STUDIES OFFICE 2ND FLOOR NORTON FOR THE SALE SHEETS
- Please know that I personally sold 30 tickets, on my own, in 1 hour on Friday. People are pretty psyched for this event
- I suggest having one person STANDING IN FRONT at the table, one person in the middle of the atrium asking people if they are interested, and one person roaming to tables outside and inside (this was most effective).

Also, we have a facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116796538336369
- In JUST 48 hours, we have already amassed 83 RSVP YES, and 90 MAYBE’s.
- INVITE YOUR FRIENDS INVITE YOUR FRIENDS INVITE YOUR FRIENDS
- Musicians, Artists, need to coordinate with Annie Condit, Lucia Caleron, and I about WHEN you will set up your art/play your music and WHERE (deadline for this is April 19th)

NO MEETING THIS THURSDAY JUST HELP SELL TICKETS, PUT UP FLYERS, TELL YOUR CLASSMATES, TELL YOUR ANIMAL FRIENDS TELL EVERYONE ABOUT EARTH DAY!
Don’t forget that if you want to join the Sierra Student Coalition and other Alabama Environmental Students in a “Summer Leadership Program” from July 25th-August 1st (at Camp Trico in Gunthersville: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108734349157897) — YOU NEED TO E-MAIL ME ASAP IF YOU WANT TO APPLY FOR THE $150 COST FOR THE PROGRAM TO SGA – APPLICATIONS ARE DUE APRIL 15TH

Last thing: The local Toyota Dealership will be bringing Hybrids from 3-5 PM, to test out at the Lake — Pretty cool.

‘Nighty night, all you Green Warriors.

Ben Tracy
enAct President

Meeting Thursday 4/8 – Message from UES Program

bendtracy — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:48:43 +0000

Hello enAct members!!

Hope that you are all having a wonderful week!!

Earth Day is coming close and we are in need of everyone’s help !!!

This is just a reminder that we have enAct meeting Thursday at 5:30 pm upstairs on the second floor Norton in the Conference Room. We will be discussing Earth Day plans.

Remember we need volunteers to pass out flyers. Please let me know if you can do this.

We will also begin selling tickets Friday morning – 10-1 PM.

Also below is a message for everyone who is interested in taking UES courses next semester.

Dear UES folks:

Please let me (ebrands@bsc.edu) know if you would like to take UES 150 or UES 160 in fall 2010. UES majors and minors have priority to get into these classes. If you are entering your second or third year and have not taken one or both of these, then it is important to do so as soon as you are able to enroll. Consent is required to register for both UES 150 and 160.

If you are here in the summer and are interested, UES 210 Environmental Problems and Policy will be offered during the 2nd half-term. This will be a special edition of this course and due to the format there will be opportunities for field trips that we otherwise would be unable to undertake during the regular semester.

Ed Brands
Coordinator, Urban Environmental Studies
Assistant Professor of Geography
Birmingham Southern College
Harbert 311
(205) 226-7755
http://www.bsc.edu/academics/env-studies/index.htm
http://www.bsc.edu/academics/faculty/brands-ed.htm

Thanks everyone for your help!!

Hope to see you all at the meeting!

Gaukhar Amandossova
enAct Secretary

Join Us. Now.

bendtracy — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:43:13 +0000

Alright, so we will admit it.

enAct has not done a whole lot this semester.

After losing three officers (conflicts, graduation, and expulsion) — We were a bit under siege.

enAct has met several times this semester on one idea, just one thing: Earth Day.

Exciting things to share (and to talk more about THIS THURSDAY AT 5 30 PM IN UPSTAIRS NORTON (check to see if we are in conference room)

1. The Regional Planning Commission will be joining us on Earth Day to discuss the future of Birmingham’s transit system = BIG NEWS

2. We will be reserving the Lake for such an event, as well as having a possible frisbee tournament (with prizes) and Wayne Dumas in the Caf has graciously offered to prepare all of our vegan-veggie delicious food FOR FREE and give us the profit from the sales = BIG NEWS

3. KIDS GOT THE DISCO (oh-my-did-he-really-just-say-that) IS COMING FOR A 9 30 -11 30 PM AFTERPARTY (AFTER HAIR) TO BE HELD EITHER IN THE GYM OR THE GREAT HALL = BIG BIG BIG NEWS

So please.

We clearly cannot do all of this without your wonderful help and ideas.

Join us. Now.

Be there at 5 30 PM Upstairs Norton, and help make this happen.

- Ideas – Art – Cooking Ability – Frisbee Ability – Table Sitting Ability – Musical talent – Carrying things – Writing down numbers -

IF YOU CAN DO ANY OF THESE THINGS YOU CAN HELP US ON EARTH DAY

See you there!

- Ben Tracy

enAct President

Earth Day Meeting Thursday, March 4th at 4 PM

bendtracy — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:55:39 +0000

Hello enAct members!!

Hope that you are all having a great week!

This is just a reminder that we have enAct meeting tomorrow, Thursday at 4:00pm, upstairs on the second floor Norton.

Hope to see you all there!

Gaukhar Amandossova

enAct Secretary

UES Summer Internship Application DUE FRIDAY FEB. 26TH

bendtracy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:32:03 +0000

You can apply online at http://www.bsc.edu/academics/env-studies/internships.htm

$2,500 stipend and the chance to work with some awesome Alabama environmental agencies! You don’t need to be a UES Major to apply!

More to come this week:
- SGA give their “Sustainability Stances”
- enAct’s plan for the semester
- Climate Change update, Fair Trade, and more!

Hope you are all doing fantastic,

Ben
enAct President

Take a Break Saturday at the AFAAS Show at Bottletree — Track Copenhagen and Save our Climate!

bendtracy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:57:38 +0000

Hey All,

If you liked our 350 Climate Rally, or Coal Country Film screening, come check out AFAAS (description below)

THIS Saturday from 1:45 – 5:45 at the Bottletree Cafe (see description below) — facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=368746550064&ref=mf

– And all you hardworking volunteers (who may have spare time during this strenuous week) help

a) sell tickets in the Atrium Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurs. or Friday 11-2

b) Put up flyers

c) TELL YOUR FRIENDS and invite them on facebook!

Second,

If you like human dignity and respect for our fellow human being, please come to Stockham Women’s building (next to Harbert) TOMORROW at 3:30 — The newly-launched Coalition for Human Dignity will hold it’s first Community Gathering. Come hear about what this wonderful group wants to do!

Lastly, This week is the Copenhagen Climate Summit! If you have twitter, follow hashtags like #COP15 #Hopenhagen and #350ppm, and if you are on facebook check enAct’s fan page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Birmingham-AL/enAct-Students-Engaged-Actively-in-Environmental-Issues/160924173873) for DAILY CLIMATE UPDATES

Saturday’s Event:

Saturday December 12th in the afternoon from 1:45 – 6 PM at the BOTTLETREE CAFE — 3719 3rd Avenue Sout Birmingham, AL, 35222 enAct is hosting an Awareness Fundraiser Art Auction and Show (AFAAS) where tickets are $7 (to be sold in the atrium) for some awesome bands. We will also be featuring an awareness screening sponsored by Public Citizen and the United Steelworkers Alliance — Battle in Seattle: Why the World Trade Organization is one most destructive institutions in the world, and why a citizens’ protest story from 1999 can inspire us all to make change today.

Best of luck with exams, papers, presentations, and projects!

Stay sustainable,

The Warriors of enAct

Apartment Meeting + White House Youth Energy Forum Viewing

bendtracy — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:00:59 +0000

Hope you all had a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving (hopefully with some local foods on the table!):

1. Meeting Wednesday at enAct Apartment Headquarters (1025E, third building on the right, go downstairs and we are the apartment on the bottom right) where we will also view the White House Youth Energy Forum before at 4 PM, meet from 5-5 30, and continue watching until 7 PM — event sponsored by the Energy Action Coalition http://bit.ly/4TRgPc
(RSVP here)
2. Mark your calendars for Saturday December 12th in the afternoon from 1:45 – 6 PM at the BOTTLETREE CAFE — enAct is hosting an Awareness Fundraiser Art Auction and Show (AFAAS) where tickets are $7 (to be sold in the atrium next week) for some awesome bands. Look for more from Lindsey Motlow about this — again, many thanks for her work!

3. Thanks SO MUCH for all the traffic the enAct website and facebook fan page has been getting! Keep inviting your friends to become fans, feel free to post comments or questions, and look out this week for some interesting new articles from NPR and other folks.

Now back to those final essays/exams/projects!

Stay Sustainable,

The Warriors of enAct