The Dodge Blog The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation: Imagine a Better New Jersey

Poetry Friday: Thank You to our High Schools!

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Michele Russo, Poetry Coordinator

photo by Laura DeSantis-Olsson Photography

As the spring draws to a close, we want to thank the teachers and faculty who are instrumental in making our High School programs a success. These teachers do a great deal of legwork so that their students have the opportunity to connect with poets and poetry.  This extra responsibility includes fundraising, scheduling, providing hospitality, securing audiovisual equipment, inviting local media, and much more.  We are so grateful for their efforts and for their enduring commitment to poetry.

We also want to thank the Dodge Poets who are the cornerstone of our High School programs.  Their talent, energy, openness and intelligence inspire students to read and listen more deeply, and to discover their own connection to poetry.

This spring, our poets met with almost 4,000 students.  The photos in this blog share a few moments we captured.  We could not have done it without the following individuals:

Central Regional High School, Bayville

Kim Lytle, English Teacher

Dr. Mueller, English Department Chair

Dodge Poet:  Robert Carnevale

Cinnaminson High School, Cinnaminson

Amy O’Hearn, English Teacher

Dodge Poets: Cynthia Arrieu-King, Crystal Bacon & John McDermott

Communications High School, Belmar NJ

Jaime Vander Velde, English Teacher

Dodge Poet: BJ Ward

Cumberland Regional High School, Bridgeton

Bob Evans, English Teacher

Dodge Poets: Stephanie Cawley, Maria Gillan, Mark Hilringhouse, Charles Johnson; Special Guest: Kevin Carey

East Brunswick High School, East Brunswick

Megan Manetta, English Department Chair

Laura Strachan, English Teacher

Dodge Poets: Grisel Acosta, Stephanie Cawley, Cat Doty, Charles Johnson, John McDermott, Christine Salvatore, Vincent Toro, Joe Weil

Egg Harbor Township High School

Lily Moss, English Teacher

Christine Salvatore, English Teacher

Dodge Poets: Cat Doty, Lois Harrod, Peter Murphy, JC Todd

Hoboken Charter School, Hoboken

Mira Septimus, Art Teacher

Ona Gritz, Librarian: Hoboken Public Library

Dodge Poet: Madeline Tiger

North Star Academy, College Preparatory High School, Newark

Steven Chiger, Howitt Fellow for School Leadership

Michael Mann, Head of School

Dodge Poets: Michael Cirelli, Maria Gillan, Charles Johnson, Khalil Murrell, Bridget Talone

Seneca High School, Tabernacle

John Bowden, English Department Supervisor

Beth Strittmatter, English Teacher

Dodge Poets:  Charles Johnson, Vasiliki Katsarou, Gretna Wilkinson; Featured Poet: Taylor Mali

Southern Regional High School, Manahawkin

Darlene Parks, Teacher/Supervisor of English, Art, Business, Family & Consumer Sciences

Jean Piscopo, English Teacher

Dodge Poet:  Crystal Bacon

Spotswood High School, Spotswood

Maureen McVeigh-Berzok, Supervisor of World Languages

Dodge Poet: John McDermott

St. Benedict’s High School, Newark

David Wolf, English Department Chair

Art Teacher, Pamela Wye-Hunsinger

Dodge Poets: Kyle Dargan, Monica Hand

Trenton High School West

Bill O’Neal, English Teacher

Dodge Poet: Michael Cirelli

Voorhees High School, Glen Gardner

Terry Leyland, English Teacher

Richard Broan, English Supervisor

Dodge Poets: Michael Cirelli, Maria Gillan, Charles Johnson, BJ Ward, Gretna Wilkinson

Students at East Brunswick High School

Dodge Poet Cat Doty

Students at East Brunswick High School

Dodge Poet Christine Salvatore

A student at East Brunswick High School

Dodge Poet Vincent Toro

Students at East Brunswick High School

Dodge Poet Charles Johnson

Students at East Brunswick High School

All photos by Laura DeSantis-Olsson Photography.

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Tell Me A Story

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Ennis Carter, Social Impact Studios

Last Friday, I had the honor of escorting my 9-year-old daughter and 75 of her closest 3rd-grade peers on a field trip in historic Philadelphia. It was a beautiful day, so I was looking forward to the adventure. But, to be honest, those of us who live in Philly get a little tired of these tours of the founding of our nation. We hear the same information over and over every time we have an out-of-town guest who wants to see the sites.

When we arrived at the Betsy Ross House (for the umpteenth time), I could tell this would not be an ordinary walk through history. What made it unique? Our guides introduced themselves as “Storytellers.”

Now all tour guides are essentially storytellers, but these folks were different. Storytelling was the primary way they told us the tedious and potentially boring details of history. They highlighted characters, they acted out scenes and they created visual points of reference by engaging the audience in the ongoing and energetic “Human Timeline!”

It worked. We all had a great time; it broke up the monotony of walking the same city blocks several times; and everybody (kids and adults) seemed to remember some unusual detail. I know I learned something new, and I’ve been touring these places for almost 20 years. Even better, it spurred MORE storytelling on the way back to school and around the dinner table that night.

This was a fitting way for me to end two weeks of “Storytelling” workshops and webinars – part of our Public Image Works series currently being offered to 25 grantee groups of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

Our series is designed to help good groups get the attention their important missions demand. Public Image Works combines organizing principles with the best marketing practices around – and Storytelling is a new part of our series co-presented by Charlie Bowe.

Communications from non-profits can often be too practical, too complex and not nearly interesting enough to call people to action. This Storytelling module was added to help grantees tap into the passion and magic that is behind their work and share it with the people who need to hear their stories the most. Here are some highlights:

WHY STORYTELLING? IT ENGAGES OUR BRAINS.
There’s a difference between language processing and information processing. Storytelling is the best way to convey both so information gets remembered and used by our brains. Check out more at “What listening to a story does to our brains.” By Leo Widrich

WHAT MAKES A GOOD STORY? GET CREATIVE.
In public interest work we tend to leap past stories into the finer details of our issues and work. But good stories are interesting and compelling and are a great way to engage people first. Every great story carries certain elements that make them work. Consider how you might be a more creative storyteller by tapping into age-old characteristics like these:

  • A Hero
  • A Unique Opportunity
  • A Goal
  • An Antagonist
  • An Inner Conflict
  • “Divine” Intervention
  • A Climax

(See how this speech by Cesar Chavez about Farm Workers and the Grape Boycott make wonderful use of these elements)

TELL ME A STORY
Remember how it feels when someone tells you a story? Even if it’s been told before, you connect because the story is being told to YOU. The most important breakthrough you can make in storytelling is to speak to your audience and their needs. Now, this doesn’t mean that you have a different story for every audience – that’s a common misconception that derails people when crafting stories about their work. The core elements of your story should be solid and set (Hero, Goal, Conflict, Call to Action). What you need to do instead is FRAME your story based on the audience and their needs. Start by asking a question, or tapping into a deep, universal emotion. There are a lot of different ways you can start your story to touch your audiences and I can guarantee they don’t start with “We are a 501c3 organization…”

In today’s rapid-fire communications age, it might seem like we don’t have time for good stories. But, with the issues we face and the vision we have for a better world, we can’t afford NOT to tell better stories. It’ll take more creativity and some practice, but we have all the tools we need in the people, places and narratives of our work.

When I overheard my daughter talking about the Grimke Sisters instead of Benjamin Franklin on the walk back to school, I knew those “Storytellers” had made a lasting impression on us. They told us a story that was worth remembering and repeating. That’s what storytelling can do more than almost any other form of communication. It’s exciting to think of all the stories that can be told to celebrate and promote important social issues. What’s yours?

About Social Impact Studios:
Social Impact Studios is a creative hub for important social issues. By collaborating with others who focus on the public good, we build awareness efforts that get noticed and achieve idealistic goals. We believe that thoughtful, beautiful and meaningful communication is the most beneficial way to engage and motivate people. From concept to creation, we design action plans, visuals, messaging and moving grassroots experiences together that do just that!

Photo Credit: NYTimes via Leo Widrich’s blog

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Dodge Poet Spotlight: Betty Lies

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Rebecca Gambale

Welcome to our continuing blog series here on Poetry Fridays, Dodge Poet Spotlight. We are turning the focus over to the individuals who make our programming what it is in the schools, with teachers in Spring & Fountain, and on the ground at the Dodge Poetry Festival — the Dodge Poets.

Each week, a Dodge Poet answers some questions about themselves and provides a selected poem of their own work. We hope that this will be a way for you to get to know the Dodge Poets a little better, and you can get an idea of why we love working with them so much.

We are first featuring leaders of our Spring & Fountain sessions.

Without further ado, today’s Dodge Poet is Betty Lies.

Photo Credit: Karen Mancinelli

When did you first discover poetry?  What poets made you want to write poetry?
I can’t really say when I discovered poetry. My mother loved it and read it to me from the time I first remember. She also encouraged me to write as a very young child (my first “real” poem was at age 6.) Then in grade school and junior high (as middle school was called in my day) I loved the narrative poems we read: Browning, Tennyson, Longfellow, et.al. I can still quote long passages: “This is the forest primeval, the murmuring pines and the hemlocks…” ad nauseum. The Idylls of the King in tenth grade absolutely knocked me out, and the Rubaiyat, which somebody gave me as a high school graduation present, first made me realize the impact of imagery. In college, I learned about modern poetry, and Eliot was both my idol and the reason I stopped writing poetry for 30 years. I couldn’t write like him, so why write at all?

Richard Hugo said we’ve written every poem we ever loved.  He was particularly proud of having written Yeats’ “Easter, 1916.”  What great poem are you proud of having written?
The poem I am most proud of having written is Nazim Hikmet’s On Living. The spirit of that poem is what I want always to emulate. One of my greatest poetic experiences was on a trip to Turkey four years ago, when the leader of our small group asked us to say what we’d like to do if we had a chance. I said I’d like to read On Living to the group, and one night after dinner, on our small boat on the Turquoise Coast, I read the poem in English and she read it in Turkish. Wow.

With all the other demands and distractions in life, how do you make time for poetry?
I don’t always make time for poetry, and that shames me. I’m lucky to have some good poet and poetry group contacts that keep me more alert. But I’ve always felt that we can make time for what is important to us. I have friends who say “I just don’t have time to read,” and I try not to say that there is always time to read. If something has to go, it’s the housework, not the reading. Stick to the essentials!

What are your favorite writing tools?
I love pencils, long sharpened pencils. My students used to tease me that I couldn’t teach without a pencil in my hand. I much prefer pencil to pen, though I do like certain ink pens (not ballpoints, which I hate). I usually start writing poems in pencil on odd bits of paper, whatever is at hand when an idea starts, then put the bits together on computer and go from there through final copy and revision. Prose (like this) I always compose on the computer.

What is the funniest/strangest response you’ve ever gotten to telling someone you are a poet?
I guess the response that most tickles me is when people’s jaws drop, and then they stammer about how hard poetry has always been for them, but they know it’s such a great thing. It’s like when you say you’re an English teacher, and they say “oh, I’d better watch my grammar when I talk to you.” As if there’s some huge gap there.

Nowhere to Hide

Unpredictable, the winds that feed
those fires devouring Santa Barbara:

the anchor on the nightly news reports
erotic winds drive flames

every which way,
without warning or sense,

and I so understand:

when those erotic winds begin to blow,

you have to know it’s inescapable: it’s
unaccountable, it’s

fire, fire, fire, it’s just

one conflagration
piled up on another.

-Betty Lies

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Foundation Leaders Weigh in On Hurricane Sandy Response

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Robert G. Ottenhoff, Center for Disaster Philanthropy

Foundation Leaders Weigh in On Hurricane Sandy Response

One of our goals at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy is to help fellow donors learn from each other about disaster response so we can improve the impact and effectiveness of disaster philanthropy in future disasters. As part of CDP’s new interview series on Hurricane Sandy response, recently I spoke to Chris Daggett, president of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and Hans Dekker, president of the Community Foundation of New Jersey to get their insights. Here is an edited version of the interview transcript.– Robert G. Ottenhoff

Bob: Of all the things that happened to you and your organization in the five and a half months since Sandy hit, what surprised you most?

Hans: I continue to be surprised by the diversity and complexity of the needs that our communities face. Every day I hear of some impact that I had not considered. Not only are there are lots of gaps that need to be filled, they also seem to evolve rapidly. Crafting an effective response in that environment is challenging.

Chris: No real surprises. Disaster response and recovery is an emotional, frustrating, difficult and long-term process. There are many organizations involved, both public and private, all with their respective procedures and rules. Coordinating and collaborating to make the process more efficient and effective is a daunting task. The work following Sandy has been no different.

Bob: How did Superstorm Sandy affect your organizations?

Hans: We were displaced by the storm for two weeks which came with a set of administrative headaches. Concurrently, we needed to be prepared to work with donors who were ready to help immediately.  In retrospect we could have had some contingency plans in place for some of our systems.

Chris: Dodge was impacted only to the degree that staff had varying levels of damage and inconvenience. Fortunately, other than non-catastrophic property damage, staff members were spared.  Likewise, the office was in good shape – never losing power or heat. However, when we reached out to our grantees to survey their damage, we heard a wide variety of responses, with several organizations enduring significant physical damage and, more commonly, lost revenue from canceled performances and fundraising events.

Bob: Tell us a little bit about the roles each one of you and your organizations have played in responding to the storm and in supporting the philanthropic networks of your state.

Chris and Hans: The Community Foundation of New Jersey and the Dodge Foundation decided days after the storm to establish the New Jersey Recovery Fund, which Dodge seeded with a $1 million commitment, ($250,000 of which Dodge directed to its grantees for emergency relief for damages not otherwise covered by insurance or eligible for state and/or federal reimbursement funds).  Several other local and national foundations and individuals have also contributed to the Fund, which has raised approximately $5.5 million to date.

The very nature of the Recovery Fund has helped support our philanthropic network here in New Jersey by providing a vehicle for foundations to broaden their impact by pooling resources and collaborating on grantmaking. We continue to seek opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with other relief and recovery efforts here in New Jersey, including with the state and the Governor’s Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

Bob: How has private philanthropy impressed you these past five and a half months?

Chris and Hans: Through individual and collective efforts, foundations in New Jersey, as well as from outside the state, have responded in thoughtful and substantive ways to assist in emergency relief as well as intermediate and long term recovery efforts.  We have appreciated our colleagues’ willingness to contribute to and participate in the NJ Recovery Fund so that we can support the long term recovery efforts we face.

Also, the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers has played a pivotal role in informing and educating the philanthropic community about state and federal efforts, ongoing recovery issues, and lessons learned from disaster officials in other states, through a series of weekly conference calls over a four- month period as well as bus tours of devastated areas along the shore.  The Council’s work has effectively helped us understand the depth and breadth of the issues and facilitated information sharing among philanthropic organizations about where grants might be strategically deployed to support recovery efforts.

Bob: What would you like to see more of from private philanthropy?

Chris and Hans: Even greater coordination and collaboration.  No matter how much money is provided by private philanthropy, it is a drop in the bucket relative to the need.  Working together improves our chances of success and our collective impact. Additionally, allowing more flexibility and placing fewer restrictions on contributions to a pooled fund.  We have discovered that the ground is constantly shifting underneath us – we learn about new issues and challenges all the time.  Having as few restrictions as possible allows us to change directions with grant dollars if the need arises.

Bob: What are the greatest unmet needs or gaps that you are seeing right now as a result of the hurricane (e.g. housing, mental health, vulnerable populations, etc.) and what role should private philanthropy play?

Chris and Hans: There are many unmet needs and gaps in response across the board.  The best role for private philanthropy is to help identify those gaps and bring resources to those individuals and communities most in need and most likely to be overlooked in the drive to restore the Jersey shore for the summer tourist season.  We also need to support efforts to ask and answer the most challenging questions, such as where and how should rebuilding occur – are there areas that should not be rebuilt given the prospects of sea level rise and other catastrophic events? Philanthropy is in a unique position to help address questions that are difficult to consider dispassionately in the context of urgency and emotion following a disaster.

Bob: If you had to write a playbook for philanthropic organizations that respond to catastrophic natural disasters, what would you be sure to include?

Hans: I am not sure our traditional ways of approaching our giving work that well in a disaster context.  Being effective requires a much more hands-on approach than we might traditionally use. I think it would be helpful for foundations to prepare those pathways before a disaster hits.

Chris: I would include a strong recommendation to work together: pool funds and allow for as much flexibility for spending those funds as possible; share information; meet and collaborate with local, state and federal officials; and engage and strengthen the nonprofit organizations that provide needed services on the front lines on a daily basis during normal times, and even more so during disasters.  They are the backbone of support for those in need.

Chris Dagget, president and CEO, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

Chris Daggett is president and CEO of The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. Previously he served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of New Jersey, Regional Administrator of USEPA, and Commissioner of NJDEP. For six years he was Managing Director at private investment firm William E. Simon and Sons. Since 1996 he has operated a brownfields development company. Before joining Dodge, he was a principal with JM Sorge, an environmental consulting and management firm.

President, Community Foundation of New Jersey

Hans Dekker has served as president of the Community Foundation of New Jersey since 2003. During his tenure the foundation has made over $225 million in grants to charitable causes. A key element of the foundation’s mission is a leadership role on the critical issues facing New Jersey and its communities. It has recently focused on public media, the links between wealth migration and charitable giving, and public safety by supporting the Newark Violence Reduction Initiative and the Community Eye, a camera surveillance and gunshot detection system in Newark.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy responds with stability, providing credible advice and a consistent strategic approach. They help donors best leverage their resources throughout the disaster life cycle, helping afflicted communities recover today in addition to preventing future suffering through disaster preparedness efforts.

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5 Tips for Leading Change from NJ Green Teams

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Donna Drewes, Sustainable Jersey

Sustainable Jersey logo

In towns across New Jersey, Green Teams are finding creative ways to address environmental, economic and social problems.  Town managers, concerned citizens, facility managers, mayors, neighborhood activists, students and faith leaders are mobilizing people from engagement to action on our most pressing issues.

Sustainable Jersey Green Teams provide the leadership to develop plans and implement programs.  Each Green Team is made up of committed people that serve as the champions for what is possible.

The Sustainable Jersey certification actions provide the road map with best practices and the latest research on issues that help align communities to move forward. Here are five tips for leading change from Green Team participants:

Maplewood, Millburn and South Orange Green Teams collaborate on drip irrigation event for the community.

1. Hang In There, Persistence Pays Off – Town of Hammonton (Atlantic County)
Dan Bachalis, Town of Hammonton Councilperson and member of the Green Committee of Hammonton is proud that Hammonton has been Sustainable Jersey certified since 2011. Dan’s environmental interests run deep; he was involved in the very first Earth Day event and was a proponent of recycling long before the laws in New Jersey went into effect. He says that participation in the Green Committee and the Sustainable Jersey program has added structure to his lifetime pursuit of working on sustainability issues.

Every step forward is a step closer to a goal and people like Dan help to make sure that community members are moving ahead. Dan said “It’s important to stay with it.  When the Hammonton Green Committee got started, it was difficult to get going as we are a conservative town and people are busy.  But every year the support has grown.  Now we get spontaneous letters to the newspaper asking what the Green Committee’s view of an issue is and our Green Fair is a town event that is automatically on the calendar.  My advice to new Green Teams is to hang in there.  The message will definitely take hold. If you use the Sustainable Jersey resources and templates, it will guide your work.”

The Town of Hammonton and Galloway Township are developing ways to collaborate on Sustainable Jersey actions.  The Green Teams are working together on two current projects: a combined-town green drinks event and a two-town film and lecture series.

2. Share Your Passion and Collaborate  -  Maplewood Township (Essex County)
The Maplewood Green Team has about 40 committed members and has been Sustainable Jersey certified since 2009.  Fred Profeta, Maplewood Township Green Team member and former Mayor said, “The Green Team has played a very important role in creating a green culture in Maplewood.   Maplewood residents are exposed to a level of education and organization around issues and actions regarding sustainability that would not be possible otherwise.”

Green Team members are often guided by a sense of moral responsibility for the good of the community.  It is this passion that can be infectious.  Kirk Sohr, a member of the Maplewood Township Green Team said, “I have come to realize that volunteers go a long way to making the world go round.  And in terms of meaningful outcomes, it is volunteers who are the actual change agents.  So why wouldn’t someone want to be a part of that?  How many people have the opportunity to effect meaningful change within their day to day work world?  Being on the Green Team allows one that possibility. Everybody is there because they want to be there.  There is no greater issue in my mind than environmental issues.  Everyone in the developed world can start to do things right now to effect the change necessary.  And given the scope and scale of what is needed, the place to start is right in one’s own community.”

In February 2013, the Maplewood Green Team set up a regular monthly meeting with the Millburn and South Orange Green Teams.  The collaboration has already been quite productive as the groups worked together on the Maplewood Green Day event, a 3-town river clean-up event, a drip-irrigation demonstration event, monthly green drinks and a movie series.  By working together, the three Green Teams can undertake more Sustainable Jersey actions, reach a larger segment of the community with outreach information and share resources and ideas for new projects.

3. Use the Power of Connections – Monroe Township (Gloucester County)
Patrick McDevitt wondered why his town was not pursuing Sustainable Jersey certification, so he approached the town council.  To his surprise, the town council was receptive and made him the chair of the Green Team with the green light to pursue certification.  Sustainable Monroe Township was formed and the group is now working on becoming certified.

Needing guidance for how to start a movement, he turned to Lori Braunstein, the Executive Director of the very successful Sustainable Cherry Hill, who also connected him to Chris Waldron, who is the Director of Sustainability for Camden County.  In addition to the 37 Camden County mayors that Chris is working with to support their Sustainable Jersey certification efforts, Chris has been a resource to Patrick.  Chris recently went to a Monroe Council meeting to help Patrick answer questions regarding the proposed Sustainable Land Use Pledge and other Sustainable Jersey actions. Rather than go it alone, Patrick benefited from the participation of a respected individual that added validity to his presentation to the Council.

Patrick appreciates the support and said he attends Sustainable Jersey and Green Team meetings in other towns to get reinvigorated and motivated by what is happening in other communities.  Patrick said, “In just a little bit of time, a lot is happening in town already.  I find myself serving as a connector to the many different groups and interests in Monroe.  Sustainability is my passion; how could I not want to participate and make this happen.”

Mitch Morrison of the Sparta Green Team with Donna Drewes and Pam Mount of Sustainable Jersey.

4. Bring People Together – Sparta Township (Sussex County)
Mitch Morrison of the Sparta Green Team said, “The Sparta Green Team provides the opportunity for anyone and everyone from Sparta to participate in making great things happen.  Sustainable Jersey provides the framework for our community to work together towards a common good with great programs and events.  We believe that we all share this world – it is common ground.  We enjoy paying it forward every single day.  We think globally and act locally.  And, our actions speak louder than words.  I love being involved with the Sparta Green Team.  We help run the Sparta Farmer’s Market, the Sparta Community Gardens, the NJ Highlands Student Business Competition, the Sparta Sustainable Business Tours, the Sustainable Career Day events, the Sparta Tree Planting events, the Sparta Bag-It Days and much more.”

On April 16 the Sparta Green Team partnered with Sustainable Jersey to host the Northern New Jersey Sustainable Resource and Networking Forum that attracted over 140 people to learn about regional and state resources that can help municipalities navigate and complete Sustainable Jersey certification.  Attendees developed partnerships with other municipal officials, residents and businesses, to provide support with the Sustainable Jersey certification.  Participants also learned how to transition from bronze to silver-level certification from Cynthia Steffens, Chair of the Chatham Borough Green Team.

Marlon Hargis of the Absecon Green Team helps a group of Pleasantville Middle School students fill out a litter survey.

5. Lead by Example – City of Absecon (Atlantic County)
Marlon Hargis is a member of Sustainable Absecon that is about ten members strong.  The City of Absecon is new to the Sustainable Jersey program and is currently working on becoming Sustainable Jersey certified.  Marlon got involved with the Absecon Green Team through his work on an adopt-a-road program with the Atlantic County Utilities Authority.

Marlon said, “A lot of people are sitting on the sidelines as cheerleaders or just spectators.  By getting involved in Sustainable Absecon and participating in clean-ups, I hope to show people that they need to get out there and volunteer.  Printing educational flyers is good, but we also have to demonstrate with our own actions the change we want to see.”  Marlon just recently participated in a clean-up with students at the Pleasantville Middle School in addition to the coordinated clean-ups in Atlantic City after Hurricane Sandy.

Join Sustainable Jersey at GreenFest
Sustainable Jersey encourages towns to work together on certification actions and is developing regional hubs to promote and strengthen the work of Green Teams.  Mentors and colleagues from other towns provide new ideas and the enthusiasm and support that are vital to sustaining the work of our Green Teams.

Sustainable Jersey will be exhibiting at Greenfest this Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18. At 9:30 am on Saturday, we will be facilitating a roundtable discussion, “Green Teams: Opportunities and Challenges in Pursuing Sustainability.” While REGISTRATION for the discussion is not required, we encourage you to register so we can tailor the discussion to your interests and needs.

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Images courtesy Sustainable Jersey

Sustainable Jersey staff and partners are regular contributors to the Dodge blog

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