Building Connections Between Students, Faculty, and Staff Julia Rudnick Natalie Lucas Valerie Rountree

Survey Who is in the room? Institution type and size? If you're a student, how do you think faculty and staff feel about working with you on a project? If you're a faculty or staff how do you feel about working on student projects?

Working Together ●Assign roles and delegate tasks ●Structure your group to fit the project ●Create an accountability system ●Design your organization/group/club o Be intentional

Getting Attention ●Write your plan down!! ●Do your research! ●Understand the Lay of the Land o Who are the major players on your campus? o Who needs to say yes to make you succeed? ●Base strategy and tactics on Lay of the Land ●Talk and learn from everyone

●SMART Goals Specific Measureable Attainable Realistic Timely ●Have clear objectives ●Define what makes your project successful ●Timeline- work backwards

Maintaining and Finishing Projects ●Keep in mind your end goal ●Build capacity for your organization o Develop leaders ●Maintain communication with staff and faculty ●Update your written plan as the project develops

Funding I. Where to look for funding II. What to consider before applying III. How to tailor your project/proposal to a funding source IV. Case study: UA Community Gardens

I. Getting Started: Sources of funding Types of funding: Within University vs. Outside University Green FundFoundation Non-profit Private Business Grants (e.g. Government, NSF)

Start with: Office of Sustainability Contact: Coordinator or Director Ask: What, if any, financial resources are available within the university? I. Getting Started: Sources of funding

If there are no financial resources available within your university, consider asking about: External sources of funding Whether sustainability-related projects have been supported in the past? –If so, who has received funding and for what? I. Getting Started: Sources of funding

No Office of Sustainability or mechanism to fund/implement a project? Talk with faculty/staff/students Consult with local organizations I. Getting Started: Sources of funding

What is a Green Fund? I. Getting Started: Sources of funding

What is a Green Fund? Process/mechanism varies Objectives vary I. Getting Started: Sources of funding

II. What to consider before applying A. Does your project meet the requirements set by the organization? ObjectivesTimelineCost B. Is there a similar project already underway that you can: Join? Add to? Learn from?

III. How to tailor your proposal What are the organization’s objectives? Increase energy and water efficiency Communicate sustainability to a wider audience Reduce waste Review resources: Coordinator/directorWebsitePast projects

Proposal reviewers want to know: What are your objectives? What is your timeline? How will you measure success? Have you considered obstacles? Have you consulted with relevant parties, such as facilities management? III. How to tailor your proposal

Make sure to: Demonstrate common goals -Your project does NOT have to fulfill every objective Use common language Demonstrate feasibility -Don’t aim so broad that your project is unrealistic III. How to tailor your proposal

IV. Case Study: UA Community Gardens Soil and plants Student workers Water harvesting cisterns Fencing

IV. Case Study: UA Community Gardens Environmental impact Student engagement Educational opportunities Feasible timelines Reasonable budget Incremental changes that add up to major measurable impacts