STAND UP, STEP FORWARD: Volunteers in our Community

Look What Could Be Missing Soon from RI State Beaches!

2012-01-24T09:06:00.001-05:00

A bill was introduced in the RI General Assembly this week that would ban cigarettes from state parks and beaches.

Smoking Ban at State Parks and Beaches. House bill 7166 (pdf) would prohibit smoking at public beaches, parks, playgrounds and pedestrian malls and plazas. The bill was moved to the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare.

At first I panicked that without cigarette butt at beaches our volunteers would have nothing to clean up. But, thinking realistically, even though cigarette butts are the most common thing we find at Save The Bay Cleanups, and I foresee this making a lot of cleanup volunteers very happy, we really do find so much more than just cigarette butts on the coast.

Yesterday, I downloaded the 2010 Report from the Ocean Conservancy on International Coastal Cleanup. 2010 marked the 25th year of ICC Cleanups, and the report was full of some great fun facts.

In 25 years, ICC volunteers have collected 52,907,756 cigarette butts and filters.
1,248,892 balloons have been collected over the past 25 years
7,825,319 plastic bags have been picked up at ICC cleanups over the past 25 years
Do you use plastic bottles? Maybe this will change your mind - in 25 years volunteers have cleaned up 9,549,156 plastic beverage bottles.

I picked these stats because these items are quite representative of what we find on the local beaches and coastal areas in RI during our cleanups each season. Aside from the standard items, if you've participated in a Save The Bay Cleanup, what types of items have you found that have shocked you? (Can you beat my growing collection of little green Army men?)

Internship Season is Upon Us!

2012-01-18T15:01:00.001-05:00

Just last week I finished posting all of our internships on websites for universities across the country. Each summer we welcome many interns from around the country, from a variety of universities, to our offices to assist us in a multitude of capacities.

I always love hearing from our interns and what they've been up to, where they've gone in life. So this past week I contacted Save The Bay interns from the past few years to ask them for a run down of their time here at Save The Bay. I thought it would be fun to share these with you all throughout the coming weeks so you can learn what it is like to intern at Save The Bay.

"Save The Bay gave me real world field research experience. Unlike summer programs that one might do, our research and work had real world applications. The eelgrass that we planted became habitat for marine species and the measurements we took became a part of a worldwide sea grass database. In fact, upon talking to the administrator of that database, we found that our beds in the southern part of the bay are the only ones in the world that are currently expanding. How cool is that?"

"My favorite part of working with Save The Bay was feeling like I was making a difference in Rhode Island, in the ocean, in the environment. How many people can say that their job was to get in a boat every day to monitor the health of the bay and the health of transplanted beds that you planted yourself? Even in poor weather, I looked forward to heading out onto the Bay. There is nothing like sun on your head and sea salt in your face and the crusty salty feeling after a day of scuba diving. My least favorite parts were hauling TERFs! Those things were both stinky and heavy!" Michelle D. Eelgrass Program Intern.

Thank you Michelle for your words on the Eelgrass Internship.

If you know someone looking for a college internship, please send them our way! We love to meet talented and dedicated individuals who are passionate about learning and the environment.

And a helpful tip for those of you seeking out internships for the season. How to nail the interview!

via

Counting Spat in Point Judith

2011-10-19T14:54:00.000-04:00

A poem & pictorial by Save The Bay Volunteer Kathleen O'Kula.

Counting Spat in Point Judith

Deep under the bay

Eelgrass leans in slow motion.

Scallops spawn their spat

which we catch in nets,

measure their tiny millimeters,

send them back to grow

and meet them much later

for dinner.

First you collect the tubes that were floated over the scallop fields.

Then you investigate every millimeter of slimy surface ...

... because the “spat” are really tiny.

And when they’re measured and counted, back they go!

See ya in the kitchen someday, guys!

A Word on Beach Trash

2011-09-09T10:23:00.000-04:00

This weekend, Save The Bay will be kicking off International Coastal Cleanup in Rhode Island, sponsored locally by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Throughout September, groups all over the state will be hosting local cleanups and tallying the trash they find. These tallies will help The Ocean Conservancy get an idea of what type of marine debris is located in the waterways around the world.

While every cleanup we host at Save The Bay is eye-opening to many of the volunteers, International Coastal Cleanup tends to really make volunteer stop, gasp, and think. I think it has to do with actually seeing a solid number on a piece of paper of how many pieces of trash they picked up of each item. Picking up a handful of cigarette butts is one thing. But knowing you picked up 150 cigarette butts is something completely different.

Today, this little PSA came across my email sent to me by a parent whose child made this piece. It's a short little animated piece on the dangers of debris in our waterways. Take a look! Watch with your kids! If it moves you to make an impact, join Save The Bay, or any of the other groups hosting ICC cleanups this month and come help keep Narragansett Bay and it's coastline free of trash and debris.

For a full listing of ICC cleanups, please visit www.keepriclean.org

Even The Heat Can't Keep Away a Passionate Volunteer

2011-07-21T13:56:00.000-04:00

While eating lunch today, I came across an article in my Volunteer News Alerts about volunteers working in Joplin to clean up after the devastating tornado that swept through that city this past spring. I was touched by the continued support and dedication of these truly wonderful volunteers, working tirelessly in 100+ degree heat daily! All so the residents can get their lives back on track as soon as possible. I was moved by the article and by the energy of the volunteers. How selfless to give of themselves during this disgusting heat wave instead of doing as many of us do - sit in our AC or with a fan pointed on us and try to stay cool.

Then, I thought about the Save The Bay Volunteers who deserve some major kudos for offering to work at the Annual Save The Bay Swim this year. Approximately 80 volunteers will turn out on Saturday morning and help to check in swimmers and kayakers in Newport. An additional 120+ volunteers will be taking to the water on boats and kayaks, will be in the water to help greet swimmers and kayakers, will be on the beaches to get all swimmers a towel, shirt, medal and drink, and will be at the lawn to help feed the many swimmers and spectators from the event. This Saturday, we'll have over 200 volunteers helping with our signature fundraising event. And these volunteers are going to brave some crazy heat.

That's the thing about Save The Bay Volunteers - they are tough! I am consistently amazed by their strength, dedication and passion for the organization and their work. Whether they are stuffing thousands of envelopes, answering phones, digging in the mud, counting scallops, working with visitors at our Aquarium, marking storm drains, monitoring water quality, surveying the coast, assisting at events, or collecting trash from the beaches - they do it with 100% of their effort - always.

Each year I ask some of our volunteers for quotes about why they volunteer for Save The Bay. I keep these emails in a folder in my inbox. On days when work is challenging, I will refer to these messages from volunteers. Reading about their passion motivates me and inspires me, and makes a challenging day not so bad. One of my favorite emails is below.

"First, I think alone I can only make a small difference, but when I volunteer with like minded individuals, I can be a part of something bigger that will have a real impact. And I love to be involved with driving positive change. Second, I don't think anyone has the right to complain about a thing if they aren't willing to roll up their sleeves and do something to help. Third, I like to give back. I find it keeps me grounded, puts things in perspective. I volunteer for Save the Bay because it is a stellar organization, that focuses on one of my great loves in life, the shoreline. I used to complain that the shoreline and ocean were changing, that my kids didn't have the same opportunities there that I did as a kid. Now I can work with a good bunch of people, to improve something I love, and I don't complain any more."

I hope these words inspire you to brave the elements (heat, rain, sleet, snow), and get out there and volunteer with Save The Bay or another organization you are passionate about. Volunteers are key to the success of non-profit organizations, we can't do it without them!

Microvolunteering

2011-04-01T09:56:00.000-04:00

There's a new and emerging trend in volutneer management called Microvolunteering - and it sounds pretty much like what it is. Microvolutneering is when an organization takes their volutneer needs and breaks them up in to short, 30 minute projects where people can either come in to your office or work remotely, do the 30 minutes of work, and be done.

When I first heard of this trend I was quite intrigued and got to thinking about what can someone really accomplish for an organization in 30 minutes?! I mean, in 30 minutes of my time I know I can cook a meal, jog a mile+ on the treadmill, clean my bathrooms, pound through work email, you name it. But does my organization really have tasks that could be done successfully in 30 minutes or less? And is it really a 30 minute project if someone is driving 15-20 minutes each way to even get to our offices to do the work?

But then I really got to thinking in terms of volutneer & member actions that could be done in 30 minutes. Maybe it's not an actual project that needs to be done, but a call to action. In 30 minutes, our constituents could hop online and send a letter to a Senator or Representative supporting a call to action. In 30 minutes Facebook Fans could sign an online petition and help encourage their network to do the same. In 30 minutes, supporters could hop online and make a donation to help our programs. They could send emails out to their network to recruit friends/family to particiapte in an event. Thinking in these terms really made me see that the possibilities are endless.

I know traditional volunteering isn't for everyone - whether it's a time committment issue or just lack of knowledge about what volunteering actually involves. But with the growing number of people linked in to every form of technology there is now, I really feel that offering these quick "volunteer" call to actions are a way to increase the number of individuals engaged with the organization. And how do I know that person who sends a letter or makes a gift won't call or email the volunteer manager one day and ask for other ways to expand their commitment to the organization?

Ahhh.... Microvolunteering, this could be the beginning of a beautiful and lasting relationship!!

How Important is an Internship?

2011-03-14T12:29:00.002-04:00

Ah spring! It's the time of year when college students and recent graduates start looking for summer internships. It seems like only yesterday (ok 12 year ago, but now I'm dating myself) that I was out pounding the pavement, sending resumes and trying to find the best place for a summer internship (read: any place that would take me!).

I also remember thinking that I was never going to find an internship. Much like the economy and job market now, I was up against something very similar each year I was internship hunting. I was facing recent graduates and entry-level professionals who had more experience and were also happy to work for little to no pay just to have an experience to bolster their resume. How could I compete?

I remember one spring, I spent my whole spring break on interviews trying to find an internship for the summer while most of my friends whooped it up in Mexico and Florida at the beaches. It was nearing the end of the week, and I had already had 5 interviews, each one of them telling me I didn't have enough experience to intern with them. Finally, the last interview, I was asked the dreaded question, "Why should I hire you for the summer? You don't have any experience." I looked the interviewer right in the eye and said what was in my gut: "That's why you should hire me. I have no experience, you can train me any way you want me to be trained and teach me the things you want to teach me and I'll do them. I'm a blank slate ready to learn. And if you don't give me the opportunity to learn, who will ever give me the chance? I just need one person to take a chance and teach me." I walked out the door with an offer and a start date. The interviewer said it was the best answer she had ever heard to that question. This internship led to every other internship and job I've had in the past 12 years.

As someone who had wonderful and valuable internships throughout my college experience, and as someone that works with volunteers and interns on a daily basis, I can not emphasize enough the importance of internships and summer volunteering.

Being an intern is not just being "free/cheap labor" or "summer help". It's about immersing yourself in the culture, learning the lingo and skills needed for your proposed profession, meeting professionals in the business (that may be able to help you later on), gaining an insight as to what your future job will be like, and perhaps more than anything, it's your chance to determine "is this really what I want to be doing when I get out of school?" (And it's OK to walk away from an internship and answer NO to this question!!)

At Save The Bay, I work closely with our staff to ensure that the internship opportunities we offer will have students leaving with more knowledge than they came in with, that they have the necessary and important skills that they can add to their resume, some sort of hands-on learning experience, and/or a tangible product they can add to their portfolios.

I always like to remind students when I'm at recruitment fairs or doing interviews that one door opens another in terms of internships and volunteer work, that we all have to start somewhere to get experience and those experiences lead us to bigger and better things - including jobs.

Internships are not always glamorous. You're not going to walk right in and know everything and be perfect, and if you think you are, check that ego at the door. As an intern, you are there to learn. Have a can-do attitude, ask questions, take on tasks with gusto, be kind and gracious to those you are working with, be punctual, be accurante, be honest - tell them if you're bored/overwhelmed, ask for more work, seek opportunities to learn besides what is being handed to you, dress and act to match the culture of the workplace, don't spend your day texting away or on Facebook. Leave an impresion on them that will last a lifetime!

And if you can't find a summer internship, seek out area non-profits that are of interest to you (and maybe related to your area of study) and offer to volunteer your time assisting them. Maybe they need someone to help answer phones so staff can take vacation time. Perhaps you can help with filing, events, data entry, who knows! Just because it isn't an "internship" by name, doesn't mean you can't make summer volunteering a valuable learning experience and take away experiences that will be important for a resume or job search.

Remember, your impression on those you're working with will lead to recommendations - and you want that to be a favorable and memorable impression for all the right reasons! Make the most of your internship and volunteering experiences - you never know where it will land you!

Save The Bay Staff Give Back

2011-02-09T12:52:00.015-05:00

In January and February, Save The Bay staff members began our new STB Gives Back program by volunteering their time at Amos House in Providence for three weeks. Staff members came in to assist with lunch preparation and then served lunch to those who needed a hot meal.

"Volunteering at Amos House was nothing short of spectacular. I was shocked at the sheer volume of people who passed through the doors (I had no idea the need within the community was so great!). It was both humbling and heartwarming to be able to offer those who passed through the food line a smile, a kind word, and a full plate of food. The volunteer experience was hugely rewarding, especially since I usually volunteer for environmental causes."
~ Stan, Operations Assistant

"I felt like I was really making a difference, and I learned a lot too."
~ Marci, Coastal Ecologist

"I enjoyed my time volunteering at Amos House. The staff were more than welcoming and very appreciative of the help. It was a great avenue for STB staff to reach out and help our local community." ~ Grainne, Educator

"I enjoyed having the chance to work with another great cause and spend time with my colleagues doing something 'good' outside of our daily work." ~ Rupa, Education Coordinator
"Always great to help in the community we call home!" ~ Jenny, Development Associate

"I liked wearing the fancy hair net. It really accented my lunch lady bun."
~ Gretchen, Events Manager

"I volunteered with Save The Bay because we are a non-profit that relies on volunteers ourselves, we know the value of volunteers to another organization and how important it is to volunteer. It was also nice because food is such an essential part of our lives and it is good to remind yourself how important food is to the well-being of all."
~ Rachel, Community Organizer & Advocate

"Volunteering at Amos House was a blast! Despite the fact that it was frigid and snowing outside, there was an abundance of warmth and smiles inside from happy kitchen staff already hard at work preparing lunch. Everyone who passed through was gracious and thankful and made it known with continuous words of “thank you” before they left to go back out into the storm. I felt very pleased that such a place exists in Rhode Island and is successful because of the magnificent caring people who work there. I highly recommend the experience to anyone. " ~ Cherisa, Education Specialist and Bay Camp Director

"Volunteering is an experience that gives me a lot of personal satisfaction because there’s genuine appreciation for my efforts. It’s very satisfying to know that you’re making a positive difference (regardless of how small) in someone else’s lives. " ~ Mary K., Director of Communications and Marketing

In the three weeks we were there, staff members chopped 100 pounds of potatoes, 60 pounds of carrots, caseloads of cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce. We peeled approximately 40 pounds of shrimp, peeled and chopped dozens of hardboiled eggs, and cut countless pieces of pastry and cakes for dessert!

Trash: Not just a problem in Rhode Island

2011-01-05T11:28:00.004-05:00

First off, I'm so sorry it’s been so long since I've blogged. I do promise to do better about bringing issues of Volunteerism and the Environment to you in the New Year.

Part of the reason I've been slack in blogging is because I took the whole month of December off. Yes, I did it, I walked away from my desk, trusted a volunteer with everything (which she did a fantastic job!) and took a much needed break.

But, unfortunately even while on vacation, I started thinking about possible things to blog about and writing rough drafts of posts in my head.

My husband and I were fortunate to spend the month in the Mediterranean on a cruise. We visited parts of Europe, Africa and Asia and had the most wonderful time!

You see, my husband and I love to travel; to experience new parts of the world, see new places. I'm a very open person when we travel as I like to experience people's cultures, ways of lives, foods, religions, you name it.

But for some reason on this trip my eyes seemed to notice every single piece of trash in the ocean as we were coming in to ports, on beaches as we were walking around, on the streets where we walked, in the canals that we drove past. This is the first trip we took where I noticed my hyper-attentiveness to pollution and trash were interfering with my enjoyment of the experience. Now mind you, 95% of the places we visited were clean, beautiful and gorgeous - it's just that 5% that really got to me.

One city we visited near the end of our trip broke my heart - I wanted to get out, grab trash bags and gloves and lead people in a cleanup! There was trash piled high on the side of the roads, trash in canals that was so deep that it actually made a dam in the water and prevented the water from flowing, trash being burned in the midst of expansive farm fields where workers were harvesting crops, trash piled high in parks where children were playing. All I could think about is how these children will never know what it's like to swim in clean water, play at a clean beach or park or walk to school on a road that is not littered with trash. And it is not their fault, this is how it is here, this is how trash is dealt with. All I could think about is what those International Coastal Cleanup cards would look like - imagine the tally marks!!!

In another city we visited, they are trying to improve the coastal area to draw more tourists in. They are building beach clubs, yacht clubs, expansive hotels, fancy restaurants and cafes, theaters, you name it. But all I could think about was no matter what businesses they built, who would vacation here with the beach as dirty as it was? In amongst the lounge chairs and umbrella tables were piles of trash - household trash bags, food waste, tires, plastics - I could go on but I am sure you can imagine it for yourself. And even worse, a block in from the road where all of the development is happening, buildings are crumbling and trash is piled high. I don't think I would vacation there for the beach, would you?

Now I'm sure many of you are saying, well I've been places like that, seen worse, seen photos, videos, etc. how could I not know this was going on over in other parts of the world? I did know things like this happen in other parts of the world, that there isn't always the option for waste removal and recycling like we have in the US. But this was really the first time I personally got to see it with my own two eyes and not in a book, online, on a TV screen or in the form of data released after ICC cleanup each year. Seeing it with your own eyes certainly holds more of an impact and this is something I will forever carry with me and remember about our trip.

All of this made me realize, aside from the reality that I can no longer visit a beach or go on vacation without noticing trash (thank you beach cleanups!), that as bad as we think our beaches are, there are other places in the world that are MUCH worse. And it made me think that if I can make even a tiny impact here in little Rhode Island with our incredible corps of volunteers taking to the beaches, that it has to somehow make a difference.

I have to believe our impact in Rhode Island makes a difference - just take a look at our 2010 cleanup numbers:
1,035 volunteers participated in 30 statewide cleanups this past year where they picked up 13,926 pounds of trash from our beaches, neighborhoods, parks and rivers.

See volunteers, you do make an impact and the work you do is so important! Thank you for all of your hard work in 2010!

Even the Youth Want to Give Back

2010-10-28T15:26:00.000-04:00

There was a great piece on CNN.com today about Selena Gomes and the work she's doing as a young ambassador with UNICEF. She explains how she got involved with the organization and how this work has turned in to a passion. Yes, she's 18, and many people feel youth don't know how to give back. But look at the national volunteer rates - the youth age range is among the fastest growing population of volunteers around the country - even in Rhode Island!

This piece is moving and heartfelt, albeit short and sweet. It's a nice piece to read or watch the video of with your teen and encourage them to find a project or area that interests them there where they can make a difference.

Can Peer Pressure Help us Eliminate the Paper or Plastic?

2010-10-26T10:25:00.000-04:00

Great article from WSJ about DC imposing a tax on paper and plastic bags and the peer pressure that got people to make the transition to re-useable bags. The article also looks at other incentive and peer programs to change environmental behaviors and actions around the world. Take a moment to read this - you won't be sorry!

Would you volunteer on your honeymoon?

2010-08-20T10:35:00.000-04:00

I just read a great article on CNN about honeyteers - honeymooners who volunteer on their honeymoon, or a portion of their honeymoon. It gives them the chance to learn more about the culture of where they are visiting and then take some time to tour the areas with a greater understanding for the region.

I've heard more and more about people volunteering on their honeymoons lately - we even had a staff member a few years ago who he and his new wife used their honeymoon time to volunteer overseas.

For the age group now getting married, where we see the largest rates of volunteering nationally, I guess this trend does make sense. But would you volunteer on your honeymoon?

Eco Friendly Volunteer Vacations

2010-08-17T10:32:00.000-04:00

When I first started in volunteer management, the idea of going on vacation to volunteer was just something I couldn't grasp. Most likely because I'm surrounded with all things volunteering just about 6 days of the week.

However, in the field, there has been a great increase in the interest of Voluntourism (aka, Volunteering While You Vacation). I guess over time, the idea is growing on me, although let's be honest, I'm probably not the first to book this type of vacation with my family since I enjoy site seeing, laying on a beach and well just being lazy when I travel. It is vacation after all!

But this article on The Daily Green was a great piece and really inspired me to possibly think outside the box when planning my next vacation and looking in to some Eco-Volunteering options. I'm particularly fond of going to help an organic farmer! (Side note, my husband has a co-worker who has done this up in Canada. They stay for free in exchange for helping on the farm and they get to take some of the produce home with them. Pretty cool!)

Take a look at the piece and see what interests you - it's quite incredible the ways travelers can be helping today!

Calling Those Passionate About Clean Beaches!

2010-08-10T11:55:00.000-04:00

We Need You!

Now is your chance to be trained as a cleanup leader! Leaders are trained in organizing cleanups and cleanup safety and they help lead upwards of 30 cleanups each season for Save The Bay.

Join us in October for our next round of leader training!

An Overview of 2009 Volunteering in Rhode Island

2010-06-15T14:47:00.000-04:00

The new data is out from the Corporation for National and Community Service on Volunteering in America. Nationally, more people are volunteering but overall are not giving any more hours to organizations - hours remained flat.

Locally, we are ranked 42nd in the country on the percentage of people that volunteer. In 2009, approximately 196,000 people volunteered in RIgiving 26.5 million hours of service to charities around the state. On average, Rhode Islanders who volunteer contribute about 31 hours a year to volunteering.

The full report for RI can be found here.

I always look forward to this report being released. I like to see where RI ranks among the other states, and I like to see nationally where we are at. I'm pleased to see more people are volunteering but it's interesting that they aren't necessarily giving more time.

From a STB perspective I can understand that. As our fiscal year comes to a close in a few weeks, I'm noticing on our early reports that we have a lot more people who volunteered this year than in the past, but overall our hours aren't really any different than in the past. One thing I have noticed since starting at STB over 4 years ago is that our volunteers really tend to stick to the projects they like and just give time in those areas - which is great - but I can see how that doesn't allow for growth of hours at the organization. So it makes me realize that maybe I'm not alone in this feeling - that other nonprofits have the same situation.

I really was anticipating that the number of volunteers and hours was going to increase this time around because of the recession. I know we've seen an increase in volunteers who are looking to give time since they aren't working right now. But perhaps people are still just coming out one or two times to participate and not giving more hours during the work day to organizations.

I'll be curious to hear from volunteers: do you think you give 31 hours a year on average to organizations you volunteer for combined?

And from nonprofit organizations: did you see your hours increase or just your numbers?

Happy World Oceans Day

2010-06-09T16:00:00.000-04:00

Ok so I may be a day late, but none the less - really shouldn't every day be World Oceans Day? Just like every day should be Earth Day?

I think the oceans and other bodies of water are things that have been on people's mind lately with the oil spill in the Gulf. We're seeing the oiled birds and fish, the loss of precious habitat, it's heartbreaking for any water lover.

So this WOD really should make us all reflect on the importance of our oceans and what they do for us. They help provide us with the oxygen we breathe, generate food, provide recreation and income for millions, medicines, you name it!

Take a little bit to read this piece on The Daily Green about what you can do to help the oceans - better yet, locally, come join us for a Shoreline Cleanup, and Eelgrass Restoration or other events!

FACEBOOK!!!

2010-05-25T16:13:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to check out the Save The Bay Volunteers Page on Facebook! Find photos, opportunities, information and more!

What are some of your favorite sites

2010-05-18T09:51:00.000-04:00

Since I sit at a computer most of the day for work, I find when I have a quick break that I enjoy reading up on some of my favorite environmental websites and blogs. But I'm always looking for new ones to enjoy as well! What are some of your favorites that you enjoy?

For me, my frequent pit stops include:

The Daily Green

E-Magazine

Care-2

Live Science

Green Business

Happy 40th Earth Day

2010-04-22T10:04:00.000-04:00

40 years ago today, something great happened - we celebrated the 1st Earth Day.

40 years ago this year, something else great happened - Save The Bay was formed.

Yes, that's right - It's the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 40th Anniversary of Save The Bay.

How are you celebrating Earth Day this year? Are you participating in a cleanup, restoring a park, or planting trees or a garden? There are so many activities at Earth Day that people can take advantage of with groups world wide.

And while so many focus their energy on giving back to the planet this one day/week/weekend - what happens the rest of the year? Shouldn't every day be Earth Day?

At Save The Bay, our favorite slogan is Every Day is Earth Day. Because really, it is! We should care about our planet 7 days a week, 365 days a year - not just one day or week in April because the calendar and news tells us to care about the planet this day. If we don't all step up and take action for our planet what will our kids and their kids enjoy (or not get to enjoy is a better way to look at it).

So make a pledge this Earth Day and every Earth Day about a new environmental change you would like to make. What will you pledge to do?

eat local and sustainable foods
stop using fertilizers on my lawn
volunteer for an organization that helps the planet
start composting
buy a more fuel efficient car
carpool
ride my bike
recycle
switch to energy efficient appliances
try out eco friendly paints
turn off the lights
turn off the water
sign up to be taken off of junk mail lists
use natural cleaners
buy low flow faucets and toilets
plant a garden
properly dispose of old electronics
reduce the amount of waste that goes to the landfill

And many more!

Check out some of these Earth Day Freebies too I found!

Rise Above Plastics

2010-03-09T15:16:00.000-05:00

Have you heard about this site http://www.riseaboveplastics.org/

When you visit the site, have your speakers on, there's some great music as well!

I was first turned on to their site by this clip posted by Surfrider on Facebook.

I just love how moving this piece is and at the incredible message it gets across in just 30 seconds. I think every single person across the world should be required to see this clip to understand the impact we all have on water - wheter ocean, lake, stream, river, pond or other local bodies. What a way to hit home the impact plastics have on our oceans!

I watched this like 4-5 times just sitting at my desk, I couldn't get enough of it. But inside, it also got me thinking how Shoreline Cleanup season is around the corner and how much plastic we find during cleanups. I hate all of the plastics we find during cleanups - it's so aggrivating. I just always feel that if I was raised with enough sense to take home all of my trash and properly dispose of it when I'm at a public place, how did so many other people miss this lesson?

I pledge to reduce my plastic use at home and encourage others to take their trash out with them and properly recycle or dispose of it at home and not on our coastlines! I also pledge to share this clip with as many people as I can!

Rise Above Plastics

2010-02-22T13:05:00.000-05:00

You have to check out this incredible campaign by Rhode Island Chapter of Surfrider Foundation You can find them on Facebook too!

Rise Above Plastics is a series of ice sculptures that are going to be around the Providence area to focus attention on the issue of plastics in the Bay and on our coastlines. Trash was frozen in to each of the blocks of ice for people to see how our use of plastics effects the animals as well as the Bay and Beaches.

And yes, they will be cleaning up the trash when the sculptures melt so it doesn't blow freely around the city.

Check out some great information here on the campaign and see the first sculpture that went up today at Grants Block on the corner of Westminster and Union St, downtown Providence.

Toxic: Garbage Island

2010-02-17T13:36:00.001-05:00

I stumbled upon this today - CNN had a nice short piece and video up - but then I found the full film online at VBS.TV. In it's entirity with all 3 episodes it's a little over 1 hour. The page with Garbage Island can be found here.

I can tell you, it is 1 hour of your time very well spent. If you only have the chance to watch 20 minutes - watch the last piece - segment 3 - it by far has the most impact for seeing what's in the oceans.

The short film follows the journey of a research boat and 3 members of VBS TV on a 21 day trip to the garbage patch in the pacific. They are out to see what types of plastics are in the water and test water samples to see if the plastic toxins are in the water itself that the fish and marine animals are ingesting - and thus - we are ingesting.

There are some great statistics in here, some great data, and some great illustrations of how industrial chemicals are impacting animals and humans.

I will tell you - it's not meant for young children - there are times where there is profanity used. There are also some points where you see them fishing and opening the fish up that can be graphic for people.

The website also has some links to blogs and other pieces that are about plastics in the worlds oceans.

As the staff memeber at STB who heads up the cleanup program, I can honestly say that at every cleanup we do I'm always amazed by how many pieces of plastic we find that I know will never biodegrade.

So take a watch to learn about Garbage Island.

Yes, Even STB Staff Volunteer!

2010-02-16T12:22:00.001-05:00

It's true! Even STB Staff Members get out in their communities and volunteer in a variety of capacities around the state.

I'm a large proponent of volunteering, for any organization, in any capacity. I think volunteering is good for our personal well being and of course for the well being of others. It's a way to try new things, build cofidence about your own skills and abilities, have fun, meet new people, and learn more about organizations in your area and how they help others.

A couple of our Explore The Bay Education Staffers recently volutneered at Mystic Aquarium to help with Inuk, the Beluga Whale who has been ill. Our educators are all trained Marine Mammal First Responders from Mystic Aquarium, so they were more than happy to head down (very early I might add) on a Sunday morning to be of service to the husbandry staff at the aquarium. (I made sure to think about them and their compassion for Inuk and service to the staff as I was rolling out of bed and lounging in my PJS with my hot tea!! That's how early it was!)

Grainne & Cherisa suiting up to help the MAIFE staff take care of Inuk!

Their service got me thinking about what else our staff members do in their communities to volunteer. So I took a quick survey of our staff and was amazed by the incredible places they give their time and talents to.

To name a few:

North Kingstown Free Public Library

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Mystic Aquarium - cleaning tanks!

Weekly town and coastal cleanups in their community

Common Cause

The Highlander School

Meals on Wheels

Sustainable Harvest International

Volunteer Lacrosse Coach

Camp Ker-Anna

The Traveling Theater
RI Chapter of Surfrider Foundation
Ronald McDonald House

I was so honored to see how many of our staff also give their time to volunteer in their free time and in so many different ways.

For me, volunteering is always a choice at the top of my list. I like to find organizations that are a good fit for what I'm looking to gain and for what is important in the local area that may need my help. I've served on board committees for groups, I've done marketing and PR work for organizations, cooked, cleaned, answered phones, dressed in costumes, managed birthday parties, you name it - I'll do it. I'm one of those people that really gets more enjoyment and fulfillment in my life when I volunteer than when I just sit on my couch and watch a movie!

So where do you volunteer?? How has volunteering changed you or impacted your life?

Disney's Give a Day Get a Day

2010-01-13T09:28:00.000-05:00

Since January 1st, I've received well over 100 emails and phone calls from people wanting to volunteer for Save The Bay to get a free ticket to Disney.

YES - Save The Bay is a participating organization.
BUT - only selected opportunities of ours will be used for the Give a Day Get a Day Program.
AND - there are age requirements to ALL of our projects at STB - so not everyone in your group/family may be able to participate in the volunteer opportunity.
AND - there will be restricitons on how many volunteers we need - so if the opportunity fills, it fills.
ALSO - our opportunities will be for specific projects for STB - not just come in and help in our office and get a ticket.

You can find out what groups in RI, CT and MA are participating in this opportunity by visiting the Disney Parks webpage and searching by zip for an opportunity.

Our current opportunity for this promotion is now filled. Keep an eye out on their site throughout the year for new projects from STB and other organizations!

A Big THANK YOU!

2010-01-13T09:24:00.000-05:00

I wanted to thank all of the volutneers and members who came out to the Hi-Hat on the 7th for the Cheers for Volunteers event to learn more about The Civic Projects (Tim & Kirsten) and volunteering in your communitites.

But a HUGE shout out and Kudos to Tim, Kirsten and the OSEEC AmeriCorps Members who spent last friday sprucing up our facility. They spent the day painting our public rooms that we rent out and our kitchen that gets frequent use from caterers on site.

The group was wonderful to work with and we can't begin to thank them enough. People are noticing the change already - staff and frequent visitors/renters to the site.

This is the blog entry on Tim and Kirsten's day at STB. You can track their whole journey on their blog - they are doing some pretty incredible things on their journey of giving - be sure to check it out and follow along!

Cheers for Volunteers!

2009-12-16T13:38:00.001-05:00

Do you volunteer? Do you want to learn more about volunteering in your community?

Then Join us for Cheers for Volunteers on Thursday, January 7th at the Hi-Hat in Providence from 6:30 - 10 pm.

Cheers for Volunteers: An Evening to Celebrate Volunteers, Sponsored by Save The Bay, Motif Magazine, Clean Water Action, Serve RI and the Amos House.

Meet the organizers of The Civics Project - a couple who are traveling the US and volunteering in 50 states in 50 days. Learn about their project, the organizations they are volunteering for and how you can get involved in your own communities.
Free and open to the public, enjoy free music from Santa Mamba. The Hi-Hat does serve drinks and food, so bring your friends for a great night out!
Come learn more about volunteering, share your volunteer stories and meet others who are engaged in helping their communities!

The Civics Project will be volunteering at Save The Bay on Friday, January 8th along with the OSEEC Chapter of AmeriCorps. Please join us on the 7th and support Tim & Kirsten on their incredible journey of giving service to 50 organizations in 50 states in 50 days.

Let's Talk Trash...

2009-12-01T16:25:00.000-05:00

First off, can I just say that I love that this is a phrase I get to use quite regularly at my job? Who would have thought when I was getting my degree from Purdue I'd end up caring so much about trash?

So - let's talk trash!

Our 2009 cleanup season has now ended for the year - and what a year it was.

This is the first year our program had a substantial amount of funding, and the things we were able to do were incredible - all thanks to the generous support of Walmart.

This past year we were able to host more cleanups than we ever have before and engaged more volunteers around the state in the program that we have since its inception.

In 2009, Save The Bay hosted 49 cleanups. 1,641 individuals participated in these cleanups around the state and they collected 21,854 pounds of trash from our neighborhoods, parks, fishing areas, access points and beaches.

None of this would have been possible without the support and time of our Cleanup Leaders. They gave up their weekends to attend training sessions and host cleanups. I could never have managed 49 cleanups by myself or with the 3 other additional people who help with cleanups at Save The Bay. You have made the growth of this program possible.

And just as quickly as the cleanup season went - we're now on to planning 2010s season. We're busy seeking funding and donations to keep the program going, recruiting leaders and planning cleanups at sites around the state. So keep your eyes and ears open for what's to come.

How can you help? Sign up to be a cleanup leader! Attend a cleanup (or 2 or 3)! Help support the program with a financial donation or donation of supplies! We can't do it without help at every level.

It's shaping up to be another great year for the cleanup program - we can't wait to share the details!

In the meantime - enjoy some photos from the 2009 season!

And People Wonder Why I Don't Swim in the Bay!

2009-11-23T14:41:00.000-05:00

My husband and I moved to Rhode Island in 2003. We were in love with beaches, the water, the seafood, the proximity to other exciting places in New England and the East Coast. We're both midwesterners, so when you can drive 4 hours and be in NYC or Maine or drive 4 hours and still be in a cornfield - yeah, we'll take the East Coast.

My husband and I are fortunate to live a couple of blocks away from Greenwich Bay. Since we moved in to our house we would go for nightly walks on the beach until the weather got too bitter. However, once the ahhh of taking daily strolls on the beach wore off, and I saw the coastline as it really was, I started to get a sense of how dirty the beaches were in some areas of the state. Nothing socks you in the gut like walking along a beautiful stretch of coastline and seeing dirty diapers, condoms, tampons and broken glass everywhere. And this was before I worked for Save The Bay.

Once I began working at STB, I really started to understand just how much work we have to do as an organization and as a state to make our Bay healthy for everyone to enjoy and our beaches safe to be open for swimming and recreation.

This video was passed to me by a coworker and it's a great eye opener for people who don't really understand the sewage overflow issues in Newport and how that relates to the closure of the beaches.

I always dread doing cleanups in Newport after rain storms - heck I dread doing clenaups ANYWHERE after a big rain storm. If you ever attend a cleanup with me after a big storm, don't be shocked if I ask you to double up on your gloves!! It's for your safety!

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

2009-11-20T11:03:00.000-05:00

Ask anyone who has ever participated in a beach cleanup, either with Save The Bay or another organization, and they can tell you about the amount of plastic and other debris we find on the coastlines. It's incredible what is littered around the coastlines in Rhode Island.

I was just forwarded this link from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island - they oversee International Coastal Cleanup Day in the state sent this out to all of the cleanup leaders.

I have since shared it with our staff here and our Community Cleanup Leaders. But I feel it is fitting to share with the general public as well.

These pictures may be a bit distrubing and graphic for some, but it speaks greatly to the problem of plastics on our coastlines and the impact these tiny bits of trash have on local marine life and animals.

Albatross Chick Photos

Who is your Hero?

2009-11-16T16:29:00.000-05:00

Ahhh It's my favorite time of year - and I don't mean the holidays.

I mean time for CNN to honor heroes - people who are out there making a difference in their communities and around the world.

Really, if you have never watched the CNN Heroes Award Show or visited the website to read people's stories on how they are engaging their communities to make a difference, you should. It's so heartwarming and uplifting.

I think volunteering is a great way to ensure people are making a difference in their communities. And while these individuals may be doing more than seems possible to you (heck, me too!), don't be discouraged. Every bit of time, energy and compassion you give to an organization or others is valuable and worthwhile.

Take a few minutes to read some of these stories and even vote for your favorite hero.

You'll be inspired and touched by the work these people are doing!

CNN Heroes

How do Cigarette Butts Impact the Environment

2009-11-04T14:31:00.000-05:00

This is a great article from emagazine.com on the impact of cigarette butts on the environment. Worth a quick read!

Don't Miss this PBS Special on Seniors Volunteering

2009-11-03T11:50:00.000-05:00

There is a great special that will be airing on Veterans Day - November 11th - on PBS called "The Way We Get By."

This documentary follows 3 senior volunteers who serve as troop greeters at the airport in Bangor, Maine. It follows their service, their lives and the feeling they have about how much time they have left in the world and the impact they are making.

The full description on the show can be found here.

I can't wait to watch this!

7th Graders can be Hard Workers!

2009-10-21T13:41:00.000-04:00

What happens when you give a group of over 200 eager 7th graders gloves and trash bags and set them loose on their beautiful campus?

You get one heck of a cleanup that's for sure!

Today I spent my morning at Martin Middle School in East Providence with the excellent 7th graders.

Inspired to conduct a cleanup on their campus after taking part in a Save The Bay Explore The Bay Education Program, we worked to find a time when we could get the kids out and involved in their campus community.

The school grounds are beautiful. Vast fields, wooded areas, and a beautiful river and paths to walk. One of the most beautiful locations I've been to in a while that wasn't a beach!

The students had a little over 1 hour to collect as much trash as they could.

They came in blazing with a full sized mattress being the first item that was dragged from the woods (approx. 100 pounds). Another group found a giant stuffed teddy bear (similar to what you'd win at a carnival) weighing in at approx. 30 pounds. Then came the old scooters, tires, a rusted trash can, and an old lawnmower. That combined with the everyday trash - whew! What a pile!

The students collected 834 pounds of trash - in an hour.

Excellent job students. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped in this excellent cleanup!

Volunteering and Television

2009-10-16T10:28:00.000-04:00

Are you an avid TV watcher? It's OK to admit it - I am too.

Well next week, some of your favorite shows will be featuring themes around volunteering and community service.

More than 90 primetime shows on ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and several cable channels will be highlighting volunteering next week in their episodes as part of iParticipate. iParticipate is a national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that will show the ways that individuals can help their neighbors.

The hope of this campaign is that the story lines on volunteering will reach the millions of viewers tuning in and help generate more interest in volunteering in their local communities and neighborhoods.

So check out your favorite shows, see if they took part in the iParticipate campaign. Then log on to the Save The Bay website or any of the other links on the left column to find service opportunities in your area!

Sure, Winter is Coming...

2009-10-15T12:34:00.000-04:00

But there's still work to be done!

Join us for any of the upcoming volunteer opportunities with Save The Bay.

Buffer Planting at Save The Bay, October 22nd

Beach Cleanup at Barrington Town Beach, November 7th

Beach Cleanup at Grinnell Beach, Tiverton, November 8th

We hope to see you soon at one of our events!

Save The Bay Volunteering... By the Numbers

2009-10-15T12:26:00.000-04:00

As Volunteer Manager, I get asked on a weekly basis about the stastics of our volunteer program. From staff, other volunteers and people that I meet with at other organizations. Everytime I give a lecture or presentation at a conference, one of the first questions is "what are your numbers?". Everyone wants to know what your numbers are when you manage a volunteer program.

Numbers and data represent "the health" of your program in the world of volunteer management. The more volunteers, the stronger your program and the more networking opportunities you have with individuals to become potential members and donors to the organization.

However, any volunteer manager I've met would tell you that "the health" of their program should not be solely based upon the number of individuals who contribute their time. Sure, numbers are great and look good on paper - but the numbers are not always an accurate representation of your program.

Some organizations are small and have a limited capacity for volunteers. Yet their volunteers are reliable, helpful and give hundreds of hours of service a year to their organization. I would call that a good program!

Other organizations are large and have a variety of opportunities year round to offer to their volunteers, yet some people may come only once to help out, while a handful of really helpful, reliable individuals give countless hours to the organization in a variety of capacities. I would call that a good program as well!

Save The Bay's Volunteer Program falls within the second category of organizations mentioned above. We have a lot of opportunities to offer throughout the year. Some people join us only once for a cleanup or specific project. Then there are those volunteers for Save The Bay that come out to countless projects and give multiple hours a year to the organization. I consider both of these types of volunteers incredibly valuable to our programs.

I think that the way we have our Volunteer Program set up at Save The Bay really helps us to reach out to more individuals and to get them participating in our programs. We don't have an hour commitment you have to give to volunteer. You volunteer for the projects we have listed that best suit your schedule and interest. That's it - you give what you can - and we appreciate every minute! See - we're so flexbile!

So, if we had to actually look at the numbers, how does Save The Bay stack up?

Last Fiscal Year (July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009) Stats:
1,498 volunteers gave over 8,800 hours of service to the organization.

So KUDOS Volunteers!! You deserve it!