June 2010 Environmental Brigade Photos & Video!

Much-delayed in posting these, but better late than never. The brigade report is being worked on and will be posted as soon as it is ready for viewing.

Enjoy!!! (Photos by Jonathan, and video by Lauren!)

Happy Earth Day!

The Kuna people will likely face the fate of becoming climate refugees... but can we assist them in making the necessary decisions early enough to avoid the devastating consequences in delayed action? Thankfully for them, there is elevated land not too far from their island homes.

Gallery with commentary: 
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-04-21/our-drowning-planet/

On a brighter note, here's an inspiring video from Greenpeace:

CPK Fundraiser!

CPK on Nobel Dr. (next to Islands, across from Whole Foods)
Monday April 19th
Anytime 11:00am - 10:00pm
Bring this flyer and 20% of your bill goes to our upcoming June trip :)

Link to flyer: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B2QuEpOQY2jzMTcxY2QyMzAtMzY5ZC00ODBmLWJiNjItYTEzN2FkMDIyNDU1&hl=en

Should the U.S. Burn or Bury Its Trash?

A relevant article on NYtimes about waste management. Perhaps we can get some insight for our own project in Kuna Yala?

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/should-the-u-s-burn-or-bury-its-trash/

Featured on Global Patriot & CalFinder

Mr. Mark Lovett from Global Patriot just published a post on our work in the December 2009 brigade:
http://globalpatriot.com/2010/03/29/ucsd-global-brigades-bring-sustainable-energy-to-panama/

And also on CalFinder:
"Volunteers from the University of California-San Diego are trading solar energy for a unique cultural and life experience, leaving an enduring, sustainable impact on communities in the developing world."
http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/news/global-environment-brigades-deliver-solar-power-to-panama/

Principle Member Positions

Since most of the current cabinet has graduated or will be graduating in June, we are opening up essentially all the principal member (PM) positions starting in the Spring 2010 quarter. Not sure if you have what it takes to fulfill these roles? Be not worried  - our current PM's will assist & train you every step of the way in learning the procedures, processes, and skills necessary to run GEB like a well-oiled machine as we have done in the past several months.

The plan is to slowly transition you, the future leaders of GEB, into the roles that we play today. Let's pass the baton to continue the momentum in the upcoming months. There are eco-stoves to be built, land to be reforested, environmental refugees to be assisted, and gorgeous sceneries in Panama to be seen!!

Incentives:

• learning valuable life skills such as time management, public speaking, networking (hint: lectures & labs don't teach you these things!)
• networking with environmental professionals and potentially earning references for your future prospects (aka employers)
• having that indescribable, elevated level of satisfaction in leading a group that will make truly make a positive impact in so many people’s lives
• possibly discounted program fees

(Simple) required qualities:

• Open Communication - Say what you do
• Accountability - Do what you say
• Genuine interest in bettering the environment, respect for all living organisms, and preservation of foreign cultures

The Positions

Prime Minister, aka the Overseeing Instigator

• Holding meetings
• Delegating necessary tasks and ensuring payment deadlines are met
• Ensuring there is adequate communication among GB staff, PM's, as well as participating members
• Meeting & interviewing prospective brigaders

Vice President, aka Everyone's Friend

• Assisting the Prime Minister in various tasks, such as meeting & interviewing prospective brigaders
• Being the go-to (calling) person for all other PM's and regular members
• Updating the website/blog and facebook group

Public Relations Chair, aka the Articulate Promoter

• "Crashing" relevant lecture halls & classroom to speak and write about GEB blurbs such as upcoming fundraisers & info sessions
• Answering questions from prospective brigaders, and directing them to appropriate personals and/or information
• Establishing contact with sustainability-minded groups on campus and departments (such as Environmental Systems) to spread the word on GEB

Fundraising Chair, aka the Money Maker

• Contacting local food and entertainment venues to create viable fundraisers for GEB
• Sending out emails, creating facebook events, and inviting all members & other contacts to participate
• Delegating responsibilities for flyering - because this party is more fun with more people!!

Historian, aka the Fast-Typing Organizer

• Booking rooms for group info sessions & other gatherings
• Typing notes at meetings
• Initiating important topics for discussion at meetings and presenting relevant information for pre-departure preparations such as educational materials

If interested, please:

First become accquainted with GEB by reading our formal report from past brigade: http://tinyurl.com/ye4eswg

Then, email us at ucsdgeb@globalbrigades.org with the following information:

1. Position(s) you wish to apply for
2. Name, expected graduating year, current major & minor
3. Clever methodologies in enjoying your free time
• ex: baking goodies for others, planting trees, watching every episode of How I Met Your Mother, Facebooking, hiking & camping, attending live concerts, and stuff like that
4. Relevant past/current experiences and skills for the position(s)
• ex: member of other environmentally-minded clubs, any volunteer work, leadership or education roles, Spanish speaking ability, or special knowledge of, say, solar panels, in working with kids, composting, and so forth

December 2009 Environmental Brigade Report now published!

We are proud to present to you our formal report of the very first environmental brigade at UCSD as well as at Global Brigades (GB). In working with GB, you can have the unique opportunity to not only travel to a foreign country to take on projects that have a direct impact on the quality of life of local communities, but also gain valuable hands-on experience not found in the classroom.

Our team of student volunteers, aka "brigaders", consisted of 16 UCSD undergraduates and alumnus. The primary objective of our week-long project was to install a photovoltaic system and implement environmental education at a densely populated island in Kuna Yala of Panama, home to the indigenous Kuna people. The project was developed by GB's Environmental Brigades Coordinator, who has established a fruitful relationship with the Kuna Cultural Congress as well as various Panamanian environmental organizations that have contributed to the success of this brigade.

We have worked on this report for many days and nights in the past several weeks, and although it is quite lengthy at 19 pages, it is also filled with memorable photographs from our wondrous trip. It should be noted that because the content was written by various people, the language style may differ from one section to the next.

Please feel perfectly free to spread the word to potentially interested friends. Look for an update within a week on the development of the upcoming summer brigade and how YOU can get involved or perhaps help plan it as well!!

- UCSD GEB team

PDF Link: http://issuu.com/subtledream/docs/global_environmental_brigades_-_winter_09_report

Open publication - Free publishing

Featured on Global Brigades' Blog!

Anna, the Environmental Brigades coordinator, has written a post on Global Brigades' blog about our December trip! Read about it here:

http://www.brigadesblog.org/?p=1061