greenSPARK planning notes
“firestarter” initiatives to make SPARKcon a greener event
Members:
- Matt Tendam (mtendam77@gmail.com)
- Todd Delk (Todd.Delk@kimley-horn.com)
- Ryan Cummings (rcdec@earthlink.net)
- Michael Gilchrist (mrg123@earthlink.net)
The greenSPARK team has been working since our kick-off meeting on 7/2/09 to put the following ideas into motion, with the appropriate event tie-in and contact person in parentheses:
·Recycling stations (eventwide – Matt Tendam)
We are acquiring bins/cans/etc. to provide 4-6 recycling stations around the Fayetteville Street event venue, including a composting bin for food waste near the tastySPARK and bazaarSPARK locations. VOLUNTEERS WILL BE NEEDED DURING THE EVENT. volunteers will be needed to ensure that waste is properly separated and non compostable items are not collected in the compost bins. A brief training session prior to the event will be necessary as well. City of Raleigh will provide recycling bins and collection services. McGill Environmental Services will collect and process compostable materials. McGill has offered to waive their processing fee of $20/ton given some advertisement will be available. We are still working on procuring a large roll off container for mass collection of compostable materials.
·Printing and brochures (eventwide – Matt Tendam)
We hope to help Bobbleheads with using post-consumer/sustainable forests paper and eco-friendly inks for any event media. We are looking for in-kind donations of these products. I need a deadline as to when these materials will be needed.
·Reusable water bottles (eventwide, tastySPARK – Todd Delk)
We want to have reusable water bottles for sale (price or suggested donation) and 4-6 water-filling stations at event in lieu of sale of bottled water. We are searching for sponsor that can contribute/donate/front ordering 300-500 water bottles with SPARKcon and sponsor logo. This feature needs to be advertised as available at event and for participants can buy bottle or bring your favorite from home
·Water filling stations (eventwide, tastySPARK – Todd Delk)
We organizing to have 4-6 water stations around event using 2 large water coolers per station with ice and tap water. We are investigating a water cooler sponsor like LeBleu as option as well. VOLUNTEERS WILL BE NEEDED TO HELP KEEP STATIONS FILLED and we are looking for in-kind ice sponsor.
·Alternative transportation (eventwide – Todd Delk)
- Bike Valet – Efforts to secure bike racks has transitioned to approaching parking deck to provide space for a “bike valet” area (VOLUNTEERS TO STAFF WILL BE NEEDED)
- spokeSPARK (online submission) – Commenter suggested we create display space and have camera set-up to display photo collage of area’s fashionable bicycle and cyclists.
- Transit – We are looking for promotions with and highlighting getting to/from SPARKcon via CAT, TTA and R-Line
- Some kind of tie-in with Raleigh Rickshaw, Segway Store
·Reusable shopping bags (bazaarSPARK – Michael Gilchrist) – We are looking for in-kind donation of reusable shopping bags to support vendors at event.
·Relay for Light/Stationary Bike Power Generator(s) (healthSPARK?, groundSPARK?, artSPARK?, main stage? – Todd Delk)
We hope to SOMEHOW acquire/build stationary bike generator(s) to provide power as carbon offset for event. Discussion of single bike possibilities include powering the message board, tent lights, lights for artSPARK pod; multiple bike possibilities (maybe for next year) include night lighting for groundSPARK artists based on people signing up for shifts.
* NC Green Power Raffle (Ryan Cummings)
A raffle will be held with proceeds from the ticket sales being given to NC Green Power to fund their alternative energy projects. We are still trying to procure prizes but initial efforts have been made to find a bike made of recycled parts as the main prize. We are looking for other in-kind donations of eco-friendly products and services to raffle off.
·Other ideas tossed around: eco-friendly make-up for fashionSPARK, bio-diesel generators for main stage, cooperative farming highlighted at bazaarSPARK
you guys are doing some awesome stuff! keep it up, and let me know if you need help.
You guys sound like you are really on it. Thanks for all the hard work.
We do have to take exception to fundraisers. We cannot raise funds for another nonprofit without a serious assessment of all nonprofits. We had talked about a GiveSPARK once but that was a public SPARKcon process, and we’re too late for that now.
Cool recycled products would be nifty, but we have to talk together of where/when. I think we’re getting pretty full now. When can we meet?
The funds to Green Power are carbon offsets for SPARKcon.
Other good news: looks like water bottles are a go thanks to Progress Energy, water stations look good, and Bike Valet is almost confirmed.