List any previous leadership positions held with the National Recycling Coalition or state recycling organizations and describe what you accomplished in those positions.
I have served on the NRC board for the past three years. During this term I have served as the slate selection chair and vice president for two years and on the gala, strategic and finance committees. Major accomplishment includes updating the organization’s strategic plan that identified a new structure for key initiatives which informs the budget and annual work plan. When fully implemented, the new structure will allow the organization to be more flexible and dynamic.
If you currently serve in a volunteer leadership position with another organization, please explain your role and accomplishments.
Presently I serve as the Vice President of the NRC. Also, I recently began serving on the board of Community Resources for Science a small non-profit that brings science and environmental education into the classroom through teacher training and support. In 2002, Oakland hosted and I served as conference chair for the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) annual conference. I served as CRRA awards chair for 1996 awards ceremony and co-chair for the 1993 CRRA conference. From 1990 to 1993 I served as president of the Northern California Recycling Association.
What special abilities would you bring to NRC’s leadership?
As a NRC board leader I bring a commitment to actively engage in meetings, participate fully in committee assignments, and share the responsibility for moving the organizational goals forward. I bring policy development skills and a true understanding of the benefits of environmental education. My background in organizational development has served me and the organization well over the past three years as the NRC has transitioned and claimed its place as the voice of recycling.
What do you think are the most important recycling issues facing the NRC or recycling on the national level?
As a NRC Board Member I want to increase the voice of the recycling at the national level continuing to invest in and institutionalize the practice of recycling in businesses and institutions. I think it is critical to bring the importance of recycling in addressing climate change to the discussion at both the local and national level. Last keeping recycling and zero waste conversation alive with the public is vital – branding recycling can do this.
What steps should the NRC take to strengthen its role and relationships with our affiliated state organizations?
The NRC should assist the Recycling Organization Council (ROC) with defining leadership training needs and opportunities to build and strengthen the Council. The NRC supports the ROC in recruiting new state affiliates to the NRC. This peer to peer approach with a built in support network is a design for success. New members strengthen the organization and a stronger organization will be more successful in achieving its mission. NRC board leaders should attend state affiliate conferences to hear and learn what our members are addressing legislatively, programmatically, and financially.
What individual or group in the field of recycling has had the most influence on you?
Many people have provided me guidance, support, and mentoring over the last 30 years; to name a few of the most influential: Kate Krebs, Mark Bowers, Darryl Young and Betsy Meyer. All these individuals have modeled commitment, dedication, and innovation for me and at one time or another pointed out an opportunity to seize that I had overlooked. My time on the board of Northern California Recycling Association in the early 1990s influenced me to take on leadership roles to move the recycling agenda forward.
How would you “sell” the importance of an NRC membership to a person who is unfamiliar with the NRC?
Being a member of the NRC is an opportunity to be part of the national dialogue to shape and influence the direction of recycling and to connect with leaders from government, business, manufacturing, and NGOs all on a common mission to reduce waste and increase recycling.
How is the work you do as a professional compatible with NRC’s mission?
I am the Environmental Services manager for the City of Oakland and provide guidance on the city’s sustainable initiatives and programs. Oakland has adopted a zero waste goal and strategic plan with recycling programs and public education being the bookends – analogous to the goals of NRC. I bring to the NRC a local progressive perspective, experience with advanced local collection programs such as food scraps recycling, and developing unique public private partnerships like the irecycle@school education center at a Waste Management facility.
The NRC Board of Directors is comprised of individuals with a concern for the common good of the Coalition. Discuss how you would help the Board reach consensus among a group of peers with varied interests and/or positions on a specific issue.
I start by valuing others’ opinions. I believe it is most important to establish a common direction, build trust and respect through listening and communicating openly and honestly. The board leaders must establish standards of conduct with duty of care and duty of loyalty paramount. I can support the board in enforcing its standards which allows for consensus building. I believe there is a continuum that “consensus” falls on – while not everyone may agree, they can consent or agree to be neutral which allows for progress.
What would be your personal goals as a member of the NRC Board of Directors?
I would continue to contribute to the strategic plan implementation to align the organization structure and programs. Building the financial health of the organization through oversight and fund raising would also be a priority. Last, I feel it is necessary to further develop positive governance practices to ensure the organization’s long-term viability.