Introduction
The District EnviroClub Awards have been adapted from a successful environmental awards program in the United Kingdom. In this program, clubs register environmentally sustainable (ES) initiatives (activities, projects, programs, and events) and are encouraged to improve these through a series of awards, starting with a Bronze Award and moving on to Silver and Gold Awards. Individual Rotarians are also encouraged to be catalysts for environmental action in their communities.
We should all be aware of the many environmental problems facing the world, such as climate change, pollution, water shortages, loss of habitat, energy security, loss of biodiversity and waste management. Rotary is in an ideal position to take leadership to ensure that the world we leave to the next generations is no worse, if not better, than when we inherited it.
Benefits of being an EnviroClub
- It will give recognition to your club for its existing environmental initiatives and the incentive to further develop these initiatives.
- Environmental sustainability is an important and current issue worldwide, affecting everyone. Being a recipient of an EnviroClub Award may help to make your club more relevant to your members and better engage and retain your members.
- Recognition of your environmental initiatives through the EnviroClub Award may also attract new members, increase income to your club through community grants and lead to new partnerships with Rotary clubs, businesses, and community groups in your local community.
Aims and objectives
The aims of these awards are to encourage clubs to undertaken environmental initiatives and by publicly presenting the Awards, encourage other clubs to explore their own environmental initiatives.
Who can take part?
Any Rotary, Rotaract or Interact club in District 9780.
How does it work?
The scheme begins with the appointment of a Club Environmental Sustainability Officer (ESO), who may be either the Club Chair of an ES Committee or a key player in another Committee such as Community Service. It is recognised that environmental initiatives can span many avenues of service such as Community Service, International Service and Youth Service.
The Awards Scheme is a progressive criteria-based system, where clubs must first work for a “Bronze” Award before progressing to a “Silver” Award and finally a “Gold” Award.
To encourage innovation by clubs, there are no specific initiatives in which a Club should participate for any level of Award. Applications for an Award are forwarded to the District Environment and Sustainability Chair who reviews the submission with members of the District ES Committee. The final decision to approve the award will be made by the District Governor.
While the requirements for the Bronze Award are relatively straightforward, they become progressively tougher for the Silver and Gold Awards.
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