Volunteers
Volunteers can add a significant amount of help to a green living program (GLP), especially for major campus-wide events. A large number of volunteers may not be helpful because they require management time, and the whole purpose of a GLP is to have student employees who can be held accountable for their work. However, overall, volunteers can help strengthen the program through their enthusiasm, extra help and support. In order to keep volunteers involved, they require the following:
- personal reminders to show up to certain meetings and events
- incentives, such as free food, to show up at events
- incentives, such as encouragement and gratitude, to return to future events
Eco-rep Volunteers
You may find that after you have chosen your GLP reps, other students approach you because they are extremely interested in the work you are doing but did not hear about the position in time. Or they may have thought they would not have four hours per week to give but still want to be involved somehow throughout the year.
One way to keep these students involved is to designate them as “eco-reps” for their entryway or a smaller area of the dorm. They can work with the rep for the dorm, adding support for items like tabling in the dining hall, going door-to-door or postering.
Involving Students through Green Cup or Eco-Projects
Students should not feel they cannot be involved just because they are not the rep for their dorm. Essentially, every student on campus is involved with a GLP through how they choose to live their daily habits. Find ways to have eager students be involved by offering distinct activities for them to show their leadership abilities.
At Harvard, students have been directly involved by having them participate on a Green Cup challenge team, eco-project, “green team” led by their dorm rep, or other environmental activity that is a distinct event or project.