Community POWER Update: Rounds 9, 10, 11 & 12 Laurie Gustafson, Program Manager January 25, 2012 A program of the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

Round Round Round Round R9 Follow up R10 Follow up R11 Follow up Todays Discussion Community POWER Phases

Round 9 Sustainability Report: One year later Conducted interviews with 9 grantees Goal: Determine the lasting impact of the Community POWER grant project.

Round 9 Findings: Replication Products created that can be used by others. Girl Scouts River Valleys Victory Neighborhood Organization

Round 9 Findings: Programming Continues 100% continue to offer waste reduction programming Reached an additional 1,000 people Example: CommonBond Skyline Towers

Round 9 Findings: Waste Reduction a Priority Internal waste reduction became a larger priority. Examples: Randolph Heights Elementary School St. Clements Episcopal Church

Round 9 Findings: Barriers and funding Groups cited several barriers to continuing efforts such as: 44% of groups required additional funding to continue their projects. Staff time, being reassigned. Change in leadership. Lack of volunteer commitment, some burnout. Recycling at public housing sites is not required.

Round 9 Findings: Feedback What grantees found helpful Technical support provided by project managers and county staff Resource materials Grantee meetings Funding Rethink Recycling e- newsletter and E-Partner News

Round 9 Findings: Feedback What grantees would change Increase flexibility in use of funds Reduce administrative burdenboth in application and grant phases More support on how to continue to make waste reduction a priority

Round 9 Catalytic Impact of Community POWER 67% of the organizations have instituted things like energy and water conservation measures. 100% of project managers stated they have made personal changes in their environmental behavior.

Round 10 Highlights 18 projects completed August 31, 2011 Over 10,000 residents in the metro area were engaged in active waste reduction activities. More than half of the participants made at least one long-term waste or toxicity reduction behavior change. An additional 95,000 people were reached with waste reduction messages.

Round 10: St. John Vianney School

Round 10: Community Neighborhood Housing Services

Round 11 Current Grant Projects 18 on-going grant projects 18 on-going grant projects Projects began October 3, 2011 Projects began October 3, 2011 Received two training workshops Received two training workshops End September 2012 End September 2012 Represent all SWMCB Counties Represent all SWMCB Counties

Round 11 Grant Project List Fishing for Life St. Francis Community Education, ISD 15 Waconia Independent Public School District 110 Shiloh Temple International Ministries Northeast Neighborhood Living at Home Nurse Block Program Minnesota African Women's Organization* Project Pride in Living Stillwater Area High School Transition Program On the Move for Minnesota Families, University of Minnesota Extension* Armatage Montessori School Brooklyn Center School District # 286 Kaleidoscope Place Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Nawayee Center School Laura Jeffrey Academy Union Park District Council West 7th Community Center West Side Citizens Organization*

Round 12 Preview Expected release date: March 2012 Staff working on several streamlining measures including: Application process Evaluation Reporting Funding flexibility