GREEN-PR Leadership Program
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The Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions/Environmental Finance Center (SU-CSCS/EFC) is offering a two-semester opportunity for college and university students to assist with the implementation of sustainable materials management (SMM) projects. Through this program, stewards (or consultants) will learn fundamental concepts and principles of SMM, an innovative solid waste management strategy that prioritizes the reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials, and that aims to shift society’s relationship with the materials on which it relies to one that is socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable. Following the completion of the initial training session during the fall semester, stewards will spend the spring semester developing and implementing hands-on projects to further SMM education and practices in Puerto Rican communities. Through this program, SU-CSCS/EFC intends for stewards to deepen their understanding of SMM, apply theoretical knowledge from their coursework, develop personal leadership skills, and gain professional experience.
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Who We Are |
The Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions/Environmental Finance Center (SU-CSCS/EFC) facilitates the development of sustainable and resilient communities throughout EPA Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 8 tribal nations), across the U.S., and internationally.
Our mission is to advance efficient and effective governance and problem-solving through leadership development and community participation in decision-making processes, focusing on public infrastructure education and training, financing, and regulatory tools. |
PROGRAM PARAMETERS |
There is limited space for university students to participate in the 2018-2019 GREEN-PR Stewardship program. At the beginning of the program, stewards are required to complete two training sessions on SMM, community engagement tools, and leadership. After the initial training, youth leaders will participate in implementing projects with the goal of furthering SMM education and/or practices in a Puerto Rican community. The projects will develop leadership skills while teaching SMM practices in communities of Puerto Rico.
Project Examples for 2018-2019: Rural Community Needs Survey– GREEN-PR Stewards will use tools and techniques developed in the trainings to gather information on how best to integrate SMM and sustainability concepts into their community. Methodologies for collecting and disseminating community information may include door-to-door interviews and outreach at community events, such as festivals. Through this process, stewards will develop awareness of cultural competence tools that will empower them to become leaders in their own communities and facilitate the communication and understanding of SMM to the community members to be surveyed. Community Compost Site– Through collaborations with previously developed GREEN-PR hub communities, GREEN-PR stewards will implement a pilot community compost system to serve as an example for demonstrating the viability of food and yard waste composting as a solution to the current solid waste management crisis. By diverting organic materials, communities can avoid disposal for up to 40% of the current waste stream and create valuable soil amendment. Other projects may arise for GREEN-PR Stewards to work on. |
PROGRAM timeline |
September - October 2018 | Application period for the 2018-2019 program
October 2018 | Interview period for the 2018-2019 program November 2018 | Program Trainings: SMM overview, review of program requirements/paperwork, introduction to community engagement and surveying ethics and human subject beneficence spotlight on organics, community leadership February | Project Preparation February-May 2019 | Program Implementation (Maximum of 30 hours) June 2019 | Final Report and Invoice |
PROject Requirements
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Stewards must complete approximately 30 hours of work throughout duration of the program. This is approximately 2-3 hours per week for the Spring 2019 academic semester (NOTE: The two training sessions do not count as billable hours.)
Projects must engage members of a community in Puerto Rico, such as youth organizations, local elected officials, residents, business owners, farmers, etc. Stewards are expected to work harmoniously with community leaders to write and implement a work plan that fits the needs of this community and that satisfactorily meets the goals stipulated in the job description. Stewards should share photos, videos, and material produced with the GREEN-PR network by email, Facebook group, etc. and are encouraged to exchange and share resources with other members of the GREEN-PR network. Other responsibilities that may be requested as part of your paid or for credit work with GREEN-PR include:
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invoicing & reporting requirements |
Prior to participating in the program, GREEN-PR Stewards are required to complete and submit a W-9 form as well as a signed agreement designating them as “consultants”.
Throughout project implementation, GREEN-PR Stewards are required to record the dates and number of hours worked in an activity report (a template will be provided) with a description of the work carried out, the number of people impacted, and any statistical figures (e.g., pounds of materials diverted from the waste stream). Consultants are required to provide an Invoice and a Final Report for total hours worked (at least 25 hours, but no more than 30 hours), as documented above, by May 31, 2019 to SU-CSCS/EFC Caribbean Project Leader Kaira Fuentes via [email protected]. Regarding Payment You will be paid as a consultant for your work with Syracuse University. A consultant is solely responsible for any other expenses, costs, charges, business taxes and withholdings of any kind incurred by Consultant in connection with this Agreement. Consultant shall be responsible for the payment of all federal, state and local withholding taxes and any other taxes, including but not limited to Social Security that may be required or payable in respect of all amounts payable to Consultant under this Agreement. The University shall not be liable in any way for the aforementioned expenses, and Consultant shall indemnify and hold the University and its trustees, officers and employees harmless from and against any claims, debts, obligations or liabilities arising out of this Section. This Agreement is not intended as and shall not be construed as creating any employer/employee relationship between the parties. To the contrary, the parties intend that Consultant’s relationship with the University be that of an independent contractor. Consultant shall be solely responsible for and shall pay any and all taxes of any kind or nature resulting from consideration paid hereunder. In no event shall Consultant be entitled to bind the University in any manner without the University’s express written consent. Consultant has control and discretion as to the manner in which the agreed on work shall be performed and the timing and scheduling of such work, except for the University’s exercise of necessary control to ensure compliance with any legal, grant, or contractual obligation. The Consultant is not required to work exclusively for the University and the University is not the Consultant’s primary source of income. In addition to this form, you are required to fill out and submit a W-9 form to begin your work. |
