Eco-Schools Leadership Initiative (ESLI)

1. Developed an EcoLeader profile, including my personal EcoMission., 2. Contributed to a project in one or more of the following ways: created or added to the EcoLeader project profile, project updates pages, and/or the application for certified project status. Project name and URL are listed below. (All projects must be hosted on EcoLeaders site to be eligible for certification), 3. Informed myself of leadership models and principals in one or more of the following ways: Read articles on leadership, participated in an NWF EcoLeaders webinar series, and/or participated in equivalent program offered by other organizations., 4. Encouraged the wider EcoLeaders community by contributing an idea, question, comment, article, video or photo in the community related to my or others’ projects, or to relevant leadership topics., 5. Secured one or more endorsers for my EcoLeader Recognition application who are willing to support my career and civic endeavors and to serve as references as I apply for career or continuing education opportunities.

Laura

Hickey

NWF Eco-Schools USA Leader

National Wildlife Federation

hickey@nwf.org

Identified a need and invented a project to address it., Clarified project outcomes and measures of success., Designed or tested strategies and tactics (including various technologies, vendors, or costs)., Developed short and long-term goals and specific activities to achieve them., Investigated similar projects, Coordinated a “request for proposal” (RFP) or similar process., Facilitated a team of people to define a vision for the project (or coordinated a planning charrette)., Surveyed people to help define project vision, needs, priorities and/or strategies., Integrated the project as a committee in an existing decision-making structure on campus or in the wider community, such as the student government council, campus strategic planning process, city council ordinances, or even a national or international policy., Secured placement of the project within the campus or community strategic or master planning documents or processes., Identified potential risks and strategies to address them.

Recruited one or more other individuals for the core project team., Recruited volunteers to help with the project (beyond the core project team)., Met with campus faculty or staff and received support for the project., Recruited representatives from one or more departments or organizations as advisors, board members, or in other leadership capacities.,

Raised funds for the project., Organized a student green fee initiative or applied for use of the fees to fund the project., Applied for a grant or scholarship for the project., Managed donations that came in for the project.

Developed a project management plan with timeline and assigned tasks to team members. , Secured use of building space, land, goods or services., Organized materials, goods or services needed for volunteer service. , Kept a team up-to-date regularly over the course of the project., Documented and maintained a calendar for the project or managed scheduling for key meetings., Created a back-up plan in case the project faced challenges., Worked with the team to prioritize ideas for the project., Lead effective meetings with a pre-stated agenda and notes after., Developed committee chairs or other structures that distribute the workload.

Educated myself through reading, participating in a leadership or skills training and/or earning a related credential., Coordinated leadership or skills training for other students., Facilitated professional development or skills training for faculty, staff or community members., Incorporated an educational program, flyer, or video into campus orientation for new students, faculty or staff., Encouraged at least one team member to try something new.

Facilitated a situation that required conflict management skills., Offered or attended a diversity training or spoke up to encourage a diversity of views and perspectives., Helped arrange for faculty or staff release time or related incentives to allow professional development, course revisions, or other work to advance the project., Coordinated grants, fellowships or scholarships for students, faculty or staff project and professional development., Integrated questions about participation and support of the proje, Prepared a checklist of items to bring to an event.

Developed an advocacy campaign in support of the project (email blasts, postering, educational gatherings, etc.)

Hosted in-person gatherings in support of the project to foster relationships among project participants and other interested individuals., Attended events to meet new people who could help with the project or to build reciprocal support around similar aims or researched events for our team to attend to advance the project., Prepared promotional print or web materials., Organized a table about the project at an event., Helped organize or set up a networking event., Prepared a checklist of items to bring to an event., Lead a shopping trip to gather items for an event.

Learned a new technology to help with the project., Developed an app or software to help with the project., Set up or maintained technology or software such as a network, web cam or real-time monitoring of energy or water use for the project.

Prepared a document (e.g. press release, flyer, etc.) that explained the project vision and accomplishments., Hosted a coffee break or in-person gathering to share the project with others., Created posters, banners, illustrations or other visuals for the project., Secured an interview with news or radio station about the project (on campus or beyond)., Developed a marketing/communications campaign for the project (including social media, email, postering, coffee breaks, etc.), Wrote and placed an article on the project in an on-line or print publication (on campus or beyond)., Started and maintained a social media account for the project.

Started and maintained a website or blog for the project., Contributed to one or more EcoLeader forums to share lessons learned. , Lined up influential people to speak about the project (i.e., campus or community leaders, celebrities, or other influentials), Took photos or videos at project events, and secured releases for their use., Reached out to diverse groups on campus or in the community that had not been previously engaged in the project.

Engaged faculty or students in statistics or related disciplines to help design and implement evaluation., Took photos or videos before, during and after project, securing any necessary releases for use., Developed a summary report on goals, findings or impacts., Engaged media students, faculty or staff to assist with photography, videography or writing articles about the project’s impacts., Recruited students or others to interview community members, participants or others., Developed a project report including goals, progress, challenges, lessons learned or next steps.

Hosted a party with the leaders involved to acknowledge and appreciate effort, success and/or lessons learned., Arranged for incentives such as scholarships, monetary prizes, promotions, or other., Applied for an award or other recognition for the project awarded by a third-party that is not employed by the campus (e.g., this can include the NWF application for EcoLeader project recognition or other local or international awards).

Facilitated reflection on lessons learned with one or more teams., Reviewed and revised plans, goals, or policies., Helped develop a plan to broaden and sustain engagement.

Cultivated a mentor or sought advice from others to help manage my personal and professional growth., Arranged for team support and renewal, such as coaching, relaxation sessions, outdoor time., Engaged the support of professionals with team building, leadership, communications or structure. , Designed ways to share, distribute or decentralize responsibility to lighten the load for myself and others.