- Adhere to the core Vision for the Alliance for Sustainability. We will encourage and facilitate efforts that use the four system conditions within the Natural Step framework (see box inset and Appendix A). We will welcome all businesses and organizations interested in seeking funding and finding networking support for innovative sustainable design projects. Adopters of sustainable practices will use the Center to share skills, and find suppliers, markets, and many other connections to improve their operations through publicity and networking formats (Green Pages, newsletters, email lists of suppliers and buyers, etc).
- Use a community-based approach to planning. We will: (a) raise awareness of sustainability needs and interests; (b) build a community-defined vision of a desired future; (c) build connections across all communities by including the full range of community interests, values and perspectives; (d) take baseline assessments of current practices; (e) plan in cycles, while focusing upon the vision and finding agreement upon plans and actions carried out; (f) operate by a process that facilitates citizen actions and allows planning and to evolve over time toward the shared vision.
- Use sustainability indicators in the Chequamegon Bay Region. We will advance the use of sustainability indicators in the social, economic and natural resource arenas. Building upon the existing efforts of the many regional natural resource agencies, we will use these data and those collected by volunteers and others to create an evolving picture of our progress toward sustainability -- and guide continued efforts.
- Emphasize local financial contributions and investments for our efforts. We strongly believe that a truly sustainable initiative must minimize dependence upon external resources - including financial ones. However, to accelerate progress with major sustainability program efforts we will seek external funding to spearhead such efforts, and expand opportunities to spread our mission beyond regional borders.
- Promote economic development. We will work toward economic development in the Chequamegon Bay region that integrates business practices, environmental quality and community connections and, by so doing, create a prosperous economy while protecting ecosystem health.
- Specialize in communicating sustainable development ideas. We will publish printed and web-based newsletters to outline on-going developments and opportunities. The Center will find inspirational models for local initiatives and help publicize local successes nationally and internationally. We will provide opportunity for expanded "ownership" of the Center, encourage new membership, and welcome loyal supporters to remain with us. We will sponsor conferences, round-table discussions, and meetings with a variety of stakeholders.
- Promote healthy working conditions for our staff. We will offer staff pay that is competitive with other respected nonprofit groups, and support our staff in avoiding burn-out. We will also hire and train interns from colleges and universities to implement baseline research of communities and businesses. We will provide educational workshops and support for our volunteers, professional development for our paid staff, and celebrate contributions of all.
- Follow a systems approach. We will not only support sustainable projects in multiple sectors (business, agriculture, education, government, healthcare, waste management, housing, natural resources management, energy, and mass transit), we also will help foster links between people working in these different sectors, and help others recognize the necessity of working across these sectors to achieve solutions that may not be addressed independently.
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