"Annual Meeting Honors Volunteers, Installs New Board Members"
May/June Issue, 2006
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
The truth in Margaret Mead’s words, frequently cited to exhort individuals to push for positive change, is proven repeatedly by the incredible work done by volunteers. Each year at its annual meeting, the Ecology Center honors local volunteers who made a positive impact on the environmental quality of southeastern Michigan. On April 9 the Ecology Center’s Board of Directors, staff, members and others gathered in the Michigan Union to recognize this year’s awardees and to elect new board members.
The Webster Neighbors for Responsible Growth organized a remarkable and successful campaign to save farmland and open space in Webster Township, north and west of Ann Arbor. The group, which was originally formed to oppose bad developments in the township, spearheaded a ballot initiative in August 2005 that was approved by 69% of township voters, marking the first time a land preservation millage has been passed in a rural community in southern Michigan.
Rachael Baker and Aparna Bole organized a student movement to persuade the University of Michigan to apply green building design standards to its new children’s hospital. Despite great early resistance from hospital officials, the students -- working with the Ecology Center -- developed the case that the University would build a healthier hospital, and could even save money. In February the U-M Board of Regents approved a green design for the hospital.
Rachel Steel organized the Ecology Center’s new Recycle Plus and I Want My Recycling campaigns. Designed to address the weakest link in Ann Arbor recycling programs, the campaigns are directed at student apartment buildings. Rachel signed up apartment owners to publicize recycling and organized students to pressure other landlords to provide basic services.
Three outgoing members of the Ecology Center’s Board of Directors were also honored. Jerome Nriagu, Jim Walter, and David Wright have all served for at least six years and have provided invaluable leadership for the organization. Their presence will be sorely missed. Replacing them on the board will be new members Diana Torres-Burgos, Bena Burda and Jacqueline Phelan-Hand.
Top Left: Great Lakes advocate Lee Botts discusses policy with guests after speaking at the meeting. Top Right: Members of Webster Neighbors for Responsible Growth. Lower Left: Rachel Steel. Lower Right: Aparna Bole and Rachael Baker. Photos by Paul Engstrom.
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