V
ERMONT
EARTH
I
NSTITUTE
V
OLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
START OR FACILITATE A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
COURSE
The courses are: Voluntary Simplicity, Choices for Sustainable
Living, Deep Ecology, Discovering a Sense of Place, and Globalization
and its Critics. They’re free, largely self-facilitated, run for 8
sessions and are for groups of 8-12 people.
- Starting a course: Your role is to encourage your friends and
neighbors or workplace colleagues to participate. VEI staff will provide
you with information and fliers.
- Facilitating a course: VEI provides training for mentors to facilitate
the first and last course sessions. Mentors usually have taken a course,
but if there are no mentors in your area, VEI provides coaching and clear,
written instructions - it’s easy!
HOST AN ECO-PARTY
These Tupperware parties for the earth bring a group of friends
and neighbors together to consider strategies to reduce household energy
use, toxics, and waste. A VEI staff or volunteer facilitates the discussion
and provides fact sheets. We have invitations for you to use.
DISPLAY VEI MATERIALS
Place VEI brochures and “The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things”
bumper stickers in local display racks
SHOW A VIDEO
The Center for a New American Dream’s 30 minute “More Fun, Less
Stuff” profiles individuals, companies, and organizations that are changing
the way they consume to improve quality of life, protect the environment
and promote social justice. Borrow this video from VEI to show to your faith
community or other community group.
CONNECT LOCAL TEACHERS TO VEI
VEI provides teacher workshops, curricula, videos, and assistance
with curriculum development concerning consumption, consumerism, and population
growth. Please let us know about teachers who might be interested in our
services.
COMMITTEES & VEI’S BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
We welcome candidates for VEI’s board of directors who have
the time and talent to promote and strengthen the organization. Committees:
program, development, nominating, and communication. Committee members needn’t
be board members.