Corvallis Sustainability Coalition

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE

 

 What is sustainability?  The City of Corvallis Sustainability Policy, adopted in 2004, defines sustainability as “using natural, financial, and human resources in a responsible manner that meets existing needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

 

What is the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition?   The Coalition is a network of organizations and citizens in Corvallis and Benton County who are working together to accelerate the creation of a sustainable community.  The Coalition was formed in January 2007, following a gathering of representatives of non-profit organizations, businesses, faith communities, educational institutions and government entities – all of whom agreed that we could be more effective if we worked together.

 

Who is eligible to become a Coalition partner?   Participation in the Coalition is open to local organizations and local citizens who support its vision, mission, and goals (see below).  There is no fee for participation.

 

What are the benefits of participating in the Coalition?  Coalition partners have an opportunity to increase the effectiveness of their sustainability efforts by:

  • Reaching more people through increased communication
  • Strengthening support for partners’ initiatives
  • Learning from other partners’ successes
  • Participating in demonstration projects with community-wide visibility
  • Receiving training in science-based systems approaches to sustainability

What does it mean to be a Coalition partner?  Each organizational partner designates a representative to receive communications, attend quarterly Coalition gatherings, and provide input.  Partners may also participate by serving on one or more of the Coalition task groups (Land Use, Green Building, Energy, Local Food, Sustainable Economic Development, and Sustainability Education).

 

How does the Coalition operate?  The Coalition Steering Committee guides its work using a modified consensus-based model.  (The Ad Hoc Steering Committee will be replaced in January 2008 by a representative group of 15 members.)  For significant public positions and significant actions taken on behalf of the Coalition, the Steering Committee will take proposed positions/actions to organizational partners for a vote.  Adoption of a proposed position or action will require approval by at least two-thirds of partner organizations that vote.

 

To become a Coalition partner, simply fill out the form below and mail it to Annette Mills, P.O. Box 1980, Corvallis, OR 97339, or e-mail it to amills@virginiavillageproductions.com.

 

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Corvallis Sustainability Coalition – PARTICIPATION FORM

 

Name: _______________________________________   Title: __________________________________

Organization: __________________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________ City: _______________________ Zip: ___________

Phone: ____________________________________  Fax: ______________________________________

Email: _____________________________________ Website: ___________________________________

Representative: ______________________________  Email: ____________________________________

 

Corvallis Sustainability Coalition

Vision, Mission, Goals, and Guiding Objectives

 

Vision:  Corvallis is a community in which the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  It is a flourishing and thriving city with a vibrant economy that respects, restores, and cares for the community of life.

 

Mission:  To promote an ecologically, economically, and socially healthy city and county.  We will achieve our mission by using the Sustainability Guiding Objectives and a democratic, highly participative decision-making process.

 

Sustainability Guiding Objectives - A Framework for Decision-making

 

Our community will:

 

1.   Reduce and ultimately eliminate our community’s contribution to fossil fuel dependence and to wasteful use of scarce metals and minerals.  Use renewable resources whenever possible.

 2.   Reduce and ultimately eliminate our community’s contribution to dependence upon persistent chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances.  Use biologically safe products whenever possible.

3.   Reduce and ultimately eliminate our community’s contribution to encroachment upon nature (e.g., land, water, wildlife, forests, soil, ecosystems).  Protect natural ecosystems.

4.   Support people’s capacity to meet their basic needs fairly and efficiently.

 

Goals:

 

  • To accelerate sustainability in our community by working together more effectively.
  • To create a community-wide sustainability action plan that will be adopted by City Council within two years.
  • To encourage the city and the county to adopt and implement the Sustainability Guiding Objectives.

  

 

 

 

Corvallis Sustainability Coalition                                                                                    Adopted: 9/4/07

Vision, Mission, Goals