Communities and Organizations

Northwest Earth Institute discussion courses are offered in community and neighborhood centers, nature and science centers, through non-profits to boost community involvement and as program offerings to members and stakeholders, and as part of city and municipality level sustainability initiatives.

Other venues where NWEI courses have been held include libraries and faith centers, where they have served as part of seasonal program offerings.  Discussion courses are also offered routinely in workplaces.

NWEI Discussion Courses:

• Are an excellent tool for building community
  
• Generate positive rapport amongst co-workers or community stakeholders
• Serve as an outreach tool for organizations or initiatives seeking to build support around local issues
• Have been used as an effective membership program component and community engagement tool
• Provide an opportunity for enrichment and community education at no cost to the organization offering the programs

Since the courses allow for a powerful sense of connection to develop within the group, organizations and municipalities have promoted the courses within their communities to both build awareness and to foster a spirit of community.  Many of these small groups have continued to meet after the course, some have taken on specific sustainability projects, others have gone on to volunteer with the promoting organization.  In addition to very personal experiences that emerge from the courses, many organizations have commented on the role that the motivated course participants have gone on to play in their organizations.

City employees should understand what we are facing and on a deeper level.  Then as we go forward our decisions as City employees, that affect the citizens and community, will hopefully be better decisions.   This is a powerful program, and I personally feel, one that is just as beneficial as any other training we receive at the city.
-- Vancouver, Wa City employee