Welcome to the inaugural edition of Earth Leadership Update – a monthly report from the Center for Earth Leadership.  As co-founders, we’d like to share our vision for the Center and invite you to join us in the greatest human adventure of all time – citizens providing leadership to a truly sustainable culture.

In 1993, we co-founded the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI) as a vehicle for our work together as full-time volunteers.  NWEI is now recognized for its broad outreach to the public with a discussion course series offered throughout the United States.  NWEI has the following mission:

Motivating individuals to examine and transform personal values and habits, to accept responsibility for the Earth, and to act on that commitment.

In 1997, we co-founded the Oregon Natural Step Network (Network) to create a community of decision-makers in the public and private sectors and to encourage them to adopt more sustainable practices.  The Network now serves that community and has an active outreach in Portland, Corvallis, and Bend, Oregon.

In 2006, we co-founded the Center for Earth Leadership to pursue a singular vision:

Citizens must provide the essential leadership to a sustainable future.  A growing number are taking this challenge seriously.  In doing so, they contribute their time, skills, and resources to this great endeavor.  The Center will be a source of information, tools, and inspiration for these citizen leaders who are change agents within their workplace, organization (such as an association or center of faith), neighborhood, or local community.  

As a strategy, we develop classes and workshops, organize free-standing projects, and plan events.  Although we confine our active outreach to Oregon and Washington, many of our programs are transportable or provide replicable models for use in other regions.

Through this monthly Earth Leadership Update, the Center will share tips and information with those who seek to be a local agent of change in creating a sustainable culture.

Jeanne and Dick Roy

Upcoming Classes, Workshops, and Events

Honor the Earth Gathering

            Friday, January 12, 2007 – 7:00 to 8:00 pm

            8470 SW Oleson Road, Portland, Oregon

Assessing Your Ecological Footprint

            Tuesdays, February 6-March 6, 2007 – 7:00 to 9:00 pm

            111 SW Columbia Street, Portland, Oregon

Agent of Change in Your Circle of Influence

            Thursdays, February 15- March 8 and April 5, 2007 – 7:00 to 8:30 pm

            Location TBD

The Practice of Hope

            Saturday, February 24, 2007 – 9:00 am to noon

            721 NW 9^th Avenue, Portland, Oregon

* To register for any of the following, contact Meghan Mix at Meghan@nwei.org or (503) 227 2807.