1. RecycleMania Update

Rob congratulated Alec on the RecycleMania article which appeared in the New York Times. Alec reviewed a number of program updates with the Steering Committee including the movie shown on a Jumbo-tron, participating schools and the encouragement of participants to become CURC members. Currently competing schools have access to CURC resources for free and will be offered advantageous pricing on membership. Statistics will be provided with sports teams who participated. 

 

Rob proposed using the WasteWise program standards for RecycleMania in the future (e.g. using the metric system instead of the British standard system). It was reported that the RecycleMania MySpace page is up, though there have been some issues with access. Competition standards will be tightened and the website will be reviewed. The RecycleMania Steering Committee is having a retreat the weekend of April 7 & 8 to discuss these issues. Press releases have gone out to university wire services and trade magazines. Work is also being done on tracking the impacts the competition has had on campus recycling programs. 

 

2. Project Updates

Christine brought up the Rubbermaid letter drafted by Deb Hanson. Additionally, job descriptions will be posted on the CURC website for use by those needing to fill recycling-related positions. Meeting notes from the past two NRC Congresses will be available as well. While they may need editing, CURC members will be able to access them. Jack inquired to Christine about her opinion on what should and should not be password-protected. 

 

3. NRC Board Meeting Review of the Green Press Initiative

Alec reported that the Board discussed the Green Press Initiative for 20 minutes, but they ultimately rejected the endorsement. The reason for the rejection was that they do not believe the market can currently meet the demands for recycled-fiber the initiative would require. CURC should be seeing a letter from the Board about the rejection soon. Jack mentioned that this has impacted the Rapid Response Program. 

 

4. Budget & Work Plan

The Board is still reviewing the CURC budget and work plan. Kate will forward some items next week. Apparently everything in the work plan was approved. 

 

5. 2007 NRC Congress

April 13 is the deadline for the draft agenda for the CURC workshop and other college & university functions. Karyn, however, has requested an extension on this deadline. Christine, Jack and Karyn have been working on the list of these functions. More presenters are needed. It was suggested that scholarship winners receive access to the pre-Congress workshops.