VCN
E-NEWS: August 27, 2004
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CALENDAR/EVENTS |
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NEWS
ITEMS
VCN BOARD
SETS POSITION ON FLUSH FEE AND ASKS THE GOVERNOR TO EARMARK
FUNDS FOR AIR QUALITY
At its regular quarterly meeting on August 17th, the VCN
Board of Directors approved two environmental policy items.
The Board approved the recommendation from the Legislative
Committee to support "flush fee" legislation
in the 2005 Session. The request for support came from
member organization, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The
fee, tied to users on community sewer systems and septic
systems, would be dedicated to reducing point source (treatment
plants) nutrient pollution and nonpoint source (stormwater
runoff) nutrient pollution. Details of the proposal will
be available on the VCN website later in September.
The Board of Directors approved a recommendation from
the Legislative Committee to send a letter to Governor
Warner asking him to earmark the net proceeds from the
recent (June 2004) auction of nitrogen dioxide allocations
to fund air quality monitoring and other measures to improve
air quality as described in SB 454 (2004 Session). This
source would replace funding that was anticipated from
penalty fees. Because of changes to the ozone standards,
the revenue anticipated from the penalty fees will no
longer be realized. This item was raised by member organization,
the American Lung Association of Virginia.
For more information on the above items, give us a call
at the VCN office (804-644-0283).
CITIZENS GROUP PRESENTS “STEEL
INTERSTATE “ ALTERNATIVE PLAN FOR 1-81
RAIL Solution, a VCN member organization, submitted a
plan to VDOT to deal with congestion and safety problems
along I-81. The plan, "Maximize Rail, Minimize Road
Expansion", asserts that ever-increasing truck traffic
in the I-81 corridor is the principal problem RAIL Solution
proposes a 21st Century railroad, roughly parallel to
I-81, to carry long-haul trucks, or their trailers or
containers on rail flatcars instead of adding four or
more lanes of truck-dedicated highway. Rees Shearer, Chairman
of RAIL Solution, states "Our proposal would be less
costly than the $13 billion STAR plan. It would use far
less land, 1/3 as much fuel; it would decrease rather
than increase air, water, and noise pollution, and could
be built sooner." The group claims that widening
I-81 could then be limited to a few congested areas, avoiding
or minimizing the imposition of user tolls on I-81 while
preserving a better economic climate for business and
citizens in western and Southwest Virginia. Many VCN member
organizations are engaged in this high profile project.
MEMBER ORGANIZATION REQUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW VCN MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS:
VCN welcomes
The Wintergreen Nature Foundation and the Chatham Garden
Club as the newest organizational members of VCN. Both
were accepted by the Board at its meeting on August 17th.
VCN now has 109 active member organizations.
SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR VRA
AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
Has your organization accomplished a noteworthy recycling
or waste reduction project in 2003 of 2004? Or do you
know of other organizations or individuals who have?
Please nominate them for the 2004 VRA Annual Awards for
Excellence in Waste Reduction or Recycling Awards (self-nominations
are ok too!)
The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 1, 2004
For forms and details, visit our website at www.vrarecycles.org
Award categories for this year are:
-Recycler Of The Year
-Outstanding College Or University Program
-Outstanding County Or Municipal Program
-Outstanding Business/Industry Recycling Program
-Outstanding Government Agency, Institution, Or Non-Profit
Organization
-Outstanding Community Volunteer Program
-Greenbuilder Of The Year
-New! Outstanding Media Partner
-Spotlight Awards
Please help promote our award program!
CALLING ALL NONPROFITS!
The Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations –
VANNO -- is up and running and ready to roll.
We’ve elected our first board of directors*, acquired
501(c)3 status, enrolled founding members, and found a
place under the wing of the Nonprofit Enterprise Institute
at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Now it’s time to gather the energy, creativity and experience
of nonprofits across the Commonwealth and join forces
for the future.
To guide us on our way, we’ve brought together the nation’s
leading experts on how Virginia’s nonprofits can work
together best to make their voices heard and their impact
felt and make their cases to private, foundation and public
funders.
Who: Dr. Audrey R. Alvarado, Executive Director of the
National Council of Nonprofit Associations.
Rick Moyers of the Agnes and Eugene Meyer Foundation and
former member of the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations
(NCNA).
Liz Baumgarten, Program Director and Counsel, Charity
Lobbying in the Public Interest.
What: “Calling All Nonprofits!” a pre-conference program
at the Virginia State Conference on Community Service
and Civic Engagement. Sessions include The Power of the
Statewide Network, Current Trends in Funding, Advocacy
for Nonprofits, and What Should a Statewide Network Look
Like in Virginia, a panel discussion with VANNO board
members.
When: Tuesday, August 31, 2004, from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Where: Holiday Inn Koger Center, 10800 block, Midlothian
Turnpike (Rt. 60) Richmond, VA,
(804) 379-3800.
How: Register for the VANNO pre-conference sessions, or
for the three-day Community Service and Civic Involvement
conference, at www.vaservice.org/conference.
VANNO’s “Calling All Nonprofits!” is pre-conference program
PC-05. Program registration is $10, to cover setup and
box lunch.
Why VANNO: With VANNO, Virginia joins 37 other states
with statewide nonprofit networks, giving their members
access to training, technical assistance and group purchasing;
a forum for sharing expertise, experience and best practices;
a central communication, information and resource exchange;
a statewide voice and advocacy effort; and national resources
available through VANNO’s membership in NCNA.
Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations
PMB # 339
2711 Buford Road
Richmond, VA 23235-2433
804 828-2545 fax:804 827-1275
*Board of Directors
Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations
Chair: David Bailey, David Bailey & Associates, Richmond
Vice Chair: George Hettrick, Greater Richmond Bar Foundation
Secretary/Treasurer: Elizabeth Lloyd, Volunteer Hampton
Roads
Amy Campbell, Governor’s Commission on National and Community
Service, Arlington
Katherine Campbell, Nonprofit Consultant, Richmond
Jane Kornblut, Nonprofit Professional in Residence, George
Mason University
Kristin Lindsey, Intersector Consulting, Petersburg
Peter Thompson, Senior Center, Charlottesville
Susan Sanow, Nonprofit Excellence Initiative, VA Tech.
CALENDAR
NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER FOR
THE VIRGINIA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSEMBLY!
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Historic Barboursville Ruins
Barboursville, Virginia
This year’s Virginia Environmental Assembly will be unique
from any other. We are excited to offer for the first
time, a joint venture between the Virginia Conservation
Network and the Piedmont Environmental Council for a special
gathering of Virginia’s environmental community.
The theme of the day’s activities will be “Reconnecting
Virginia” and will provide a comprehensive look at the
connection between land use, the Commonwealth’s major
rail and road transportation corridors and our environment.
Hank Dittmar, President & CEO, Reconnecting America
will give the keynote address. Lieutenant Governor Tim
Kaine will give his perspective on the Reconnecting Virginia
theme.
Workshop sessions include:
--Headwaters and the Bay
--Land Conservation Planning through Mapping and Spatial
Analysis
--Transportation 101: Prelude to Reconnecting Virginia
--Green Building and Sustainable Design
--Historic Preservation Innovations
--A Citizen’s Guide to Legislative Process
--Working Landscapes and Ag Solutions
--The State of the Roads We Travel: The Good, the Bad,
and the Ugly
--Model Land Stewardship and Conservation Funding
--The State of the Air We Breath: An Update on Air Quality
in Virgini
--Affordable Housing and “Smart Growth”
--Successes in Communication
***VCN Member organizations - - if you will not have a
representative at the Annual Meeting (noon during the
VEA), make sure you provide your proxy to VCN. If you
haven't received the meeting notice and proxy ballot,
give us a call at the office. David & Ellen 804-644-0283
For additional information about the program, exhibiting,
directions and to register online go to www.vcnva.org.
CHINCOTEAGUE NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE ANNUAL BEACH CLEANUP
Come join the Fun in the Sun while helping to Maintain
the Beauty of Assateague Island
September 18, 2004
Registration begins 9:00 a.m.
Beach Parking Lot # 1
For more information, call Chincoteague NWR at (757) 336
–6122
“RE-RAILING AMTRACK IN THE
RICHMOND-DC CORRIDOR”
Topic of Richmond Friends of Rail Annual Meeting
Clarification will be the goal of a roundtable discussion
at the annual general membership meeting of Richmond Friends
of Rail at 7:30PM, Wednesday, September 20, at Main Street
Station.
When Amtrak evaluated U.S. corridors for immediate development,
the Richmond-Washington route was dumped from the preferred
list. Debate ensues. Why is the Richmond-DC corridor a
second tier? Can Richmond become a Tier 1 opportunity
again as is Raleigh-Charlotte? And what are the prospects
for improved Richmond-Washington rail?
These questions will be the focus of discussion at the
annual Richmond Friends of Rail meeting-a continental
breakfast.
Participants will be Karen Rae, director of the Department
of Rail and Public Transportation, Rob Shinn of CSX, Gerald
McCarthy, a member of the Commonwealth Transportation
Board, and Drew Galloway of Amtrak’s planning department.
John Thompson, a board member of Virginians for High Speed
Rail, will moderate the panel. Richmond Friends of Rail,
headed by Dr. Walter Witschey, is a program of Virginians
for High Speed Rail and operates under the auspices of
Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Transportation
Authority Board. To attend the breakfast or obtain information
call 804-864-5193.
VIRGINIA MOUNTAIN STREAMS SYMPOSIUM
The Shenandoah Watershed Study is celebrating its 25th
anniversary this fall by hosting the Virginia Mountain
Streams Symposium. The symposium will be held on Saturday,
October 30th, at the University of Virginia.
The Symposium will focus on the challenges facing mountain
streams due to changes within their watersheds (e.g.,
logging, fire, insect defoliation) and due to external
stressors (ozone, acid rain, climate change).
The Symposium will include a poster session and program
information displays in the morning for both the scientific
community and the interested public. In the afternoon
there will be a series of presentations reflecting the
perspectives of scientific, state, federal, industrial
and not-for-profit stakeholders concerned with Virginia's
mountain streams.
Additional information about the symposium, including
a REQUEST FOR POSTERS, is provided at:
http://swas.evsc.virginia.edu/symposium.htm
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE
FORUM IN YOUR AREA!
The
dates and locations for the 2004 VCN Legislative Forums
have been set. Visit our website, www.vcnva.org
and click on link under the "Join the Teams"
banner for the latest information on the 2004 Forums.
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VCN's mission is to protect the Commonwealth's air, lands,
and waters for the benefit of the people, as guaranteed
by the Virginia Constitution.
If you have an item that should be included on this list,
please send it to Ellen Shepard at ellenshepard@yahoo.com.
VCN E-NEWS is emailed the second and fourth Friday of
every month, except during the session when it is weekly.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday.
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