Leading by Example: Environmental Improvement In Action

Overview and Instructions
Questions and Answers
Proposal Form

The goal of this session at the National Environmental Partnership Summit is for organizations to showcase their “stewardship in action” through environmental improvements that they have made to their own operations and products within the last five years. Participants will have the chance to display their accomplishments through a “science fair” type poster board and a one-page handout. Session attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite projects leading to awards for the winners. Those looking for new ideas on ways to improve their operations can “learn from the best” and those facilities that have made notable environmental improvements that others may be able to replicate can “share with the rest.”

This session is open to all participants in the National Environmental Partnership Summit. It is not limited to Performance Track members.

How to Participate:

Please complete the proposal form below or simply send your contact information (name, organization, phone number, email address, etc.) and a description of your best practice to Hetal Mehta at mehta.hetal@epa.gov or. We may contact you for additional information at a later time. Even if you are unable to attend, we still encourage you to submit a poster and showcase your achievements.
Proposals are due by March 10, 2006.

The proposal also serves as a guideline for the elements that should be included in the handout that you distribute to conference attendees. In deciding on a best practice or project, please select one that fits within one of the following 12 environmental performance categories:

**Environmental Performance Categories Table**
Life-Cycle Stages	Environmental Performance Categories
Upstream	Materials Procurement	Suppliers’ Environmental Performance
Inputs	Materials Use	Water Use	Energy Use	Land and Habitat
Non-Product Outputs	Air Emissions	Discharges to Water	Waste	Noise
Downstream	Products	Other

Proposals will be reviewed by a committee to ensure that a broad range of areas are covered and the entries reflect the spirit of the session. All the participants will be contacted in March with final decisions. If you have any questions, please contact Hetal Mehta (mehta.hetal@epa.gov) at 202-566-1072.

REMEMBER: Attendees will vote on the best of the best, and winners will be recognized!!

Questions and Answers:

1. What does a participant need to bring?
Participants should plan on bringing either a 36” x 48” tri-fold board (similar to science fairs) that can stand on a table top and explains the best practice with text and visuals or no more than 2 poster boards that can be affixed to a wall. In addition please bring at least 100 copies of a one-page handout that summarizes the best practice and how it can be replicated. During the session, it would be preferable if someone who is knowledgeable about the environmental improvement should be available to answer questions.

2. What will the organizers provide? Is there any funding available for participation?
The summit will provide table tops and the space for displaying the posters. At this time, there is no additional assistance available, but the session is designed to be a low-tech, low-cost way to display your achievements. If you will need any additional resources (electric outlets, additional space, etc.) please contact EPA in advance and we will let you know if we can accommodate your needs.

3. Can we submit a proposal about a service we provide to help others improve their performance or compliance?
No, this session is for organizations to showcase their own achievements from the past 5 years, and provide ideas to others related to performance improvements beyond compliance. All Summit attendees are encouraged to submit poster proposals; the session is not in any way limited to Performance Track members.

4. If we are a member of Performance Track or a state performance-based program, are we limited to presenting only those commitments?
No, not at all. You can present any of your best practices, as long as they fit into one of the categories, regardless of whether they are program commitments.

5. If we submit a proposal, are we guaranteed a spot in the session?
Not necessarily. A committee comprised of representatives from each of the Summit host organizations will review the proposals to ensure that a wide range of environmental categories are covered and the posters reflect the spirit of the session, i.e., “learn from the best, share with the rest.” Everyone will be notified in March to give ample time to work on the poster and handout.

6. During the Summit, when will this session take place?
This session, described as a training in the agenda, will take place on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 in the afternoon during the National Environmental Partnership Summit in Atlanta, Georgia.

"Leading by Example: Environmental Improvement in Action" Proposal

PLEASE NOTE: Proposals are due by March 10, 2006.

Name:

Title:

Organization:

Poster Title:

Environmental Performance Category (see table above):

Please Choose One:
Wall Poster(s) Tri-fold Board

Description of Best Practice:

Why was this Best Practice Implemented? (In other words, what was the issue that was overcome?):

Estimated Cost of Implementation: *

Return on Investment (if available):

Results Achieved (quantified environmental improvement, if available):

How was this Best Practice Identified?:

Critical Success Factors for Replication:

Lessons learned and possible hurdles:

Contact Information (address, phone, email, website):

* We understand that cost information may be proprietary, but are looking for an estimate of the scope and magnitude of investment required to inform other’s decision making about these practices. If you prefer, this may be expressed as a cost per output.