Center for Sustainable Communities
November 6th, 2017
Winter Bike Storage
As the weather cools down, it is time to store bicycles for the winter! To promote the use of bicycles as an alternative form of transportation, Luther offers free winter bike storage for all students, faculty, and staff. Bicycles will be stored in Ashmore-Jewell Barn (the red barn by Baker Village), and kept secure and dry. Mark your calendars and plan to drop off your registered bikes on Thursday, November 16th or Friday, November 17th from 3-6pm at Ashmore-Jewell Barn. The bike racks around campus will be moved to storage the week following, so make sure to get your bikes indoors! All bikes put in storage must be registered prior to being taken to to the barn. Free bike registration is available at the Welcome Desk in the Union. Those who choose to store their bikes will receive an email notification when it is time for bike retrieval in the spring. Any questions about bicycle registration and/or storage can be directed to sustainability@luther.edu
"Stuck" on Sustainability? Show Your Support with New Stickers!
Show your support for Sustainability with a new sticker for your water bottle, laptop, or compost container! We have recently released two new designs: "Wind & Sun Power My Life," and a Patagonia-style outline of Luther's wind turbine on the bluff. Stickers are free and plentiful! Stop by the Sustainability/ Environmental Studies Office Suite in Valders 372 to pick up yours today!
Apply to be an Immersion Student Leader
Do you love meeting new people and being outside? Would you like to enhance your leadership and outdoor skills? Become a leader for the 2018 Immersion Program! Applications are now being accepted for student leaders. The Immersion Program provides current Luther students with outdoor leadership training and experiences while giving incoming students a community-building wilderness orientation that enhances their personal development and transition to college life. If selected, students will be required to attend mandatory Spring 2018 training. The training includes, but is not limited to: CPR and Wilderness First Aid training, group dynamics and problem solving, backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, and other skill building activities. The new student immersion experiences are designed to give incoming Luther students the opportunity to engage in experiential learning, reflect on the natural environment, and share in fellowship with two or three current Luther students. Applications are due December 1st. Read more about the program on the Immersion Program website, or contact Emily Neal with questions. 
Student Employment Opportunities
Interested in making Luther's campus more sustainable? Facilities and the Center for Sustainable Communities are now hiring!

The Recycling and Compost Crew is looking for workers for J-term and Spring Semester 2018! Crew members complete work related to campus recycling, composting, plastic film and other alternative waste streams. Help make Luther a more sustainable campus by joining the team! Applicants must have a valid driver's license. Email Cindy Blue for more information.

The Center for Sustainable Communities is hiring two Energy Educators, two Zero Waste Educators, and one Marketing and Communications Member for Spring Semester 2018! Energy Educators are responsible for raising awareness about energy consumption on Luther's campus through implementing innovative educational programs. Zero Waste Educators are responsible for evaluating the existing waste stream on campus and implementing solutions to help Luther achieve the goal of a zero-waste campus. Marketing and Communications Coordinators are responsible for efforts to promote sustainability events, programs and services offered on campus and in the community.
Applications are due by Friday, November 17th! 
Charting the Course for Decorah's Future with Decorah Power
Decorah Power, a non-profit citizens group investigating the formation of a Decorah Municipal Electric Utility, invites you to learn about how local utilities provide new opportunities for Iowans. 

On  Monday, November 6th at a noon brownbag at City Hall, John Bilsten, General Manager at Algona  Municipal Utilities, will present, "Charting the Course for Algona's Future:  Jobs, Stewardship, and Energy Independence."
 
Algona Municipal Utilities is a community-owned water, electric, cable television, high speed internet and telephone utility that serves Algona and the surrounding area. The organization is very active in renewable energy initiatives and owns a small, three-turbine wind farm. John Bilsten, who has served as General Manager since 1999, is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in Public Administration.  Bilsten is a past President of the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU), served on the Advisory Council of the Iowa Energy Center, served on the Iowa Power Fund Board, and is a current member of the Board of the Iowa Public Power Agency; the IAMU Insurance Trust Committee; IAMU Legislative and Regulatory Committee; IAMU Energy Efficiency Committee; and the Board of the North Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Association.

This presentation is part of Decorah Power's Learning Series - a series of events to help the community better understand the opportunities and challenges that would be involved in a Decorah municipal utility.
More info about the learning series.

Electrifying Learning at Luther 
Not sure how Decorah Power relates to life at Luther? Interested in learning about how this opportunity could positively impact Luther students, faculty, and staff? Luther professor, Center for Sustainable Communities Director, and Decorah Power Board Member Jon Jensen has recently published a segment in Luther's "Ideas and Creation" blog entitled "Electrifying Learning at Luther." Here, he connects Decorah Power with learning and making connections inside the classroom and out in the world. Read now! 
Sustainability Tip
Is there still water left in your bottle or coffee left in your cup? Dump the liquid before you toss your cup! Liquid in the trash and recycling contaminate the waste in addition to making it heavier than it actually is! Lend our custodians and recycling crew members a hand and rinse out your container before disposing it. Find a nearby restroom sink to dump out your liquid - don't forget to rinse the sink! - before you recycle or throw away your cup!
Questions or comments?
The Center for Sustainable Communities is always looking for ways to improve our publications. If you have any questions, concerns, general comments, or story ideas for future newsletters, please email sustainability@luther.edu at any time. Thank you!
null
This newsletter is provided by the Center for Sustainable Communities, which coordinates all sustainability initiatives at Luther College.  The mission of the Center is to promote sustainability and be a catalyst for change on campus and in the region.  For more information on sustainability initiatives at Luther and the outreach work of the Center for Sustainable Communities, please visit:   www.luther.edu/sustainability.
Upcoming Events
Monday, November 6th 
"Energy Independence"
Tuesday, November 7th
All are welcome to attend.
Wednesday, November 8th
Thursday, November 9th
Thursday, November 9th
Monday, November 13th
Tuesday, November 14th
Land Use Committee Meeting
Tuesday, November 14th
"Municipal Electric Utilities Across the US"
Wednesday, November 15th
Documentary Screening: "Waking the Sleeping Giant"
Movie screening with comments and a question and answer session with the director. The film follows Bernie Sanders' presidential race and the rise of the progressive movement in the United States. 
Thursday, November 16th
Sustainability Council Meeting
Thursday, November 16th and Friday, November 17th
Winter Bike Storage
Faculty Spotlight
Jim Martin-Schramm
Professor of Religion











Jim Martin-Schramm is Professor of Religion and coordinates the Energy and Climate Program for the Center for Sustainable Communities. He recently completed a term of service on the board of the Iowa Wind Energy Association and is currently chair of the board of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light and the Winneshiek Energy District. He also serves as Secretary of Luther College Wind Energy Project, LLC. Jim joined the Religion faculty of Luther College in 1993. Most of his research has focused on ethics and public policy. He is the author or co-author of four books including Climate Justice: Ethics, Energy, and Climate Policy (Fortress Press, 2010). He holds a doctorate in Christian Ethics from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Learn more about Dr. Schramm's studies and findings in his blog!
Jobs/Opportunities
Keller Fellow - Interact for Health
Interact for Health is seeking applicants for the Keller Fellowship, a one year position evaluating and developing community programming in Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Cultivate Hope Manager - Matthew 25
Matthew 25 is a faith-based non-profit organization looking for someone to manage the Cultivate Hope gardening education program focusing on local foods production.
Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa
Conservation Corps is hiring for many different position from field specialists to youth program leaders.
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) works to forge relationships between farmers, stakeholders, and policy makers in creating positive farming policy. NASDA is accepting applications for a variety of positions, including a Public Policy Coordinator and an Associate Director for Public Policy to be based in DC.
Sustainability Director - Mount Mercy University
Mt. Mercy University is opening a newly established Office of Sustainability and Stewardship in the Fall of 2018. They are currently accepting applications for a full-time Director of Sustainability to run the office. 
Agriculture Specialist/Outreach Coordinator - National Center for Appropriate Technology
Create and run outreach communications for communities in the Northeastern United States.
Teaching Farm Manager - North Country School
North Country School and Camp Treetops seek a full-time Teaching Farm Manager to oversee a year-round farm program intended for both food production and education of middle school aged children.
Extension Agent - Johnson County
Johnson County, KS is seeking an educator to provide programming on local food systems and wellness for the county. 
Cook - Pflaum-Food Services
Madison Metropolitan School District is looking for a cook interested in developing Farm to School recipes for students. 
connect logo