February 26, 2018
SUSTAINABILITY E-NEWSLETTER
Lecture: "The Urgency of Now and the Role of White People in Racial Justice Work"
Heather Hackman will present the lecture, "The Urgency of Now and the Role of White People in Racial Justice Work," at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, in Valders 206. Hackman founded Hackman Consulting Group, which focuses on white privilege and racism, gender oppression, heterosexism, homophobia and classism. Hackman's lecture is intended to begin the dialogue about how white people can be agents of change in social justice work. Hackman's lecture will address prevalent social justice issues in the current racial climate, and suggest ways white people can get involved. She will offer information, insights, examples and personal stories from 25 years of work and training in social justice on a variety of levels. The lecture is open to the public with no charge for admission.
Think Warm Thoughts: Summer Sustainability Opportunities
Summer provides a great opportunity to explore interests and passions and to gain experience in the field. Consider these opportunities on campus, in Decorah and across the country!


  • Recycling Crew: Facilities Services is also hiring for summer recyclers (contact Cindy Blue for more information about applying). 

  • Faculty/Student Collaborative Research Grants: Interested in research? Research grants are available through the Dean's Office. More info.
Baker Grand-Appening: Energy Monitoring Launch
On the evening of Tuesday, February 20th a "Grand-Appening" took place in Baker Commons. This event marked the release of the new website that Baker Village residents can use to monitor their energy use. Over the past year Luther staff and student workers have collaborated with Scott Bassford of NorthApps to put together this website, which provides residents the ability to view their energy usage and phantom load of their unit by the minute, hour and month. By making energy information more available, residents can better understand how their behaviors influence the amount of energy they use. It can also serve as direct, positive feedback when those behaviors change. Interested in finding out more or how to access the site? Contact sustainability@luther.edu
CSA = Community (that's you!) Supported Agriculture
Eat well and support your local farmers! Employee households are eligible to receive up to $100 towards the purchase of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share for the 2018 growing season. CSA has been a popular way for people to support their local farmers for over 25 years because it provides farmers with income at a time of the year when cash flow is challenging in exchange for an abundance of local produce throughout the growing season. Nearly 20% of Luther employees participate in this program and we hope you will too! Over the summer we offer a variety of cooking classes and other food education events as a way for you to learn new skills in the kitchen while building community with colleagues. All participants are required to attend two such events throughout the season. Subscription and payment is due by May 1st, 2018. A list of participating CSA Farms and share options can be found on the  CSA Reimbursement Program webpage . This program is co-sponsored by the Health Care Fund, Wellness Program and Center for Sustainable Communities.
Live in the Sustainability House!
The Luther College Sustainability House is a co-ed, two-story home located in a residential neighborhood within walking distance of campus. This house offers a living-learning environment where students work together to explore what it means to live an environmentally, socially and fiscally sustainable lifestyle. Interested students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors in Fall 2018 are encouraged to submit an application by Monday, March 19th. For more info and to apply.
Sustainability Tip
Minimize waste and help Luther achieve it's waste goals by using Grab And Go Green Container! Stop by the C-store and purchase a one time, $1 token. Use the token at Grab And Go and Oneota Market. Enjoy your meal in the to-go container while reducing landfill waste. You can return the container to the C-store and get another token and repeat.
Student-Worker Spotlight – Kim Chham '21
Kim started working with Center for Sustainable Communities at the beginning of this Spring semester. A first-year student at Luther, Kim is passionate about sustainability in many ways and thinks that there is more to this term than just the green movement. One of the core elements of sustainability that Kim believes in is that we all have to power to make the world a better place. She strongly believes that all the impacts in the world is created by every single one of us, so it is very important that we all work together to reach a more sustainable world. Kim is going to continue doing her part by working as an educator and communications assistant in the Center for Sustainable Communities.
Sustainability Jobs
  • Youth Opportunity Center Meal Program Lead -Job Position– Assist in all aspects of food preparation as directed by the YOC Meal Program Manager. Read more.
  • Wisconsin Local Food Network Coordinator -Job Position– Seeking a Coordinator to move forward the joint efforts of a united Wisconsin Local Food Network (WLFN)/Wisconsin Healthy Food System Alliance (WHFSA). The WLFN engages, connects, and empowers local, regional, and state organizations and individuals to build sustainable, equitable, and resilient food systems. Read more.
  • Ag Innovations Co-Executive Director and Project Coordinator -Job Position– Help build a better future for California and beyond by working with a small but mighty team of process artists devoted to making systems change in the world of agriculture and natural resources. Read more.
  • Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) -Land Stewardship Manager– a full-time, permanent position responsible for the stewardship, management, ecological restoration, and maintenance of public access of JDCF’s properties. Read more.
  • Midwest Organic Services Association (MOSA)-Certification Specialist Position– Work in evaluating organic plan information and inputs to determine compliance with the National Organic Standards, communication with organic operators about certification requirements, and the performance of on-site organic inspections. Read more.
Sustainability Internships
  • Internship -National Trout Center– Work to assist the Director and Board in developing and delivering multi-media educational programs, exhibits, displays, clinics, and workshops. Subject matter includes basic fishing, geology, biology, natural history of the region, along with family-friendly activities and classes. Read more.
  • Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) -Coach Internship– This is a position for an energetic person who enjoys working with children and adults in the outdoors who has had coursework in natural resources, education, or social work and is eager to introduce people to their local fishing opportunities. Read more.
  • Gustolab International -Summer Study Abroad Program and Internship– apply to summer program in Rome, Vietnam or Japan, Internship program in Italy (Rome, North and South of Italy), or our Fallprogram in Rome. Read more.
  • VLS Institute for Energy and the Environment -Undergraduate Summer Internship– Offer a chance for 2 students interested in future careers in clean energy advocacy to spend the summer with us at our Institute for Energy and the Environment and to work on one of our research or energy clinic teams which are each made up of 3-5 Master of Energy Regulation and Law grad students or JD students specializing in energy law with faculty supervision. Read more.
  • Saha Global Positions in Ghana– Working with a rural community to build a clean water business, training local women entrepreneurs how to run it and educating hundreds of families about the benefits of drinking clean water. Read more.
  • Ash Grove Farm, Hampton, Iowa -Farming Assistant/Intern– Interested in hiring a young person who wants to farm independently in the future, but realizes the need to further develop their skills, first. Read more.
  • NextGen America -Paid Political Internship Opportunity– Want to work for a political campaign? Learn the tools to become a political organizer and get paid! Read more.
  • Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens -Internship – work directly with the Executive Director to explore the daily duties and activities of a public garden setting. The position requires physical labor, exposure to heat and humidity, and exposure to dirt and dust. General horticulture duties will include planting, watering, weeding, and pruning. The Intern will also interact daily with Arboretum volunteers and the general public. Other duties may include garden mapping, giving tours, plant identification, and special projects. Read more.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, March 4th 
Heather Hackman Lecture
6:30pm at Valders 206
This talk focuses on the current racial climate and offers suggestions on how White people can be more authentically engaged in racial justice work without falling into the traps of guilt and shame.     Learn more.



Monday, March 5th
Implementing Racial Justice Work as Campu s: Staff Workshop
8:30 am – 11:00 am at Mott/Borlaug
Building on the major themes in the previous evening’s keynote, Dr. Hackman offers some frameworks for campus staff to consider when attempting to “learn, integrate and implement” racial justice work across campus and in all staff contexts. This session is both informational and participatory and those attending are asked to show up with questions, ideas and a willingness to engage with their peers throughout the session. Please  RSVP  by Monday, February 26.  Learn more.
Monday, March 5th
Racial Justice Pedagogy In Our Classrooms: Faculty Workshop
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm at Mott/Borlaug
Though perhaps counter intuitive to many faculty, there is no content area on campus where racial equity / racial justice content and processes are not a good fit. From the social sciences to the hard sciences, racial justice pedagogy is applicable and indeed necessary. Building on the major themes in the previous evening’s keynote, this session explores, albeit briefly, the core content of racial justice pedagogy and offers examples of its implementation across campus curricula. This session is both informational and participatory and those attending are asked to show up with questions, ideas and a willingness to engage with their peers throughout the session.    Please  RSVP  by Monday, February 26.  Learn more.
Tuesday, March 6th
Distinguished Lecture:Matthew Boger
7:00 pm at Center for Faith and Life, Main Hall
Matthew's lecture will include a screening of Facing Fear and Q & A . Facing Fear  is an Academy Award-nominated short film that tells how former neo-Nazi, Tim Zaal, and the gay victim of a hate crime.   Learn more.
Thursday, March 8th
Distinguished Lecture: Daryl Davis
7:00 pm at Center for Faith and Life, Main Hall
Daryl is a musician, author, actor, and activist who for over 20 years has befriended hundreds of KKK members who have then broken their ties with the Klan after becoming friends with Davis.   Accidental Courtesy  captures Daryl's search for answers to the question, "How can you hate me when you don't know me?". Learn more.
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.

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 v isit:   www.luther.edu/sustainability .
Center for Sustainable Communities | sustainability@luther.edu |