We have quite a few exciting updates to share with you this month!

First, mark your calendars. Our 22nd Annual Awards Celebration will take place on May 14, from 5:30p.m. to 6: 30p.m.

In addition to celebrating our 2021 SSMC Awards recipients, SSMC will also be presenting the Green Building Award together with our co-sponsor, the American Institute of Architect's San Mateo County Chapter (AIA SMC). This year for the first time, SSMC and Peninsula Clean Energy will issue All-Electric Leadership Awards to recognize builders, property owners and design teams on the forefront of building electrification in San Mateo County. Winners for this category will be announced during the event.

Former State Senator Jerry Hill will emcee this fun, celebratory evening program, which will also mark the closing of our Second Annual Virtual Auction. The Auction will kick off on April 30 - more information coming up soon!

Second, make sure to join us for our upcoming, popular Happy Hours: on March 23, to celebrate the start of the spring season, join us for "Spring into Action: Local Governments & Residents nurturing Sustainability". Sustainability managers from various San Mateo cities will highlight their key sustainability priorities and programs. Learn about how you can contribute - and provide your input. This promises to be a very interactive, action-oriented session. Come and make a positive difference! Learn more and register here - or scroll down below.

Last but not least, we are pleased to partner with our friends at Acterra to bring you a special "Earth Day month" event. On April 2, climate justice meets social justice in a special presentation by Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali. Join SSMC, Acterra and over 20 other community based organizations for “A New Day: From Surviving to Thriving.” Dr. Ali will talk about systems, policy, resilience, and how we can get to a better place. For details and registration info, click here or scroll down to our "Upcoming Events" section.

We continue to step up our efforts because the challenges to sustainability are greater than ever today. This was evidenced only recently, with the heartbreaking situation in Texas, which we all saw go dark and without water, an unbelievable - but avoidable - situation for the U.S.

Robert Swan, English author and explorer, said it best: “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” We hope you will join us in supporting a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future for everyone, now and for the many generations to come.

In Partnership,

On behalf of us all at SSMC,

Christine Kohl-Zaugg

Executive Director

Racial justice is a hot-button topic we all are trying to grapple with as best as we can. It has gained renewed attention, nationwide, during the 2020 summer of racial reckoning, in the wake of the events catalyzed by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

It's no exaggeration to say that today, racial justice is on everyone's mind, as evidenced by the unprecedented number of attendees who signed up for our February Happy Hour. We are grateful to Sydney Richardson-Gorski, our guest speaker, for sharing her thoughtful insights around white privilege and allyship. During her powerful lightning talk, Sydney guided us through a memorable, enlightening "game" which starkly illustrated how racial inequality is indeed built into our society and its underlying systems. My thanks go to all who attended, for sharing their thoughts with honesty and vulnerability, leading to a truly authentic conversation - and some real Aha! moments. I hope you all left inspired and equipped with the tools and advice to become an agent of positive change.

To learn more about this exceptional Happy Hour, our highest-attended yet, please click here to read our blog and access the presentation slides (scroll down, at the end of the blog).

Want to learn more about the topic and how you can become a part of the solution? Get in touch! We have resources to share.

Tue. March 23 - "Spring into Action: Local Governments & Residents nurturing Sustainability", starting at 5:30p.m. Admission is free but you must preregister via Zoom here.

Thu. April 15, starting at 5:30p.m. Details & zoom link to preregister will be sent out soon - stay tuned!

Missed the February Happy Hour? Click here to read Jiana Bowie's blog and to see Sydney Richardson-Gorski's slides.

We are hiring! Interested in putting your passion for sustainability to work? Don't delay, apply today!

We are looking for a part-time Administrative Assistant and a part-time Strategic Data Analyst to join our team.

Check out our job announcements at: https://sustainablesanmateo.org/home/about/opportunities/

Scroll down and click on the links in the "Jobs" box (bottom right box).

TO APPLY: Please send your resume and cover letter indicating your experience and qualifications to: advocate@sustainablesanmateo.org with the title of the job you are applying for in the subject line.

Applications accepted until position filled. No phone calls, please. Feel free to pass on to friends and colleagues.