RACE-Course Monthly Newsletter of 'Responsibility Associated with Clean Environment': April 2011 , Issue - 1

Welcome to the first-ever newsletter of RACE. We hope to improve format & content soon!

Contents:1.1 Everybody wins1.2 Registration Update1.3 RACE website launched2.1 RACE and SMART joins hands2.2 Forestry Survey begins2.3 2011 draft plan2.4 Call for help!!3.1 Photo Gallery

Green Tips: Have you ever forgotten to switch off the TV or mobile charger from mains? Electronic items left on standby continues to consume energy and harms the environment. Switch off from mains – save money and save environment.

1.1 In this RACE, EVERYBODY wins

How many things do we get for free in our day to day life? Luckily the answer is 'MANY'. Let's take some examples.

In our 24*7 news channels, journalists are running around hour after hour in order to feed me with the most happening news in the world. And that is coming almost for free in my bedroom!

You have a website (say Naukri.com) in which you can place your 'Resume' for free and then you receive a free call from a prospective employer!

Take the corporate engagement in communities for example. Most of the companies involve in the social work. Does it benefit just the society? What benefit does the corporates receive? It is another 'win-win' situation for corporates, communities as well as employees.

There are many social and

environmental issues which we in RACE are concerned of. We feel that even with the modern technology in hand, the quality of living, especially the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe in are only getting poorer. We believe that development is good but it should be 'Equitable' and 'Sustainable' for us to benefit all, including those who consider them relatively 'Advantaged'.

Problems are at hand but solutions are also available and this is what excites us! We in RACE feel that there are many win-win propositions all around society for us to explore. And if those can not mitigate the environmental and livelihood problems, they will not cause any harm anyway.

Take the case of an engineering college for example. As part of curriculum, the engineering students need to perform application-oriented projects. Imagine what their energy and knowledge could do if the students were directed to study the 'Energy Efficiency Improvement

Opportunities' for the local brick manufacturers for example. The students, apart from improving their knowledge, could benefit by improving their community skills and thereby multiplying their chances of success in jobs. At the same time, the college benefits from a good social standing in the locality, teachers create their repute and the brick manufacturers, for example, gets their money saved by efficiency improvement. Overall the society & the environment is benefited.

We are excited of innovation possibilities in the course of resolving the environmental problems and hope that many will join us in our 'honest' and 'catalytic' effort. Leaving everything aside, nobody can stop us from having fun and excitement in the journey towards building a better environment.

Let the RACE for green begin! A RACE where everybody wins.

1.2 Update on Registration process for RACE

We intend to register RACE under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961. The Memorandum of Association and the rules/regulations of the proposed organization have been drafted. It is currently under review by a lawyer. A tentative

list of Executive Council members have also been agreed. It is expected that the application for registration will be submitted by May 2011. Formal process of registration of the members or financial transactions can be progressed following the registration of the organization.

1.3 RACE draft website launched

A draft website for RACE has been launched in February 2011. The website elaborates on the context and the

premise on which RACE intends to stand up. The objectives along with plans for the upcoming year are mentioned in the website. The website is kept up-to-date with the event reports, photos and announcements. Check out – www.raceforgreen.webs.com.

2.1 RACE & SMART initiate debate series on Environment

RACE has joined hands with another local non-profit organization called SMART (a society set up by current district magistrate of Birbhum, Dr. Saumitra Mohan). This partnership is built in order to spread the awareness of the environmental issues among the local students & job aspirants as well as to improve the competitiveness of the participants. SMART organizes regular events on Saturdays to promote thought-provoking debates amongst a brilliant

mix of young students and experienced participants. In this regard, first of the series of debates took place on ‘Global Warming’ on April 9th and around 50 participants were glued to the debate for a period of 2 hours. The debate was accompanied by modern computer presentation along with presence of eminent speakers from academics as well as from corporate. This is a win-win proposition for all stakeholders.For more information, visit – http://www.raceforgreen.webs.com/globalwarmingdebate.htm.

2.2 Forestry Micro planning begins in Birbhum with RACE

RACE had been invited by Divisional Forest Office (Birbhum) to perform comprehensive survey in eighteen forest units in the Suri range. Significantly detailed data about the Forest unit, its surrounding and the people around are being collected through a Standard Proforma supplied by the Forest Department and the collection process involves spot visits, talking to relevant people and departments. The first of such

visit took place on April 18th in a village under Purandarpur Beat Office. The collected data will be analysed in order to create micro-plan of forestry in Birbhum. This project provides RACE the platform to contribute towards livelihood generation, increasing forestry or propagating water harvesting at a significant scale. For more information, visit – http://www.raceforgreen.webs.com/raceforestrysurvey.htm.

2.3 2011 Focus Areas for RACE

RACE is yet to be a registered organization. However the tentative focus areas for 2011 calendar year has been discussed. It is relevant to put them forward here in this first newsletter to encourage others to comment.

1. Organization Capacity Building : In the first year, specifically, the focus will be to build knowledge and skills, to create document templates, to produce process documents, procure office stationaries, and to buy the items necessary for our activities (e.g. plantation toolkits). In regard to knowledge and skill building, assistance has been sought from prominent academics (e.g. Jadavpur University or NIT professors) or IIM pass-outs or established hard-core corporate professionals.

2. Baseline Survey : We are going to put extensive efforts in building awareness of the environmental problems. While we take up significant activities, a baseline survey will be performed to understand the current level of environmental awareness in Birbhum. This activity may involve understanding current level of green cover, water supply issues or waste management problems as well.

3. Plantation : We will continue to focus on plantation in open or deserted areas around Suri. Following on

from success of Irrigation Colony & Suri Polytechnic last year, a number of other areas have been identified for this year. They are – DSA ground, Protected areas around Government Housing, a few schools & Suri District Court (to be agreed). A tentative target of 1000 trees by end of 2011 is being considered.

4. Educational debates with SMART : On every 2nd

saturday of the month, debates on environmental issues have been planned for the rest of 2011. The debate/discussion topics include 'Global Warming', 'Ozone depletion', 'Water Crisis', 'Waste Management' etc. This programme is likely to build the knowledge as well as continue to motivate youngsters towards the cause of environment.

5. Preparation for January 2012 Mela Participation : Every year in January, Suri hosts a 'Barabagan Mela'. RACE intends to participate in the upcoming year in order to create awareness of the environmental issues and also to show dream of a better township to a wider audience. This activity will also provide us with opportunity for more volunteers. The preparation for the Mela should start during 2011.

6. Forestry Micro-planning : Continue to involve with Divisional Forest Office in order to create a plan for increasing green cover and having a better environment in Birbhum.

2.4 Assistance Required || Call for help

Anybody who can provide assistance on the following point(s), are requested to contact biswajit.majumder@gmail.com or race.gogreen@gmail.com.

1. Knowledge of how Sample design is done for

Survey & how survey is conducted.2. Hosting workshop or organizing courses for

leadership development in RACE.3. Design of Internship Programme in order to attract

a continuous stream of student volunteers.4. Professional and interactive website building.5. Documentation of Processes.6. Creation of templates (e.g. Membership form).

3.1 Photo GalleryLively debate on 'Global Warming' in Vivekananda Library, Suri on 09-April-2011

Forestry Survey begins in Purandarpur Beat Office on 18-April-2011