2024 Conference Schedule

*Schedule is subject to change and will be updated as presenters are confirmed

Wednesday, April 3rd 2024
Brandeis University
8am – 4pm
Download PDF of Schedule

Registration & Coffee

8:00 – 9:00 am
Registration & Sign-in
(Sherman Ballroom)

Art & Games

8:00 – 4:00 pm
Community Art Project
(Atrium)
Participants are invited to lend a hand on a collective community art project which will depict our aspirations for positive climate action and a healthier world.   Then step right up and get playful with our new Climate Carnival games.  These classics with an eco-twist are all handmade from reclaimed wood.  Andrew Breithaupt, Art & Games Facilitator.

Welcome & Plenary Session

9:00 – 9:10
Welcome and Appreciation
(Sherman Ballroom)

9:10 – 9:50
Climate Risks Facing New England: The Decisive Decade for Action
Dr. Sarah Das,  Science Mom & Researcher at Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution

Panel Session #1

10:00 – 10:40
Campaign Showcase
(Sherman Ballroom)
Highlights from six successful campaigns

    • PlugIN Metrowest – Electrifying Acton, Wayland, Natick & Framingham. Jillian Wilson-Martin, Town of Natick
    • Weston Students in Action – Jonathan Lan, Weston Students for Environmental Action
    • Mass Go Solar – A coalition of solar energy businesses and advocates to solarize Massachusetts. Laury Hammel, Sustainable Business Network of MA
    • Electrify Brookline – A neighborhood-based campaign to help Brookline move beyond fossil fuels. Diane Sokal, Mothers Out Front – Brookline
    • Growing Curbside Composting in Framingham – Aimee Powelka, Energize Framingham
    • Opt-In Specialized Code – Weston’s Path to a Surprisingly Smooth Town Meeting.  Nicholas Christman, Weston Sustainability Committee

10:40 – 11:00
BREAK

Breakout Session #1

11:00 – 11:50
Personal Professional Development: Empowering you!
Choose one breakout session to attend. See detailed descriptions here.

    • The Power of Conversations: a Key to Growing the Climate Movement.   (Sue Vatnick – Levine Ross 1 & 2)
    • Supporting Municipal Staff and Learning from Each Other: A Sustainability Manager Roundtable (Martha Grover – Luria 2)
    • Fundraising for your Community-Based Work: Tips & tools. (Meryl Glassman – Luria 3)
    • Leveraging Digital Tools: Social media and free online tools & resources. (Helga Luest & Gordon Brott – Luria 1)
    • Best Practices for Climate Messaging (Sergio Velasquez Rose – Sherman Ballroom)
    • Engaging Youth Voices: How to support and engage the youth in your community  (Lisa Paul & youth – Geller)

Lunch & Keynote

11:50 
LUNCH
(Sherman Ballroom & Brandeis Lunchroom)

12:30 – 12:40
Announcements & Recognitions
(Sherman Ballroom)

12:40 – 1:10
Keynote: The Power of Possibility: Why Climate Optimism is Necessary
Anne Therese Gennari, The Climate Optimist

Breakout Session #2

1:20 – 2:10
Making your Organization More Effective
Choose one breakout session to attend. See detailed descriptions here.

  • Got Volunteers? Practical tips for Engaging and Growing Your Team from Casual Contacts to Volunteer Leaders  (Anne Sudduth – Geller)
  • Strategizing for Climate Change Wins – moving from idea to policy change. (Anne Wright – Levine Ross 1 & 2)
  • Learn How MassEnergize Can Help Amplify and Supercharge your Local Engagement Efforts  (Ellen Tohn – Luria 2)
  • Engaging Diverse Constituencies – organizing in underserved communities.  (Carlos Irissari and panel – Luria 3)
  • Coaching Programs  – what they are, how they differ and how to build the one that’s best for you. (Steven Breit – Sherman Ballroom)
  • What is Your Message? – refining your organization’s campaign messaging. (Bernette Dawson – Luria 1)

2:10 – 2:30
BREAK

Panel Session #2

2:30 – 3:20
Starting Conversations & Inspiring Action: Building the Climate Movement
(Sherman Ballroom)
Panel conversation – moderated by Sabrina Shankman, The Boston Globe

With panelists:

  • Crystal Johnson, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
  • Frank Lowenstein, Rare
  • Darr Reilly, Carbon Crew Project
  • Sue Vatnick, THIS! Is What We Did

Closing

3:20 – 3:30
Closing remarks & Evaluations
(Sherman Ballroom)

3:30 – 4:00
Networking, Social time, Book sales
(Feldberg Lounge)

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