INDIANA RECYCLING COALITION, INC. 2002-2003 Annual Report
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Mission The mission of the Indiana Recycling Coalition is to support source reduction, reuse, composting and recycling activities in Indiana. To encourage integrated recycling, the Coalition supports buying recycled-content products, and the collection and remanufacturing of recyclable materials. The goal of this support is to conserve our natural resources, decrease our reliance on final disposal, and encourage environmental responsibility.
The Coalition provides this support by: »Fosterinq a diverse and active membership; »-Ofterinp forums for discussion, networking, and education; =-Supplyinq materials to support the development of solutions on the local, regional, and state levels; and =-Developinq advocacy positions to serve as a voice of the membership
Indiana Recycling Coalition, Inc. P.O. Box 7108, Bloomington, IN 47407-7108 Telephone: 812/988-9946. Toll Free: 877/283-9550 Fax: 812/988-9947 www.indianarecycling.org • email:
[email protected] A Not-For-Profit Corporation
Affiliate Member of: National Recycling Coalition, Inc.
PLEASE NOTE The IRC has several "years" that must be addressed on this annual report. The IRC's fiscal year runs from December 1 through November 30. Thus, financial' information in this report is dated November 30, 2002. The IRC's membership year now ends on February 28. This date accommodates the election process for the Board of Directors. Membership numbers reflect levels at the end of the 2002-2003 year. The officers and the Board of Directors' term of office begin at the 'annual conference in early May. Thus, the Board of Directors listed in this report shows the board at the beginning of the term (with a few notes on any changes that occurred during the year). Updates on projects and activities are as timely as the printing deadline of April 30 permits.
2002-2003 Board of Directors Officers President: Terrence Duffy, Whitewater Environmental Council Vice President: James Parker, NuGenesis Treasurer: Ruthann Osenbaugh, At-Large Secretary: Stephanie Biehn, At-Large
At- Large Sector Stephanie Biehn Michele Gosnell Ruthann Osenbaugh Business sector Jeff Abercrombie Mark Imel James Parker Kevin Russell
Republic Recycling (formerly Rumpke Recycling) Capital City Metals, LLC NuGenesis Synthesis, Incorporated Government Sector
Melinda Antell Kristin Brier Sarah Carney Nikki Grigsby Melissa Kriegerfox Liz Raynor
Johnson County Solid Waste Management District Formerly of the West Central S. W. D. * Formerly of the Indiana Department of Commerce Muncie Sanitary District Monroe County Solid Waste Management District City of Indianapolis Public Interest Sector
Terrence Duffy Lisa Laflin Philip Grounds Jeff Miller Julie Rhodes
Whitewater Environmental Council Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. Vincennes University Earth Day Indiana, Inc. Rural Community Assistance Program (formerly with ReDO)
Staff: Michelle M. Cohen, Executive Director Allison Nicley, Office Assistant Melinda Antell, Kristin Brier, Liz Raynor, and Kevin Russell are "retiring" from the board. Even though they are officially leaving the Board, many of them will continue to work with the IRC. *Kristin is now working for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and is managing the IRC's electronics grant. Kevin, whose conference planning skills have meant so much over the past few years, will continue to work with the Conference Committee. Melinda, who pretty much singlehandedly revamped the IRC's web site during the past year, will continue to manage the web site. The IRC thanks them for their service on the Board, we look forward to working with them in the future.
Special Thanks With the exception of our Executive Director, Michelle Cohen, the work of the Indiana Recycling Coalition is carried out by volunteers. These volunteers, both board members and non board members, are to be commended for their continuing commitment to the IRC's mission. A big "thank you" to the officers and the chairs of all the IRC committees. These leaders contribute significant amounts of time and effort to keep the IRC running smoothly and projects moving ahead.
IRe Monthly Meetings Monthly meetings are regularly scheduled for the third Thursday of the month (except May and December) at the Environmental Management Institute in Indianapolis. A light dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. and the business meeting follows at 5:45 p.m. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Meetings were held on the following dates for this board year: May 7,2002 (Annual Meeting at Marriott East, Indianapolis) June 20,2002 July 18, 2002 August 15, 2002 September 19,2002 October 12, 2002 November 21, 2002 January 16, 2003 February 20,2003 March 20, 2003 April 17, 2003
Membership The Coalition's membership for 2002/2003 peaked at 142*, with members in four sectors: Individual, Business, Government, and Public Interest (Not-For-Profits and Citizen Groups). *NOTE This is down from last year's annual report figure of 162, but is in large part due to a difference in the reporting method. In an effort to make membership figures as clear as possible, this year's members were derived from the accounting system - those who had paid or who had been officially invoiced as of November 30, 2002, and whose memberships were valid through February 28, 2003. Last year, members were counted from the IRC's database, so some members who did not honor their pledge to pay were counted, and some members who paid their renewals between January and the annual report printing date were inadvertently counted twice. The proportion of each sector remained relatively stable:
Government Business Individuals Public Interest
THIS YEAR 39% 25% 25% 11%
LAST YEAR 37% 27% 25% 11%
IRe Members by Sector: Number in each sector, percentage of total membership
Public Interest, 16, 11%
,
Government State/Federal, 4, 3%
Government - Local, 51,36%
Individual, 36, 25%
Business - Small, 20, 14%
Business - Large, 15, 11%
Once again, the Indiana Recycling Coalition owes a special thank you to our Sustaining Members. These are members who contribute at a higher level of financial support for the organization. Sustaining memberships are available at Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze levels. Each level has corresponding member benefits and funding requirements. This year's sustaining members were: Silver Bronze Bronze Bronze Bronze
Indiana Department of Environmental Management AAA Environmental, Inc. Indiana Department of Commerce NuGenesis Waste Management
Financial Financial information is based on the Fiscal Year Dec., 2001-Nov. 2002 and are reported on an accrual basis. Figures reported are not audited and may be adjusted. For tax preparation, audit service and financial advice, the IRC employs the services of Root and Associates, a professional Certified Public Accounting firm in Bloomington, Indiana. The IRC's operating income came from three major sources - the annual conference (net income $12,957), memberships (net income $11,506), and revenue generating projects like the auction and printer cartridge recycling (net income $5,198). The Coalition also receives grant funds to help support specific projects. For example, Recycling Grants from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management helped to support the Precycling educational campaign (the finished Precycling project will be presented at the 2003 Conference), and the MultiMedia Phase 2 grant. A grant to fund the E-Scrap Action Program was recently approved, and advance funds will be received in the
2002/2003 fiscal year. The first meeting of the ESAP stakeholders will take place at the 2003 conference. The following statement details the annual total income and expense:
Dec '01 - Nov '02 Income 4999 . Uncategorized 5200 . Registration
Income
975.30
Fees
585.00
5500 . General Donations
3,205.16
5400 . Interest
590.44
5550 . Membership
Donations
24,161.00
5600 . Grants
65,564.98
5700· Fees
21,545.00
5750 . Fundraisers
5,648.63
5800 • In-Kind Revenue
3,226.66
Total Income
125,502.17
Expense 6000 . Regular Professional
Services
6050 . Other Service Providers
27,010.63 9,768.35
Fees
10.00
6100· Bank, Finance Fees
913.10
6099 . Organizational
6110 . Refunds Issued 6120 . NRC Affiliate
610.00
Dues
3,584.75
6130 . Insurance
333.00
6150· Rent - Facility and Equipment
3,200.92
6160 . Telecommunications
2,556.49
6299 . Capital Expense I Equipment 6300 . Supplies
269.98 1,629.50
6320 . Postage
1,215.18
6330 . Printing I Copying
3,685.57
6350 . Education 6400 . Training
I Promotion
Fees
and Registration
Fees
16,953.40 20.00
6410· Travel and Accommodations
4,141.86
6500 . Food and Beverages
9,942.18
6550 . Awards - Gifts - Prizes 6600 . Subscriptions
I Memberships
6795 . License Fees
Total Expense Net Income
100.00 2,500.00
6800 . In-Kind Expense 6999 . Uncategorized
336.03
Expenses
3,226.66 276.30 92,283.90 33,218.27
The audit is scheduled for July, 2003, at which time total expenses will be categorized as management & general, program, or fundraising. The Coalition is proud that preliminary calculations show program expenses to be 80%, management and general to be 19% and fundraising to be only1 %.
Getting the work done Volunteer effort is chiefly responsible for the accomplishments of the Coalition, through Committees, Task Forces, and other less formal groups and individual efforts. Committees are standing bodies while other groups form to address specific projects or issues. The IRC has two sponsored committees: 1. Northern Chair: Secretary:
Indiana Recycling Vacant Sue Studebaker
Initiative
(NIRI)
The MultiMedia Phase 2 grant project, which was implemented by NIRI, was completed in 2002. NIRI is currently seeking a chairperson to help determine what direction the committee will take this coming year. 2. Southern Chair: Secretary:
Indiana Recycling Initiative Debbie Steinkamp Debbie Haseman
(SIRI)
A number of SIRl's solid waste management districts have joined together to develop a public awareness campaign that addresses the open burning issue. This project is in the initial stages of development and implementation. In October, 2002, Debbie Steinkamp, Melissa Kriegerfox and Michelle Cohen worked together to hold a SIRIIIRC Waste Audit Workshop. The two day event was hosted by the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District. Attendees rated several of the speakers very favorably, and gave the workshop an overall positive evaluation. In March, 2003, SIRI held a processors' roundtable where attendees heard from several recyclable materials brokers and processors. Discussions included quality control issues and cooperative marketing. Several districts are hoping to enter into cooperative marketing relationships in the future.
Standing Committees These groups work throughout the year, fostering the Coalition's mission in specific areas. Thanks to all Committee Chairs and members for your consistent dedication. Membership--Chair, Jeffrey Miller Nominating--Chair, Melinda Antell Conference--Chair, Melissa Kriegerfox Advocacy--Chair, Sarah Carney
Task Forces, etc. NRC Working Group--Janet Fox Electronics Task Force--Julie Rhodes and Amanda Hennessey Precycling Project--Kevin Hardie, Coordinator Newsletter--Rudy Osenbaugh, Editor
Highlights 13th Annual Conference The conference returned to Indianapolis in 2002 for a "Race Against Waste." The conference activities began with a "Recycledelic" welcome reception, a 1960's blast from the past. The breakout sessions at the conference were highly rated. Speakers from around the region brought a broad range of perspectives to the conference. Scott Vitters of Coca Cola and Chaz Miller of the National Solid Waste Management Association gave our keynote addresses. Mr. Vitters offered an overview of Coke's commitment to environmental/recycling issues, and Mr. Miller presented an insightful and challenging perspective on the history of garbage and the many issues facing the recycling community.
Precycling Project is Ready to Go The IRC, together with project contractor, Kevin Hardie, has developed an educational message that focuses on source reduction and reuse. These are critical components in solid waste management, but they usually do not receive enough attention. This campaign will be introduced at this year's IRC conference. Thanks to all the partners who worked on this project.
Web Site The IRC decided to revamp our web site and to maintain it "in-house" instead of using an outside web master. Melinda Antell volunteered to lead this effort and has retooled the entire site. We are still working on enhancing the site, but it is now much improved and updates are being done much more rapidly and frequently.
National Recycling Coalition Partnership Last year, during an uncertain time in the NRC's relationship with the IRC, the IRC board agreed to stay with the NRC partnership for at least one more year, and to maintain a much more active role in the partnership. An "NRC Working Group" was created and we began a formal evaluation of our affiliation agreement with the NRC, led by Janet Fox. The process developed by the IRC eventually became the primary tool for the NRC and its affiliates to evaluate their relationships. As a result, the NRC is more focused on affiliates' concerns.
EarthShare-lndiana The Coalition continues to participate in the workplace giving campaign sponsored by EarthShare-lndiana (formerly the Environmental Fund for Indiana). IRC board members Melinda Antell and Stephanie Biehn served as the IRC's representatives for EarthShareIndiana this year. The IRC has now fulfilled the terms of our membership agreement and we are now receiving funds through EarthShare-lndiana.
Board Retreat This annual retreat offers a chance for Board members to get to know one another and to set the tone for the coming year. In June, the Board met at the Brown County Public Library. We reviewed Coalition policy and procedures, brainstormed, and developed priorities, agreeing that it was essential to make more progress on the electronics issue, and to focus on developing membership in the business sector.
IRC Picnic Continues to Be a Hit Terry and Sara Duffy put on another great outdoor event for the IRC Board members and their families. Sack races, tractor rides, a walk in the woods and a wonderful pot luck meal were just a few of this year's highlights. The day also serves as a reminder for how important our mission is to the environment.
Indiana State Fair The IRC worked with the Department of Environmental Management, the State Fair Committee, and the Department of Administration's Greening the Government Program to conduct a plastic (PETE) bottle recycling program at the fair again this year. The IRC lent fifty recycling containers for collecting PETE bottles. These containers were obtained in 2001 through a grant from NAPCOR and are available for IRC members to borrow.
NRC Congress At the 2002 NRC Congress in Austin, the IRC once again hosted a booth. The NRC leadership and representatives of state recycling organizations also held a number of important discussions regarding affiliation issues. Michelle Cohen represented the IRC in these discussions, which ultimately resulted in a commitment by both sides to re-evaluate the affiliation agreement, update the NRC Strategic Plan, and to maintain better lines of communication.
America Recycles Day (ARD) The State Steering Committee for ARD promoted buying recycled by running radio spots that were underwritten by businesses. The committee also hosted a central Indiana display at the Southport Home Depot. Unfortunately it did not attract much attention, and the committee is revising plans for next year. As in years past, a statewide poster contest and pledge card collection/drawing were also held. The poster contest was a success, and the winning entries were on display at the Statehouse Rotunda for a short time and were posted on the IDEM web site. Pledge card submissions were lower than in previous years, and the committee is surveying the solid waste districts to determine which ARD activities they would like to see in the future.
AISWMD Conference Jim Parker and Lisa Laflin staffed our booth at the annual gathering of solid waste management district professionals. This year, the IRC booth presented information on the IRC's various advocacy positions and gathered suggestions from conference attendees.
Partners for Pollution Prevention Conference For the first time in recent years the Coalition had a booth at the Partners for Pollution Prevention Conference. Jeff Abercrombie and Lisa Laflin staffed the booth. The IRC attended in hopes that this exposure to business leaders interested in environmentally responsible activities would lead to new business members and relationships.
Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc. The IRC hosted a booth at this well attended event. Thanks to IRC-member solid waste management districts, the IRC had plenty of give away information and materials. IDEM/OPA staff helped coordinate volunteers for the booth, which was adjacent to their booth.
Earth Day Indiana Festival The IRC was once again an "environmental sponsor" of the Earth Day Festival this year. Our booth provides a wonderful opportunity to tell folks about the IRC, and talk with them about reusing, reducing and recycling. This year's pleasant weather brought out many festival-goers who stopped by the booth and learned a little more about the problems associated with obsolete electronics.
Advocacy The new IRC advocacy policy, and the procedures for implementing the policy have served the IRC well. In the past year the IRC implemented the advocacy policy on three occasions: A letter of support for the Computer Hazardous Waste Infrastucture (CHIP) bill, national legislation that would support computer recycling; comments on the US Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule on cathode ray tube (CRT) recycling; and a letter to Indiana's solid waste management districts, reiterating the IRC's existing statement about districts, and offering encouragement and support during these economically difficult times. A letter was also sent to Governor O'Bannon, asking for continued financial support of recycling from the State. More information on IRC advocacy statements is available on the IRC's web site.
E-Scrap Action Program (ESAP) The IRC will lead an effort to promote responsible management of electronics equipment in Indiana. This effort will involve key stakeholders from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors involved in the electronics issue. The goals of this project include reduced landfilling of equipment, promoting reuse and recycling, and improving consumer options for disposal of electronic equipment. The IRC has received a grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management as partial funding for this project. The matching funds will be contributed by program supporters.
Partnerships The IRC does not work in a vacuum! We are always looking for opportunities to work cooperatively with other organizations. The IRC continues to work with the Department of Environmental Management, the Department of Administration, and the Department of Commerce. As a result of the new electronics project (ESAP), we will be working with a number of new partners, and we hope that these will be long term, productive partnerships.
You can get involved too!
