Your Very Next Step newsletter for December 2014
By Ned Lundquist
www.yourverynextstep.com
“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
– Lao Tzu
This edition of “Your very next step” comes to you from San Diego, California
“Your Very Next Step” adventure/outdoors/conservation newsletter, published by Ned Lundquist, is a cooperative community, and everyone is invited, no…encouraged, no…urged to participate. Share your adventures with the network today! Send to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** To subscribe for free: http://bit.ly/JOTWSubscribe
Send us your comments, questions, and contributions to lundquist989@cs.com.
Contact Ned at lundquist989@cs.com.
*** In this issue:
*** Ned’s upcoming travel
*** Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™
*** DFW’s complimentary Travel Lounges
*** Find a Volunteer Vacation That’s Right For You!
*** The future of airport service is at JFK T4 – and it works!
*** The Best Budget Airlines In The World
*** Top Ten on-time airlines
*** ATTA Takes “Pulse” of U.S. Adventure Travelers for Latest Research
*** Rail Trail of the Month: New Hampshire’s Presidential Range Rail Trail
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation volunteer opportunities:
1.) Volunteers/Internships, Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, Calipatria, Ca.
2.) Habitat Restoration and Assessment Surveys, Sky Island Alliance, Tucson, AZ
3.) Adopt a Trail or Shelter, Long Trail System, Green Mountain Club, Vermont
4.) Bark Mulch Packers, Backcountry Composting Sites, Long Trail System, Green Mountain Club, Vermont
5.) Interpretive Volunteers, Santa Clara County, Open Space Authority, San Jose, CA
*** Travel/Adventure/Outdoors/Conservation employment opportunities:
1.) Lead paddler 2015, Coastal Odyssey/kayak more tomorrow, Ålesund, Norway
2.) Waitstaff, Turpin Meadow Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
3.) University of Minnesota Recreation, Park & Leisure Studies Dept. Outdoor Recreation Immersion Semester.
4.) Government Relations Internship, The Wilderness Society, Washington, DC
5.) Communcations Manager, Four Corners, The Wilderness Society, Denver, CO
6.) Trail Guide, Wilderness Inquiry, Minneapolis, MN
7.) Adventure Forest, Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville, TN
8.) Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Sustainable Travel International, New York, Oregon, or Washington, DC
…and much more…and it’s all FREE!!!
*** Do you have a travel adventure, conservation or outdoor update to share?
Send me your stories and I’ll post in the “Your Very Next Step” and on the YVNS website (http://www.yourverynextstep.com/).
*** Ned’s upcoming travel, maybe, perhaps:
December 8-10, Aubu Dhabi, UAE
December 11, Bahrain
December 20-22, San Diego, CA
January 27-30 Genoa, Italy
March 15-20, Accra, Ghana
*** Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™
The Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ (officially recognized by the U.S. EPA) has engaged tens of thousands of young volunteers (kids, teens, and college-age youth) from around the world in environmental cleanup and conservation projects since 1999. This program has received multiple awards from the City of Albuquerque, a “Best Community Impact” award from Eastern Kentucky University, and is featured on thousands of web sites. View recent Apprentice Ecologist Projects and past Apprentice Ecologist Awards to get ideas for your own environmental stewardship project. The goals of the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ are to:
- Elevate youth into leadership roles by engaging them in environmental cleanup and conservation projects,
- Empower young people to rebuild the environmental and social well-being of our communities,
- Improve local living conditions for both citizens and wildlife through education, activism, and action.
Here’s how to become an official Apprentice Ecologist and be considered for a scholarship:
- Conduct your own environmental stewardship project in 2014 .
- Take a few digital photos of your project in action.
- Write an essay about your project and what it meant to you.
- Register and upload your favorite project photo along with your essay.
- Examples of projects that other Apprentice Ecologists have completed in the past include:
- Removing and recycling trash from a local park, river, beach, or other natural area
- Planting native trees at a school, local park, or in a deforested area
- Starting a community or school recycling/composting program
- Protecting a terrestrial or aquatic area for native wildlife
- Promoting the conservation of an endangered species or area
- Educating others about wildlife or conservation issues
- Removing graffiti from natural areas
- Taking steps to prevent pollution/contamination locally
- Removing nonnative vegetation so that native vegetation can flourish
- Improving awareness about the importance of using renewable energy sources
- Reducing soil erosion by maintaining established trails and closing off short-cuts
- Assisting the elderly with their yards by planting/maintaining vegetation that provides native wildlife habitat
Building a rain garden that utilizes roof runoff to grow vegetation that provides native wildlife habitat
After uploading your project photo and essay, we will publish your work on our Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists and provide links to download an official Apprentice Ecologist heat transfer (for T-shirt). Please only upload an image that you took or one that you have permission to post (this avoids copyright problems). If you do not have a project photo, simply upload the NWP logo image along with your essay. An NWP tote bag (made with organic cotton) will be awarded to the authors of the 10 best essays on an annual basis. School and community groups, especially those working with at-risk and disadvantaged youth, are highly encouraged to participate.
Three scholarships totaling $850 will be awarded annually to the authors of the three best Apprentice Ecologist essays. The top author will also receive a personalized crystal award courtesy of Crown Awards & Trophies. By registering and submitting your essay, you will automatically be considered for a scholarship. Be sure to include your full contact information (always private) when registering so that we can process any scholarships/awards that you may win. Scholarships are available to any student (ages 13 to 21) who is a candidate for a degree/diploma at a primary (middle school), secondary (high school), or accredited post-secondary (undergraduate at college or university) educational institution from any country around the world. The award covers 1) tuition and fees to enroll in or attend an accredited post-secondary (undergraduate or graduate at college or university) educational institution and/or 2) fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses. Applicants should embody the spirit of the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ by demonstrating personal leadership, initiative, and environmental stewardship in their project. Essays will be judged by a committee of Nicodemus Wilderness Project board members, volunteers, and past Apprentice Ecologist award winners. Please see tips below for additional elements that the committee considers important when judging essays.
While there is no minimum/maximum length for essays, most of our past winners have written essays that ranged from about 750 to 1,500 words long. The deadline for uploading your Apprentice Ecologist project essay is midnight GMT on December 31, 2014 .
Winners of the annual Apprentice Ecologist Awards will be published online on Earth Day (April 22).
Note: There is a separate Apprentice Ecologist Open Space Initiative scholarship if your project benefitted any lands managed or co-managed by the City of Albuquerque’s Open Space Division.
Important tips for writing an award-winning essay about your Apprentice Ecologist project:
Briefly describe your personal background and why you chose to do an Apprentice Ecologist project on behalf of the Nicodemus Wilderness Project.
- Name and describe the area where you conducted your project.
- Provide details about what you did and accomplished during your project.
- If your project was part of a multi-year effort, focus your essay on the work that you conducted in 2014 .
- Describe why you think it is important to take care of the area where you conducted your project.
- Explain how your project helps benefit your community and the environment.
- Describe how your Apprentice Ecologist Project has helped to enrich your life and what it has inspired you to do in the future.
- Check and correct any spelling and grammatical errors prior to submitting your essay.
Important tips for conducting a safe and successful Apprentice Ecologist project:
- Listen to weather reports and plan your project accordingly.
- Always stay with at least one other person. Teams of three or more are preferable.
- Make sure that someone knows where, when, and for how long you will be out.
- Look out for poisonous plants, venomous snakes, and stinging insects.
- Leave syringes and needles alone! Notify authorities about their location.
- Bring or wear: boots, gloves, hat, sunscreen, first aid kit, water, food.
- Notify landowners about your plans prior to conducting your project.
If you need help or have questions, you can contact us any time at: mail@wildernessproject.org.
http://www.wildernessproject.org/volunteer_apprentice_ecologist.php
*** DFW’s complimentary Travel Lounges
While awaiting my connection between San Diego and Washington national at DFW, I had some time to kill. I have no status on American (despite being one of AA’s original Aadvantage members), but stumbled into a little quiet “Dallas Lounge” that was free and open to the public. Just a quiet place to sit, plug in a laptop, recharge a phone, and stay out of the melee.
Here’s what the website says:
Relax and recharge in DFW’s complimentary Travel Lounges, which provide a welcome setting with warm lighting, lounge and workstation seating, and power outlets at every seat.
https://www.dfwairport.com/shops/finder.php?type=services
*** Find a Volunteer Vacation That’s Right For You!
http://www.americanhiking.org/em-volunteer-vacations/
*** The future of airport service is at JFK T4 – and it works!
Dec 8, 2014 by Karen Walker in ATW Editor’s Blog
I’m at New York JFK Terminal 4 between flights from DCA and GVA and there is something very interesting happening here that I think marks the future for great airport customer service.
At the dedicated Delta part of T4, you are shown to a table in the Due Amici restaurant, from where everything is automated via on-the-table iPads. A server shows you how to do it if you are a first-timer, but it’s pretty simple. Just pick what you want from the tablet menu, complete with detailed descriptions, see your bill total, swipe your credit card in the on-table slide, select a gratuity percentage, and your order is confirmed and a receipt immediately sent to your email if you wish.
But it gets better. You can order food and beverages to eat at the table or in a bag to go. It will be delivered within 15 minutes –my order came much quicker. There are power sockets at each table so you can also charge up your own portable devices while waiting. And the iPad is free to use while you are there to surf the net, check your flight status, take a look at the weather forecast for where you are going or whatever. It has multiple language options and everything is at your fingertips.
This part of T4 is equipped with many of these auto-iPad service stations throughout the facility. A waiter told me that the Due Amici iPads were installed about three months ago and he admitted they were still adapting to the concept. He said customer reaction has been mixed: frequent travelers and younger passengers love it; older people who don’t fly often are taken aback and say they want a “real person” taking their order. That’s still an option – you can ask for conventional service or press the icon on the tablet for assistance.
As far as I’m concerned, based on my experience today, I can’t wait to see more airports adopt this (and more airlines for in-cabin service). There’s no trying to flag up a waiter for your order or your check, you can continuously monitor your flight, news and anything else, and you are charged up and ready to go when you need to leave.
Delta, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK IAT opened the revamped T4 in May 2013. JFK IAT is wholly owned by Schiphol USA, a subsidiary of Amsterdam Airport owner and operator Schiphol Group, and privately operates the terminal under a development/management lease from PANYNJ.
From what I’ve seen, they’ve got the future of airport service worked out.
http://atwonline.com/blog/future-airport-service-jfk-t4-and-it-works
*** The Best Budget Airlines In The World
By MELISSA STANGER
http://www.businessinsider.com/best-budget-airlines-2014-12
*** Top Ten on-time airlines
http://successfulmeetings.com/Strategy/SM-Top-10/The-Top-10-On-Time-Airlines/?cid=eltrTop10
*** ATTA Takes “Pulse” of U.S. Adventure Travelers for Latest Research
Written By: CHRISTINA BECKMANN
http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/atta-takes-pulse-of-u-s-adventure-travelers-for-latest-research
*** Rail Trail of the Month:
New Hampshire’s Presidential Range Rail Trail
We’ve found New Hampshire’s best-kept secret—the Presidential Range Rail Trail—and winter is the perfect time to visit it. With a long snowy season, generally running between mid-December and early April, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy its spectacular views on a pair of Nordic skis or snowshoes.
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation volunteer opportunities:
1.) Volunteers/Internships, Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, Calipatria, Ca.
http://www.fws.gov/saltonsea/volunteer.html
2.) Habitat Restoration and Assessment Surveys, Sky Island Alliance, Tucson, AZ
http://www.skyislandalliance.org/volunteer.htm
3.) Adopt a Trail or Shelter, Long Trail System, Green Mountain Club, Vermont
Help enhance the hiking experience for everyone by becoming a Long Trail adopter. We can help you get started on basic maintenance of a trail or shelter. Whether you want to volunteer on your own, with your family, or with your outing group, maintaining the Long Trail is a great way to give a little back to the Green Mountains. For a current listing of available trails and shelters click here or contact Thorin Markison at tmarkinson@greenmountainclub.org.
http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=388
4.) Bark Mulch Packers, Backcountry Composting Sites, Long Trail System, Green Mountain Club, Vermont
Mulch Packers carry 40-50 lb. bags of bark mulch into backcountry shelters over rugged terrain for use at composting privy sites. This is an excellent opportunity to prepare for backpacking trips and scheduling is flexible to meet your needs.
http://www.greenmountainclub.org/images/File/Shawn_Flanigan/Bark_Mulch_Packer_01_03_2008.pdf
http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=9
5.) Interpretive Volunteers, Santa Clara County, Open Space Authority, San Jose, CA
Interpretation is about providing an enjoyable nature experience and a positive memory. A comfortable and fun environment encourages people to make connections between their lives and the natural world. Visitors learn through conversations, activities, stories, and close observation of their surroundings. The goal is to leave them with a sense of nature’s value and significance rather than filling them up with facts.
The OSA program explores a wide range of topics related to the open space areas of Santa Clara County. Hikes and activities are designed to appeal to people of different ages, backgrounds and levels of outdoor experience.
Volunteers have the opportunity to serve as interpretive docents or aides and lead or help with hikes, activities and outreach events.
Interpretive Aides
Helping at events, day camps, hikes and other OSA activities can be a one-time volunteer job or an ongoing commitment. Aides will have the chance to receive training in the materials and activities used to engage the interest and curiosity of young visitors.
Docents
Interpretive training photoInterpretive training
Being a docent is a chance to share your personal interest in nature or the cultural history of the south bay area and have a good time doing it. Docents can learn how to present OSA programs on topics such as early Ohlone Indians or mountain lions. And they can work under the direction of the Interpreter to develop an appropriate nature program on a favorite subject of their own. All docents need is an interest in the outdoors and a desire to help others learn.
Besides learning about the different subjects relevant to open space preservation, docents will receive training in such interpretive skills as how to work with groups, create interesting programs and use hands-on materials. Docents-in-training will also have the opportunity to partner with experienced docents and interpreters in front of “live” audiences in order to polish their skills.
For more information, call Interpreter Teri Rogoway at 408-224-7476 or send an email to trogoway@openspaceauthority.org.
http://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteer/interpretivevolunteers.html
*** Travel/Adventure/Outdoors/Conservation employment opportunities:
1.) Lead paddler 2015, Coastal Odyssey/kayak more tomorrow, Ålesund, Norway
http://kayakmoretomorrow.com/about/careers/job-application/lead-paddler/
2.) Waitstaff, Turpin Meadow Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
3.) University of Minnesota Recreation, Park & Leisure Studies Dept. Outdoor Recreation Immersion Semester.
http://www.cehd.umn.edu/future/undergraduate/majors/Recreation/default.html
4.) Government Relations Internship, The Wilderness Society, Washington, DC
https://jobs.washingtonpost.com/job/35698534/government-relations-internship/
5.) Communcations Manager, Four Corners, The Wilderness Society, Denver, CO
https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit2/?id=11275701&t=1
6.) Trail Guide, Wilderness Inquiry, Minneapolis, MN
http://intranet.wildernessinquiry.org/jobinator/jobdesc_detail.php?j=1
7.) Adventure Forest, Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville, TN
http://www.wildernessatthesmokies.com/employment
8.) Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Sustainable Travel International, New York, Oregon, or Washington, DC
Sustainable Travel International is seeking an experienced and highly motivated marketing and communications professional to lead the development and implementation of our organizational marketing strategy and plan. This is a significant opportunity for a high-performing individual to join our team’s effort to redefine travel and tourism as a force for good, while positively impacting lives in tourism communities worldwide.
Sustainable Travel International is preparing to launch a major global campaign, which will enable us to achieve our organizational goals and catalyze new partnerships. This new member of our core team will play a critical role in the development and evolution of this initiative, and will help us to shape and share the resulting stories of impact.
As Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, you will be:
The Gatekeeper of Our Brand: You will help to raise the visibility and value of Sustainable Travel International’s brand, while enhancing public perceptions of the ways in which the organization is redefining travel and tourism as a force for good, and the ways in which tourism is a means for social change. This will be achieved through enhancement and refinement of our existing brand platform, and improvement of the tools utilized by the team to fundraise, develop partnerships, and communicate impact.
A Strategic Planner with Specialized Expertise and Passion for Marketing and Communications: You will be responsible for the development of our annual marketing and communications strategy across different marketing mediums, including traditional and digital. You will also develop and execute a cause-based marketing campaign focused on positively impacting the lives of 10 million residents of tourism destinations around the world by 2025 (10in10), which we plan to launch in March 2015.
A Tactician with a Desire to Roll Up Your Sleeves: Working closely with a support team and other key internal partners, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of the subsequent tactical marketing and communications plans. This will include the development and implementation of marketing campaigns tied to specific metrics and the development of consistent, compelling brand communications that resonate with target audiences and help the organization to exceed its fundraising and partnership development goals. You will also be a contributing member of our partnership development team, rolling up your sleeves to fundraise and secure new partners where appropriate.
Responsibilities
Primary Duties and Core Responsibilities
- Develop annual marketing and communications strategy, and set strategic marketing direction to support overall organization strategy and goals.
- Establish and implement annual marketing plan which clearly defines the goals and tactics needed to achieve marketing goals and increase the reach and impact of all marketing campaigns
- Utilize systems such as Salesforce.com to track and report all campaign results, identify new trends and recommend improved and innovative campaign approaches.
- Provide marketing and communications guidance and project leadership to all team members, and act as lead marketing resource for staff, board members, and other members of the support team
- Plan, develop and manage the implementation of effective cause-based campaigns that support fundraising, partnership development, and program growth and retention.
- Utilize a mix of traditional outreach and new media as appropriate to achieve marketing and organizational goals while staying within budget, including:
- Plan, manage and oversee all social media presence including publishing engaging and quality content, implementing social media campaigns, tracking trends and best practices and incorporating new techniques and applications.
- Create, implement and oversee all e-marketing communications and campaigns, including webinars
- Determine the most effective way to spend advertising dollars. Develop and execute an advertising plan including online, print and multi-media.
- Take a lead role in planning, organizing, and managing elements of key internal and external events, such as trade shows and conferences.
- Manage external and internal resources to develop effective and compelling marketing materials that are appropriate for target audiences, including:
- Develop content and key messages to support all marketing initiatives and provide extensive editing support to ensure quality and consistency in all communications.
- Monitor and help to update website content to ensure its ongoing usability, relevance and accuracy.
- Identify and develop testimonials and stories from beneficiaries of Sustainable Travel International’s work, including residents in tourism destinations, volunteers, donors and staff for use throughout internal and external communications efforts.
- Plan, coordinate and direct video shoots, and manage the editing and production process to create compelling videos for multiple uses.
- Develop and cultivate a library of presentation materials to be used in partner development and engagement, and in global speaking opportunities.
- Manage budget and financial projections for organizational marketing and related campaigns.
- Monitor industry, market and non-profit trends, research and analyze audience data and feedback, and recommend strategic or tactical changes accordingly.
Qualifications
Requirements
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing marketing and communications strategies and plans
- Demonstrated experience achieving specific goals in fundraising and partnership development
- Evidence of successful leadership of marketing campaigns
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to effectively engage and convey ideas to cross–functional technical and non-technical teams as well as senior level executives in a corporate setting
- An entrepreneurial spirit and creative approach
- A proven ability to thrive in an environment that is characterized by significant growth, diversity and constant change
- A proven ability to prioritize and multi-task, work efficiently and consider a wide variety of perspectives
- Solid understanding of systems required to manage marketing performance and deliver on marketing tactics; interest in learning new technologies and tools in order to develop organizational best practices
- Passion for travel, sustainability, and social responsibility
Preferred
- Master’s Degree or higher in a marketing and communications-related field of study
Experience in a non-profit environment
Requirements/Other
- We operate a virtual office environment, however candidates must be located within two hours of our offices in Portland, Oregon, Washington, DC, or New York City. Opportunities exist to work part-time from home and part-time from an office.
How to Apply
Complete your application by submitting your cover letter and resume here: http://ht-jobs.net/97KDQ73
Sustainable Travel International
(http://www.sustainabletravel.org)
http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/jobs/13232-senior-director-of-marketing-and-communications
9.) Communications Manager, WWF Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
WWF, the Global Conservation Organization, through its office in Kenya, is seeking to recruit key strategic roles for its National programme as listed below:
The successful candidate will work under the direction of Director, Business Development and Communications to ensure strategic promotion of the WWF Kenya Brand and to ensure that effective and strategic communication strongly supports resource mobilization from diverse partners, ensuring widespread engagement and dissemination to key target groups, including policy, business, network members and the general public.
Among others, the key duties and responsibilities include:
- Works in close partnership with WWF Kenya SMT and programme teams to develop, organize and deliver effective internal and external public relations & communications strategies, building WWF Kenya public recognition and network profile.
- Participates in developing, orchestrating and implementing strategic outreach programmes and campaigns to positively shape the thinking and public policy outcomes on conservation.
- Provides support to fundraising team in designing fundraising information as part of the wider resource mobilization strategy;
- Provides leadership and supervises the communication team.
- Coordinates setting of both departmental work plans and staff performance targets and undertakes periodic performance appraisal for communication staff;
The prospective candidate should possess:
- An advanced university degree in Communications, Public Relations, Media Relations, or other related fields;
- Proven track record, and at least 7 years’ experience (Preferably in Kenya) in communications or PR
- Member of Public Relations Society of Kenya;
- Understanding of institutional and legal framework in Kenya as it relates to PR, media and communications issues;
A good understanding of the realities of PR and communications for promoting conservation issues;
For a detailed Job description, kindly visit: http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/kenya/
Interested candidates who wish to apply for the above position and who meet the above requirements should submit a cover letter and CV to: HResource@wwfkenya.org not later than 15th December 2014.
WWF Kenya
ACS Plaza, 5th Floor, Lenana Road,
P.O Box 62440-00200
Nairobi, Kenya
+254 20 3877355
+254 20 3872630/1
http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/jobs/?234111/Communications-Manager—WWF-Kenya
*** Send your job opportunities to share with the YVNS network to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** Your Very Next Step is a service of the Job of the Week Network LLC
© 2014 The Job of the Week Network LLC
Edward Lundquist, ABC –
Editor and Publisher
Your Very Next Step
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Home office phone: (703) 455-7661
lundquist989@cs.com
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