May 2011: Creative Solutions to Today's Issues
Welcome
Dear RMDZ Workshop Attendee: It is our pleasure to invite you to CalRecycle's Holiday Inn Sacramento “Zone Works” Training Workshop on May 11-12, 2011. Zone Works offers the unique opportunity for Zone Administrators, CalRecycle Zone Liaisons and Loan staff, and program partners to regularly convene and discuss current issues and to coordinate collective program activities and initiatives. The theme of this “Zone Works” is Creative Solutions to Today’s Issues.
The workshop will highlight and discuss emerging issues including unique RMDZ program funding models at the local level, existing uses of ZIF monies, regional collaboration efforts, climate change, and new technologies, both in terms of new business programs as well as how we use new technologies to promote the RMDZ program and its businesses. As we continue to develop the final agenda, the following was prepared to give a glimpse of what we are planning for you this May.
Peer Share
Following registration and lunch on day one, attendees will participate in Peer Share, during which current RMDZ issues and topics are discussed and brainstormed as a team. Sharing our collective experience and knowledge is particularly helpful to the team. In this way, we gain from past experiences and build upon our overall successes.
Keeping Current in the Funding Current
Whether it is due to the general state of the economy or the specific funding mechanism itself (e.g., tipping fees), a number of the local RMDZ programs are experiencing funding issues. So, the second session of the conference will highlight the various existing local RMDZ funding mechanisms and discuss ideas for other options. Presentations and discussions will also feature different business funding strategies being employed/facilitated at the local and state level.
New Technologies--Connecting the Dots
In follow-up to the Introduction to Biofuels panel at the October 2009 Zone Works (see 2009 presentations here), during this session we will revisit/review conversion technologies relative to the RMDZ program. Presentations and discussions will also focus on the types of questions when approached with such projects and who to contact/coordinate with for more information.
Breaking New Ground with Social Media and Marketing
In this age of advanced technology, our RMDZ program marketing and outreach approaches need to keep with the times. As such, the first session on day two of the workshop will cover social media and marketing resources, techniques, and tools that can and are being employed by CalRecycle, local jurisdictions, program partners, local RMDZ-s and businesses alike.
Green Business and Climate Change Connections
As we continue to connect the RMDZ program with the green economy and clean/green business initiatives statewide and locally, this session is designed to explore climate change related programs and activities that complement our existing business assistance efforts for potential partnership and/or cross collaboration.
We are excited to provide another interactive and educational RMDZ Zone Works training workshop for you! The draft agenda is now available for planning purposes and the final agenda will be provided prior to the workshop via e-mail as well as on the Zone Works registration web site www.cce.csus.edu/conferences/CalRecycle/zoneWorks_11b/.
Arrangements for registration, travel, and one night’s hotel can be made by CSUS using the online registration process, by phone, or by mail. The cost for each of these will be automatically paid via each ZA’s CalRecycle Zone Incentive Funds (ZIF). You will not have to get pre-approval or submit a reimbursement for airfare, lodging, or registration. However, other expenses like mileage or airport parking will require submitting a reimbursement form, which will be provided at the workshop. Please also be aware, if more than one night’s lodging is required, you will need pre-approval from Marshalle Graham prior to registering. Also, if you are a ZA and would like to use your ZIF monies to pay for a guest from your Zone to attend the workshop, prior approval must be obtained from Marshalle Graham. More instructions are forthcoming.
We look forward to a successful event and hope to see you in Sacramento on May 11-12, 2011. If you have any questions about Zone Works, please contact Marshalle Graham atmarshalle.graham@calrecycle.ca.gov or 916-341-6270.
Sincerely,
Cara Morgan, Branch Chief
Local Assistance and Market Development