APRIL Tip of the Month

This year Earth Day (April 22nd) seems even more poignant than ever. The global consciousness about environmentalism is shifting today. I am proud to say that this growing trend is spreading through the profession of organizing as well. Organizers are starting to take the pledge to care for the Earth while we take care of our clients. From Room for Life’s conception, we have been dedicated to green or sustainable organizing—running a green business as well as helping our clients to reduce, reuse, and recycle. All of our services, information, and tips reflect this basic philosophy.

For your Stuff...
DONATION TIME: During the month, collect atleast two bags of items that you can donate. This should be easy! Hang a bag by your front door and another in your closet. As you come across items you no longer want, that don’t fit, or you simply don’t like, drop them in one of these bags. At the end of the month, take everything you’ve gathered and drop them off at your favorite donation center.

For your Spirit...
GO TAKE A HIKE: One of the main ways I connect on a spiritual level is through Nature. This month get your feet into the dirt, the sun on your face, and breathe in the sights and sounds of nature. We are blessed here in LA to have all the life and bustle of the city, with the wild for our back yard. You can visit one of the many parks for a casual stroll with the kids or an intense hike up a mountain. My personal favorites are Franklin Canyon and Will Rogers. Check out www.lamountains.com for information and event schedules.

For the Earth...
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY: You can honor our Earth in so many ways this month! Join the political process by registering to vote or writing your representatives to express your environmental concerns. Pledge to use one less plastic bag a day; check out our flyer, One Less for ideas. Implement all our Tips of the Month! Join a local organization’s event for Earth Day, like Tree People’s many tree plantings or Culver City’s Star Eco Station’s Children’s Earth Day Celebration. Hope to see you there!

For your work...
CARPOOL: Participate (or start) a carpooling program for your office. LA has a reputation for its horrific traffic, and according to the Urban Mobility Report, LA has been declared the worst for traffic for the last two decades! Local businesses are getting creative to encourage their employees to commute lightly. Some successful ideas from local businesses include free parking for employees who carpool at least once a week, preferred parking for those who carpool or drive a hybrid, or paying employees a small stipend per day for using alternative transportation like riding a bike or taking the bus. One company celebrates each employee’s one-year anniversary by giving them a bike! I would love to hear how your company encourages a green commute!

Previous Tips of the Month...