Saturday, December 6

Beekeeping in NYC!

There is a new (illicit) group in town called the NYC Beekeeping Association, and they are having their first meeting Sunday the 14th. See below for details:

Our first monthly meeting will take place on Sunday, December 14th
from 11:00AM until 1:00PM at the
University Settlement at the Houston Street Center
273 Bowery
New York, NY 10002
This meeting is free and open to anyone and everyone with interested in honeybees, beekeeping, and honey.
Please join us for the first in what will be monthly gatherings!
Sincerely,The Queen, Workers, and Drones of the NYCBA
http://www.nyc-bees.org/

Thursday, December 4

Join the Real Food Challenge!

First, a great article from the New York Times about meat consumption and greenhouse gases.
As More Eat Meat, A Bid to Cut Consumption

Second, an internship opportunity from the Real Food Challenge network:

So you're busy changing food policy and growing organic veggies in your garden (you know, the usual), and you think to yourself...this is awesome, and I want to do more. I want to help strategize for the future of this campaign, organize students nationally, and create tools for students to use on their campus.Great. Join the RFC team. We are looking for inspired, motivated, and imaginative individuals to help us shape the future of this campaign. Whether you are interested in the big-picture, movement-building potential, or getting down and dirty with the details, we want you.Below are descriptions of the three types of positions:
1. Administrative Team
2. Steering Committee
3. Intern
Please feel free to contact us with questions. Do not respond directly to this email-- reply to marissa@realfoodchallenge.org. We look forward to hearing from you!~~~~

1. ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
(A-team) The Real Food Challenge Administrative Team (A-team) is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the campaign. This entails campaign planning, resource development, campus outreach and organizing, and media/communications. Examples include developing the Real Food Calculator, drafting policies for the Steering Committee to approve, creating materials for students, and supporting Regional Coordinators. It's a mixture of creative work and the daily grind. The responsibilities below are shared throughout the entire team, with one person taking the lead on a certain activity. Responsibilities
Weekly phone calls with the rest of the team. Note: This is essential to being part of the team. We use a conference call service.
Developing resources for the campaign. Examples include the Real Food Calculator, materials for students (flyers, posters, etc.), and written guides
Outreach to students and organizations nationwide
Communications work: writing press releases and e-organizing
Supporting fundraising efforts
What we're looking for
Passionate about food systems change and the growing youth food movement
Desire to work in a multicultural context
Excellent writing skills or graphic design a plus
Can devote a minimum of 7 hours a week to working on the campaign. This time commitment is absolutely essential.
Someone who can work reliably individually and also work well in a very collaborative setting
Location: anywhere in the U.S. with occasional travel if necessary.
This is a volunteer position, and we'd be more than happy to help you get school credit for it. It is a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills, make connections nationwide, and participate in an exciting, growing campaign!To apply
Please tell us a bit about yourself in a short personal statement, addressing the following:
How you got interested in the food system and the emerging movement, and what motivates you to keep working for change.
Specific skills, ideas, or perspectives you hope to contribute to the A-team.
Any challenges and/or opportunities in fitting this in your schedule.
Send your personal statement to marissa@realfoodchallenge.org

~~~2. STEERING COMMITTEE
The Real Food Challenge Steering Committee is responsible for the making the large, strategic decisions that help determine the direction of the campaign. Examples of such decisions include relationships with major partners and affiliates, campaign targets, future campaigns, and broader questions of organizational structure. Members meet once a quarter via conference call (and on a sparse, as-needed/available basis outside of that time).Responsibilities
Attendance on conference calls once a quarter
Promotion of RFC to networks
Available for consultation with the A-team periodically, and collaborattion on particular projects or work areas (optional)
Hold the A-team accountable to RFC's specific goals, targets and values
Provide fundraising support
What we're looking for
Passionate about food systems change and the growing youth food movement
Creative, big-picture thinker
Desire to work in a collaborative, multicultural context
To apply
Please tell us a bit about yourself in a short personal statement, addressing the following:
How you got interested in the food system and the emerging movement, and what motivates you to keep working for change
What "success" for the Real Food Challenge and youth food movement, more broadly, might look like.
Send your personal statement to marissa@realfoodchallenge.org.~~~

3. INTERN
We need enthusiastic, talented students and recent grads to help with the campaign. Internships usually last one semester/trimester or an entire summer. In the past students have developed "how to" guides, campaign materials, and done research/resource development. Have a specific talent or interest? Contact us. Most likely we can work with you to craft a position that meets our needs and is fun for you. We are more than happy to work with you to get school credit for your internship. Just ask! Contact marissa@realfoodchallenge.org.