Yesterday I posted a diary titled "I've been invited to the WH. I may need some help".
The purpose of that diary was to gauge Kos community support for helping me go. I am going and have raised some money. Please follow me below the Orange Tangle of Climate Justice to learn more about this opportunity and how you can help.
On Tuesday, I received an email from the White House Council on Environmental Quality. It is an invitation to attend an event at the White House to discuss environmental stewardship and climate change. This event will bring together senior administration officials from the White House and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with faith-based and community leaders to discuss environmental stewardship and values, and the PresidentâÂÂs Climate Action Plan to cut carbon pollution, prepare our communities for the impacts of climate change, and take international leadership on this global challenge.
I was surprised to receive this invitation. I suspect that it stems from my involvement in submitting our Unitarian Universalist fellowship facility in the EPA/DOE Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
This is up my alley, as I work in energy efficiency in the State Energy Office. I have been involved in the Energy Star program relative to public buildings across the state and also facilitate a Cool Congregations program in the UU realm.
This meeting is scheduled for This coming Tuesday, February 25th, so I have now only a few days to raise the funds for airfare, lodging and related expenses. the purpose of this diary is to ask for financial assistance from the Kos community. Below, you will find a PayPal link. If you are inclined to help me make this trip, please contribute any amount.
In the last couple of days, I have raised $300 and I have been awarded a grant from the local UU Social Justice Committee in the amount of $300.00. I have a couple hundred dollars of my own that I will use. Airfare from KCI will be in the neighbourhood of $500. I will need lodging and ground transportation, etc. So I am almost there.
At this meeting, I hope to learn ways to work locally to help reduce climate change. Moreover, I hope to use this a springboard for more action both within and outside of the faith community.
I also have lots of ideas to offer in regard to energy efficiency programs, ways to engage, and to disseminate information. Also, I am very interested in thoughts and ideas that you may have that I can advance in this forum.
If I raise more money than I use, I will return the grant to my fellowship, then donate any additional to a charity to be determined by the Kos community. Upon my return, I will post a diary to inform you of the experience and the meeting.
I have never been to DC. I would welcome any guidance that you may have to offer. I would be delighted to find a couch and/or an "inside person" that could help me navigate the city.
In my previous diary, I was pleased with the response, the willingness to help me fund this trip and the faith that many commenters had that the community would help. At this point, I've committed to go and will somehow raise the funds.
I hope to travel Monday and find my way to the White House Tuesday morning. I will likely fly home later Tuesday evening, although, if the stars line up just so, I would spend Tuesday night and fly home on Wednesday.
I thank you for considering my request.
Syoho
Here is the PayPal address, should you care to donate:
https://www.paypal.com/...