"A voice for ecological innovation and integration"
www.mswg.org
Mission
MSWG is a network that works with partners to improve environmental performance, economic sustainability, social responsibility and quality of life. Our network includes all sectors of society. We serve local, state, regional, national and international communities. We produce knowledge and actions that contribute to ecosystems that support economic sustainability, social responsibility and quality of life. We believe that collaboration, innovation and networking can tap society's potential for performance excellence and support that philosophy in mainstream law and policy.
Working model
· MSWG builds a community that generates ideas and interest in innovation as a collaborative, pragmatic think tank ;
· MSWG Policy Academy is its service arm to develop and test ideas;
· MSWG shares its ideas with others to implement.
Structure
July 2008: Due to the unexpected resignation of MSWG President Jeff Smoller, the organizational structure described below is being modified for a few months while we work out transition issues. The role of the Coordinating Committee as described here is being taken by a larger Leadership Team (which was temporarily called the Transition Sub-Committee). Minutes of all conference calls of this group, however titled, are posted at "Coordinating Committee", below. The scope of work for the Leadership Team can be found here.
· Board of Directors: Meets as needed to oversee legal and financial requirements and works to ensure the financial stability of MSWG;
· Coordinating Committee: Meets bi-weekly to coordinate issues, themes and committees;
· Officers: Meet weekly to manage the daily routine;
· Committees (see below): Do the work to advance MSWG's mission and work plan;
· Executive Director: Responsible for legal, financial and administrative requirements.
Coordinating Committee meetings are open and held by conference call. Lines are limited. Arrange with the secretary to participate. Minutes are posted at www.mswg.org. The Coordinating Committee meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. Pacific Time. Officers meet each Friday at 9 a.m. Pacific Time.
Work plans
MSWG's 2006-2008 work plans will be built around themes, membership recruitment and fundraising. They will be in place by December 31, 2005. With input from the Coordinating Committee, the president will propose themes.
Annual meeting cycle
· Annual national meeting built around themes, networking and learning;
· Several other meetings are to be held throughout each year to work on Path to Washington-related projects and themes, build the network and support local needs;
· Special meeting may also be held to engage new partners or topics.
Meeting themes
The annual and other meetings will form a system to develop the Path to Washington project. Themes are explored, new ideas from different places are brought to the fore, and people are exposed to new thinking from areas previously unfamiliar to them.
Committee structure
The president appoints chairs for the following committees:
Membership and recruiting. Director: (vacant)
Membership brochure now available. Click here to download. (280 kB)
Fund raising and development. Chair: Bob Stephens
Policy Academy (Board of Regents). Chair: Dennis Treacy
Ecological Innovation & Integration Chair: Bob Donaghue
Sub-committee on logistics Chair: Karen Thomas & Karen Grubbs
Web, communications and newsletter Key Grip: Bob Minicucci
Internships and new practitioners Chair: Nicole Darnall
International Outreach Chair: Bob Stephens
Awards and Recognition Chair: <vacant>
Nominating Chair: Ira Feldman
The president appoints liaisons to the following entities:
Legal profession
Environmental Council of States
Business organizations
Non-government organizations
Chairs and liaisons develop missions, work plans, products; recruit and appoint members; propose budgets; recommend funding; support the national, regional and special meeting themes. Chairs are automatic members of the Coordinating Committee and report orally or in writing at each call of the Coordinating Committee. The reports are posted on www.mswg.org. The membership and fund raising functions' have significance and merit financial and administrative support.
MSWG has established relationships with complementary organizations such as the National Academy of Public Administration, American Chemistry Council, Pollution Prevention Roundtable, NAFTA Commission for Environmental Cooperation, European Union, Global Environmental Management Initiative and Environmental Council of States. By participating in MSWG activities and serving on MSWG committees, representatives of these organizations help create value that may have new depth, breadth and credibility because of the unique multi-sector reach of MSWG.
The Multi-State Working Group is a U.S. not-for-profit organization, chartered in Arizona. The Internal Revenue Service has designated it a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organization. For information: www.mswg.org. Contact Nancy Girard, Exec. Dir. 603.267.6558 or ngirard@nhecwb.com.
