Proposition

A local non-profit, the Washington Foundation for the Environment (WFFE), has hosted the Environmental Slam for decades. The last 3 years Christine & Marco hosted the event. While WFFE is being dissolved, we are suggesting WSUU as one of the recipients of their “leftover” funds, to take over the event. The Slam has traditionally involved the winners receiving a grant for an environmental non-profit of their choice, which should be covered for a few years by the funds from WFEE.

What does the Slam look like?

• Participants create a 5min video presentation on an environmental topic of their choice
• Entries were mostly presentations, but we have also had very successful poetry and song entries, but any art form could work
• Participants also designate an environmental non-profit to receive a donation if they win
• Judges rate those presentation based on published criteria / rubric
• The event is an online meeting, MC’ed by Marco, with Christine running some audience games in the chat and helping with spotlighting/muting/moderating
• Audience votes online on their favorites
• Judges take turns to say a few words about each submission
• Announcing the judge’s choice winner(s)
• Announcing the audience choice winner
• Announcing the winner of the online game

High Level Timeline and Estimated Effort

• Initial mention of Slam in newsletter (3 months before event)
• Time at board meeting, writing blurb, newsletter admin
• Initial Meeting with volunteers who want to support the Slam
  ~2hrs
• Registration form for participants goes up, Blurb in Newsletter / on websites
• Email campaign to get 10+ participants/teams
• Writing example email which volunteers can send/adapt
• Find 3+ judges for the event
• Writing example email which volunteers can send/adapt
• Pre-event meeting with Slam volunteers to plan event details ~2hrs
• Promote event, invite friends/VIPs/press
• Writing example email which volunteers can send/adapt
• Social media
• Deadline for submissions (~10 days before)
• Judges review all submissions, secretly rate based on judging rubric, divide up and each judge writes a few appreciative and constructive sentences for their assigned submissions ~2hrs online
• Online event ~3hrs online
• Paying out money to the winners’ choice non-profits
• Press release

Why do we want to do this?

With the Slam we can raise awareness for important issues, grow the volunteer base, and fundraise.
The audience has always appreciated learning and collaborating for a good cause which has brought our community together.
The Slam is pretty established and even during the pandemic (when we transitioned from an in person event to online) we had a passionate group of participants and viewers.

References

From the now defunct website wffe.org

Washington Foundation for the Environment (WFFE) serves young people in the Pacific Northwest by providing opportunities to raise awareness and develop their voice and skills around environmental action.

We have been a leader in promoting environmental education and action since 1979. Our long history includes providing grants to Washington organizations that enact change through local projects and education programs and events that encourage environmental activism among young people.

In 2019, WFFE shifted its focus exclusively to our cornerstone event, the Environmental Slam. This annual competition promotes environmental research, activism, and presentation for young people in Washington in grades 5-12.

The Slam occurs around Earth Day every year and is a showcase of individuals and teams from around Washington competing to make the most compelling case for action on regional environmental issues. Winners in each category of the Slam designate a local non-profit supporting their cause to receive a $500 donation in their name. Participants and winners also receive prizes and recognition that varies from year to year.

WFFE believes in promoting the ideas of young people who are inspired to promote sustainability, combat climate change, and fight for a healthy environment. If you are interested in getting involved in our work or donating to our event, please email our board president to learn how you can help.

WFFE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization chartered in Washington State

The Slam

• The Environmental Slam is an annual competition for Washington State students in grades 5-12.
• The goal of the Slam is to build skills and experience for young people to take environmental action in Washington State and the Pacific Northwest.
• Young people compete to see who can make the most compelling and effective presentation on pressing environmental issues.
• Winners of the competition are awarded a donation to an environmental non-profit that supports their cause.