Executive Director Report to CRRA Members

February 2014

Website Consolidation and Redesign Project Initiated

We are now underway with our long awaited website consolidation and redesign project. Board member Monica Devincenzi and I have been working with the Board-approved firm of M3iworks headquartered in Santa Cruz.

In addition to refreshed design work, we want to better integrate our systems using Drupal , the open source content management system, and retaining Wild Apricot, our member management software. This project will create a full one-stop- shop for our members, combine two sites - crra.com and crra.us- and make significant improvements in website security.

February Sponsorship Contact Month!

February will be a big month for sponsorship contacts. I will be making the lead calls with Patty Morgan, our Administrative Manager, following up on invoicing and allocation of funds into our accounting system. At the same time, should Board members have special relationship with sponsors they may initiate the contact.  Valued sponsors – expect a call from us in the near future!

CRRA Certification Program Approved

Over the past two months the Board has reviewed our previous certification programs and assessed how CRRA should address certification moving forward.  On January 30, at the annual Board of Directors retreat, the Board confirmed its commitment to continue a certification program. For 2014 we will designate a range of events from various organizations that can qualify for recertification including a recertification track at our CRRA Annual Conference.

For 2015 and beyond, we will develop a certification program that meets the National Certification Standards of the National Recycling Coalition. During February we will create an ad hoc committee to address the certification program, its resource requirements and its curriculum.

First Annual San Diego Zero Waste Symposium a Success

Co-sponsored by CRRA, the First Annual San Diego Zero Waste Symposium held February 4 at the County of San Diego Operations Center was a major success. With multiple speakers and over 160 attendees, including two elected County Supervisors, the sessions’ rapid fire format provided a variety of perspectives on Zero Waste programs in southern California. CRRA Board members Colleen Foster, Lynn France, Ric Anthony and CRRA member Laura Anthony were instrumental in moderating, presenting and facilitating the Symposium .