Partnering Up: Funder Meeting in Chicago

The Recycling Partnership held its latest funder meeting in Chicago mid-October, and the event was jam-packed with action. Highlights included:

Hands-on data. We took a field trip to experience a capture rate study in action. Sorters from our research partner Cascadia weighed out how much trash was in recycling and how much recycling was in trash, as funders connected with one another and our staff of experts.
Official meet-up. A who’s who of Chicago sustainability officials joined us for a lively discussion on challenges, solutions, and smart partnerships. Shout outs to Chris Wheat, Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel; Charles Williams, Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation; Chris Sauve, Deputy Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation; Gianni Seiffer, Recycling and Sustainability Program Director; and Sara McGann, Director of Public Affairs, Department of Streets and Sanitation.
Quote of the day. We smiled with pride as Commissioner Williams talked about our work together: “The It’s All You campaign is a win-win-win for everyone,” Commissioner Williams said. “We are trying to change the behavior and culture of groups of residents within our city. Once the residents get it, the information will stick.”
Make a plan. The consulting team La Piana led funders and staff through some strategic planning exercises to set direction for the years to come.
Pin it down. Relationships before tasks – a great rule of thumb. With that in mind, funders and staff took a night off to go bowling.