Sustainability Zone (21st March 2017)

Apologies were recieved from Alex, David and Frazer. 

The committee read and approved.

Frazer to circulate E+D Forum to the committee. – Follow up with Frazer.

Frazer and David to meet with the Learning and Development and Insight team at the Union to discuss embedding E+D into the Union’s key performance indicators. – Carry this action forward.

Alex to contact Dame Wendy Hall regarding the inspiring women event. – Unfortunately she was unable to attend but the event was a great success. 

Alex to ensure that there are plenty of water bottles available in the masterplan for the Union’s renovations. – Ongoing.

"Sustainability Initiative of the year" will be the name of the Sustainability Zone's award.     - More nominations are needed.

Alex will investigate the Medicin Sans Frontieres Society campaign further. – Follow up with Alex. 

David to investigate the Union using biodegradable veggieware in its outlet. - David is currently waiting on quotes.

4.1. Equality and Diversity Officer:

Frazer has promised that he will circulate his report to the committee shortly.

4.2. Ethics and Environmental Officer:

Elle recently met with George to discuss the ‘Change Our World Week’.

Fair Trade event on Friday 12^th May – will have a stall on the redbrick, with free snacks and Tea/Coffee, will use the opportunity to promote and it also ties in nicely with exams. 

Fair Trade range in Shop – How much can be spent? In previous years around £200 has been spent, however there may be more money available in the budget.  

Environmental Rock Fest on 29^th May – will have a stall and can also promote Shift Your Stuff, Ell is also looking into getting a smoothie bike.  They have also asked if we could contribute a prize to the raffle. 

James updated the committee with the Campus Collective Community Gardens current situation.  They are looking for space as the Council have been unable to provide any.  They have the money and people but are just struggling to secure a suitable space.  Flora suggested the Performing Arts House which may have a garden.       

In David’s absence Ell covered most of the updates.

Flora updated the group on International Women’s Day which went very well.  There were two events one on the 8^th March with a panel of 4 speakers, around 50 people attended including some Solent students.  There was also an event at West Quay on 11^th March which brought together a lot of groups in the community.  A very positive event and West Quay have since said that the event attracted the most public engagement they have had in the building.

Ell updated the group on this.  Each day will have a different topic, for example, Wednesday will be the cosmetics fayre and Friday will be all political societies coming together for discussion and debate.   Ell is currently working on the cosmetic fayre. Change Your World Week is going to be the week commencing 24^th April.   

George updated the group on Shift Your Stuff.  It is on track and a meeting has been set up with the Masters student who will be working on it.  The goal this year is to increase the amount collected but also streamline the charities to donate to.  So this year focusing on three, two local and one that can take everything, e.g. The British Heart Foundation.  Flora suggested contacting the Student Action for Refugees group or Southampton Action People to People group.  Collections for Shift Your Stuff will be mid-June to the end of June and marketing will be brought forward to the end of May to allow for enough time to promote.      

The committee discussed the funding applications. 

 Flora asked the committee to promote the Meliora Journal.