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SunNE Detailed Description 

NICE call out! (video)

During a seven-week, intensive program, participants will work to address four main "challenge areas:" 

1. Engage directly with the community to assess and document their interest and potential concerns, identify social and market barriers, and develop solutions; 

2. Identify public policy, regulatory barriers, and solutions; 

3. Develop viable financial models and business plans for the community-owned thermal energy utility;  

4. Develop and refine the district energy system design and interaction with building systems.  

Research results will be compiled into a publicly available report, participants will develop presentations to take back to their communities and campuses, and project results will be delivered to Portland State University for incorporation into “service learning” elements of future courses.   

To set up an Internship in one of the Challenge Areas please join the group and contact one of the "Group Owners" from the Members List.  It is also possible to help before, during, and/or after the NICE as a volunteer.  Everyone is welcome to get involved with helping SunNE!

Students are also in need of Sponsors!  If you are involved with a group or business, or are just able to do so on your own, please join the group and contact a Group Owner.  Thank you for helping students take an active role in creating a healthy future.

Agenda:

-Recruitment and sponsorship of Interns will be set up prior to the start of the program.  Other preliminary work includes: arranging participant logistics, arranging speakers and educational trips, finding office space, finalizing Macro-Agenda, developing Micro-Agendas, partnering with the Sierra Student Coalition Oregon Sprog, and coordinating with other project leaders.

-Week 1 - July 7th-July 13th - Introduction to project, presentation of "lay of the land," formation of working groups to address challenge areas, research begins.

-Weeks 2-4 - July 14th-August 3rd - Research in working groups

-Week 5 - August 4th-August 10th - Synthesis of working group research and compilation of report

-Week 6 - August 11th-17th - Interns attend the Sierra Student Coalition Oregon Sprog summer training program (http://www.ssc.org/sprog/).  This program focused on strategic project development and management, community organizing, media relations and other skills which pertain to building an effective movement through successful campaigning. 

-Week 7 - August 18th-August 24th - Finalize synthesis report.  Institute concludes with group outing that explores natural areas in Northwest while examining first-hand the impacts of climate change on Northwest natural systems.

-Throughout program - guest speakers, skill-sharings and trainings, discussion groups and other program elements will be interspersed throughout institute's research schedule to build and develop participants’ skills, foster system-oriented thinking and problem solving, and spark an entrepreneurial and creative spirit in program participants.

-Upon returning to school in the fall, participants will present the NICE report at their campuses and use it to educate fellow students on the possibilities inherent in addressing anthropogenic climate change.