EARNN Program FY 17 Manual

EARNN PROGRAM FY 17 MANUAL

What is EARNN? EARNN stands for Environmental Awards for Recycling in Norfolk Neighborhoods. Launched in 1998, the EARNN Program is sponsored by the City of Norfolk and Keep Norfolk Beautiful (KNB). It was developed to encourage responsible environmental stewardship throughout the City. The program rewards civic leagues for specific “GREEN” practices, such as stormwater management, recycling, litter prevention, and beautification.

By increasing and promoting other green practices, the City can reduce the impact of our waste, prevent pollution, decrease trash disposal costs, and increase awareness among citizens about the importance of caring for our City’s urban natural resources and the environment as a whole. Civic leagues registered with the City of Norfolk may enroll in EARNN and receive monetary awards by collecting points in 12 different categories while making a difference in their community.

EARNN Program Dates The EARNN Program runs from July 1st – June 1st. All EARNN civic leagues must receive training and register to participate in EARNN. Registration is valid for one program year; after which, civic leagues must re-enroll to participate in the next program year.

How to Participate in EARNN In order to participate in the EARNN program, a civic league must: 1.

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Be registered with the City of Norfolk Appoint 1-2 civic league members (2 are recommended) as EARNN representatives Send representative(s) to one of the required EARNN trainings Submit a registration form to KNB no later than July 15th Submit a W-9 with the president’s signature to KNB no later than December 31st if you are a civic league enrolling in the EARNN program for the first time. (Returning civic leagues do not need to submit a new W-9 unless civic league information has changed).

6. The EARNN representative must make an EARNN presentation to civic league members no later than December 31st 7. Report activities by December 31st and June 1st deadlines (Report Form attached) 8. Returning EARNN civic leagues must report on the proposed use of last year’s monetary awards no later than December 31st (See page 2)

Promotion and Other Items As part of the EARNN Program, civic leagues are responsible for encouraging their members to participate in stormwater management practices, recycling, and other environmental activities. KNB may provide the following resources:

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Contacts for environmental presentations Content resources for newsletters, electronic publications, etc.

Adopt-A-Spot and other cleanup program registration, supplies, and training Provide Special Event Recycling Program (SERP) supplies and brief training for community events  Information on Recycling Perks  Books for environmental “Story Hour”  Information on Star Homes programs

Report Submissions The submission of reports are required with supporting documentation. Reports are due:

Report Due Date

Reporting Activity Periods

December 31st June 1st

July 1st – December 31st January 1 – June 1st

PLEASE NOTE: Reports must be received by the due dates. If a report is not turned in by the December 31st deadline, the civic league will be removed from the EARNN program. Reports received after the June 1st due date will not be considered unless specifically authorized by Keep Norfolk Beautiful. Due dates that fall on a weekend or holiday will be accepted on the following business day. You may submit your EARNN reports via:

 Email: knb@norfolk.gov (supporting documentation included)  Mail or Drop-off: Ernie Morgan Environmental Action Center, 3500-A Granby Street, Norfolk VA 23504

 Fax: 757-441-5285 (supporting documentation included) Awards Civic leagues that are registered with the City of Norfolk can enroll in EARNN and receive monetary awards by collecting points in different categories. Points are totaled for each civic league, and a corresponding monetary award is given after the end of the program year with added recognition at the Clean City Celebration in the fall. * Civic league size is determined by the total number of households eligible for curbside recycling service (i.e., single family homes, duplexes and apartment complexes with 4 units or less). The City of Norfolk uses the geographic boundaries registered with the Division of Neighborhood Services, along with residential account information from the City’s Utility Billing System, to determine the number of eligible households for the EARNN program.

Size* Small Medium Large

Points Received 0 – 49.5 50 – 59.5 60 – 69.5 70 -74.5 75 – 79.5 80 – 84.5 85 – 89.5 90 – 94.5 95 – 99.5 100

Number of Eligible Households Up to 500 501 - 999 >1,000

Small Civic League $0.00 $100 $175 $250 $325 $400 $475 $550 $625 $700

Medium Civic League $0.00 $300 $375 $450 $525 $600 $675 $750 $825 $900

Maximum Earning Potential Up to $700.00 Up to $ 900.00 Up to $1,100.00

Large Civic League $0.00 $500 $575 $650 $725 $800 $875 $950 $1,025 $1,100

PLEASE NOTE: Checks will only be made payable to civic leagues; therefore, each participating civic league must submit a completed W-9 form, no later than December 31st. Failure to do so will result in termination from the EARNN Program. In order to participate in the FY2017 EARNN program, those Civic leagues that participated in the FY2016 EARNN program are required to spend their FY2016 award funding on an environmental project that further enhances EARNN goals to create a clean, beautiful, vibrant, and desirable place for residents to live, work, and play. Examples of project include, but are not limited to, rain barrels, pet waste station bags, litter receptacles for schools, etc.

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EARNN Program Categories and Point System 1. Mandatory EARNN Presentation 5 points max per program year All participating civic league representatives must conduct an EARNN presentation to their civic league before December 31st. The presentation should contain a description of all components of the EARNN program and reference the categories of EARNN opportunities. This will ensure the civic league members are aware of the program requirements and are encouraged to participate in it. A minimum of 10 members are encouraged to attend.

To receive points, representative(s) must provide date of presentation and attendee sign in sheet with report form.

2. Average Recycling Set Out Rate 10 points max per program year Set out rates are tracked from July 1st through May 15th. The average set out rate is calculated by dividing the number of households that set their recycling carts out by the number of recycling carts for the entire year. Recycling set out data is provided by TFC Recycling. Baseline data will be provided in July and status reports will be distributed in January and June. To help increase the set out rate, civic leagues are encouraged to post recycling dates in newsletters and on websites, utilize presenters on the topic, and sign up for Recycling Perks.

Civic leagues that maintain an average set out rate of at least 50% will receive a minimum of 5 points. If the recycling set out rate increases by a minimum of 2% from the previous year, then civic leagues will receive an additional 5 points.

Example: 300 recycle set outs of 1000 potential set outs in the neighborhood = 30% set out rate 2% increase = 2% of the total 1000 potential set out opportunities or 20 more cans per year for a total of 320 set out events.

3. Recycling Perks 5 points max per program year Recycling Perks is a reward program for recycling. It also provides reminders for recycling days. Residents are able to sign up for recycling Perks at: https://www.recyclingperks.com/#/ or via phone at 855-8132154. Recycling Perks baseline will be established on July 1st. The counts will be reported to the City by Recycling Perks. Baseline data will be provided in July and status reports will be distributed in January and June.

Civic leagues that increase their Recycling Perks household registrations by 5% from the previous year will receive 5 points.

PLEASE NOTE: Civic leagues who reach the initial 5% goal must continue to increase their Recycling Perks household registrations by 5% annually.

For example: 300 perks members out of 1000 potential member in the neighborhood = 30% membership 5% increase = 5% of the total previous 300 perks members or 15 for a total of 315 members.

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4. Special Event Recycling Program (SERP) 5 points max per program year In an effort to increase recycling awareness at events, civic leagues can collect recyclable items at a community event by: 1. Completing and submitting a SERP form (see attached form).

2. Checking out SERP equipment and receiving brief training.

3. Completing SERP report after event.

If you collect plastic bags or film during an event, please note that they must be taken to a separate location. You can find the nearest drop off location at www.plasticfilmrecycling.com.

If you collect small electronics, such as phones during an event, please note that they must be taken to a separate location. You can find the nearest drop off location at www.earth911.com or www.goodwillvirginia.org.

To receive points, make sure SERP forms are completed when equipment is returned OR attach a list of items dropped off, attendees, and a photo of the items dropped off.

5. Adopt-A-Spot Program (AAS) 30 points max per program year The Adopt-A-Spot Program is an important part of a green and clean community.

In order for civic leagues to be eligible for points in this category, they must be enrolled in the AAS Program and conduct four cleanups per location during the EARNN year (July 1st through June 1st). AAS rules and procedures apply. Reports must be submitted to the KNB AAS Program coordinator. The EARNN Program coordinator will verify that all necessary AAS reports were received.

One Adopt-A-Spot location = 15 points max per program year Two Adopt-A-Spot locations = 30 points max per program year To sign up, visit: http://www.norfolk.gov/knb or call 757-441-1347

6. Great American Cleanup (GAC) OR International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 15 points max per program year The Great American Cleanup and the International Coastal Cleanup are one-time cleanups that raise awareness of litter prevention and marine debris.

To sign up, visit: http://www.norfolk.gov/knb or call 757-441-1347 To receive GAC/ICC points, your civic league must: 1. Meet all GAC/ICC registration, training, safety and reporting requirements.

2. Lead a cleanup or beautification event during GAC between March 1st and June 1st or lead a cleanup during the ICC between September 1st and October 31st.

Points collected are based on the number of volunteers associated with the cleanup(s):  1-5 volunteers = 5 points max per program year  6-10 volunteers = 10 points max per program year  11 & up = 15 points max per program year

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To receive points, you must register for the event, provide the date of the event, the number of volunteers, and submit completed report form and sign-in sheet.

7. Environmental Presentations 15 points max per program year In order to educate residents, civic leagues can host environmental presentations on one or more of the topics listed below. Requests for presentations by City staff must be made at least 30 days in advance. Presentations are not required to be performed by City staff, but can be provided by other qualified presenters (additional presenter contacts provided, see attached). The topic must be preapproved by the EARNN coordinator prior to the presentation. A minimum of 10 members are encouraged to attend.

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Green Infrastructure Litter Prevention Wetlands Restoration/Living Shorelines Household Hazardous Waste Sustainability or Resiliency

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Storm Water Best Management Practices Recycling Tree Planting Landscaping- Native Sea Level Rise/Flood Prevention

 First environmental presentation = 5 points max per program year  Second environmental presentation = 10 points max per program year  Third environmental presentation = 15 points max per program year To receive points, you must provide date of the presentation, topic presented, name and title of the presenter, and a copy of the attendance sheet in your report.

8. Youth Engagement Outreach 15 points max per program year (One project max)

To encourage environmental stewardship throughout the City, civic leagues may involve youth in identifying an environmental issue and then having them work toward addressing it. A civic league may choose to partner with school programs, faith-based programs or other civic groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc. One or more adults must meet with the youth to discuss the chosen environmental issue to address in the community. A minimum of 5 youth (ages 18 and under) will conduct an activity, event, or project to address the identified problem. The youth activity must be in addition to other EARNN projects outlined such as Adopt-a-Spot cleanups or tree planting activity.

The civic league must fill out and turn in the Youth Engagement Report Form with their semi-annual or annual report in order to receive the 15 points. At least one picture of the youth engaged in their project/activity is required.

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9. Star Homes 5 points max per program year

Star Homes programs are designed for residents who pledge to modify their behavior at home by conducting environmentally responsible activities.

Residents can become a “RiverStar” if they live within the Elizabeth River watershed, a “BayStar” if they live within the Norfolk City boundary, or a “LakeStar” if they live within the Lake Whitehurst watershed.

BayStar Homes: http://askhrgreen.org/baystarhomes/ LakeStar Homes: http://www.norfolk.gov/LSH RiverStar Homes: http://www.elizabethriver.org/#!river-star-homes/czow For EARNN credit, civic leagues will receive 5 points if their neighborhood increases registrations by at least 5% in any “Star Homes” program, i.e., RiverStar, BayStar, or LakeStar from the previous year.

Baseline data will be provided in July and status reports will be distributed in January and June.

For example: 300 star homes out of 1000 potential member in the neighborhood = 30% membership 5% increase= 5% of the total previous 300 star homes members or 15 for a total of 315 members.

10. Tree Planting 10 points max per program year

Help increase Norfolk’s tree canopy by planting five trees within your civic league boundaries Trees may be purchased or obtained through one of the various tree programs offered by the City and/or nonprofit organizations. For a higher survival rate, it is best to plant trees October through January in the City of Norfolk.

To obtain points, provide the following items:

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physical location/address where the trees were planted the date the tree planting occurred a photo of the planted trees a measurement of the height of the planted trees names of the individuals who planted the trees

11. Environmental Articles 5 points max per program year

In an effort to promote green practices, providing information regarding environmental stewardship is helpful to residents. Publish four environmental articles on the civic league’s website or in its newsletter on one of the following topics:

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Environmental conservation Stewardship Recycling Litter prevention Sustainability & Resiliency

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Sea Level Rise/Flood Prevention Waste management Energy efficiency and conservation Wetlands Restoration/Living Shorelines Stormwater management

Articles may be taken from any credible media source. The article must be at least 150 words in length. Program ads or event announcements do not count as an article. To receive points under this program, please provide a copy of the articles including the article title and author information.

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12. Story Hour 5 points max per program year Coordinate a child-friendly environmental story hour at a community/public center such as: library, recreation center, school, or church. The book must be age appropriate and focus on environmental awareness. There must be a minimum of five students present to be considered an event.

To obtain points, provide the following items:

 Coordinate a story hour in your community  Submit story title, a photo, location, # in attendance, and date of the Story Hour

MAXIMUM YEARLY PROGRAM POINTS AVAILABLE = 125 NOTE: Points cannot be carried over into the next program year.

Each activity can only be counted in one (1) category per year

FOR ANY PROGRAM QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT: KEEP NORFOLK BEAUTIFUL 3500-A Granby Street | Norfolk, VA 23504 Phone: 757-441-1347 | Fax: 757-441-5285 | Email: knb@norfolk.gov

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