Subject - EMERGE is looking for volunteers

Posted : (Thursday 18th August 2005 ) By - jane (Registered User)EMERGE Recycling are looking for people to volunteer as Community Recycling Champions.

EMERGE is a not-for-profit community business promoting the idea and practice of the "3Rs" of waste management: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. We work to tackle Greater Manchester's growing waste problem, to improve the local and global environment, boost the local economy, create jobs and training opportunities and support local communities. A major part of our work is collecting materials for recycling from over 55,000 Greater Manchester households.

What's a Community Recycling Champion?
A volunteer who acts as a contact point between local residents and EMERGE Recycling within an agreed area. They help to promote and improve the local recycling service provided by EMERGE.

Why should I be interested in doing that?
As a Champion, you'll be helping to make a real difference in your local community. You'll receive new skills and training, meet like-minded people and have a vital input into local plans.

What sort of things would a Champion have to do?
As a minimum, distribute publicity materials to neighbours, and gather feedback from neighbours about the recycling service they receive. Depending on how much time you have to spare, you could also keep an eye on how much/how well the service is being used locally, have input into local waste management plans, and/or occasionally attend relevant local meetings to ensure that waste issues are being considered.

But I don't know enough about waste or recycling!
Don't worry, we will give you full training on the three Rs of waste management (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle), and prepare you for almost anything that people may ask you. You'll also be supported by EMERGE's Community Recycling Liaison Worker, who'll be on the end of the phone if you need them! You DON'T need to be a recycling expert, you just need to have an interest in it and believe that it's important.

I'm interested, but am I the right person?

You're just the person we're after if you are:
* Interested in recycling and/or supporting the local community
* Available to be contacted by other residents or EMERGE on a day to day basis (usually by phone), and prepared to contact EMERGE in return as appropriate.
* Able to attend occasional relevant meetings, training sessions, etc.
* Able to commit time to all the tasks required
* Willing to keep a record of important information
* Friendly, polite and approachable
* Willing and able to learn new things

The following are helpful, but not essential:
* Knowledge of the local area.
* Links/previous involvement with the local community
* Existing knowledge of recycling and a commitment to the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) of sustainable waste management.

Sounds great! What do I do now?
We need to make sure that you have a genuine interest in the post, and the time available to do it. Contact Seb on 223-8200 or seb@emergemanchester.co.uk to arrange a meet-up.