SustainabilityStrategic Plan

2016 - 2020Live Green, Love Green, Think Green

The University of Iowa Dance Marathon will be sustainable when we integrate consistent and

cohesive sustainable practices through building awareness of environmental sustainability by creating green initiatives in our organization, on campus, with

our partners, and in the Iowa City community.

Vision Statement

Goal 1Increase education and awareness of

sustainability in UIDM and other DM programs across the country.

Strategy 1: Create a Sustainability Education Program within UIDM.

Strategy 2: Reach out and mobilize other Dance Marathon programs to

increase sustainability.

• Have Office of Sustainability Staff come speak at an All-Leadership Meeting

• Have a Sustainability breakout session/workshop at a Dancer Meeting

• Sustainability promotional video and social media campaign

• Sustainability T-Shirts

• Give a presentation on UIDM’s sustainability efforts at the Dance Marathon Leadership Conference (DMLC)

• Work with other DM programs to improve sustainability across the entire organization

• Take part in a Sustainability Challenge with other DM programs (recycle challenge, can drive, etc.)

goal 2

Goal 2Develop and improve partnerships with sponsors

who share the same goal of sustainability.

Strategy 1: Encourage our current partners to be more sustainable.

Strategy 2: Create new partnerships with sustainability minded groups and businesses.

Strategy 3: Work closely with sustainability partners throughout the entire year.

• Work with Mini programs and school eco-clubs to improve sustainability at Mini Dance Marathons

• Work with food sponsors to increase sustainable practices

• Have at least one zero-waste meal at the Big Event

• Reach out to TerraCycle for snack shack wrappers• Reach out to New Pioneer Food Co-Op• Work closely with EcoHawks and other groups on

campus• Seek sustainable merchandise sponsors

• Send holiday and thank you cards that emphasize sustainability accomplishments

• Include sustainability info in pitch given to new and prospective sponsors

• Advertise sustainability sponsors on Sustainability shirts

Goal 3Improve sustainability at all Dance Marathon

related events (Big Event, Family Events, campus events, etc.).

Strategy 1: Incorporate recycling and composting at more DM events.

Strategy 2: Create sustainable fundraising events to raise money FTK and spread sustainability awareness.

• Work with Office of Sustainability to get Eco-Stations for events

• Use Eco-Stations at campus events, Family Events, etc.

• Improve tracking of waste produced and waste diverted

• Implement a Dancer Meeting packet recycle option

• Incorporate sustainability into fundraising push day

• Walking challenge (donate to a dancer account if you have to drive)

• Create and sell UIDM reusable shopping bags• Collect cans and bottles at football game tailgates

Committee Ideas

Event Business

Family Relations

• Use recycled material for craft room during Big Event

• Work with UI Engineering and senior Engineering majors for possible senior projects that would help the Big Event be more sustainable

• Look into getting more energy efficient lighting

• Work on making campus events more eco-friendly

• Have paperless receipts when turning in money (email receipt option)

• Input donations using iPad or other electronic device instead of paper

• Utilize the analytic capabilities in tracking and collecting data on waste diversion at events

• Have family reps use recycled material for the mail and crafts they make

• Create sustainable decorations and ensure that clean-up after the Big Event is sustainable

• Create a Dancing in Our Hearts garden or park (plant trees/flowers in memory of our DIH kiddos)

Development

Sponsorship

PR/Creative• Increase sustainability at

FTK Day by having eco-stations and compostable/recyclable utensils and plates for the meal

• Work with Mini Dance Marathons to increase sustainability at their events (partner with school Eco Clubs)

• Work with Catering to reduce food waste at Family Weekend Brunch

• Work with local restaurants and sponsors to get a zero-waste meal at the Big Event

• Work with Community Day pertners to ensure that the events are sustainable

• Create partnerships with new eco-friendly sponsors

• Look into companies that sell more eco-friendly t-shirts and merchandise

• Create a UIDM Sustainability video

• Have a sustainability push on social media platforms to raise awareness

• Reduce printing needs (increase utilization of internet and social media)

Operations

Committee Liaisons

Morale• Ensure dancers are aware

of sustainability practices at the Big Event (recycling, composting, water jugs)

• Send morale group schedule online so dancers can have it on their phone instead of printing it out

• Reduce paper usage for mail call (one extended leadership mail call page)

• Use recycled or repurposed material for Big Event decorations

• Make electronic signs on the IMU TV’s during the Big Event

• Have an electronic version of Ask Me Booth information

• Provide each committee with at least one Sustainability liaison• Liaisons are in communication with the committee’s Director,

Chairs, and committee members to help them be more environmentally-friendly and to provide assistance with projects and any questions

• Promote inter-committee collaboration and reach out to all of leadership to see if anyone else has ideas for making UIDM more sustainable