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Starting a local environmental organization is a great way to effect positive change in your community. Brainstorm what is lacking in your area and what can be done to fill the void. For example, how do you protect the dwindling bat population? Or what can be done to increase the use of bicycles in the city? Then organize a small group to promote and mobilize the community behind the effort.

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Here’s how to get started.

Do Research
When brainstorming on starting an environmental organization, first conduct research. Find out if there is an existing group crusading for the same cause. If there is, you can join it instead of duplicating their effort—or start your own local chapter if it is national or regional.

It is always easier to build on an existing concept than to start from scratch.  Try collecting information on similar programs in other communities. One place to look for ideas and other local initiatives is the Eco Heroes section of EcoHearth.

Find Your Focus
Once research is conducted, gather your thoughts. Every organization has a central purpose that serves as its foundation. The focus should be able to be summed up in a few words. This will be your mission statement.

Be concise and explain the goals of the organization, which would include the 5 Ws: Who, What, When, Where and Why, as well as How. Also provide a timeline for accomplishing the organization’s objectives. This written information will serve as a reference to the organization’s members as well as brand the cause to outsiders.

Attract Members
Once the concept has been drafted, the next step is to build awareness and garner support. Find a neutral location to host an initial meeting. Many churches and community centers offer meeting space free of charge, but usually the event must be scheduled with and approved by them. A coffee house will also work for an initial meeting.

Use resources available to promote the meeting, such as cosponsors’ mailing or emailing lists, social-networking sites, posters at local supermarkets, flyers passed out door to door for very local actions, Craigslist and event websites such as Eventful and Evite. Consider contacting the local newspaper to run a story. Approach a sympathetic organization and ask them to co-sponsor the event.

Invite people who can contribute to the program’s launch. If you are starting a bike-sharing system, for example, invite the city’s transportation director.

Get Organized
Make sure to have an agenda for the first (and every) meeting, so it proceeds in an organized and focused fashion. Provide research and information gathered thus far to the attendees. Explain the mission statement and objectives. Why should people be concerned about the dwindling bat population? What purpose will a bike-sharing program serve? How will the community benefit from the work done by this organization?

It is important during this first meeting to get feedback from others. The resulting discussion will determine the venture’s viability, avenues of action, and the talents and resources that individuals can contribute. It may even precipitate a slight or even major shift in the organization’s mission.

Before concluding, determine what needs to be accomplished before the next meeting as well as in the foreseeable future. Delineate and assign tasks with due dates. Not only will this help distribute the workload, but it will give the volunteers a stake in the organization’s success.

Recruit Leaders
In addition to building awareness, there are a multitude of tasks to be completed. One smart idea is organizing a board of directors.  They are individuals with special skills and connections in the community who are willing to give their time and talents. Regardless of the organization’s size, their responsibility will be to raise money, determine the group’s budget, suggest and promote events, handle public relations and much more. The directors serve as the organization’s leadership. They ultimately decide the location of the new bat houses or the hub for the bike program, and how they will be implemented.

Starting a local environmental organization is a great way to give back to society and leave a better world for future generations while creating a positive impact on an issue about which you care deeply. Think about what is lacking in your area and research information on it. Garner support and invite those with some expertise to help orchestrate the organization’s development. Then put your thoughts into action—the only way to create lasting change.

Additional resources:
List of National Environmental Organizations

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