John says "daysofchange.org helps us measure the impact we can have by doing our bit and will motivate us to increase the impact."

For the supporters of other sporting teams out there (not naming any names) don't worry - we're on the case!

We've also welcomed two new staff to the daysofchange.org office in the last two weeks, taking the total full-time team to six!

Irena Sikorska has joined the team as Schools Engagement Manager and will be responsible for recruiting schools into the program.

David Lasserre has taken the position of Organisations Engagement Manager and will be responsible for recruiting organisations to use the program to support their in-house sustainability efforts.

Transitioning Communities to Sustainability in WA Information Letter

Dear Days of Change Participant

As part of research for my Honours thesis, I am developing a Case Study of the Days of Change that is working in your community.  I want to find out how the program operates; your participation in this program's activities and whether there is anything we can learn from you that will be of value to this and other similar groups or programs in the future.

You are invited to participate in an anonymous on-line survey at Survey Monkey via https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WVPF59R

Please understand that any identifying information you may provide in answering the survey is treated as confidential and will not be released to a third party unless required to do so by law. There are no risks envisaged from participating in this research.

As the survey is electronic, it will not be possible to withdraw your information once you have submitted it.  However, you can choose not to answer any questions which you may consider sensitive.   Participation is voluntary and choosing not to take part will not affect your ongoing participation in the Days of Change programs.

Information for parents of young people

I understand that your children may also participate in Days of Change activities and it would be valuable to have them take part in the survey too. They can only do this with your consent and there is a compulsory question at the beginning of the survey which reminds them to ask for your approval to take part.  If you have any concerns, you might choose to do the survey with your child and it has been set up to take multiple attempts from one email address so that families can take part.

My supervisor, Sally Paulin and I are happy to discuss any concerns you may have about this study.

Sally's contact phone number is 9360 2889 or e-mail S.Paulin@murdoch.edu.au and my contact number is 0406 104 627 or e-mailjulie_d_byrne@hotmail.com

Feedback on the survey will be given to the Days of Change by April 2010.

Sincerely

Julie Byrne

Honours Student

DoC Survey

Our list of partners is now like a literal "Who's Who" of high profile organisations within Western Australia.

Channel 7, The West Australian and thewest.com.au are our major media partners and will be the way that most people first hear about the daysofchange.org program once our media campaign commences in earnest from the middle of  April. They are supporting the program to the tune of $1.5 million which is an amazing commitment!

Fremantle-based Solar PV Company Sungrid is our first Vision Partner. Sungrid has one simple goal: to make solar energy more affordable for everyone.

Our other partners include some of the most well known organisations in Western Australia.

The support that we have received from this organisations would not have been possible were it not for the fantastic enthusiasm of the people of York in demonstrating the power of the program during August 2009.

So thanks again!

John says "daysofchange.org helps us measure the impact we can have by doing our bit and will motivate us to increase the impact."

For the supporters of other sporting teams out there (not naming any names) don't worry - we're on the case!

Tristan has taken on the role of Manager Online Services and has the unenviable job of making sure that our new social networking site is ready for our May 1 launch. If that's not enough, he's also in charge of on-line communications!

Tristan recently completed his studies in Commerce and Sustainability. An avid traveller and young global citizen, he is committed to supporting sustainability initiatives around the globe and enhancing opportunities for different groups and sectors to work together.

Siobhan's sustainability journey began in February 2009. In a short time, she has made a number of changes to reduce her carbon footprint. With an administrative background across a broad variety of industries,

Siobhan joined the daysofchange.org Team in December 2009 as the Office Manager.In that capacity she is running a tight ship, making sure our administrative, accounting and customer management processes are up to speed.

We're in process of recruiting two additional staff to lead our Organisations Engagement and Schools Engagement programs. We're hoping we'll be able to introduce the new team members to you in our next edition!

Sungrid has one simple goal: to make solar energy more affordable for everyone.

Phil Livingston, Executive Director of Sungrid says "We have one world, one life, one chance to make a fundamental change to the human experience. One chance to save a planet in peril, one chance to preserve nature's splendor for future generations."

Growing from a small West Australian business in 2007, Sungrid now manufactures and supplies high quality solar panels to installation companies across Australia and New Zealand. Sungrid's solar panels safely and efficiently harness the sun's energy to create affordable electricity for thousands of residential and business customers

The Newsletter is designed to complement our brand new website

The website was launched at the beginning of January and allows individuals, organisations and schools to register their interest in becoming Ambassadors for the daysofchange.org program during 2010.

Note that this is still just our corporate website. We have a team of talented people working on the development of our new Social Networking website that will form the heart of the program from May 2010. This is based on the website that was developed for our York Pilot Program with some significant enhancements.