State of the MEC

By Lynda McClure

The expansion is on indefinite hold, so we decided to make the most of this great space we do have. We've rearranged the office to provide a more welcoming entry area so that you won't find yourself in the middle of a meeting by walking through the door. There is designated desk space for groups doing the most work out of the office and a production space to lay out work in progress while faxing, printing and copying. The two computer rooms remain pretty much the same, but we are going to put on doors to allow for uninterrupted work, something in short supply in our beehive of an office! We are still tweaking our arrangement, so come in and offer your impression.

There is additional exciting new energy here at the MEC in the form of Alana Oldham and Greg Bourget, who are volunteering to take on some important roles. Alana is our Volunteer Coordinator, and as she has been volunteering here since twelve, she is quite well suited for the job. She is working with people who have shown interest in volunteering, matching their skills and interests with the MEC's needs. Alana is also staffing the office on Tuesdays. Greg comes to us with four years of experience with environmental groups including Greenpeace and USPirg. He is developing systems and materials for community outreach and membership building. He's also preparing the MECalerts, an issue/action bulletin which is sent to our current members. Both Alana and Greg are upbeat, energetic, and great additions to our growing circle of people who keep the MEC doing this vital work.

And speaking of vital work, it sure can be hard to stay focused on all the issues that pour in over the phone, fax and email when raising operating funds is such a necessity. Most expenses are at the bare bones level, with one exceptionÑsomething on which we really splurge: 100% post consumer waste, non chlorine bleached office paper. We spent a fair amount of time researching the best prices, and $74.00 a case from a company in Oregon is what we found. Local stores advertise $22.24 per case for non-recycled paper, but we can't in good faith work to save the environment while participating in its destruction using paper produced firsthand from trees and bleached with dioxin. In the not-so-distant future we plan to use and to carry tree free paper for sale. In order to make it cost effective we must buy ten cases at a time, and that initial outlay is quite high, but that's the plan.

Another upcoming item for retail sale is greeting cards featuring local artists. The cards will be printed on tree free paper. Keep an eye out for these cards, and consider supporting the MEC by purchasing them. Please note the call for artists in this newsletter, and you artistsÑsubmit your drawings!

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Last Update: 12/8/99