Board of Directors 2018 Elections – Candidate Statements

Five NCRA members have submitted ballot statements to serve on the 2018 NCRA Board of Directors. There are six positions to fill. Voting opens  November 15, 2018, and ends November 29, 2018, at 11:59 pm.

Custom voting links will be emailed to members on November 15th. If you do not receive our email but believe you should (i.e. your membership is current as of November 15, 2018), please email the office and we will email the link again.

CANDIDATES 2018: Nik Balachandran, Alina Bekkerman, Hilary Near, Doug Brooms, and Jessica Jane Robinson.

Nik Balachandran – Once again, I would like to humbly submit my candidacy for this important position on the NCRA Board. 2018 has been the most challenging yet equally enlightening year of my life. I had to juggle between being a business owner, NCRA board member, and a new dad. 

I was honored to fill a vacant board position this year. It was exciting and I was armed with the passion to advance zero waste goals. I called senate and assembly members on the legislative bills that NCRA supported. I actively promoted and volunteered at NCRA events such as Recycling Update, Zero Food Waste Forum and the Summer Picnic which were successfully attended. I enjoyed collaborating with other members to organize tours, write articles and post the latest available jobs for the NCRA Newsletter.

If I get re-elected, my goals are to:

  • broaden NCRA’s membership reach to more industries, municipalities, and communities in Northern California
  • write support letters to advance zero waste
  • reduce illegal dumping and littering that are plaguing our streets, highways, and waterways

Since our daughter’s birth, I have had a renewed sense of purpose to take on difficult tasks and show her that hard work can result in making a positive change.

Alina Bekkerman – As a Zero Waste advocate, I believe the next two years are critical and require a significant paradigm shift from a consumer mindset to a low-energy lifestyle.  I humbly submit my candidacy to join the NCRA 2019 board, in service to our broader community and NCRA members.

In 2014 I first had an epiphany about the importance of waste stream management and recycling education while abroad in Ecuador, where I started a small program call Proyecto Puerto López Limpio. Upon my return home, I was first introduced to Bay Area initiatives as a volunteer for RU in 2015. In 2016, I joined the Zero Waste Youth Convergence planning committee, helping with fundraising, communications, and logistics. I co-directed the 2017 ZWYC, and continue to serve on the planning team for the 2018 event in a supporting role.

I would like to join the NCRA board to help collaborate on event production and education initiatives for RU and throughout the year. I believe that together we are a stronger movement, and would like to help connect individuals, organizations, and communities, promoting programs that inspire and educate the Bay Area and beyond.

Doug Brooms – I’ve served on the Board for five years and would be honored to serve another term. I look forward to Board meeting deliberations, and helping with and participating in NCRA events. I’ve represented NCRA at each “Oakland Green Expo” and other similar events.

I’m a co-chair of the Zero Waste Advocacy Committee. I’ll continue with the evaluation and selection of new CA legislature Bills, and drafting of support letters. I’ll promote greater Bills support collaboration among environmental organizations in areas of common interests. I’ll continue with timely updates to the ZWAC Webpage, and work towards increasing its appeal and usefulness.  I’ll continue promoting awareness about the annual America Recycles Day, and other means to encourage greater recycling participation. I’m still the volunteer recycling coordinator at my apartment building. I enjoy work doing sorting (Resource Recovery) at First Fridays and other Bay Area venues.

I have sustaining commitments to climate protection, and to social and other environmental justice causes. However, Zero Waste, recycling, composting and food recovery advocacy are my stronger passions, making NCRA my favorite place. I would appreciate your vote.

Hilary Near – I am submitting my candidacy to remain on the NCRA board. My two-year tenure on the board has flown by. I particularly contributed to the Membership Engagement & Activities Committee, organizing the Recycle Bicycle Tour 2017 and volunteer opportunities at City Team Oakland. I plan to continue to support NCRA’s annual events now that I’ve learned some of the behind-the-scenes details and develop partnerships with related organizations to deepen and expand our membership.

I have worked in the Zero Waste field for a decade, primarily in program management and outreach related to municipal residential and commercial Zero Waste programs. I currently serve the City and County of San Francisco Department of the Environment as a zero waste assistant.

I would appreciate the chance to continue on the NCRA board as an experienced, passionate, creative and open servant to our NCRA membership and our aspirational goals.

Jessica Jane Robinson – My name is Jessica Robinson and it has been an honor to serve on the NCRA board since 2013. NCRA has been a part of my career supporting me when I was Miss Alameda and Recycle Woman, to my evolution as Resilience, as superhero addressing climate change through zero waste, sustainability, and cultural and social change. I have been a Board of Director since 2013. 2013, I served as treasurer for the first time in my life, and under the line of fire, I helped NCRA’s finances become organized and supported the process of getting the taxes in order. After, that growth spurt I have helped with social media and finding new ways of reaching out to other demographics, like encouraging NCRA to support what is now Girls Inc of the Island City’s Ethical Fashion Show and other projects that are innovative and reach a broader audience. I am dedicated to the cause to help heal the planet, and if you feel I bring value to the board, then please support me for another term. For more information and my bio visit www.rbrorg.com much love and thank you for being a warrior for the planet.

Board of Directors 2017 Elections – Candidate Statements

Ten NCRA members have submitted ballot statements to serve on the 2018 NCRA Board of Directors. There are five positions to fill. Voting opens December 7 and closes December 21 at 11:59 pm.  The election results will be presented to the Board of Directors on December 22 and to the membership soon afterward.

Custom voting links will be emailed to members on December 7. If you do not receive our email but believe you should (i.e. your membership is current as of December 6, 2017), please email the office and we will email the link again.

CANDIDATES 2018: Shova Ale Magar, Nik Balachandran, Alina Bekkerman, Susan Blachman, Tim Dewey-Mattia, Janette E. Drew, Alex Hoffman, David Krueger, John Moore and Laura Zamora

Shova Ale Magar
I spent the summer after high school teaching workshops at the district–level wastewater treatment plant in Kathmandu, Nepal. During a workshop one weekend, I was inspired by the enthusiasm and curiosity of the 50 community members who had given up their weekend to learn about the project. That weekend taught me that environmental stewardship begins at the individual level. Everyone has a role to play.

I feel this every day in my work as a municipal recycling coordinator at Waste Management Inc. The actions we take individually grow into collaborative communities, from policies to enforcement, to education and out to individuals doing their part.

My career has included managing Green Citizen’s electronics recycling center in Mountain View where I assisted about 50 people a day who came in to recycle light bulbs, MacBooks, and even the occasional talking teddy bear. As a volunteer co-organizer of Zero Waste Youth USA’s 2016 and 2017 Convergences, I negotiated and managed the venue for the day-long event with 170 attendees including students, speakers, and vendors in the field. Collaboration including individuals and communities moves us toward a zero-waste world.

I humbly offer my experience to serve on the NCRA board.

Nik Balachandran
I would like to submit my candidacy for a position on the NCRA board. An avid environmental advocate, I regularly participate in beach cleanups and successfully led a campaign to end prepared food displays at corporate cafeterias that are discarded at the end of the shift. For years I have been reducing, reusing more, thereby, decreasing the need to even recycle. Along the way, I have educated people on how and why this is important.

Recently, I decided to make Zero Waste part of my career. I have years of experience as a data scientist in tech startups analyzing vast amounts of sensor data for actionable insights. I saw a great potential to marry innovation, technology, and waste. So I founded Zabble to help businesses track and reduce waste, save money and protect the environment. Since then I have been able to really understand industry trends and legislation, meet and learn from numerous inspiring people. In August, I earned a certification from USGBC as a Zero Waste advisor.

I believe that I bring a fresh perspective to the industry and could really aid NCRA in continuing their Zero Waste initiatives. I am very committed to my work. Your vote would be greatly appreciated.

Alina Bekkerman
As a Zero Waste advocate, I believe the next two years are critical and require a significant paradigm shift from a consumer mindset to a low-energy lifestyle

I humbly submit my candidacy to join the NCRA 2018 board, in service to our broader community and NCRA members.

In 2014 I first had an epiphany about the importance of waste stream management and recycling education while abroad in Ecuador, where I started a small program call Proyecto Puerto López Limpio. Upon my return home, I was first introduced to Bay Area initiatives as a volunteer for RU in 2015. In 2016, I joined the Zero Waste Youth Convergence planning committee, helping with fundraising, communications, and logistics. I co-directed the 2017 ZWYC, and continue to serve on the planning team for the 2018 event in a supporting role.

I would like to join the NCRA board to help collaborate on event production and education initiatives for RU and throughout the year. I believe that together we are a stronger movement, and would like to help connect individuals, organizations, and communities, promoting programs that inspire and educate the Bay Area and beyond.

Susan Blachman
A long-time NCRA member and a great fan of RU, I attended the 2014 Zero Food Waste Forum and got hooked. Ruth Abbe, John Moore and I launched NCRA’s Zero Food Waste Committee and with help from Susan Miller-Davis wrote Commercial Food Waste Reduction in Alameda County, the first-ever study of wasted food prevention and recovery efforts and opportunities in Alameda County. I presented our findings at RU2017, BIOCYCLE REFOR17 and NCRA’s Introduction to Recycling.

I plan to support NCRA’s efforts to further prevent food and other organics from being landfilled. This would include organizing another Zero Waste Food Forum and sharing local jurisdictions’  SB1838 compliance strategies (SB1383 requires California to meet organic waste reduction goals, including edible food recovery).

I was a City of Berkeley’s Zero Waste Commissioner for 8 years, co-chaired the Golden Gate Pollution Prevention Committee, was on the Western Regional Pollution Prevention Network Steering Committee and helped found the Women’s Environmental Network. I’ve been a member of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, the National Healthy Nail and Beauty Salon Alliance, and the California Product Stewardship Council.

Tim Dewey-Mattia, Incumbent
I w
as elected to the NCRA Board 2 years ago, and I kindly ask the membership for a chance to serve another term.  I’m the Recycling & Public Education Manager for Napa Recycling & Waste Services – the local franchise hauler and operator of Napa’s Recycling & Composting Facility

I got my start in Zero Waste over 20 years ago – first with the Middlebury College recycling program, and then for non-profit recycling organizations in San Francisco.  I’ve been at Napa Recycling for 12 years and work on program development, implementation and outreach…plus I talk about chickens & earthquakes at Recycling Update.

As NCRA board member and co-chair of the Outreach & Activities Committee, I’ve helped coordinate events, organize facility tours, & fundraise for Recycling Update.  I believe NCRA can and should be a leader on the hot topics of the day, including increasing organics diversion through more infrastructure and program participation and finding solutions to the current recycling market woes.

NCRA and our members are Zero Waste pioneers, and I am honored to help carry that forward.  We are a collaborative, exciting, and down-to-earth bunch, and I’d be pleased to continue to serve on the Board.

Janette E. Drew
I welcome the opportunity to be of service to NCRA. I believe that recycling, stewardship, and excellent governance are perfect partners for our community.  I am passionate about our environment and the preservation of our beautiful area for future generations to enjoy.

I am grateful to live in an area that takes its waste management seriously and constantly seeks to implement best practices on an ongoing basis. NCRA’s efforts ensure that there is a voice and a platform for recycling concerns to be heard and in particular, actions be taken.

My contributions:

  • Trustee of a national nonprofit managing billions of member assets
  • Member, Socially Responsible Investing
  • Trustee of a local nonprofit providing care & support to at risk families
  • Member, Finance committee
  • Commercial Finance and banking background
  • Various leadership roles: President, Chairperson, Secretary, Executive
  • Participant, Clean the Bay
  • Master Recycler graduate, RecycleSmart’s inaugural program, 2016

I am a 19 year resident of Contra Costa County and have held various local and national community relations roles. I have successfully built and maintained good relationships between the organization and interested parties including governing bodies, community organizations, clients, and other stakeholders.

Alexandra Hoffmann-Bradley, Incumbent
My Zero Waste career began a decade ago as a Recycling Coordinator for Waste Management. I later worked in electronics recycling, now I’m focused on climate change and textiles. I’m proud to have written two SFE Zero Waste grants totaling $100,000. I’m currently developing textile recycling programs and outreach for local schools. My passion for recycling ignited when I won a school contest for the beverage recycling program in the 80’s and I want to ignite that same passion in everyone I meet!

I’ve loved serving on the board these past 2 ½ years. I worked on the ZW Advocacy Committee’s plastic bag ban campaign.  Next year I’m interested in getting a grassroots lobbying team together to send to the Capital.

I’m Co-Chair of the Activities Committee playing a large role in organizing mixers, mentorships, tours, and RU. I ensure everyone is fed and happy at our events. I’m pumped up about RU 2018 and Zero Waste Week, as it’s NCRA’s 40th anniversary we have some phenomenal ideas to celebrate Zero Waste. I hope that you will put your faith in me to continue to see those through as I still have much to contribute. Humbly asking for your vote.

David Krueger, Incumbent
I have served on the NCRA Board of Directors since May 2015.  I’ve been the Treasurer for the past year and participate in NCRA’s Zero Waste Advocacy Committee.  Recent accomplishments include working on NCRA’s campaign to ban single-use plastic shopping bags, organizing a tour of the West Contra Costa composting facility, and writing support letters for the Altamont composting facility and for increased processing payments to Buyback centers.  I have over 25 years of professional experience in the recycling industry, having worked for cities, haulers, consulting firms, and a college recycling program.  If re-elected I will work to increase networking and educational opportunities for NCRA members and to update our administrative systems and procedures.  I respectfully ask for your vote.

John Moore, Incumbent
I have served on the Board for the past 10 years and consider it an honor to do so. When I first joined the Board I realized that NCRA needed to develop younger leadership and membership and I am gratified to see that this is happening. With the urgency of climate change and its focus on greenhouse gas emissions, the NCRA Zero Waste mission is more relevant than ever. While the battle to stop counting ADC as diversion was won, methane-producing organic material keeps being landfilled despite the beneficial alternative of compost and the drive to recover surplus and edible food.

NCRA has a special place in the fabric of California advocacy of the 3 Rs. I would like to see NCRA continue to be in the forefront on climate change issues arising from disposal of post-consumer materials, recovery of edible surplus food to be delivered to the food insecure, and to stem the tide of plastic pollution. I request your vote so that I may continue to be part of the leadership towards these goals.

Laura Zamora
I want to be a candidate for the opening board member position.  I am a High School Environmental Science Teacher in Alameda.  I work tirelessly to engage my students in environmental science topics and citizen scientist projects.  On campus, I am working to make the campus more sustainable by building a sustainable garden and I am currently working with the Environmental Awareness Club to start adopting a Zero Waste campaign.

I am also a leader in the educator community- I am a lead teacher with the California International Studies Project.  I teach other educators about Environmental Justice and how they can implement action projects designed around Environmental Justice in their community.

It would be an honor and a privilege to be considered for this board member position.  I believe it is imperative to include the educator community because we have the ability to shape and influence our youth to live more sustainably.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

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HELP STEER CALIFORNIA TOWARDS ZERO WASTE! JOIN THE NCRA BOARD!

Be at the heart of a thought-leading recycling organization! NCRA has been a leader in zero waste thinking for almost 40 years and is still leading and inspiring innovation in our industry. You can help develop the cutting edge of recycling, while getting to know many of your regional recycling colleagues, by serving on the Board of Directors.

Five (5) Board positions will be open in January. It’s a two-year working post. Attendance at nearly all ten meetings a year is important, as is working between meetings on at least one committee. Meetings move around the greater Bay Area. Phone participation is possible at some locations, but not all, and may be especially difficult at tour sites. Directors discuss policy issues, hear debates, and influence regional and national recycling thinking. They track and comment on legislation; listen to leaders in the regional industry; work on behalf of colleagues who need a boost; tackle issues that can’t be ignored; tour facilities; and talk business with operators. Benefits include free entrance to the annual Recycling Update.

Notify NCRA staff by NOVEMBER 17, 2017 that you want to run.  To run, tell us you’re a candidate, and then submit a campaign statement of up to 200 words. Say who you are and why you’d like to serve. Please include your LinkedIn profile link. PLEASE read last years statements.

Help build your industry! Have fun with your colleagues! Get your statement in!

New BOARD Members ANNOUNCED!

2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS INSTALLED
Six new directors were announced at the January 19 members’ meeting!

Congratulations for being reelected Douglas Brooms, Laura McKaughan and Jessica Robinson, and welcome Rebecca Jewell, Hilary Near and Steven Sherman.

They join Jessica Connolly, Alexandra Hoffman, David Krueger and John Moore, whose terms end in January 2018.

ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING – THURSDAY 1-19-2017

Please join us for our annual meeting where we will announce the results of the Board Election and brainstorm our focus for 2017.  Meeting will be held at the StopWaste office at 1537 Webster Street, Oakland 94612. Email us to RSVP, or with any questions you may have.

Tentative Agenda is as follows:

6:00pm Food and Group Sharing
6:30pm Call to Order & Welcome Members
6:40pm Annual State of NCRA Address (McKaughan)
7:00pm Group brainstorming and input on NCRA areas of priority for 2017

8:00pm Election Committee shares results of recent board election (Marra, Van Deventer)

8:15pm Meeting wrap-up and “green” drinks afterwards at a local watering hole