The Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative is a coalition of over 50 nonprofit environmental organizations from across the state, representing over 85,000 households. The participating groups include local land trusts, coastal protection groups, environmental justice organizations, watershed associations, and other resource conservation and environmental health groups.

Many of the issues that environmentalists care about are decided, or strongly influenced, at the state level. These include issues like water supply and quality, river and coastal protection, air pollution, open space preservation, transportation and land use planning, wetlands and wildlife conservation, environmental health protection, and hazardous waste site cleanup. However, many groups around the commonwealth do not have the resources to take part in debates and decision-making around these issues, and some groups may prefer not to directly engage in advocacy. Environmental forces are thus often not as well represented in these discussions as they should be, and concerned citizens miss out on the chance to take part in decisions that affect them. Public policy (and ultimately the environment) suffers as a result. The Collaborative is an important means of improving the quality and quantity of participation by environmentally concerned citizens in state-level decision-making processes.

The Collaborative is dedicated to protecting the commonwealth’s environment and public health by improving the research, advocacy, and communication capabilities of individual member organizations and of the Collaborative as a whole. By working together to promote a forward-looking environmental agenda, we are also strengthening the cohesion of environmentally-concerned organizations in the commonwealth.

Member-based nonprofit organizations that share a commitment to protecting the environment and public health of the commonwealth are invited to join the Collaborative. Members range from large regional organizations to local grassroots groups.

Members of the Collaborative receive the following benefits:

• Access to computer services and publications that provide up-to-date information about state-level policy decision-making including hearing schedules, the full text of bills, and committee assignments.
• Membership in the Collaborative’s Action Alert network focused on state-level decisions affecting the environment.
• Timely reports and issue updates on key environmental topics.
• Participation in advocacy workshops and issues forums. Events have included a half-day seminar focusing on the future of the Massachusetts environment as well as a forum discussing the implementation and impact of the state’s Watershed Initiative.
• Consultation on how to improve advocacy on issues of special concern to your group.
• Many opportunities to interact with other environmental organizations from around the state.
• Participation in the election of the Collaborative’s representatives to the ELM Board of Directors.

Ultimately, the greatest benefit of participating will be greater success in achieving a strong, sustainable environment for Massachusetts.

Members work cooperatively to help set the commonwealth’s environmental agenda; share information about local conditions and issues; take part in and encourage their members to take part in the "Action Alert" network; and contribute their fair share to the Collaborative budget, including paying annual dues.

The modest annual dues are based on a sliding scale according to each organization’s previous year budget.

If last year’s operating budget was:	Dues are:
$ 0 -- 25,000	$100
$ 25,000 -- 50,000	$250
$ 50,001 -- 100,000	$350
$ 100,001 -- 250,000	$500
$ 250,001 -- 500,000	$750
$ 500,001 -- 1,000,000	$1,000
$1,000,001 -- 5,000,000	$1,500
$5,000,001 -- 10,000,000	$2,000
Over 10,000,000	$2,500

In addition, small, unstaffed organizations with budgets under $10,000 have the option to join as associate members with dues of $50. Associate members do not participate in the governance of ELM, but otherwise take part on par with members. During the first year of the Collaborative (1998), the option of associate membership is extended to groups with budgets up to $25,000.

Dues are submitted by January 31 of each year. This date allows groups to choose to draw their contributions from either their previous year’s budget or the new year’s funds. New members pay their dues at the time of joining.

Representatives of member groups meet quarterly to discuss agenda setting and decide on action plans. As needed, committees may meet more often in person, electronically, or via conference call.

The primary form of communication for the Collaborative is electronic either through mailings on the Collaborative listserv or through postings on the Collaborative website. The website can be found at EnvironmentalLeague.org. Along with links to Collaborative members, state agencies, and other relevant sites, the Collaborative website includes up-to-date information about key environmental issues, job listings, press contacts, and advocacy tools. Of course, we still use the phone, fax, and U.S. mail as well.

How is the Collaborative governed?
The day-to-day activities of the Collaborative are managed by the Environmental League of Massachusetts. Representatives of Collaborative members meet quarterly to review the state’s current environmental issues and the agenda of the Collaborative. A smaller Policy Committee prioritizes the Collaborative’s agenda items, strategies for action, and advises ELM. When necessary, ad-hoc committees may be formed to address specific issues of importance to members.

The Collaborative’s agenda reflects the interest of its members and may change over time as new issues emerge or new opportunities or threats arise. Current participants have strong interests in land conservation, water quality, environmental justice, coastal protection, sustainable development, environmental health, and land use planning.

ELM is a non-profit, member-based 501(c)(3) entity. Its mission is to bring about strong, responsible environmental laws and policies and to see to it that they are well implemented, managed, and funded. ELM administers the day-to-day activities of the Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative; provides staff and facilities for the Collaborative; and organizes Collaborative events. By joining the Collaborative, groups become organizational members of ELM.

The Collaborative members elect approximately one quarter of ELM's board of directors from among the representatives of member organizations. Associate members of the Collaborative do not take part in the members’ election of ELM directors.

Collaborative membership does not imply agreement with any particular position adopted by ELM. Written or oral testimony or position statements offered by ELM on issues of interest to Collaborative members will either reference the specific extent of support by Collaborative members or include a disclaimer to the effect that the views expressed do not necessarily represent every member of the Collaborative.

Contact the ELM staff at (617) 742-2553.

Absolutely. The following people would be pleased to discuss any aspect of the Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative with you:

Ed Becker, Essex County Greenbelt Association, (978) 765-7241

Kathy Baskin, Charles River Watershed Association, (781) 788-0007

Jim Gomes
ELM President
Environmental League of Massachusetts
14 Beacon Street, Suite 714
Boston, MA 02108
phone (617) 742-2553
fax (617) 742-9656
e-mail jgomes@environmentalleague.org
www.EnvironmentalLeague.org