National Convening Program Books 2015 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 8

FROM THE NETWORK

YEO National Convening | 2015
7

Environmental
Impact

Inclusion

The Young Elected Officials Network
is committed to supporting YEOs
in bringing freedom, fairness, and
opportunity to their communities. We
are also doing our part to create a more
conscientious, socially responsible, and
greener National Convening.

The YEO Network is committed to
creating a sense of community and a
safe and positive space for all of our
members and guests, and so remind
everyone of the centrality of human
rights and solidarity in our work.

For those seeking to lessen their carbon
footprints, all of our materials are available online
for download. In addition, the YEO Network is
cutting down on emissions by utilizing shared
transportation when transporting YEOs in large
groups. Our hotel, the Washington Court, is
union-owned and operated by the International
Union of Operating Engineers. All of the hotel
associates are members in Local 25, 51, and 99.
This program book was printed with soy-based
inks on Forest Stewardship Council-certified, 10
percent post-consumer recycled content paper.
Our printer, a member of Local 72-C, sources 100
percent of their electricity from wind.
Due to the ongoing drought in California, it’s
important for the Network that we also partner
with a hotel whose green efforts reduce water
consumption and promote robust recycling
programs. In addition to using products made
from recycled materials, the hotel composts all
food waste and uses compostable packaging.
The Washington Court Hotel also supports
the local economy by sourcing the bulk of
its shellfish and seafood–as well as all of its
produce, lamb, beef, and chicken–from local
fishermen and farms.
We encourage attendees and partners to
minimize their water consumption and carbon
footprint during our Convening and beyond. We
ask that YEOs take steps to decrease shower
times, reuse hotel linens, and use reusable water
bottles when possible. Thank you for your efforts
to ensure a more sustainable future, both here in
Washington, DC and in your work at home.

We each come to the table with personal
stories, perspectives, privileges, and powers, and
sometimes, even when our actions may not be
intentionally harmful, what we say and do can
offend others or make them feel uncomfortable.
In line with the YEO Network’s vision,
we encourage everyone to be transformative
change-makers by acting courageously and
openly, with respect for the knowledge and
experience of others. We encourage you to be
intentional and inclusive in the language that you
use and the way you communicate with partners
and other attendees at the conference, including
use of gender-neutral language. We encourage
you to show courtesy and respect for others’
experiences and to listen with an open mind,
always challenging your own assumptions.
The YEO Network is also dedicated to
providing a harassment-free conference
experience for everyone, regardless of gender,
gender identity an BW