International Environmental Communication Association

2011 Launch Plan

Name: International Environmental Communication Association (working title)
http://environmentalcomm.org

Mission: An international professional forum for promoting and integrating

environmental communication (EC) practice, research, and teaching
consistent with the goals of social and ecological sustainability in diverse
contexts. As such, the IECA supports and promotes:
*Research and scholarship in EC
*Pedagogy, teaching and curriculum development in
undergraduate and graduate EC
*Development of good practices in applied EC
*Outreach to those interested in EC including community members
and non governmental organizations policy makers, business members
*Connections and collaborations across state, disciplinary and
organizational “borders”

Functions: 1. Conference Support: IECA will provide coordination for the

biennial Conference on Communication and the Environment (COCE), and
will seek to develop other conference sponsorship opportunities. In
support of the association’s desire to maintain a low carbon footprint,
conference sponsorship will also include development and support of
virtual conference opportunities.
2. Journal Support: IECA will support Environmental Communication:
Journal of Nature and Culture
(http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/17524032.asp). IECA will provide
editorial support, including monetary and intellectual resources necessary
to continue its strong publication record, and structural support, including
selection of editorial leadership.
3. Network Support: IECA will support the Environmental Communication
Network (ECN), which houses the email listserv, “Indications” blog, COCE
proceedings, and the ECN website (http://www.esf.edu/ecn/) with links to
journals, conferences, higher education programs and courses in
environmental communication, and an extensive bibliography and
filmography. Support functions will initially be developed on an as-
needed basis, with the overall goal being to institutionalize these efforts
and ultimately expand on the efficacy, longevity, and scope of the ECN.
4. Other Activities that support the association’s mission, including the
facilitation of collaborative research activities, educational programming,
community engagement, and other projects as developed by members
and interested parties.
Members: Open to individuals and organizations who are involved in the research,
education, and practice of environmental communication and who are willing
to support the association’s mission and activities. IECA seeks a broad and
diverse membership base so as to promote the fruitful exchange of ideas
across geographic, professional and disciplinary boundaries, and to provide
the greatest benefit to the largest audience of interested parties.

Benefits: Material: discounted journal subscription and conference registration fees.

Informational: access to membership directory that functions as a
database of experts and provides networking opportunities.
Solidarity: participation in the international EC community that is
propagated by the association’s LISTSERV, committees and working groups,
and member activities.
Purposive: guidance in setting the direction and activities of the association
by voting in IECA elections, and by serving on and leading committees or
working groups.

Costs: Membership dues will provide primary financial support for IECA functions.
Additional funding sources (grants, donations) will be sought as the
association develops. IECA will explore the feasibility of a tiered dues
system correlating to membership categories such as individual, institutional,
student, International Academic Group, and Practitioner (Activist, NGO, Public
Administrator), and will also explore offering differential membership fees
based on country of residence. Examples: Society for Prevention Research
(www.preventionscience.org) and European Communication Research and
Education Association (www.ecrea.eu).

Governance: IECA will be governed based on a set of organizational by-laws (to be

developed) that will promote diversity of participation, openness, and
accountability in the performance of activities consistent with its mission.
IECA structure will include both elected officers and volunteer positions, and
may also be supported by paid staff as needed. Elections for IECA leadership
positions will be held in Spring, 2011.

Launch Plan: IECA will be launched during the first six months of 2011. Launch will be
accomplished through the establishment of four volunteer working groups:
financial, organizational, membership/outreach, and web
site/elections. Timeline of activities is as follows:
November 2010 Hold NCA forum to discuss roll-out of new association; recruit
leaders and members for interim "launch team" working groups
December 2010 Initiate “launch team” working group activities; open checking
 account and provide initial seed money for “launch team” (from
journal editorial support fund); solicit seed money from additional
sources
By March 1, 2011 Launch association web site; post IECA by-laws on web site;
establish election process (details for participation will be posted
on web site, ECN and other list-servs); distribute call for
nominations for IECA board members/officers
By May 2011 Hold electronic election to endorse by-laws and election board
members/officers
June 2011 Formally launch new association and install officers at COCE in El
Paso TX; hold first board meeting of new association; disband
“launch team”
By end of 2011 Obtain location and incorporation status for new association;
establish fee structure and collect dues for 2012 membership
Questions? E-mail: depoesp@ucmail.uc.edu