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Mission:
The Student Advocates for Valuing the Environment Foundation, 501(c)3 is the evolution of a student recycling effort at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Our mission is to promote environmental stewardship through environmental awareness and the 3R's of reduce, reuse, recycle. Since our first fund raising event as a non-profit was America Recycles Day on November 15, 2004 have worked to expand recycling visibility and infrastructure, developed a biodiesel program, hosted large community celebrations of Earth Day, and more. S.A.V.E. recycled more than 100,000lbs in 2005, 250,000 lbs in 2006, and 500,000 lbs in 2007. We have begun a Biodiesel Montana program, to bring an engaging education program to rural schools across the state, in a combination country music show plus biodiesel demonstration. Biodiesel Montana has traveled over 2,000 miles on 100% Biodiesel! S.A.V.E. has also worked to promote a conservation policy agenda at the Montana Legislature, passing legislation enabling graywater systems, legalizing neighborhood electric vehicles, and funding electronics recycling efforts.
The S.A.V.E. Foundation, 501(c)3
Board of Directors, Staff, and Interns
Kate, Caleb, Bomba, and Charlie at the Office /
Aaron with fiancee and mom / Chris recycling plastics / Matt in Cascades
Leslie bikes to model recycling in Utah / Caleb / Kyle passes on Biodiesel demo
batch
Board of Directors:
The S.A.V.E. Foundation Board of Directors is a dedicated crew committed to bringing environmental opportunities to the Helena community and statewide at the Capital.
Aaron Perry: With an extensive background in civil
engineering and land surveying (6 years), experience in planning at the state
and local level, as well as a BA in finance from Carroll College, Aaron brings
a strong, business edge to S.A.V.E. planning and policy. He has recently worked
as an energy trader in La Jolla, CA and is currently working with a developer
and financiers to launch a new vehicle to help fund small dynamic companies.
Alaina Garcia: Junior Aeronautic Engineering Major
(3-2 program with Notre Dame) at Carroll College, born and raised in Bozeman,
and S.A.V.E. lead director for alternative fuels, particularly biofuel production
from waste fry oil for newest for S.A.V.E. vehicle. Alaina recently spent a
year in Chile working on solar panels before returning to engineering studies
at Notre Dame.
Caleb Cantwell-Frank: Seasonal Wilderness Ranger in
the Flathead National Forest, Ceramic Assistant, B.A. in Sociology (Carroll
College 2003), and veteran supervising recycler with S.A.V.E. efforts. Recently
created more than 100 custom mugs for the Wild Wild West Marathon in his hometown
of Lone Pine, CA using 100% recycled clay. Caleb's
Project.
Chris Lambert: Chris has a B.A. in Political Science
and International Relations who joined the board in January of 2006. He has
volunteered with S.A.V.E. for some time and brings extensive insight of policy
and strategy for S.A.V.E. Chris currently works on the staff of Sen. Max Baucus
in Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Hill-Hart: Jennifer joined S.A.V.E.'s board in May 2007. She has a degree Environmental Studies. Once moving to Montana with Americorps, she was impressed with SAVE's work in the community – the community plastics drop-off program and the grassroots nature of our Biodiesel Montana outreach program. She is currently a grad student in Missoula, and plans to start law school at the University of Montana next year.
Kate Wilson, Secretary:: Kate was the editor and producer behind three years of Carroll’s literary magazine Colors, which she has expanded to involve the larger community. She holds a B.A. in Public Relations and Communications (Carroll College 2005). Kate is now the lead assistant to The North Idaho Lakes Commission.
Kent Schlosser, Treasurer: Kent is an accountant with the Montana State Fund.
Leslie McClain: Leslie is a Carroll College Graduate
in Environmental Studies, with an Honors Thesis on urban planning. She worked
as the legislative intern for the Montana Environmental Information Center during
the 2005 Legislative Session. She is currently S.A.V.E.'s lead grant editor.
Matthew Elsaesser, Executive Director:: Matt is a
Carroll graduate through the Honors Scholars Program with a minor in Mathematics
in 2003. He has overseen the growth of the S.A.V.E. Foundation as a non-profit.
Through Matt's committment to the organization, S.A.V.E. has evolved into the
city- and state-wide advocate for recycling and conservation that it is today.
Matt currently serves as Executive Director.
Stephanie Knisley: Steph is currently the Program Director for
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Helena. She is a University of Vermont graduate
and has completed two years of AmeriCorps service: one with City Year in Columbus,
Ohio, and one in Helena with the Prevention Resource Center. Steph also is a
ski instructor at Great Divide.
Tyler Evilsizer, Chairman. Tyler is a current student
at Carroll College, born and raised in Helena. He will graduate with a B.A.
in Political Science and International Relations.. He is a S.A.V.E. student
leader on campus, and spent the Spring 2007 semester as S.A.V.E.'s lobbyist
at the Capital. Tyler currently holds an Americorps volunteer position with
S.A.V.E., where he is involved with public relations and publications..
Current Staff/Internships:
Matt Elsaesser, Executive Director. See above.
Kyle Perkins, Climb Helena Co-Chair. Kyle joined
The S.A.V.E. Foundation in December 2005 and has worked to maintain and expand
S.A.V.E. recycling operations, particularly with business pickups in Helena.
Kyle lives in a log cabinjust outside of Helena and climbs and mountaineers
when not working for S.A.V.E. He also coaches Helena's youth climbing team,
the Thunder Chickens, supported by S.A.V.E.'s ClimbHelena.com effort. The group
took first place in nearly all divisions entered at a competition in south Idaho
in 2007 and are looking forward to a great season this year.
Spence Marks. Spencer joining the S.A.V.E. crew as
an intern accountant in Spring 2005 and continues to help S.A.V.E. by volunteering
his time to help manage S.A.V.E.'s finances. He will graduate from Carroll College
this Spring and plans to remain in Helena.
Tyler Evilsizer, Legislative Intern/Co-Lobbyist 2007 session: Tyler is S.A.V.E.'s lead for common sense legislation to support conservation, recycling and biodiesel in the 2007 session. See above.
Dani Hess, High School Intern: Dani signed on as our office intern in January 2007. She coordinates S.A.V.E. efforts with the recycling group at Capital High School. When she's not playing volleyball, Dani is helping the office run smoother.
More Photos of S.A.V.E. Leadership, Staff, and Interns:
Caleb, Kate, Aaron, Alaina, Matt, Greg (founding,
former board member) at a
Jason DeShaw concert at The BrewHouse in Downtown Helena.
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