United Way Seeks Community Help for Largest Ever "Day of Caring" Volunteer Event

August 29, 2023 - The United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) is seeking volunteers from throughout the community to help put on their largest ever "Day of Caring" event on Friday, September 15. The 28th annual event will deploy volunteers to undertake short-term projects at dozens of local non-profits, schools and other service organizations.

The Day of Caring brings community members together for 4 hours--from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.--to assist agencies with tasks they may not otherwise have the resources to complete. This year, due to factors including reduced staffing and increased community needs, agencies have submitted a record number of 65 projects. More than 400 volunteers have already signed up, but UWNCM needs an additional 150 volunteers to ensure all projects are filled.

Projects are located throughout the North Central Massachusetts region and include indoor and outdoor opportunities, ranging from repainting a school playground to cleaning up a community park, sewing book bags for babies, helping English-language learners with literacy by playing board games, and taking event photos.

All Day of Caring Volunteers are invited to kick off breakfasts being held in both Fitchburg and Athol as well as an end-of-day Thank You Barbecue at the Polish American Citizens Club in Gardner.

Several local companies also support the Day of Caring by sponsoring the event and enabling their employees to volunteer during work hours. Randi Vincent, UWNCM Senior Manager of Data & Technology and lead staff member of the Day of Caring, notes that the event is a true community effort.

"We are so grateful to everyone who helps bring this amazing day to life, including our many volunteers, corporate partners, and event steering committee members," says Vincent. "Right now, the need in our region is greater than ever, which means we also have an opportunity to make a bigger impact than ever."

Learn more about the Day of Caring and sign up at volunteer.uwncm.org.

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.

UMass Amherst Clean Energy Extension Hosts Western Massachusetts Solar Forum

In collaboration with members of the Western Massachusetts State Delegation

The Western Massachusetts Solar Forum is a series of online public discussions and information-sharing sessions focused on the opportunities and challenges associated with solar photovoltaic development and installation in western Massachusetts.

Part I of the Forum will consist of four virtual sessions led by experts representing a diversity of perspectives who will provide an overview of the current state of solar deployment, including challenges, opportunities, and current initiatives. Attendee perspectives will be incorporated through pre- and post-Forum surveys, session polls, and Q&A. Part I of the Forum will be held on each Tuesday in September 2023 (more details below).

Based on participant interest, there are plans for a Part II of the Forum, that would be held in Spring 2024.

Organizers:
UMass Clean Energy Extension
Senator Jo Comerford
Representative Mindy Domb
Planning committee of stakeholders and experts

Agenda for Part I of the Forum:

September 5 - Session 1: Solar in Massachusetts - Past, Present, and Future
Introduction; Solar Energy Basics; The Solar Market in 2023; State Climate Goals; Current State Laws, Regulations, and Planning; Future Needs for Electricity, Solar, Energy Storage, and the Grid

September 12 - Session 2: Solar Development & Land Use in Massachusetts
State Laws & Regulations re: Solar/Land Use; Local Bylaws and Ordinances; Current Patterns of Solar Development Relative to Land Use; Balancing Climate Goals with Other Public Interests (Food Production, Farmland Protection, Wildlife Conservation, Recreation, Carbon Sequestration); Current Efforts to Address Challenges and Land Use Trade-Offs

September 19 - Session 3: Solar Equity and Community Benefits
State Laws & Regulations re: Community Benefits, Low-Income Electricity Ratepayers; Municipal/Nonprofit Access to Solar; Current Status of Solar Ownership & Distribution of Solar Incentive Benefits; Models for Local Solar Ownership; Equity of Community-Shared Solar; Geographic Equity; Electricity Rates; Power Dynamics between Large Developers and Small Communities

September 26 - Session 4: Perspectives on Solar
Perspectives on Solar PV Deployment in Massachusetts

Additional Details:
These discussions are open to members of the general public, and all interested in participating are welcome to register through this link: https://web.cvent.com/event/c33d3022-39cf-4aa4-8633-8cf6820bb31a/regProcessStep1

For additional information on the Forum, please visit this page: https://cvent.me/Onzl9G