Curriculum 2012

Meeting Agenda

Each meeting will examine (1) the nature of a current environmental problem facing New York City, (2) the responses, and (3) the remaining challenges.  This examination will take place mindful of (1) the special ecological, social and economic dynamics of the urban environment, (2) the relationships between sources of law and jurisdictions, and (3) the potential for solving environmental problems through law and policy.  Each class will end with a discussion exploring (1) what our ultimate goals should be, (2) how we can get there, and (3) what roles attorneys can play.

Meeting Format

The Institute will meet every other Thursday, from 6:00-9:00pm, beginning on Thursday, February 2, 2012 and ending on Thursday, May 10, 2010, for a total of 8 meetings. Light refreshments will be served at each meeting. The general format for the meetings is as follows:

6:00-6:05pm: Welcome and Announcements

6:05-6:30pm: Presentation and Discussion of Summaries from Previous Class

6:30-7:10pm: Presenter 1

7:10-7:50pm: Presenter 2

7:50-8:30pm: Presenter 3

8:30-8:55pm: Discussion

8:55-9:00pm:Evaluations and Closing

Calendar

Meeting 1: Introduction and Orientation

Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: United States Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 27th Floor

Opening Reception

Cocktail reception for new participants, advisory board members, presenters, and alumni.

Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: Arnold & Porter, 399 Park Avenue, 34th Floor, New York, NY  10022

Meeting 2: Landscape

Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: United States Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 27th Floor

Meeting 3: Air Quality

Date: Thursday, March 1, 2012

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: United States Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 27th Floor

Meeting 4: Waste

Date: Thursday, March 15, 2012

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: United States Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 27th Floor

Meeting 5: Water Quality

Date: Thursday, March 29, 2012

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: United States Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 27th Floor

Meeting 6: Avenues of Change

Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: United States Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 27th Floor

Meeting 7: Methods of Change

Date: Thursday, April 26, 2012

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: United States Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 27th Floor

Meeting 8: Project Presentations and Course Evaluation

Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: United States Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 27th Floor

Graduation Luncheon

Gala luncheon with keynote speaker and graduation ceremony to celebrate the participants' completion of the institute and to recognize their commitment to leadership and service.

Date: Friday, May 18, 2012

Time: 12:00-2:00pm

Location: House of the New York City Bar Association, 42 West 44th Street

Tours

Several tours of environmentally significant sights will be conducted on select days (usually Saturdays) throughout the course.  These will be announced as they are confirmed.  Sign-up sheets for each tour will be circulated at a preceding class meeting.  Some tours may have a limited capacity, so priority will be given to those who sign up at the meeting.

Environmental Quality Improvement Projects (E-QIPs)

Participants will develop and implement a project, independently or in collaboration with other participants, designed to improve environmental quality in New York City.  Project proposals will be presented to the class at the eighth meeting and announced at the Graduation Luncheon.

Also at the Graduation Luncheon, a project will be chosen, from among those from the previous year that are substantially complete, for recognition with a monetary “E-QIP” award.  The award may be used for project-related expenses or to otherwise support work on the issue that the project addressed.  NYCELLI Advisory Board Members and Alumni are available to support and guide participants in the selection and execution of their project.

Tuition

The tuition for the program is $600 for private attorneys, $500 for government attorneys and $400 for non-profit attorneys. For those experiencing financial hardship, a hardship subsidy is available upon request to ensure that no qualified applicant is denied participation for inability to pay. Tuition must be received by Friday, January 27, 2012.

Attendance

Participants are expected to attend all 8 meetings and at least 2 tours in order to graduate.

Should an absence be unavoidable, participants are expected to notify the Director in advance.

Assignments

Participants will each be responsible for writing a digest of one meeting, from meetings 1-5, summarizing the lectures, and focusing on remaining challenges and opportunities for action and leadership.  With 15 participants and 5 topical meetings, 3 participants will write about each topical meeting.  Digests are due to the Director one week after the meeting, for circulation to the class, so all participants can review them for discussion during the following class.

Governance and Alumni Involvement

At the end of each course, the class will be invited to select one participant to serve on the NYCELLI Board of Advisors for a three-year term. Board service involves active leadership, approximately two Board meetings per year and ongoing guidance and support for the Institute.