Southern Sierran
Going Green Together: Angeles Chapter Staff and Activists at the Go Green Expo

By Maddalena Serra
Conservation Coordinator

Conservation Coordinator Jennifer Robinson with activists Michael Popoff and Stephenie Frederick at the Angeles Chapter booth

Ron Silverman and Jennifer Robinson Photo by Michael Popoff

The weekend of January 23-25, Angeles Chapter activists joined Senior Chapter Director Ron Silverman and Conservation Coordinators Jennifer Robinson and Maddalena Serra, at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the Go Green Expo, where the Angeles Chapter was both a sponsor and an exhibitor. The event lasted three days: one was reserved for business to business interaction, while the other two were open to the public.

When Senior Chapter Ron Silverman arranged for the Chapter to attend, there was only a skeleton crew—Silverman and the two Conservation Coordinators. However, when a request went out for volunteer support, the response was truly overwhelming, and we here at the Chapter Headquarters wish to thank every person who attended in support of this great event.

Many of our committees were represented. The Water Committee's Charming Evelyn, Stephenie Fredericks and Michelle Theis attended as well as the Green Building Committee's Jeff Horowitz and Blair Siebert. Also present was Michael Popoff of the Montebello Task Force.

The Go Green Expo provided a great opportunity for the Angeles Chapter to reach a very diverse public. Unsurprisingly, many in attendance were of the green persuasion, but we even had the opportunity to educate Expo attendees who showed up out of curiosity

In addition to spreading the word about the Angeles Chapter and its mission, we were able to get petitions signed to curb global warming, and sold some calendars. Our booth was busy and buzzing with activity, people were very happy to see us there. The response to our work and our campaigns was overwhelmingly positive, thanks in large part to our engaging, enthusiastic volunteers, who were able to even recruit people onto our listservs.

More than 10,000 people visited the expo, ensuring that Chapter staff and volunteers did not have a free moment throughout the weekend. There were about 300 eco-oriented businesses, ranging from Solar Panels manufacturers and installers to small organic clothing companies to organic and fair trade Products,electric vehicles and various eco-products in between.

We were thrilled with the attendance and our booth was literally swarmed most of the time, it sure helped to be next to an eco-friendly personnel agency which was visited by many people; they also tried to recruit the volunteers! Our booth was also visited several times by a cute funny character: a Green Man, totally covered in green spandex including face, feet and hands!

On Friday evening, Go Green Expo showcased the Sundance award winning film "FUEL" with an eco-celebrity panel. On Saturday morning, the consumer event opened with a special Green Ribbon Cutting Ceremony that highlighted artwork created by a 4th grader who participated in the Mayor's Office art contest managed by its organization "LA's BEST".

It was a great weekend, and it proved that many businesses and consumers are interested in green solutions for a healthy life and a healthy environment. We look forward to attending again in years to come.

More than 10,000 people visited the Go Green Expo, sponsored in part by the Angeles Chapter Photo courtesy of Go Green Expo

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