Trainings & Events

We're making Earth Day last.

Who says Earth Day begins and ends on April 22? We're officially extending it - at least on our little corner of the earth - to include April 30. That's when Brenda Mallory, Waterbury native and Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, will join us with an inspiring Earth Day message. Chair Mallory will be followed by Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT 5th), and Senator Richard Blumenthal. Registrants will have the opportunity to ask questions about their approach to improving, preserving, and protecting America’s public health and environment.

Please register to join us for this special event on Tuesday, April 30, at noon. While registering, be sure to let us know what questions you would ask our guests.
 

Join Sustainable CT and Diane Ifkovic from DEEP to learn more about how your municipality can pursue floodplain management strategies through the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System (CRS). There will be information about the CRS program, available resources, and earning Sustainable CT certification points under Action 5.9.

This webinar is eligible for Certified Connecticut Municipal Official (CCMO) professional development credit from the CT Conference of Municipalities.
 

This free, three-part, virtual equity workshop series provides a comprehensive framework of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Attendance at all three sessions is required. Sessions run 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on: April 10, May 15, and June 12. Content will be geared to help Sustainability Teams integrate equity considerations into their Sustainable CT initiatives. Who should attend? Sustainability Team members (elected officials, municipal staff, commissioners, volunteers) in registered Sustainable CT communities. Attendance is capped at 35. This will be a live training and will not be recorded. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.

Attendees will participate in three different workshops:

Beyond Unconscious Bias: Creating Systemic Change (April 10): This workshop goes beyond recognizing unconscious bias to crafting strategies for systemic change. Municipal leaders will learn how to audit policies and practices for bias, engage in reform, and implement long-term strategies for inclusivity. The session offers a mix of theoretical insights and practical tools to reshape the municipal landscape for equity and justice.

Race and Community: Deepening Engagement and Solidarity (May 15): This workshop is designed to deepen community engagement around issues of race and racism. Participants will learn about solidarity-based strategies and how to support movements for racial justice at the local level. This interactive session will focus on building partnerships, coalitions, and networks that can amplify efforts to challenge racism and build equitable communities.

Persuasion for Progress: Influencing Change in Community Attitudes (June 12): Aiming to create progressive shifts in community attitudes, this workshop provides participants with nuanced approaches to persuasion. Understanding that change often meets resistance, this session equips leaders with psychological insights and advanced communication strategies to transform skepticism into support for the Be READI© principles.

This webinar is eligible for Certified Connecticut Municipal Official (CCMO) professional development credit from the CT Conference of Municipalities.
 

Our Spring into Summer 2024 event will take place at ;Wickham Park in Manchester on June 11 from 4 to 7 p.m.

We're coming full circle - back to the place where we celebrated those who participated in creating Sustainable CT with a "party in the park" in July, 2017. This year, in addition to celebrating the progress Connecticut communities have made over the years, we'll also be bidding farewell to our retiring executive director and founder, Lynn Stoddard. We’ll provide light fare and good cheer, and beautiful Wickham Park will provide the ambiance.

Sponsorship opportunities are available! Join us in working for a better Connecticut. By sponsoring our Spring into Summer 2024 event, you'll align your company with our reputation as a trusted and valuable support program for municipal leaders and an innovative thought-leader in building livable communities. Don't wait: contact Lynn Stoddard,; 860-259-4729, to discuss options and details. And visit our Sponsor Us page to discover the many different ways you can support our work and mission.
 

Sustainable CT is pleased to partner with Eversource Energy, United Illuminating, and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology’s SmartBuildings CT program to provide energy benchmarking and tracking support to registered Sustainable CT communities within the utility company service territories.

Learn more about the SmartBuildings CT program and how it might help your municipality by earning points towards actions 7.1 Benchmark and Track Energy Use, 7.2 Reduce Energy Use Across All Municipal Buildings, and/or 7.4 Increase Use of Renewable Energy in Municipal Buildings.
 

This free, three-part, virtual equity workshop series provides a comprehensive framework of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Attendance at all three sessions is required. Sessions run 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on: June 13, July 11, and August 1. Content will be geared to help Sustainability Teams integrate equity considerations into their Sustainable CT initiatives. Who should attend? Sustainability Team members (elected officials, municipal staff, commissioners, volunteers) in registered Sustainable CT communities. Attendance is capped at 35. This will be a live training and will not be recorded. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.

Attendees will participate in three different workshops:

Be READI© Leadership: Championing Equity at the Forefront (June 13): This workshop is tailored for those who are ready to lead by example in the realm of equity and inclusion. Building upon the principles and strategies discussed in previous equity training series, this workshop aims to cultivate leaders who not only understand the Be READI© framework but can also effectively champion these values within their municipalities. Participants will explore advanced leadership techniques, including how to influence organizational culture, inspire teams, and lead equitable change initiatives that yield measurable results.

Measuring What Matters: Assessing DEI Impact in Municipalities (July 11): This workshop focuses on the importance of tracking progress and evaluating the impact of DEI initiatives. This hands-on workshop guides participants through the creation of effective assessment tools and indicators that align with the Be READI© framework. Municipal leaders will learn how to collect and analyze data, report on findings, and use insights to drive continuous improvement and accountability in DEI efforts.

Sustainable Change: Institutionalizing Be READI© Practices (August 1): This workshop is designed to ensure the longevity and resilience of DEI efforts. This session will help participants identify and implement policies and practices that embed the principles of Belonging, relevant equity, access, accountability diversity, and inclusion into the DNA of municipal operations. Leaders will be equipped with strategies for policy development, stakeholder engagement, and the creation of a municipal infrastructure that supports lasting DEI integration.