CSB selected to host Minnesota GreenCorps member

The College of Saint Benedict has been selected to host a member of the Minnesota GreenCorps, beginning in September. The primary objectives of this 11-month position will be reducing waste in residence halls and the Gorecki Dining Center.

Minnesota GreenCorps is a federally funded AmeriCorps program. However, “it is facilitated through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and specifically concerned with environmentally focused projects,” said CSB Sustainability Coordinator Rachel Brodeur (who is a former Minnesota GreenCorps volunteer herself).

Some of the specific areas of research this position is expected to touch will include the availability of industrial compost for the Saint Ben’s campus, work with the Culinary Services team to reduce single-use plastic waste and reduction of consumable food waste.

Becoming a host site involved an extensive application process that included developing a 1,700-hour proposed workplan. CSB was one of 44 sites selected by the MPCA to host a full-time GreenCorps member.

“In many cases, members are recent college graduates like CSB/SJU environmental studies majors,” Brodeur said. “In other cases, members are going through a career changes and looking for some experience in the environmental field before applying for jobs.”

Minnesota GreenCorps volunteers are not paid a salary, but do receive benefits including …

• A living allowance of up to $1,428 per month.
• Training and professional development opportunities.
• Eligibility for student-loan forbearance and interest payment.
• An AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $6,095 (upon completion of the term of service).
• Health insurance coverage.
• The AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit Program.

Applications are being accepted from now through June 15 for placement as a Minnesota GreenCorps member in any of this year’s 44 host sites.