The Good Earthkeeping Seal™ is designed to reward simple green initiatives by local businesses through the involvement of a network of win-win collaborations.

1. The Role Positive Environmentalism
Unlike most other green groups, The Good Earthkeeping Project is committed to only use “carrots” – more particularly the award of The Good Earthkeeping Seal™ – as an acknowledgment of companies that undertake basic environmental initiatives.
This focus on Positive Environmentalism is fundamental to our operation because it overcomes one of the main obstacles that can stop small businesses beginning to make any public commitments of environmental concerns. Many fear that even if they were actually doing say 3 green initiatives and made any claim to that, they would find themselves having to defend themselves over the other 99 things that some activists may feel they should also be doing. Since positive environmentalism is an interactive philosophy, it allows several groups in a community to be involved applying its influence. The Good Earthkeeping Project puts it in the hands of representatives of the next generation since they will be the ones who will be most affected by the long term outcomes of our past policies.

2. The Role of the Local Chamber of Commerce
In the spirit of positive environmentalism, The Good Earthkeeping Project represents an invitation and not an imposition.
Only businesses that are currently enrolled in the local Chamber of Commerce may be considered for this award.
Typically, the local Chamber will invite John Paling to provide an introductory presentation to the chamber and, if any of its members decide to join the project, to keep a record of their names and the time period for which they are entitled to display the award. If one their members continues to use the Good Earthkeeping Seal after the designated period or is stripped of the award for any reason, then, the Chamber shall be asked to use its best efforts to pressure that member to desist.

3. The Role of Students and Young People
Young people clearly represent the generation whose lives will be be most impacted by the economic and social changes that are now happening across the world. Accordingly, their involvement is an important part of The Good Earthkeeping Project. Students will have an opportunity to learn about the changes to the health of the planet as well as some ways that societies - particularly businesses - can make small but important steps to help.

Undoubtedly, when scrutinizing any company, students will see things that are done or not done that individuals might disapprove of. It is pivotal to The Good Earthkeeping Project that they avoid criticisms but just focus on the positive People who cannot accept this philosophy will not be appropriate associates to act for this project.

Initially, the Good Earthkeeping Seal will focus on support for basic recycling and energy efficiency and also for recruitment of other companies within the local community.

A. The young people’s teachers may be the group's own leaders (scouts, 4H etc) or they may be other community members who are invited in by the group leaders to share their knowledge with the young people.(e.g. university or college environmental course members, representatives of local environmental groups etc.) In all cases, the teachers will be expected to buy in to the value of “positive environmentalism” as they teach the youth groups.
B. Subsequently, the young people will then discuss among themselves whether they think that basic recycling and improving energy efficiency is something that local businesses should be asked to consider. If so they should prepare a 2-3 minute presentation that 3-5 of them will be invited to present to a local business (That has already agreed to meet with them)
C. Representatives of the young people visit a local company, look behind the scenes to learn what goes on the company and then have an appointment with a member of management to present their opinions and to learn the business’s perspective on the topic. This is a valuable opportunity to learn the principle “Seek first to understand and then to be understood” (from Stephen Covey’s best selling book- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.)
D. Young people explain about the basics of The Good Earthkeeping Seal and offer to award it to the local company if the company signs on to the basic three requirements of the Good Earthkeeping Pledge.
E. Later, if the company contacts the young people to report that has met the basic requirements and the group agrees, they will report the fact to John Paling (or later, to the not for profit Good Earthkeeping Institute that will administer this scheme) and the award will the confirmed by Paling.
F. If both the young people and the company approve, an award ceremony can be arranged that can be covered by the media.
G. During the year of the award, the young people and the business should keep in touch in the hope that the company will apply for the award the following year.

4. The Role of Youth Leaders
The importance of these people cannot be exaggerated.

A. To introduce the project into the time table for meetings
B. To decide who will teach the background to our environmental challenges and then arrange for the young people to decide on what they think they want to say to local businesses and how many of them should actually go to the business. (Funding will be provided from the project)
C. To arrange an appointment with a local business that has already agreed to welcome such a visit. Initially by filling in a response card at the chamber meeting.
D. To keep the discussion non-adversarial and mutually respectful and to explain the terms of the Good Earthkeeping Seal.

E. To invite the businesses to report when it has completed all three things required for the award and if they are satisfied that the basic terms have been met, to recommend the company for the award.
F. If all agree, there may be a local (optional) event with publicity for all concerned as the award is made.
G. Paling is open to hearing suggested variations of this process for alternative ways that might better benefit the young people as well as encouraging more sustainable practices.

5. The Role of Businesses Applying to use the Seal
The Good Earthkeeping Seal has been deliberately designed so that it rewards “baby steps” towards positive environmental initiatives. Thus the award is readily available to all sorts of businesses that want to show that they are aware of the need to take account of environmental concerns. (Businesses are targeted simply because they have the greatest influence on helping produce sustainable communities. Caring for the environment is of everyone’s responsibility.)
  1. Collaborating with Trust.
    We are aware that some businesses are very cautious about any public environmental collaborations for fear that it will expose them to adversarial criticisms for other green issues that they may not consider are worth doing. Thus the first role of businesses is to learn to trust Paling and his Good Earthkeeping collaborators to firmly stick by their commitment to non-adversarial interactions. Also, since trust is only developed when both competence and caring are demonstrated, John Paling commits to weigh in on the side of all businesses who are awarded the Good Earthkeeping Seal if they are criticized because, in the eyes of extreme activists, the environmental performance they showed to obtain the Seal may be claimed as being minimal.
  2. Accepting the need to change.
    Most businesses (like all members of society) already recognize that they are going to have to change their ways and embrace greener practices.
    Previously, there has been a lack of a readily recognizable, 101 level environmental marker that offered businesses the opportunity to show their willingness to accept sensible, green initiatives. Now the Good Earthkeeping Seal fills this role, any businesses can show their willingness to some basic green steps and then be counted as an environmentally aware corporate citizen
  3. Teaching youth about the reality of environmentalism in businesses. Businesses have the opportunity to educate young members of their community about the practical issues of balancing environmental costs and concerns with economic and other realities that all must be prioritized by organizations. Here is an opportunity to discuss some realities of balancing environmental expectations in a non-adversarial setting. There is no obligation to follow the suggestions of the young citizens and it will be a chance to get “the other side” heard. Supporting the education of representatives of the next generation is another act that demonstrates a wish to be a good corporate citizen.
  4. Inviting representatives of the young people (3-5) to your company. Showing them around (if appropriate), allowing them to make their pitch and then having a short discussion about environmental issues.
  5. Check out the three simple requirements of the Good Earthkeeping Seal. In many communities recycling is actually mandated and energy surveys are a free way of learning of rebate schemes that can save companies money. Most important is to gain the commitment for 2 other companies to joint the program. (In the second year, both companies may apply to be awarded the Seal. Be prepared to offer how you will monitor that they do what they say. (Knowing a top officer so well that you can trust them may well be sufficient here.) NN
  6. Complete the three requirements and report to the leader of the youth group that you would like to considered for the Good Earthkeeping Seal. (We will provide a simple form to submit)
  7. Responsibly display the Seal. Hopefully, the Seal will be awarded and you will hear from John Paling with a formal confirmation, a certificate covering use for 18 months and copies of all the graphics for display on appropriate marketing materials. (Wall plaques are also available.)
  8. Bringing up any perceptions of unfairness.
    If a business has registered with the program and feels that it has met the requirements but that the youth group for some reason withheld the award, it can refer the matter to John Paling for arbitration.
  9. Know that your actions are helping the environment. The real importance of businesses’ role in the Good Earthkeeping Seal is to support greener practices such that (to use the old slogan) they can make a profit without it costing the earth.
6. The Role of “Secondary Businesses” nominated by Applicant Company
Those businesses brought in under the third requirement of an applicant “To get two other companies to do recycling and take an energy survey” need only do that and report their compliance to the primary applicant. Then, in the second year they are eligible to apply for the seal on their own account if they continue to carry out the simple steps and also bring two additional companies into the program on their own initiative.

7. The Role of John Paling
John Paling opportunity to show that Positive Environmentalism can work by encouraging win-win networks and promoting recognition for the Good Earthkeeping Seal™.
John Paling will provide financial support for the not-for-profit youth groups that become involved in this project.
He is willing to discuss modifying the details of the Good Earthkeeping collaborative processes with all concerned.
He will send camera ready graphics of the Seal with a formal award certificate to each of the businesses that is granted the award.
As the owner of the GEK trademark and lynchpin of this project, he will arbitrate on any issues that arise. It is predicted that in the near future, the program will be passed on to the board of a special not for profit to be set up with members representing all the groups that contribute to the positive environmental network.

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