13. Using Solar Power To Benefit Nonprofits and the Planet (video)

The Climate Action Committee of the Rotary Club of Cupertino works with local nonprofits to fund and install solar systems on their roofs and replace their gas water heaters with electrical ones. They have developed a unique project structure that leverages several small capital and time investments by multiple partners into a large financial benefit for the nonprofit that will continue year after year for decades. Reducing or eliminating the high cost of electricity through the use of solar power can save nonprofits thousands of dollars per month while also benefiting the planet. It's a double win. Nonprofits can funnel these significant ongoing savings into projects that support and lift the community, while the new solar systems reduce our reliance on fossil fuel and create a better future for our children. Seema Lindskog has had a long career as a marketing executive at major companies including Kraft Foods, Western Digital, Roku, and Evernote. She is the co-chair of the Climate Action Committee of the Rotary Club of Cupertino where she initiated several high impact projects such as installing solar systems on the roofs of local nonprofits and creating an e-bike loaner program at De Anza Community College. Seema is active in the community and is passionate about creating a more livable and vibrant environment for our children and future generations. She is a Planning Commissioner for the City of Cupertino, advising the city on land use matters such as specific and general plans, zoning, and development. She is the Chair of Walk-Bike Cupertino, a resident-led advocacy group which has worked with the city of Cupertino to improve walking and biking infrastructure and policy in the city since 2014. Seema is also on the city's Safe Routes to School working group and a member of the PTSA Board of Cupertino High School. Rod Sinks helped lead two high tech start-ups from infancy to successful businesses in engineering management roles after earning degrees in engineering from Stanford and physics from Grinnell College. He currently serves as a trustee of the Fremont Union High School District. Previously, he served as council member, mayor, founder of Silicon Valley Clean Energy, chair of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Santa Clara County Cities Association, and a board member of other regional agencies. He champions good governance, strong public schools, environmental stewardship, more housing for all income levels and better public transit. Rod served the community as a Scoutmaster and YMCA Adventure Guides Leader for many years and is a past president of the Cupertino Rotary Club. To learn more, read this article (may be behind a paywall):https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/08/29/volunteers-help-affordable-housing-complex-go-solar/ ⁠⁠More about the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley⁠⁠    Website: ⁠⁠Rotary.cool⁠ Meetings’ ⁠⁠Video Archive⁠⁠ YouTubeChannel⁠⁠  How to become a member in ⁠⁠this online Rotary eClub⁠⁠       ⁠⁠More about Rotary International:⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠www.Rotary.org⁠⁠ Find a ⁠⁠local Rotary club⁠⁠  Find an ⁠⁠online Rotary Club⁠⁠   Podcast and Zoom Host: ⁠⁠Rushton Hurley⁠⁠ Podcast Producer: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠ Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠  #PositiveChange #Inspiration #Rotary