Jill Stoneberg - CCSP Belize Staff 2003
Q: Describe the work you are currently doing. What organization are you working with?
A: Community Energy, Inc - a wind energy marketer and developer, located just outside of Philadelphia in Wayne, PA. We sell wind energy and other fuel-free energy sources through utility partnerships and by direct sales to residential and commercial customers. Most of our wind farms are located in the mid-Atlantic and in New York - but anyone can purchase wind energy from us, no matter where they live! Community Energy has worked with several colleges and student groups (including Eastern University and Messiah College) to encourage and promote wind energy purchases.
Q: What are your responsibilities?
A: We are a small company, so we all wear many hats - which means the learning curve since I came on staff has been huge! I have had exposure to many different facets of the business and the world of marketing clean energy. I started out in customer service and sales support, answering phones and explaining to people the benefits of purchasing wind energy. Some of the questions I had to answer were comical at times (No, a wind turbine does not have to go on your roof!) but overall very encouraging. It really helped me to gain perspective on people's perception of wind energy and how people see their role in creating a sustainable energy future. Some people would call in and not have the faintest idea of how electricity got to their home, and were hearing about clean, wind energy for the first time. Others would call in and be so excited to purchase wind energy that they wanted materials to give to all of their friends.
Now that I have been here a year, my responsibilities have rapidly progressed and I currently have a position as "marketing manager." Although, I am still trying to fully grasp the all the components of this job role (and marketing in general!), I have enjoyed the full immersion and growing responsibilities, some of which include:
- Managing and coordinating design projects (creating brochures, bill inserts, fact sheets, giveaways, etc.) with our graphic designer, printers, mail houses, and partner organizations.
- Facilitating relationships with partner organizations (including the local Philadelphia electric utility) to sell wind energy to residential customers.
-Creating and implementing marketing plans according to budgets and projected sales
-Attending conferences and meetings regarding marketing clean energy
-Assisting the marketing director
Q: Why are you excited about it?
A: Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world! And I am learning so much! The responsibilities I share have sparked in me a keen interest in not only in clean energy, but green marketing and sustainable business. I find a lot of hope in this field and I also know that the skills I am developing will be a great asset no matter where I work. The growing sustainable business network I find myself a part of has endless opportunities and a hopeful future! Fortunately I have also been able to bridge my vocation with my faith by working with other Christians and faith-based communities committed to promoting ethical energy as a part of caring for God's creation.
Q: Why have you chosen it?
A: I feel that I have found a niche where I can apply my vocational interests, further develop my skills, and grow my passions.
In a consumerist culture I believe that it is essential that businesses reorganize around new measures of progress to include impacts on people the planet (and we are already seeing this happen with major corporations!) It is very exciting to me to see the environmental movement become more main-stream as more-and-more people become educated and aware of how corporate practices and purchase decisions shape society.
People make up society and are the ones that drive the market place and the major corporations that impact the world. I have hope that the system we have created is redemptive. This hope flourishes every time a person signs up their business or home for wind energy! Our company has a mission to build more wind farms based on consumer demand. It is the individual decisions that have a collective impact.
Q: In what ways does your current work (and life in general) relate to your experiences and learning from your days with CCSP?
A: In short I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my life changing experiences in Belize! I am forever grateful for the semester I spent there as a student and my later return as a staff member.
While I was a student in Belize (Spring 1999) I finally understood how my passion for the environment was intricately related to my Christian faith. My worldview came together and things in my life that seemed to be at odds, finally made sense!
The impact of living and learning in a supportive, like-minded, loving and creative community has been key in my life moving forward. The impact has guided my decisions as to where I would continue my education, what I would study, and how I would apply my interests and find hope in a broken world. CCSP has imprinted on me the desire to live more consistently with my faith, and to continue seeking the kingdom of God and hope in a restored creation. Although, I often fail in my attempts to live a consistent life, it is with Grace that I accept some hypocrisies, try again, and move forward.
Q: What are some lessons learned from CCSP experiences?
A: Vocation. Believing that God will bridge your desires with vocation.
Being apart of CCSP allowed me to and see and experience how God was using people's dreams and lives to evoke positive change and impact others. The qualified faculty and staff were a prime example to this life of vocation and greatly inspired me while equipping me with knowledge and tools for success. CCSP also exposed me to an even larger Christian Environmental Community that will forever been a huge part in who I am.
-Perspective. Understanding the ecological crisis and the role of the church.
Although I enjoyed all of the CCSP courses, my favorite class was God and Nature. Every class I was anxious to learn more, and my passion grew for greening the church and teaching other Christians about caring for creation.
CCSP has planted a seed that keeps growing and I hope to become even more active in this role in the near future.
-Celebrations. Discovering the joy of unlocking creativity and sharing with others.
Since were living without many of the modern amenities that we usually have in the states, CCSP inspired creativity and meaningful community time. Some of my favorite memories include the celebrations we had with birthday parties, coffee houses, art projects, cultural events, and playing games.
Also, I was inspired to dream and channel my own creativity. I was given an idea book when I was in Belize and was encouraged and inspired to jot down inspirational quotes, ideas, lists of movies to see and books to read, record hopes for the future, etc. I still use this today and it helps me keep into perspective life's little joys!
Q: What else is filling my time? Church participation, other ministry, local involvement, travel plans, etc.
A: As I strive to find more balance between work and play, I am ambitious about filling more of my time with creating a stronger community, getting more involved in a church, and trying a few new things like taking an art class, dance lessons, and more outdoor activities.
I am also looking forward to a return to Belize this Spring!
A: Community Energy, Inc - a wind energy marketer and developer, located just outside of Philadelphia in Wayne, PA. We sell wind energy and other fuel-free energy sources through utility partnerships and by direct sales to residential and commercial customers. Most of our wind farms are located in the mid-Atlantic and in New York - but anyone can purchase wind energy from us, no matter where they live! Community Energy has worked with several colleges and student groups (including Eastern University and Messiah College) to encourage and promote wind energy purchases.
Q: What are your responsibilities?
A: We are a small company, so we all wear many hats - which means the learning curve since I came on staff has been huge! I have had exposure to many different facets of the business and the world of marketing clean energy. I started out in customer service and sales support, answering phones and explaining to people the benefits of purchasing wind energy. Some of the questions I had to answer were comical at times (No, a wind turbine does not have to go on your roof!) but overall very encouraging. It really helped me to gain perspective on people's perception of wind energy and how people see their role in creating a sustainable energy future. Some people would call in and not have the faintest idea of how electricity got to their home, and were hearing about clean, wind energy for the first time. Others would call in and be so excited to purchase wind energy that they wanted materials to give to all of their friends.
Now that I have been here a year, my responsibilities have rapidly progressed and I currently have a position as "marketing manager." Although, I am still trying to fully grasp the all the components of this job role (and marketing in general!), I have enjoyed the full immersion and growing responsibilities, some of which include:
- Managing and coordinating design projects (creating brochures, bill inserts, fact sheets, giveaways, etc.) with our graphic designer, printers, mail houses, and partner organizations.
- Facilitating relationships with partner organizations (including the local Philadelphia electric utility) to sell wind energy to residential customers.
-Creating and implementing marketing plans according to budgets and projected sales
-Attending conferences and meetings regarding marketing clean energy
-Assisting the marketing director
Q: Why are you excited about it?
A: Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world! And I am learning so much! The responsibilities I share have sparked in me a keen interest in not only in clean energy, but green marketing and sustainable business. I find a lot of hope in this field and I also know that the skills I am developing will be a great asset no matter where I work. The growing sustainable business network I find myself a part of has endless opportunities and a hopeful future! Fortunately I have also been able to bridge my vocation with my faith by working with other Christians and faith-based communities committed to promoting ethical energy as a part of caring for God's creation.
Q: Why have you chosen it?
A: I feel that I have found a niche where I can apply my vocational interests, further develop my skills, and grow my passions.
In a consumerist culture I believe that it is essential that businesses reorganize around new measures of progress to include impacts on people the planet (and we are already seeing this happen with major corporations!) It is very exciting to me to see the environmental movement become more main-stream as more-and-more people become educated and aware of how corporate practices and purchase decisions shape society.
People make up society and are the ones that drive the market place and the major corporations that impact the world. I have hope that the system we have created is redemptive. This hope flourishes every time a person signs up their business or home for wind energy! Our company has a mission to build more wind farms based on consumer demand. It is the individual decisions that have a collective impact.
Q: In what ways does your current work (and life in general) relate to your experiences and learning from your days with CCSP?
A: In short I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my life changing experiences in Belize! I am forever grateful for the semester I spent there as a student and my later return as a staff member.
While I was a student in Belize (Spring 1999) I finally understood how my passion for the environment was intricately related to my Christian faith. My worldview came together and things in my life that seemed to be at odds, finally made sense!
The impact of living and learning in a supportive, like-minded, loving and creative community has been key in my life moving forward. The impact has guided my decisions as to where I would continue my education, what I would study, and how I would apply my interests and find hope in a broken world. CCSP has imprinted on me the desire to live more consistently with my faith, and to continue seeking the kingdom of God and hope in a restored creation. Although, I often fail in my attempts to live a consistent life, it is with Grace that I accept some hypocrisies, try again, and move forward.
Q: What are some lessons learned from CCSP experiences?
A: Vocation. Believing that God will bridge your desires with vocation.
Being apart of CCSP allowed me to and see and experience how God was using people's dreams and lives to evoke positive change and impact others. The qualified faculty and staff were a prime example to this life of vocation and greatly inspired me while equipping me with knowledge and tools for success. CCSP also exposed me to an even larger Christian Environmental Community that will forever been a huge part in who I am.
-Perspective. Understanding the ecological crisis and the role of the church.
Although I enjoyed all of the CCSP courses, my favorite class was God and Nature. Every class I was anxious to learn more, and my passion grew for greening the church and teaching other Christians about caring for creation.
CCSP has planted a seed that keeps growing and I hope to become even more active in this role in the near future.
-Celebrations. Discovering the joy of unlocking creativity and sharing with others.
Since were living without many of the modern amenities that we usually have in the states, CCSP inspired creativity and meaningful community time. Some of my favorite memories include the celebrations we had with birthday parties, coffee houses, art projects, cultural events, and playing games.
Also, I was inspired to dream and channel my own creativity. I was given an idea book when I was in Belize and was encouraged and inspired to jot down inspirational quotes, ideas, lists of movies to see and books to read, record hopes for the future, etc. I still use this today and it helps me keep into perspective life's little joys!
Q: What else is filling my time? Church participation, other ministry, local involvement, travel plans, etc.
A: As I strive to find more balance between work and play, I am ambitious about filling more of my time with creating a stronger community, getting more involved in a church, and trying a few new things like taking an art class, dance lessons, and more outdoor activities.
I am also looking forward to a return to Belize this Spring!
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