Climate Solutions, headquartered in the Seattle area, has been fighting global warming since 1998. The organization has several programs, including Business Leaders, New Energy Cities and Harvesting Clean Energy, that work together to build a powerful constituency for local, regional and national action on climate and clean energy. Team Up sat down with Kimberly Larson, director of communications and marketing, and Savitha Pathi, development director, to discuss the organization’s upcoming plans in anticipation of February 9’s Gigs4Good event at the Triple Door.

Tell us about Climate Solutions and your mission.

Climate Solutions works to accelerate practical and profitable solutions to global warming by galvanizing leadership, growing investment and bridging divides.

Some of your 2011 accomplishments include protecting the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act and working with a broad coalition to end the use of coal for electricity in Washington. What kind of accomplishments can we expect to see in 2012?

2012 goals include:

• Public policy leadership in the Northwest:

– Choose and win policy campaigns that make the clean-energy economy real in the Northwest

– Maximize the contribution of Northwest leadership toward building power for meaningful national reductions in climate pollution

• Making the clean-energy economy real in the Northwest:

– Demonstrate that the clean-energy economy is real and is a vital part of economic growth in America

– Program areas include: New Energy Cities, Sustainable Aviation Fuels, Northwest Biocarbon Initiative, Harvesting Clean Energy

• Building the power of the climate and clean energy movement in the Northwest

– Build a powerful and diverse movement, including business, agriculture, faith-based organizations, veterans, grassroots groups and others, in support of strong climate change and clean-energy action

– Program areas include: Business Partnerships Program, Power Past Coal, Solutions Stories Projects

We’re excited you’ve chosen to partner with Team Up for Nonprofits. What motivated you to partner with Team Up?

Some of us from Climate Solutions went to the 2010 Team Up concert for Seattle Works. The energy in the room was fabulous, and it was a great way to show that young people can get involved in philanthropy through something that we all love—music. The model works. We approached Team Up in 2011 and had such a successful experience with the Team Up leadership and the musicians that we’re very excited to be working with them again in 2012 to help raise critical funds for our Power Past Coal campaign.

How can people get involved in your organization and make an impact after the Gigs4Good event on February 9?

• Please join us by signing a petition urging elected officials to oppose West coast coal export terminals.
• Volunteer at one of our upcoming fundraising events:

– April 12th Reception event in Olympia

– May 14th Breakfast event in Seattle

• Donate to Climate Solutions.
• Join our list. Sign up to stay in touch, receive event announcements and ways that you can get involved on important climate and clean-energy issues in the Northwest.

Image via StandardCulture.com

The Pacific Northwest has been a hotspot for rising stars in the acoustic folk genre, but what of the rest of the coast? Team Up for Nonprofits is pleased to welcome a fresh voice from Southern California to Seattle. Her name is Dawn Mitschele, and like the first morning light, her golden voice and sun-kissed locks radiate warmth. It’s no wonder she’s received accolades in her San Diego community including a San Diego HAT Award for Best New Acoustic Artist in 2007. She’s even caught the eye of some celebrity musicians, having been featured in a Bushwalla song and performed live with Jason Mraz.

In addition to her musical talent, Mitschele is passionate for nonprofits, and we asked her to share some of her experiences.

Team Up: What has been your past experience with nonprofits?

Dawn: I have been involved with several non profits in San Diego and LA by giving benefit performances at their various fundraising events and writing songs inspired by their messages.

Team Up: Why nonprofits? Are there any in particular that are close to your heart?

Dawn: Each organization is spreading good, sharing resources and creating joy, which is why I support whenever I can.  The Matt Wadleigh LoVE Foundation, an organization very close to my heart, supports projects around the world which promote loving kindness and supply resources to those in need. I wrote the song “All of Your Days” for Matt, and performed it at the LoVE Event in San Diego in 2010, and continue to spread his LoVE by bringing LoVE pins to shows and carrying on Matt’s simple message…Love.

I also support my friends at Life Rolls On, an organization which improves the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injury. Inspired by their “They Will Surf Again” program, I wrote the song, “Good Morning” which is on my full length album, and is a song about hope, faith and family. I have also supported the Feeding the Soul Foundation, which organizes and promotes concerts and events for causes.  I wrote a song for their CD Compilation entitled, “Thanks Giving.”  Finally, I threw my own fundraising event in June, 2011 at Seabreeze Organic Farm in San Diego, which helped raise funds for their farm during these tough times because I believe that small, local farms are the future. The day included a brunch with all local ingredients and fresh produce from the farm,  a silent auction, and performances by Ariah Firefly, myself, and Jason Mraz.

Team Up: We are honored to have you perform for us. What attracted you to TeamUp?

Dawn: I’ve gotten involved with TeamUp because they help to bring new supporters to nonprofits that are truly making a difference. I’m really excited about their choice to support Climate Solutions, as I had yet to support an environmental organization, and feel that in these times, finding solutions to global warming is at the top of our priority list for healing our planet.

Team Up: How do you think music can help promote nonprofits, and vice-versa?

Dawn: Music can help promote nonprofits because it brings people together to celebrate what they’re passionate about.  When people come out to a show which is not only going to entertain them and make them feel good by resonating with the music, but also get to contribute something to a cause, that can leave a lasting impression on them. It’s great exposure for the nonprofits, and its a great way for the concert goer to learn who’s doing what in their own community to make a difference.

Team Up: Why should people support nonprofits?

Dawn: People should support nonprofits because we are moving into an age where we’re going to be more interdependent than ever. Supporting a local organization is a part of the balance of giving and receiving that will create harmony in our lives and in the world. Supporting Climate Solutions sends a message that clean energy is the way to help restore our planet’s balance.

Dawn Mitschele and Kris Orlowski will be performing live at Team Up for Nonprofits’ 10th Gigs for Good show on February 9th at the Triple Door. Tickets are $25 in advance, and proceeds benefit Climate Solutions, an Olympia-based nonprofit working on solutions for global warming.  Click here to buy your tickets!

Check out the description below and hop over to our contact page to reach out if interested.

————————————-

Overview:

The Treasurer is responsible for management and oversight of the organization’’s finances. This includes cash flow, banking, budgeting/forecasting, receivables, payables, licensing, and taxes.

Time Commitment (10-20 hrs per month, plus 3-5 hrs per quarter):
*Board Meetings (2-3 hours per month) Includes preparation time and review of minutes.

*Executive Team (2-8 hours per month) Participation on the Executive Team, including subcommittee meetings; special meetings to meet prospective board members, staff, etc.; and overall strategic review of the organization.

*Overall Financial Review & Event Financials (6-8 hours per month) –– See details below.

*Licensing and Tax Forms (1 hr. per month plus 3-5 hrs per quarter) –– See details below.

Key Responsibilities:

Overall Financial Review: Manage bank accounts, reimburse expenses, track down receipts/paperwork, and prepare/distribute receipts.

Event Financials: Put together initial budgets for events, update budgets as information becomes
available, prepare cash floats for events, deposit receipts, analyze event numbers, and prepare
payments to beneficiaries. Also includes application for city admissions tax for each event.

Licensing and Tax Forms: Prepare and submit quarterly state B&O filings, annual city B&O, annual
federal 990 form, and city admissions for each event.

Coordinate with vendors/partners of Team Up on all administrative aspects of the organization
(insurance, financial, etc.).

All you have to do to participate is post tweets with ingredients such as the link to the ticket page or other information provided below, with the #Gigs4Good and or #tweetmob hashtags. What we’re hoping is that you will also help us spread the word about the #tweetmob today so that as many people as possible participate tonight… also if you aren’t on Twitter you could always support Team Up by posting the information about the show on your Facebook page. To win the signed CD’s judges are looking for a combination of how many times you tweet and what information you include…

Here are the main ingredients to use… @TeamUp4NonProf, @climatesolution, #Gigs4Good, #tweetmob and the ticket page: http://bit.ly/ztf2E6

Here are some other ingredients you might like to use… @korlowskiband @dawnmitschele @TheTripleDoor @pirqcom @projectline. Make sure to give our major sponsor Pirq some love as they’re really cool and we really appreciate their major contribution to this event.

Ok lets break down information for you to post…

#Gigs4Good 2/9 info…
· There are not many tics left for @TeamUp4NonProf’s #Gigs4Good for @climatesolution’s 2/9 so get yours now! http://bit.ly/ztf2E6 #tweetmob
· Don’t miss @TeamUp4NonProf’s #Gigs4Good 2/9 with @korlowskiband & @dawnmitschele at @TheTripleDoor http://bit.ly/ztf2E6 #tweetmob
· Want to win free #VIP tics to @TeamUp4NonProf’s #Gigs4Good 2/9 at @TheTripleDoor? Get your @pirqcom on… http://bit.ly/TUPirq #tweetmob
· Everyone loves a good sponsor, lets love on these #Gigs4Good 2/9 supporters: @pirqcom @TheTripleDoor @projectline @WeeklyEvents #tweetmob
· #Gigs4Good 2/9: Doors at 6:00pm w/ great food from @WildGingerRes, #music from 7:30pm to 10pm, get tics here: http://bit.ly/ztf2E6 #tweetmob
· .@TeamUp4NonProf’s #Gigs4Good 2/9 for @climatesolution’s stars @korlowskiband & @dawnmitschele, see them sing together: http://bit.ly/AsxAU9
· The headliner for @TeamUp4NonProf’s #Gigs4Good 2/9 for @climatesolution’s is @korlowskiband check him out: http://bit.ly/A1OvkA #tweetmob
· The opener for @TeamUp4NonProf’s #Gigs4Good 2/9 for @climatesolution’s is @dawnmitschele check her out: http://bit.ly/y7NJ6s #tweetmob

Climate Solutions & Power Past Coal Info
· #Climatechange; #1 issue of our time we need #cleanenergy economy & action on #globalwarming #tweetmob #Gigs4Good
· .@Climatesolution inspires #NW action against #globalwarming – @TeamUp4nonprof’s #Gigs4Good connects #music fans to #socialchange #tweetmob
· Practical & #profitable #solutions to #globalwarming? It’s possible w/ @climatesolution. Attend #Gigs4Good & support: http://bit.ly/ztf2E6
· .@climatesolution, @powerpastcoal working for #nocoalexport off West Coast. We need to stop Big #coal, no coaltrains here. #tweetmob
· 1 #coaltrain is over 1 mile long. Need #nocoalexport or we could have up to 20 coaltrains through #seattle each day! #tweetmob
· #nocoalexport off #WA or #OR or we will get more mercury #pollution, #climatchange @powerpastcoal @climatesolution #tweetmob
· .@TeamUp4NonProf’s #Gigs4Good 2/9 will help @climatesolution stop big #coal from trafficking coal to #asia through #WA: http://bit.ly/ztf2E6
· See @krisorlowski & @dawnmitschele play for @climatesolution & say #nocoalexport off #westcoast: http://bit.ly/ztf2E6 #Gigs4Good #tweetmob

Thanks for your support and we hope to see you in a weeks time!

Image via PatMcGee.net

Team Up is pleased to welcome back Kris Orlowski for the Gigs4Good event #10, benefiting Climate Solutions. This talented singer-songwriter first graced our stage with Star Anna last January for a sold out affair at the Triple Door. On February 9th, Orlowski will perform after an exciting year of accomplishments including appearances at Bumbershoot and the Doe Bay Music Festival, and the release of a new 4-track record Warsaw.

In preparation for our upcoming gig, we asked Orlowski to share his thoughts on being our first double-headliner.

Catch Orlowski’s acoustic folk-rock tunes live at the Triple Door on February 9th. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door; proceeds benefit Climate Solutions. Click here to buy tickets. Dawn Mitschele of San Diego, CA will also be performing. Check out a video of her performing with Orlowski at Doe Bay, courtesy of Ballard Sessions.

Curious what Pirq is all about?

In short, Pirq is a free app that gives you 50% off your entire bill at 150+ restaurants in the Seattle area.

I like food. You like food. We all like food. Great Seattle food with a money saving Pirq? Game on.

You can download the app by texting “PIRQ” to 68398.

Here’s Where It Gets Good…

When you download the app, use the promo code “TeamUp” to enter for a chance to win tickets for the VIP Experience for our Feb. 9 show.

If you win, you’ll receive:

Learn more about Pirq in the video and links below and good luck!

Show headliner Orlowski produces a blend of acoustic folk-rock and indie-pop songs filled with melodies that encompass all moods, from wistful to happy to love, and that captivate his audience with thoughtful lyrics and catchy hooks.

Opening for Kris is Dawn Mitschele, best known for her smooth acoustic style. Mitschele is rising out of the Southern California music scene, drawing a wide range of fans across the U.S. and Europe. Her full length album, “In the Moonlight,” continues to receive much attention, and has helped to land her opening spots for artists like Meiko, Edwin McCain and Donavon Frankenreiter.

The event will raise vital funds for Climate Solutions, an organization working to accelerate practical and profitable solutions to global warming. Proceeds from the concert will support Climate Solutions’ efforts to power past coal – specifically, stopping coal export off the West Coast. More information on the situation is available in this short video: http://bit.ly/vJCgx1

Both artists have chosen to be involved with this event because they are enthusiastic about the work Climate Solutions is doing and the impact it will have for Washington’s communities.

Attendees who make donations to Climate Solutions at the event will also be entered into a drawing to win exclusive prizes from Seattle’s own Fleet Foxes, including an autographed poster and vinyl record.

Doors at 6pm
Show at 7:30pm
All Ages
Join our event on Facebook to help spread the word!

Please note this show sold out in 2011. Tickets are now available from http://bit.ly/ztf2E6 // $25 advanced // $30 day of show.

Following the classic holiday hype, planning and anticipation around NYE, we can all finally kick back, tuck away our fancy suits and dresses for another year, drain the day away in a sea of back-to-back…-to-back college football games and hopefully not have to pop too many Advil to curb our excessive fun from the night before.

For those of you needing a thematic start to the year, I’ve included a couple of my favorite “New Year” tunes below.

Death Cab for Cutie – “New Year”

The Walkmen – “In the New Year”

What tunes are you churning up today to get 2012 off on a solid note?

As we tend to do here at Team Up, only makes sense that a mention of good music is accompanied by mention of a good cause.

For those Seattleites who need some time to ease into the New Year, check out the 2012 Polar Plunge on February 11. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Washington. Register now to build your team and support a great cause!

You’re not alone.

Dress up or dress down?
Friend group A or friend group B?
House party, rock show or club insanity?

Ugh. Decisions. Rough lives we live.

While I’m confident that you’ll end up at the perfect party strategically positioned next to that perfect someone right at the stroke of midnight, I thought it would be good to call attention to a great opportunity to party…with a purpose.

A friend recently called my attention to great NYE event going on in Seattle called Party for Literacy. The gist? Come out, have fun, raise money for Seattle Public Library’s fantastic Homework Help volunteer tutoring program.

Fantastic location? Check.
Fantastic tunes? Check.
Fantastic adult beverages? Check.
Seattleites decked out in their finest threads (no, this doesn’t simply mean upgrading to your new North Face jacket)? Check.
Proceeds from the night benefiting an excellent program? Check.

Help keep Seattle one of the most literate cities and The Most charitable city around. Hop over, grab a ticket and help ring in the New Year while doing good.

What other benefit parties or other great events do you know of going on for NYE? Share your insights and links with a comment below!

Wherever you end up this NYE, be safe, grab a cab or a DD, work those moves like Jagger, make sure to sneak a good kiss with the cute guy or girl next to you and cheers to a great 2012.

Enjoy a few captures (courtesy of Charlie Ainslie Photography) from the night below and hop over to our Facebook page to enjoy more.

Cheers!