What makes GTECH great Posted on May 2, 2017 by wpengine As my official last week of my internship here at GTECH commences, I wanted to reflect on my time as an intern, my favorite experiences, and why I am proud to call myself a GTECHer. This past weekend I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with my Masters in Social Work, with a concentration in Community and Social Action (COSA). Many people do not associate social workers with nonprofits who work with communities to reclaim and invest in vacant land,…Read More
Part 2: Looking Forward Posted on April 6, 2017 by Grounded Strategies Read Part 1 of Andrew's series highlighting GTECH's 10 year anniversary. In Part 1, Andrew reflects back on GTECH's past and evolution. Now, he's looking forward and getting ready to celebrate! There have been several guiding principles embedded in GTECH’s theory of change and ethos over the last decade. Those principles have informed our strategy and evolution - and have manifested into some of our most exciting work underway now and paving the foundation for the next 10 years of growth…Read More
Welcome Rachel! Posted on March 27, 2017 by Grounded Strategies We're excited to welcome Rachel to the GTECH team! Name: Rachel Bowers Position: Project Coordinator Hometown: Baltimore, MD Background: Rachel has a BS in Environmental Health from the University of Maryland. In Baltimore, she worked for a local organization coordinating a garden and environmental education program for elementary students. While in Baltimore, she became a certified Baltimore TreeKeeper and was trained in the business and science of small-scale agriculture through a program called the Beginner Farmer Training Program. What led…Read More
Part 1: Looking Back at GTECH’s First 10 Years Posted on March 14, 2017 by Grounded Strategies Some highlights from GTECH’s first 10 years, from the Swiss Cheese Memory of Co-Founder and CEO Andrew Butcher Part 1: Looking Back In reflecting upon all of the glory, trials and tribulations, humor, and defining moments of the last 10 years I am awash with memories and nostalgia. The following is a series of brief snapshots of some unique moments worthy of sharing as we begin to celebrate ten years of Growth Through Energy + Community Health. I’ll never…Read More
Announcing, the PGH Mobile Toolbox! Posted on March 6, 2017 by wpengine We have been working hard to prepare our latest resource for vacant lot cleaning and greening efforts. Introducing the PGH Mobile Toolbox, a tool library on wheels, ready for your next workday or cleanup! This resource is brought to you through our partnership with Neighborhood Allies and is intended to fill the resource gap between project inspiration and its implementation. Through our experience, we found no shortage of good ideas and residents who are motivated to execute them. However,…Read More
An Open Thank You Letter to The GTECH Community: Posted on February 28, 2017 by wpengine The day has finally come. Today is my last day as a GTECH Strategies employee. While I will remain affiliated as an Emeritus Board Member - my time as a staff member is officially complete as of March 1. I find myself feeling a strange combination of nostalgia and pride. Ultimately, I am overcome with gratitude and humility. The last ten years have been a spectacular entrepreneurial journey - and I have learned, experienced, and grown more than I…Read More
GTECH is Grounded. For Good. Posted on February 22, 2017 by Grounded Strategies GTECH’s new Executive Director, Evaine K. Sing, chose the above quote to represent our mindset as we celebrate our 10 year anniversary. In a letter to GTECH’s network earlier this month, Evaine shared her thoughts on this momentous and exciting occasion. She bid farewell to our founder and CEO, Andrew Butcher, and reflected on what the past 10 years has enabled GTECH to accomplish. The last decade has given GTECH the opportunity to move forward and approach work in the…Read More
5 Favorite GTECH Memories Posted on January 31, 2017 by Grounded Strategies After three and a half years, my last day working at GTECH will be this Friday. I've decided to take a leap into the world of ornithology (the study of birds). Before I leave, I'm taking a moment to reflect on my experiences here. These are five of my favorite memories at GTECH: 1. Learning the people's history of Pittsburgh One of my first tasks at GTECH in 2013 was to interview our incoming ReClaim South Ambassadors about their experiences of…Read More
Welcome Shequaya & Anna Posted on January 13, 2017 by wpengine Meet Shequaya and Anna We're excited to welcome 2 great new team members to the GTECH staff. Read more about them below. Shequaya Bailey Position: Administrative Coordinator (shared with Landforce) Hometown: Pittsburgh Background: Shequaya has a Bachelors degree from from Penn State in Health Policy and Administration. She has 15 years of experience in administration, management, HR, finance, and hospitality. What led her to GTECH: She values the mission and appreciates that the work is being conducted in her hometown.…Read More
GTECH Has A New Executive! Posted on December 21, 2016 by wpengine I am tremendously proud to announce that the GTECH Board of Directors has unanimously selected Evaine K. Sing to be GTECH's next leader. Cue the balloon drop! As GTECH's current (award winning) Chief Operating Officer, Evaine was the clear choice for advancing our goals and building from our strong momentum (much of which she is responsible for). Since the launch of our public search in September, we received over 120 applicants from around the country. While it has been…Read More
What GTECHers Are Thankful For Posted on November 23, 2016 by wpengine What a year 2016 has been. Over the last 365 days, GTECH has celebrated the completion of four new Green Playces, launched our second Ambassador program in the Mon Valley and reimagined how we calculate the impact of our work, just to name a few of our successes. This season, and throughout the year, we are reminded that we have so much to be thankful for. Recently, the GTECH staff took a few minutes to assemble a gratitude list, highlighting…Read More
Leadership lessons #412: Let the Brilliance Flow Posted on November 10, 2016 by wpengine Organizations are a lot like watersheds - with tributaries of brilliance flowing towards a central channel of organizational knowledge and capability. Embracing that flow - and in fact even being directed by it - seems to be the mark of successful leadership. In my case, I have been incredibly fortunate to be at the delta of two rivers of wisdom and expertise…(I hope everyone is appreciating the rich Pittsburgh analogies) that come together to form the power and prowess of…Read More