Tennessee River Rescue Zone Leader Information

Organizing a cleanup zone for the Tennessee River Rescue is a fulfilling opportunity that positively impacts your community and the beloved natural spaces we cherish. Each zone leader plays a crucial role in making this event successful. The tangible results of this initiative would not be achievable without the committed leadership from the Zone Leaders.

Zone leaders often come from various backgrounds, including organization leaders, educators, staff from municipal or state departments, and passionate environmental advocates.

This document aims to clarify the general responsibilities and considerations for those interested in becoming a zone leader. Additionally, it provides guidance on selecting an area for cleanup and includes contact information for regional leaders who can assist you throughout the process.

Zone Leader Expectations

A Zone Leader is expected to carry out the following tasks:

  • Attend Pre-Event Meetings
    • These meetings, organized by the WaterWays staff and the Regional Tennessee River Rescue Leadership Committee, serve as a platform to introduce participants to the network and ensure all event details are thoroughly addressed. During these sessions, attendees will confirm the specific zones for the clean-up, assign zone leaders, and establish requirements for waste disposal. This preparation ensures the event runs smoothly and efficiently.
  • Marketing and Volunteer Coordination
    • Each zone leader plays a crucial role in reaching out to volunteers. They are tasked with engaging and coordinating individuals who will participate in the clean-up efforts at their designated sites. This involves clear communication and motivation to ensure a robust turnout and effective teamwork on the day of the event.
  • Materials Pickup
    • Zone leaders are also responsible for the logistical aspect of the event by collecting necessary materials. They must coordinate with WaterWays staff or the Regional liaison to pick up these materials at the predetermined pick-up/drop-off time. This ensures that each site is fully equipped with the tools and resources needed for a successful clean-up.
  • Day-of Coordination
    • On the day of the event, it’s essential to manage several critical tasks with care. Volunteers should be checked in promptly to confirm their attendance and provide them with necessary instructions.
    • A zone leader must be present at the check-in site or delegate someone to sign in volunteers and distribute materials. It’s important to inform volunteers about the data being collected, potential hazards at the site, and proper waste disposal locations.
    • Volunteers must receive clear instructions on waste disposal, including guidelines for tires and recycling. Dumpsters should not be filled beyond their capacity. If you find yourself with excess waste, please pause your cleanup to avoid incurring additional service fees. Tires must be separated from regular trash and either dropped off at a recycling station or arranged for pickup through municipal services or volunteers. Waste disposal regulations vary by county, so reach out to your regional liaison for area-specific information.
    • Zone leaders are tasked with gathering important data, including the number of volunteers, hours of service, total trash bags collected, exact weight from weighed dumpsters, quantity of recycled materials, approximate miles of shoreline or river covered, number of tires, and estimated weight of bulk trash not placed in dumpsters, such as appliances, scrap metal, or furniture.
  • Feedback and Improvement
    • Collect volunteer feedback and reflect on improvements for future events, incorporating best practices from other organizations.

Materials For a Successful Cleanup

Items Provided For Pickup:

These items might need to be supplemented depending on funding and availability each year.

  • Volunteer T-shirts
  • Trash Bags
  • Gloves
  • Grabbers
  • Tennessee River Rescue Banner
  • Online pintables including waivers, community service form, and regional waste/recycling instructions.

Recommended things to have on-site day-of:

  • Morning safety meeting script
  • Waiver
  • Waiver Signature Sheet
  • Community Service Slips
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Wet Wipes
  • Paper towels
  • T-shirts
  • Garbage bags
  • Gloves
  • Trash grabbers
  • Sunscreen
  • Recycling bags
  • Bug Spray
  • Ink Pens
  • First Aid Kit
  • Rope
  • Bungee cords
  • Whistle
  • Banner/Signs

Other Items that Zone Leaders have found helpful to have on site:

  • First-Aid kit, Ice packs, Scissors, Tape clear and Duct, Table, table cloth, Clip Boards, Zip Lock bags, Stapler, Step stool, Folding Chairs, Basic tools such as pliers, Name tag
  • *Some sites also offer a breakfast or after party to encourage participation.

Funding

WaterWays plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the Tennessee River Rescue, acting as the coordinating entity and fiscal host to ensure the event’s success. Have you ever wondered how such a massive cleanup operation is funded? WaterWays takes on the responsibility of acquiring grant funding and sponsorships to cover essential needs like grabbers, T-shirts, banners, gloves, and trash bags. This support means that zone leaders can focus on organizing their efforts without the burden of securing funds for these basic necessities. However, they do have the option to apply for funding independently for specific requirements, such as grabbers, waders, nets, meals, or snacks, and even to aid their coordination tasks. We encourage sites that secure significant funding to contribute to the overall fund, fostering a sense of equity among all participating groups. This collaborative approach not only supports zones that lack additional funding but also helps WaterWays manage the hefty costs of T-shirts and event coordination. Isn’t it inspiring how collective efforts and community spirit can come together to protect our cherished waterways?

Site Selection & Safety

First ask yourself! Do you have a specific volunteer base in mind?

  • To ensure success, consider the unique aspects of your cleanup zone and the needs of your target volunteer base. Are you organizing a youth group such as scouts, school club, or just open to families with young children?

Are you planning to host a public or private cleanup?

The Tennessee River Rescue has traditionally organized cleanup efforts exclusively on the first Saturday of October, with each zone leader responsible for accepting volunteers via public registration.

While the official event date remains unchanged, the River Rescue has now expanded to include events two weeks before and after this date. This adjustment was made to accommodate various groups, such as corporate entities that prefer to volunteer together on a weekday. Additionally, this change enhances participation for groups facing scheduling conflicts, such as fall breaks or school sporting events.

A Public Zone still adheres to the traditional guidelines. These sites are open for registration to all volunteers and should take place on the official event date.

A Private Site can facilitate a closed-registration system, allowing only selected volunteers to participate. This approach is frequently utilized for organized corporate clean-up efforts, schools, or special events like the Trash Masters: Fishing For Trash, Not Bass tournament, a program of the Tennessee River Rescue created to engage the fishing community.

The Tennessee River Rescue’s expansion of cleanup events to include both public and private options reflects a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. By accommodating various schedules and preferences, the River Rescue aims to maximize participation and foster a cleaner, healthier environment along the Tennessee River. Whether you are part of a corporate team, a school group, or an individual volunteer, there is an opportunity for you to contribute to this vital cause.

Check out the Nobody Trashes Tennessee reference guidelines for how to organize a cleanup.

Organize a Cleanup

Ready to organize a cleanup? Check out our essential guide at nobodytrashestennessee.com

Site Selection and Accessibility

  • Accessibility: Choose a location that is easy to reach for all participants. Consider parking proximity and terrain, especially if your group includes children or those with mobility challenges. Ensure safe street crossings are planned.
  • Age Suitability: For groups with children, avoid locations near busy roads, deep water, or steep inclines. Tailor the site selection to meet safety and comfort needs of all volunteers. *Public sites are generally open to all ages, but you can specify an age range if necessary.
  • Community Relevance: Engage local schools, churches, and organizations to select sites meaningful to the community, fostering ownership and participation.

Safety Considerations

  • Hazard Identification: Conduct a site visit to identify potential risks like sharp objects or hazardous waste. Inform volunteers of these hazards and consult with other organizations for additional insights.
  • Safety Equipment and Protocols: Provide first-aid kits, gloves, and grabbers, and brief volunteers on safety protocols, including navigating dangerous areas.
  • Emergency Plans: Have a plan for emergencies, including the location of nearby medical facilities and communication methods. Ensure all volunteers are informed. It is best to have a facilitator at a central place for the duration of the cleanup for volunteers to check back in.

Managing Volunteer Safety

  • Coordination: Confirm logistics, waste disposal, and material needs in pre-event meetings, considering volunteer safety and mobility.
  • Volunteer Briefing: On event day, educate volunteers about site-specific hazards, safety protocols, and the importance of signing waivers.
  • Resource Allocation: Supply necessary materials like garbage bags and hand sanitizer. Prepare for weather conditions and designate check-in areas.
  • Ongoing Support: Monitor the event, provide assistance, and ensure volunteers have support if issues arise.
  • Waste Management: Coordinate with local waste facilities for proper disposal and recycling, ensuring compliance with regulations for your region.

Regional Leadership

The Tennessee River watershed encompasses Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Kentucky. This cleanup initiative began over 37 years ago in the greater Chattanooga area and has since expanded into a collaborative effort involving six counties across three states: Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. Our primary aim is to engage the entire watershed in a coordinated effort to assess litter in the Tennessee River and its tributaries.

As the impact of this event continues to grow, it is vital to acknowledge that various state and regional organizations conduct cleanups and provide programs throughout the year. The Tennessee River Rescue highlights the ongoing litter crisis while serving as an essential platform to raise awareness about litter and its effects on the environment and human health.

To further the Tennessee River Rescue initiative, strong regional leadership within participating counties is crucial. This leadership should focus on promoting collaboration among local governments, environmental organizations, and community groups to ensure continuous participation and resource sharing. By investing in regional leadership, counties can create tailored strategies that address specific local challenges while contributing to the overarching goal of a cleaner and healthier Tennessee River. This approach will not only improve the effectiveness of cleanup efforts but also foster greater community involvement and commitment to safeguarding this vital waterway for future generations.

Below are the current areas involved in the initiative. Use this list as a reference for your local cleanup to assist with dumpsters, recycling instructions, and tire disposal. If you’re interested in regional leadership or don’t see your county represented, please email Brooke@mywaterways.org for more information.

Tennessee River Rescue Coordinator

  • Brooke Fleeman – WaterWays (423) 290-6197 Brooke@mywaterways.org

Marion County, TN

  • Mickey Rose, Shellmound Campground

McMinn & Rhea County, TN

  • Jeanie Long – Tennessee Wesleyan

Meigs County, TN

  • Nolan Wildfire – Tennessee RiverLine

Bradley and Polk County, TN

  • Chris Broom – City of Cleveland Stormwater

Northern Alabama

  • Jennifer Webster – Tennessee RiverLine

North Georgia

  • Eric Montgomery