Attendees: Bill Bode, Ileen Carter, Robert Duchemin, Sabine Engle, Elisabeth Hoffman, Joe Konkel, Merideth Konkel, Rich Leon, Martha Nungesser
Elisabeth summarized interactions with congregation and visitors at Green Sanctuary table on Sunday morning.
Meeting focused on ideas and plans to:
- Introduce GS program to congregation and build motivation for change
- Conduct an environmental assessment including energy audit and congregational assessment
Merideth suggested Jane Goodall’s “Roots and Shoots” program to help introduce kids to GS program. Also floated the idea of bringing in a pig, being trained as a service animal, to draw attention to the program. Kids could also be asked to collect used tea bags and coffee grounds during coffee hour.
Sabine suggested raising awareness of how many paper cups we use by stacking them up leaving them on display… or taking pictures of the stacks and posting these all together in one place to maximize impact.
Bill discussed new Environmental Justice requirements in the evolving UUA Green Sanctuary Program.
Martha, with Elisabeth’s help, agreed to put together on overview of the GS Program to present to the congregation during a Sunday morning service. Bill will check with Rev. Harris for available dates later in the year or early next year.
Martha and Merideth will contact members of RE Council to assess environmental awareness content in recent programs and activities (e.g., SLAP pole project).
Ileen will ask Rev. Harris about environmental content in our worship and celebration services over the past year. Summer services will also be reviewed for environmental content.
Doug can provide information about electric energy usage patterns and water usage over the last two years.
All agreed that other businesses using the UUFBR facilities will have to be made aware of the environmental assessment and asked to contribute their observations and suggestions. Perhaps future contracts would include clear requirements on energy conservation and efficiency practices when using the facilities.
There will be a conference call with the UUA Green Sanctuary Program Manager on November 13 at 7:00 pm. All interested team members are invited to attend. Bill Bode will provide details closer to the date.
Next meeting will be held on December 3 at 7:00 pm. Bill Bode will make request to reserve Hartley as the meeting room for that day.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.