GREEN SANCTUARY MINUTES 2008

Minutes of the Green Sanctuary Meeting
December 8, 2008

Present: Lorna Baldwin, Barbara Davis, Mark Koenig, Amy Raven, Bill Rodgers, Judy Sawyer, Chuck Wagar

The meeting began at 7 pm with opening words by Barbara Davis. The November minutes were approved.

Budget Request—Amy reviewed the suggested Green Sanctuary budget request for the church year 2009-2010, to wit:
$100 – Ministry For the Earth
$100 – That’s My Farmer co-sponsorship
$100 – Speakers
$180 – Cost of anticipated educational movies
Amy estimated that maximum childcare hours needed for Green Sanctuary events would total 18; that is for nine 2-hour film showings. After some discussion, the proposed budget was approved.

Transportation Task Force Report – Mark Koenig described how LTD’s free software program, Survey Monkey, would work to allow and encourage church members to carpool to church and thereby reduce our collective carbon footprint. Interested members would fill out a registration form, giving their e-mail, phone number and address, and the program would match those who live near each other and send e-mails to notify participants who might find it easy to carpool. Each participating organization has its own “closed access” pool of drivers. At the same time, the service can provide us with a “scatter map” showing where church members live (without identifying who lives there), which could be useful in understanding how our members are distributed throughout the community. LTD also has a “carpool wanted” poster that we can put up to generate interest. Erin has agreed to set up the service on Survey Monkey for us, with UUCE as the “employer” organization.

The committee agreed that all Green Sanctuary Committee members who drive to church will register first to see how it works, then, beginning in January, we will begin to register all in the church who would like to participate.

At the same time, we will ask all church members to participate in a separate survey to ascertain how they usually get to church (walking, cycling, busing, or driving), how many miles they are from church, and any barriers they perceive to changing their habitual travel patterns. This second survey will also be available on the UUCE website.

Judy Sawyer agreed to submit a newsletter article for January about both these efforts.

Green Sanctuary Certification Process—The process to achieve Green Sanctuary certification has been set in motion, with Judy, Erik and Amy submitting to the Board the list of Green Sanctuary accomplishments over the last two years. (See attached.) Assuming the Board gives its blessing to our application for certification at its meeting on December 11 (where Erik and Judy will present our case), we will ask the church to vote its approval at the congregational meeting scheduled for January 11, 2009.
Judy also agreed to revise and resubmit the December article asking individual congregants to list all they have done to conserve energy and resources so we can include that information in our submission for certification. Judy will put together a form with suggestions for people to pick up in the Social Hall beginning in January.

Healthy RE Snacks—Lorna Baldwin reported that she and Barb Berry are sending a letter to Rev. Steve, Candee and the RE Committee requesting that all RE snacks be organic, and locally grown or supplied, if possible. The committee suggested that she also ask if there is any way we can help RE achieve that goal.

Tours Report—Lorna Baldwin reported that Dan Hurley, manager of Short Mountain landfill, is available to give us a tour any time. Possible dates include January 17, 18, and 31. Lorna will let us know.

NWEI Course, Menu for the Future—Sign-ups will begin on January 11. The course will be held Thursday evenings from Jan.15 to Feb.19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Ethical Eating Group—Judy reported that, apart from tweaking the general goal statement and brainstorming specific ways of achieving it, time ran out before any task forces could be created or decisions made. Therefore, another meeting has been scheduled following the second service on Sunday, December 21.

Request to Post Sign—Amy asked the committee’s approval to put up the following signs in the church bathrooms and kitchen:

WATER IS PRECIOUS
USE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED!
(MINIMIZE CHEMICALS IN RIVERS AND SAVE ENERGY!)

PAPER=TREES
USE MINDFULLY

Judy suggested we ask the Coordinating Council’s permission to post the signs. The committee agreed, and Judy said she’d submit it for approval at the next council meeting on December 13.

The meeting adjourned with closing words by Barbara at 9 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Judy Sawyer

November 10, 2008
Green Sanctuary Committee

Present: Amy Raven, Chairperson, Sharon Gaglia, Secretary, Lorna Baldwin, Barbara Davis, Erik Fisher, Audrey Maslin, Bill Rodgers, Judy Sawyer and Chuck Wagar.

Judy read the opening words from a piece written by a Unitarian minister.

The minutes from October’s meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Audrey reports the discrepancy in Green Sanctuary's Special Fund Account # 2160 reported last month has been reconciled with the help of UUCE Treasurer Jean Coberly. It was found that last winter receipts in the amount of $41 which Green Sanctuary had intended to be deposited in our special funds account #2160 were instead deposited in the Green Sanctuary budget line account #5709. Therefore, the end-of-year unspent balance in #5709 was $54.69, which amount reverted to the UUCE General Fund, as is customary. The corrected current balance in #2160 is $841.25. The budgeted amount for 2008-09 of $300 is the current balance in #5709. In future, we need to make sure the proper account number is placed on deposit slips and request-for-payment forms.

Film Task Force Report: Audrey reports that Green Sanctuary will host the film Thirst to be shown this coming Sunday, November 16th. Details necessary for executing the event have been taken care of. Amy suggested that we post this and future showings in various local papers: Eugene Register Guard, Eugene Weekly and also the Emerald. Those previewing movies for future EUU movie nights selected, in accord with UUA’s Seventh Principle, films which focus on various environmental issues, their causes, severity, impact and possible solutions. Audrey summarized the films selected for the 2009 viewing season:

    January 25th: The 11th Hour. A well-produced and comprehensive portrayal of a planet in peril and some radical and exciting solutions, tapping the brains of leading scientists and thinkers.

    February 22nd: Solar Energy: Saved by the Sun. A viewer-friendly survey of solar energy- the science, technology and practical applications.

    March 22nd: Unnatural Selection and Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals. Two films that focus on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), corporate ownership of seeds, farmers rights, loss of plant and animal diversity, lack of governmental testing and labeling, and overall lack of knowledge of effects on health and child development.

    April 26th: Common Ground: Oregon’s Ocean and Oregon Ecoregions: Preserving Natural Diversity. Two films showcasing our home. One presents the threat of further damage to Oregon’s ocean and marine life and the need to establish protected areas along the coast. The second show the dramatic effects of invasive species on our coast and in the Willamette Valley and the efforts to restore native ecosystems.

    May 17th: A Passion for Sustainability. Meet spokespersons for 14 businesses in Portland, Oregon (from a pizza shop to a housing developer to Nike to a winery) that decided to operate for environmental sustainability and social justice as well as profitability. Their success shows how creative thinking and focused passion can blaze new trails.

Audrey will try to get these announced in the Newsletter. Lorna suggested making a poster for local bulletin boards. Judie Hansen might be able to help us with the poster.

Transportation Task Force: Amy reported that Green Sanctuary as a group will need to complete the carpooling survey and to implement its results once presented to the congregation. Mark Koenig has expressed interest in taking the lead in this. A version of the survey questionnaire, a compilation from comments of Green Sanctuary members, was passed around for review.

Healthy Snacks for Kids: Lorna reported that she and Barbara Berry are still actively collecting information. She’ll have a full report next month.

Certification Process Report: Amy reported that there is lots of support from the Executive Committee for the certification process. Sarah Hendrickson, Board President, assured Amy that this is on the December 11th Board meeting’s agenda. Furthermore, a congregational meeting is scheduled for after the January 11th services, to include the vote on the church application for Green Sanctuary status. Some of the things Sarah would like from Green Sanctuary Committee are:
    •  Send representatives to the Board meeting to present the whole Green Sanctuary Process and program. Remind the Board of the original plan that was submitted.
    •  Summarize what has been accomplished and what needs to yet be accomplished
in order to obtain certification.
    •  Are there additional forms that the Board must deal with for UUA?
    •  Are there additional costs? Are they in the GS budget?
    •  Talk about future goals.
The presentation to the Board should be limited to about 15 minutes. It would be helpful to send some summary document(s) in advance of the December 11th meeting. This same summary piece could be presented to the general congregation on January 11th.

Judy, Erik and Amy will represent Green Sanctuary at the Board meeting, and will meet to put together the summary information Sarah requested, beforehand. Amy asked the committee if there is anyone who would take on the task of being the Historian. Someone who would assemble photographs of the various projects Green Sanctuary has sponsored. Lawn to Garden, Grassroots Garden, School Garden Project, Climate master program, and Stream Team were mentioned as some activities supported by Green Sanctuary. Amy suggested that we all brainstorm about the things that we’ve done as a group and individually to model green activities and to e-mail her our individual lists. Judy suggested that we probe the entire congregation to gather a more inclusive recollection of our Green History, particularly about things individuals have done and are doing. We’ll include this in December’s newsletter, asking people in the congregation to send us their stories. In addition, we will have paper forms at a church service, including a box to check in if the individual is interested in working with Green Sanctuary in some way.

Erik reminds us that this Sunday’s sermon will be about integrating the 1st and 7th Principles, and should be part of our certification document under Worship Services.

Adult Education/ NWEI courses: Erik spoke with Anna Sontag about starting the Menu for the Future courses in February. This is the Ethical Eating education series developed by the NWEI. The 6-week program will begin on Thursday, January 15th in room 5, from 6:30-8:00pm. Subsequent classes will similarly be on Thursday evenings, same time and place. Erik will submit a blurb for the course to be included in December’s newsletter.

Follow-up to Social Justice Empowerment Workshop: Amy and Judy took turns pointing out salient pieces and a summary of the workshop. Quite a few of our committee members participated in the week-end’s event (Amy, Sharon, Judy, Chuck, Audrey, Barbara, Bill and Erik. Lorna was there for Friday). Amy reported on the frequent mention of Green Sanctuary in the course of the workshop by leaders and by people, not necessarily connected to our group, as evidence of good things the church has been doing.

In order to select a social justice project we were to consider the 5 elements inherent in a project: Education, Service, Community Organizing, Advocacy and Witness. In addition, when evaluating various justice-based priorities, we were asked to consider the following to judge the appropriateness of our project.
    •  Grounding in UU principles.
    •  Accountability as it pertains to our congregation being a sensitive partner to making right institutional oppression.
    •  Fit in terms of leaders, resources and potential community partners.
    •  Opportunity within our community

The two main justice areas focused on, as chosen by the group attending the workshop, were Environmental/Sustainability and Human Rights. We chose one of five groups to participate in for the rest of the workshop. The groups were identified as:
    •  Group 1: Evaluate Social Justice Structure
    •  Group 2: Develop church-wide decision-making processes
    •  Group 3: Involve more people in participating
    •  Group 4: Environmental/Sustainability focus
    •  Group 5: Human Rights focus

The Environmental/Sustainability focus group decided that the church focus would be Ethical Eating, in part because it was selected as a Congregational Study Action Issue at last summer’s General Assembly, and there are many materials to utilize, including a 72-page study guide full of ideas and resources. Picking a specific goal under the banner of Ethical Eating would be something like optimizing purchasing choices, eating lower on the food chain, eating locally, getting food to those who need it. Education would play a big part in this project. We could promote the church’s food-buying policy or advocate for better food labeling. We could model our involvement with this issue using the UUA Study Guide which outlines 4 tracks for modeling Ethical Eating: 1) Human Rights 2) Animal Welfare 3) Ethical Eating and 4) Environmental Stewardship.

The Human Rights focus group selected 2 areas of interest for the congregation to consider. Oppression of sexual minorities and oppression of the Latino community. They were asked to pick one area to focus on.

A jaunty discussion over the workshop ensued. While it was agreed that the over-all workshop was excellent, it was only a beginning. There was also concern with the process of how the specific topics from the larger groupings of Human Rights and Environmental/Sustainability were chosen. In other words, shouldn’t more of the congregation weigh in on the specifics? Some of us felt that because of the time constraints of the workshop, selections were made in a rushed fashion, and that more input is needed by the congregation.

Goal-Setting For This Year: Using the model from the social justice workshop of Education, Service, Advocating, Community Service and Witnessing for Green Sanctuary’s church involvement, we discussed what our goal would be for this year. We’ve done much in the Education and Service arena. Lorna suggested that there are different levels of Education to consider. There is Education as it pertains to our UU congregation and there is Education as it pertains to the community at-large. To that end, Lorna suggested linking other websites that are concerned with green endeavors (Willamette Farms and Food Coalition, Helios Network for example) to our church website. This would certainly advance education on both internal and external fronts. Lorna will contact Martha Osgood to begin the linking project.

Judy brought up our carpooling project as another worthy cause.

Audrey distributed a newspaper article outlining the need for localization in making purchasing decisions.

Amy tossed out our sponsoring the making and distributing of grocery totes as a means to encourage “ethical bagging”.

Maybe we could, as an advocacy project, work to outlaw plastic bags.

Lorna suggested that writing letters to government agencies is a form of advocacy. Something we could get behind is community gardens. Presently, there are not enough community gardens available for all those waiting on waiting lists. Writing letters to the Eugene City Council advocating for additional property allotments for community gardens is a worthy cause. The effectiveness of writing them individually or as a group is yet to be determined. We as members of Green Sanctuary could additionally write letters monthly for specific goals.

We could also buff up our relationship with Food For Lane County, making a real effort to get more people from the congregation involved.

National Recycling Day – November 15th: There is too little time to organize a church-wide collection this year. Perhaps we could organize for Earth Day which is observed at the end of April. We could ask folks to bring things that cannot be recycled curbside (plastic bags, bottle caps and Styrofoam, as examples). Audrey suggests limiting to 2 categories of material for Recycling Day. We have both Lorna and Julie Rogers as Master Recyclers to draw information from.
We will return to this at future meetings.

Tours: We’ve talked about Next Step Recycling, St. Vincent DePaul’s as possible businesses to tour. Short Mountain Landfill would certainly be interesting and surely would be a great reminder of why we want to recycle. Lorna suggested riding the bus to Goodwill and other second-hand stores as points of interest. Chuck and Lorna will meet to co-ordinate our field trip tours.

Barbara will read the opening and closing words at next meeting.

Judy read the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson for our closing.

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Gaglia

October 13, 2008
Green Sanctuary Committee
Unitarian Universalist Church, Eugene, Oregon

Present: Amy Raven, Chairperson, Sharon Gaglia, Secretary, Lorna Baldwin, Barbara Davis, Erin Lamb, Audrey Maslin, Nathanial Nanna, Bill Rodgers and Chuck Wagar.

Chuck read the opening words from an article in Newsweek: “Project Green, Saving the World for a Latte”.

Minutes from September meeting were approved as sent by e-mail.
Those not having e-mail and wishing to receive copies of the minutes from the meetings should give Amy a self-addressed and stamped envelope monthly. Barbara and Chuck both expressed interest.

Treasurer’s Report: Audrey reports that we actually have two accounts. One is the budget line from the church, from which we are budgeted in 2008-2009, $300.00. The second is the Special Fund which we build upon by sponsoring workshops, selling books and receiving donations from films, etc.. Audrey shows that we have $902.25 in our Special Fund. The church shows that we have $866.25 – a $13.69 difference. Audrey is working with Jean Coberly, church Treasurer, to reconcile the difference in the books. The church deposit policy is that two people count and sign off on the deposit. For record-keeping purposes, the deposit slip is made out in duplicate. One is for Audrey, the other is for the church office. Should anyone make a purchase for Green Sanctuary, there are reimbursement forms. Both forms can be found in the Social Hall in a notebook.

     Audrey posed the questions: What are the purposes of these two accounts? Should we have a purchasing goal? A possible goal might be purchasing our own projecting equipment for film night, buying something for the church grounds, doing something for the advancement of education, or offering to pay for courses in the NW Earth Institute. We will return to this topic next meeting, and all are asked to think about this.

Transportation Task Force Report: Erin reports that the list of questions generated by our committee last month remain unanswered. Survey Monkey, an on-line service could be helpful in the church carpooling survey. Barbara expressed frustration with attempting to find rides to various church meetings. Not everyone is willing to give rides. Audrey adds that perhaps attitudes will change after presenting our carpooling agenda to the church. Amy reports that the Coordinating Council approved of and encourages carpooling. Groups within the church are being asked to consider lowering their carbon footprint by having fewer meetings, or having meetings in places other than the church that would perhaps be more central to people attending. Finding centrally located meeting places that have handicapped parking could pose a problem. Consolidating childcare is another consideration.

     Lorna thinks that it is important that we, as members of Green Sanctuary, focus our energies on agreed upon topics. Amy reiterated the Task Forces identified at last month’s meeting. Lorna mentioned our involvement with “That’s My Farmer” and Huerto de Familia where UU donated $1600.00 – the largest contribution to the program. Amy suggests that we e-mail proposed Green Sanctuary goals to her. Erin will send the proposed questionnaire for the congregation to Amy tonight.

Film Task Force Report: On Sunday, October 19th at 7:00 p.m. Green Sanctuary will host the showing of “Escape from Suburbia”. Bill will pick up and return the DVD projector from the Mac Store. Glen Treiber will run the projector. Audrey says that we need someone else to back-up Glen should he not be able to be there on film night. Bill volunteers to learn and run the system. Barbara volunteered to be at the Welcome Desk with the sign-up sheet. Amy will remind Digger that he is in charge of making popcorn. Chuck is in charge of kitchen clean-up, turning out lights and lock-up. Amy will bring the DVD and present an introduction to the film. She will also lead the post-viewing discussion.

For November 16th the film “Thirst” will be shown. It showcases the worldwide water problems. Bill will again pick-up and return the projector. Glen will operate the projector and Ruth Duemler will present the introduction and lead the post-viewing discussion. Erin will get the film from Katie Lynch from the U of O.

     The Task Force film reviewing team will review films for possible showing in January through May. Audrey is trying to get a copy of “King Corn” to be added to the movies to view. The viewing team will meet at Audrey’s house on Saturday from 3:00p.m. until 9:00p.m.

    The movie “Flow” is coming to the Bijou Theater. Audrey thought it might me something we could go to as a group; however, she’s not sure when it will actually show. She should know by October 20th if there will be an October 24th showing. Amy reminds us that the church Halloween party will be on the 24th. We might have to forego this as a group.

     Amy would like to change movie night from the 3rd Sunday of the month to the 4th Sunday January through April as a way of consolidating childcare with Dick Loescher’s Non-Violent Communication group. We can go back to showing on the 3rd Sunday in May should we choose to. We agreed to the change.

     The group elected to not show a film in June as this is the time of the year when folks go on vacation.

Ethical Eating Task Force Report: Lorna is eager to make some changes in the snacks that are served to the children in the Religious Education program. She would like to get the parents on board with the serving of more organic and healthy treats. Barbara Berry, one of the parents, is interested in pursuing this as well. The R.E. budget supports wholesale Costco products. Lorna would like Green Sanctuary to back the organic/healthy snack vision, perhaps helping to subsidize the costs. Lorna and Barb will investigate what organic products are available.

     Lorna spoke about Mary Bradley who grew 50,000 pounds of produce for Food For Lane County. She harvests leaves off the street for composting.

     Lorna is hosting a class next Sunday afternoon, October 19th in her back yard. It is a beginners workshop “From Grass to Garden”. Topics include permaculture and sheet mulching.

     Audrey wants Green Sanctuary to take a leadership role in Ethical Eating because of its implication on a National scale. We should bring this up at the Social Justice Empowerment Workshop as a proposed church focus for the year. The Workshop will take place on November 7th and 8th. Two national UU presenters will also be there. There is no cost, there will be childcare and food will be provided.

Center for Earth Leadership: Amy reminds us about “How to be an Agent of Change” – the 6-session workshop coming up in February. There is an introductory, informational meeting on Wednesday, October 22nd, 7:00-8:30 p.m., at the Eugene Public Library for anyone who would like to attend. Lorna and Sharon want to attend.

National Certification as a Green Sanctuary Church: We already have submitted this as an agenda action item. The church needs to vote by February. Amy will ask Eric, who led us in completion of the tasks we said we would do in order to be certified, to the Board. Amy will talk with Gretchen and Suzanne about ensuring that it gets on the November Board agenda

Coordinating Council: Amy reports that this is a loose organization of whomever comes from the various church committees. Questions arise about this body: 1) Who should make up the Coordinating Council? 2) What, if any, decision-making authority does it have? 3) What is the future status of the council? At the last meeting, Ken passed out a list of all church committees presently meeting and having impact on the church (opposed to interest groups). It was proposed that groups having impact on the church have representation at the Coordinating Council. That representation ought to be by the committee chair or by someone who has in-depth knowledge of the group they represent. The Coordinating Council should take some of the pressure off of the Board by acting on issues that arise. They could set up a calendar showing the dates and times that the various committees meet.

The Accessibility Committee brought up the need of a better sound system for the hearing impaired.

Lorna is one of the 14 Worship Associates.

Tour Idea: Next Step Recycling or Good Will are two businesses that we as a group decided upon. Lorna and Chuck will head this up and report next time. Barbara also volunteered.

Social Action Cluster: Judy Sawyer and Amy co-chaired the recent meeting of this group. The cluster focuses on social action and different groups within the cluster coordinate the effort. Amy proposes choosing Ethical Eating as a point of focus.

Chuck closed the meeting by reading a poem from New Men Deeper Hunger.

Respectfully Submitted:
Sharon Gaglia

September 8, 2008
Green Sanctuary Committee

Present: Amy Raven and Judy Sawyer, Co-Chairs, Sharon Gaglia, Secretary, Ruth Duemler, Erik Fisher, Mark Koenig, Erin Lamb, Bill Rodgers and Chuck Wagar.

Amy read the Opening Words, an Ojibwa Prayer, from Grateful Heart, Edited by M.J. Ryan.

Introductions were made, minutes from May 12th, our last meeting, were approved and the evening’s agenda was reviewed – Item 5, Hope in Action Youth Conference on November 21st was omitted, as Erin Lamb found another location.

Erin Lamb, new to the committee, whose personal passion is transportation, spoke to us about increasing our awareness of alternative transportation and carpooling. She spoke about LTD’s mapping software that is available to us as an organization. UU members can register individually and the software will automatically create a map, locating our members so that we can at-a-glance be able to see who lives close to us in order to facilitate carpooling. This could serve us not only for Sunday services, where parking congestion is a major concern, but also assist in scheduling committee meetings on the same evenings to eliminate the need for heating the building all the time. There are still questions to be answered about the software system: Does LTD update the list/map for us? Can we register on-line? How often can we add/delete names? Can we register subsets of the main membership? Is there privacy of information within the system? Erin will update her report and address these questions at our next meeting. The fact remains that we can do more as a group to lessen the automobile impact. To help her understand individual needs and attitudes within the church, Erin would like to take a survey among our members. Key issues: How many people want to carpool? How many are already doing it? How many aren’t ready to make a transportation change? What barriers would prevent you from carpooling or using an alternative transportation method? How many miles do you drive to church? Erin will construct the survey so that we as a committee can review, approve or improve upon it. She will send Amy a draft of the survey, so that it can be taken to the next meeting of the Coordinating Council.

The Green Sanctuary Task Forces lead people are as follows:
1) Films: Audrey Maslin. Audrey will be happy to head up the committee but needs others to serve with her. Chuck Wagar and Sharon Gaglia volunteered to coordinate. Digger will continue to make the popcorn on movie night. Bill Rogers will pick up the projector from the Mac Store, and return it. Audrey has already reserved it. Amy suggested our choosing the films for the next 3 months, as we will need to reserve the movies, in many cases, in advance. With much deliberation, the group decided upon showing the following: October 19th : Escape from Suburbia. We will not preview it. On November 16th we will show Thirst also without preview. Typically, the movies to be shown will be previewed by committee members for suitability for general viewing. Mark Koenig will lead the discussion after the October movie, Escape from Suburbia, and there was discussion of inviting Tammy Stark, from LCC, who does water catchment, to lead the discussion after Thirst. We opted to not show a movie in December because of time constraints during the holiday season. We will start up again in January and will try to show movies whose topics are closely aligned with our 7th Principle focus for this church year. We discussed borrowing films from the U of O – we need a congregational member who is on the faculty, to do, such as Patrick Phillips or Ken Ross.
Audrey will create a division of labor within the Film Task Force.

2) Transportation: Erin Lamb.

3) Educational Programming: Erik Fisher (will coordinate with Adult Programming). Erik proposed starting in January, 2009 with the 6-session Northwest Earth Institute’s Course Menu for the Future . Erik will e-mail Anna and Rev. Steve to see what they plan on doing for the 7th Principle Year.

4) Ethical Eating: Lorna Baldwin

5) Grassroots Gardens Work Party: Judy Sawyer

6) Microfinance: Eldon did this last year. Because no one can match or echo Eldon’s skill and know-how on this topic, we will have to let it lay fallow this year. Erik will let Eldon know our decision so he can preserve our goodwill with those we were working with – especially Jorge.

Dick Roy and Center for Earth Leadership:
Amy had a discussion with Dick Roy, co-director of the Center for Earth Leadership in Portland, OR, about our possible involvement. The Center's primary program is a 6-session course, “How to be an Agent of Change in Your Circle of Influence.” Kelcey Beardsley, an experienced agent, will be relocating to Eugene for one year. She has agreed to help introduce the program in Eugene. An informational meeting will be held on Wed. Oct. 22, place and time to be determined, to discuss the course. It will be offered starting Feb. 11, 2009. Amy told Dick that it wouldn't be possible to use the UU church for the informational meeting, due to choir rehearsals that night in the Sanctuary. She will keep us informed as she gets more details.

Brainstorming Priorities/ Other Ideas for the Year:
• Erin suggests boycotting ethanol.
• Tour St. Vincent’s or Goodwill to see their recycling program.
• Tour of NextStep Recycling.
• EmX tour to Springfield.
• Get Green Sanctuary Certification – We need the Board to OK our proposal and set up a congregational meeting for a vote. It would be good to have such a meeting in February, so that all can be done in time for the next General Assembly in June '09, as a ceremony is done then for all newly certified churches, and we want to be one of them. Amy will pursue with Rev. Steve and the Board.

Other Business:
• Facilities Council: Erik asked Chuck how we were doing with avoiding using pesticide, one of our Action Plan goals. Chuck said the church has used ecologically friendly control methods for carpenter ants, termite control, capturing wasp nests and monitoring bees prevalent in front of the church and the Mechanical Room. Chuck Wagar, Bob Kezer and Matt, the janitor will be doing insect inspections this month. Chuck trapped several spiders and took them to the Extension Service. They were not anything dangerous.
• The Green Sanctuary web pages are being updated by Amy.
• Ruth wants us to call LTD and to encourage them not to cut programs and services to the ridership – especially Ride Source.
• Next meeting is October 13th. Chuck will do the Opening Words and Amy will provide the Closing Words.

Sharon closed the meeting by reading a piece from Grateful Heart.

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Gaglia, Secretary

May 12, 2008
Green Sanctuary Committee

Present: Erik Fisher and Amy Raven co-chairs, Lorna Baldwin, secretary, Judy Sawyer, Chuck Wagar, Bill Rodgers, Ruth Deumler, Julie Rogers, Barbara Davis, Mark Koenig, Audrey Maslin, and Reverend Steve Landale.

Judy read opening words from Sharon Welch’ Sweet Dreams in America.

Introductions were made, minutes for last meeting were approved and the agenda was reviewed.

Audrey requested that any financial dealing come through her or that she be notified. There were no activities to report. We still have $1,086.75 in our special account. Amy said that at the Coordinating Council they stated that all remaining funds (from the line item and our special project funds) would be added to the church’s general budget at the end of the fiscal year. There was some concern about loosing the special funds that came from personal donations, book sales and fundraising. Amy will clarify this item and let us know at the next meeting.

Judy reported that despite inclement weather, 12 people came to the Native Plant Nursery for the Stream Team project. Activities included transplanting, spreading mulch, and planting acorns.

The RE initiated “no electricity day” for Earth Day (great idea) included turning down the heat which in the future would need to be advertised well in advance to accommodate those for whom reduced temperature can be a real challenge.

Putting the Order of Service on a poster at the front rather than printing it (saving paper) had mixed reviews. We will listen to alter-abled perspectives on this one for future efforts.

Space for tabling is a real challenge with all the increased activity the last few years. Suggestions included: more announcements; better signs; using library; using the cluster idea to prioritize needs for table space. Julie reminded us to use the What’s a UU to Do hand out.

The Rose House Tour (Eldon Haines and Linda Rose’ green home in Portland) included 4 UUs from Eugene and covered technical aspects as well as the neighborhood wide efforts.

The question of what it means to be a cluster arose. Green Sanctuary, Social Justice, Accessibility, Interweave, Coffee, and 3rd Sunday Offering will likely be a cluster. The first full weekend in November will be a Social Justice Workshop which will help us identify what we want to accomplish. With nearly 50 committees coordination is a real challenge.

The Sunday Morning Cluster may include adult education specific to new families, and people in wheel chairs entering the sanctuary and will speak to the spiritual underpinnings of our work here. Someone asked if we could do one service on a Sunday that would serve to reach all stakeholders.

The annual reports from all committee chairs are coming in now. Brian Lewis is coordinating a church camp for all on 7/25. Marshall Rosenburg is coming soon for a workshop on Non-Violent Communication. We need a calendar kept for all planning of all committees. Green Sanctuary is getting $300 as a line item in the budget again this year. Erik sent a nomination form in for Eldon Haines for an Environmental Hero Award.

Eric is picking up the projector and Amy is returning it for Affluenza. We have had no one needing childcare but are still paying for it each month. Solution? More outreach? Will discuss more at next meeting. Thirst is 6/22. Amy is getting screen but no one is signed up to transport projector.

The newsletter items need to be in by Wednesday (Judy filling in for Kim) as Steve proofs on Thursday.

Alternative transport day is June 8th. We need more outreach with RE, Web site – links for transportation? Community Solutions should be checked out. Mark suggests we collect data from congregation on what we are doing now as a baseline. Can’t change what you can’t measure. How many empty seats are coming to church now? Could try this data collection as a committee and put the results in the newspaper. June 8th may have many other large items happening (Prefontaine). Mark will create and send a form we could use before he leaves for daughter’s wedding.

Two items, one by Interfaith Power and Light and the Western Climate Initiative were brought to the attention of the committee.

There is a new Green Sanctuary Manual out on congregations working together to restore the earth and renew the spirit. Judy took from Erik as new co-chair.

Renew is a film many are chipping in for and each can take home to watch.

Chuck brought wasp nests on church grounds to our attention. We asked him to check with Northwest Coalition to Alternatives to Pesticides and authorized him to spend up to $100 to resolve the situation in a non-toxic way.

Steve Landale began the discussion of the spiritual dimensions of the work the Green Sanctuary is doing with the church and planning for next year’s focus. The UUA will vote in June on their theme for the year and Ethical Eating is one of the choices.

Menu for the Future is a new Northwest Earth Institute discussion course which is relevant along with Eldon’s micro-finance program.

Next year starting in August or September of 08 will focus on the 7th principle. RE will be doing world religions and Steve has spoken with Candee about lifting up the interdependence within the religions. Steve will touch on world religions also looking for the multiplier effect that will have parents and children talking about what they are learning.

Bringing up the protection of animals down to the level of plankton was promoted. Steve would like to see more participation by Green Sanctuary members in the Worship Associates program. He would also like to see more ways to learn about alter abled. Ideas included: discussions after Sunday services, plays or skits.

Anna Sontag is new chair of adult RE. She might be a resource for the Great Story or help for discussion after the service.

The Willamette Farm and Food is a good organization to tap into for more information on food and for titles for our film series – with a food focus.

Credentialing of Green Sanctuary - let’s not have it be just a stamp. We may have the kick off in September. We will chew on the best way to make it happen.

The cycle of poverty which leads to environmental degradation which leads to more poverty and over population…and more poverty needs to be shared. It is this feedback that links micro-finance with environmental work of Green Sanctuary. Possibilities for micro finance include Centro Latino with Jorge Navarro. They have identified a woman to carry it forward who is out of the country until fall. Suzanne and Dennis Reynolds are looking for funding. The 3rd Sunday slot may be possible. There is a 6 acres farm potentially available. This group needs someone familiar with Grameen Bank principles as Eldon Haines…one of the original founders of our Green Sanctuary and a true guiding light is moving to Portland on June 26th. Although he will stay involved he cannot lead from there. We will all miss his excellent energies, wisdom and loving approach to life.

The group also thanked Erik Fisher for his stellar leadership as co-chair. He has led us in our accreditation process and has herded us (cats) with such grace and intelligence.

Thanks to Erik and Eldon for all your hard work and thanks to Judy and Amy for becoming our new co-chairs.

Amy read a Pawni prayer as a closing. Next meeting is September 8th.

April 14, 2008
Green Sanctuary Committee
Unitarian Universalist Church, Eugene, Oregon

Present: Erik Fisher and Amy Raven co-chairs, Lorna Baldwin, secretary, Judy Sawyer, Chuck Wagar, Bill Rodgers, and first time participant Sharon Gaglia.

Judy read opening words from Barbara Steinem.

Introductions were made and the March minutes were approved.

Judy reported that the Coordinating Council discussed our budget request of $750 but we don’t know the outcome yet.

Erik reported that Steve Landale will attend our regular May 12th meeting in part to discuss the spiritual dimensions of the work of the Green Sanctuary. Also the coming year focuses on the 7th principle. He is interested in hearing from us what our preferred theme(s) is. Amy suggested that we focus, in part, on increasing carpooling.

Judy also reported that the CC would like the Social Justice and the Green Sanctuary leaders to have a dialogue about how we may fit into a cluster…perhaps with the Accessibility Committee.

Erik reminded us that he will be stepping down after the next meeting (after the summer actually since May is our last meeting for the year). Amy and Judy will co-chair. Erik asked who wanted the secretary job. Sharon Gaglia, our new member, volunteered.

     * We then reviewed our latest GS sponsored gatherings: Power of Community (Cuba) left many inspired. The What a Way to Go (Bennett) film and workshop with Kate Gessert was difficult but got good reviews. Judy and Amy co-facilitated with Kate. Comments included: the film romantisized the hunter-gatherer period; focused on our relationship with each other and the earth. One of the exercises had us speak in small groups about an issue of concern - as yourself, someone who would disagree with your viewpoint, as a non-human and as a future citizen. It was powerful.
     * That’s My Farmer had a new energy this year, drawing upwards of 400 people. Farmer Bucks will be sold in the Social Hall after services.
     * Michael Dowd spoke for over 2 hours to 70 people about the Great Story which could be described as religious naturalism. A song in our hymnal relates: Holy Now. Good reviews.
     * Twenty-five people have signed up for Stream Team on Earth Day from 9 to noon.
     * Audrey and Ruth are staffing the GS table on 4/19. There are TWO boxes in the closet for the table.
     * Sue Archbald and Eldon should discuss sales of PlanB 3.0
     * We will work with Cande on no electricity day on the 19th.
     * Judy will talk to Steve tomorrow about the pop can idea. Judy at 9 and Bill at 11 will assist during the service. Lorna is Worship Associate.
     * Candee would like someone from GS to speak to youth about Alternative Modes day on June 8th
     * Amy will ask Eldon if he would like to reschedule the GS Rose House Tour since only 2-3 will be able to attend in early May.
     * Affluenza is next film 6:30 on the 18th of May. Amy will try to get it through Net Flicks. Erik will pick up projector. Judy will return it. Amy will get the screen.
     * Thirst on 6/22/08 Judy will check on availability of Sanctuary.
     * After a discussion with Olga and Suzanne it appears that credentialing won’t happen for GS until the fall. Too many items on the agenda.
     * All committees need to do a summary for the year which is due in May. Erik will supply.

Everyone should be thinking about Steve Landale’s request that we identify a theme for next year: food security, landscaping, investing, recycling, conservation, microfinance, alternative modes are some of the ones we could consider. Amy will do some research including Community Solutions for car pooling.

Amy and Erik will contact Jeff of Social Justice about micro finance.

Respectfully submitted,
Lorna Baldwin

March 19, 2008
Green Sanctuary Committee

Present: Erik Fisher and Amy Raven co-chairs, Lorna Baldwin, secretary, Judy Sawyer, Chuck Wagar, Audrey Maslin, Bill Rodgers, Ruth Duemler.

Lorna read opening (and closing) words.

Audrey shared that we have $13.69 in the line item account and $775.75 (once she turns in a $40 check) in the special projects account.

Volunteers to staff the table in the social hall include: Erik and Judy on 3/30, not needed on 4/6, Judy and Bill on the 13th and Audrey and Ruth on 4/20.

Currently we are having book sales (including Chinook Books), sign ups for NWEI and Stream Team work party as well as the What a Way to Go workshop on 4/5.

A large tent is still needed for Stream Team. Ruth will let Judy know if she has one.

For the movie next Sunday- Power of Community (Cuba), Digger is picking up the projector from the Mac Store, Audrey is greeting and working in the kitchen. Amy is picking up the screen unless Rudy Berg is coming and can bring it. Judy and Erik will clean up. Erik will get it in the Register Guard and lead the discussion.

Movies: Affluenza is May 18th and Thirst is June 22nd – then we break for the summer.

What a Way to Go is April 5th. Bill will pick up the projector, Amy will pick up screen from Rudy (or have him bring it). People are asked to bring a brown bag lunch. We need to set a date by which we need notification for childcare. Amy will make tea. Judy and Amy are meeting with Kate three times and will help with facilitation.

If carpooling to LCC for Celebration Sunday is organized we will participate. Amy will send a link to the site that has a carpooling schedule.

On April 29th there is a global effort to symbolically make a statement by turning electricity off for an hour – 8 to 9 pm. The RE wants to make a similar statement by using minimal electricity on Sunday, April, 20th. We need more information.

Chuck’s data showing the reduction in electric and water usage since 2001 will be shown on the GS table.

That’s My Farmer annual event is on April 8th. Lorna is organizing the table in the social hall this year. Michael Dowd (The Great Story) will be here at the church on April 10th.

On 4/17 Erik will make a presentation to the Board asking about the church vote for GS certification on May 18th at the Congregational/Town Hall meeting.
Next GS mtg. Judy and Erik will share opening and closing.

Thanks Amy for these items: If anyone takes money at the table, the forms to complete and envelopes are in a notebook by the telephone in the kitchen, and our account number is #2160. Last thing, we talked about meeting in the Breezeway Room from now on, and Erik said he'd check to see if the room is available, with Kim.

January 14, 2008
Green Sanctuary Committee

Present: Erik Fisher and Amy Raven co-chairs, Lorna Baldwin, secretary, Judy Sawyer, Chuck Wagar, Audrey Maslin, Bill Rodgers, Digger Peterson-DeGroff, Ruth Duemler.

Chuck Wagar read opening words followed by introductions. The minutes on the December meeting were approved as written.
Housekeeping
     * In May we will need to replace Erik as co-chair for Green Sanctuary. Amy Raven is willing to continue - with a co-chair.

Other business:
     * Budget request due by January 31st. Will need $100 after the congregational vote for credentialing.
     * Other ideas include: starting a small lending library of current environmental DVDs to be housed in the library; providing a scholarship for people (particularly youth) to attend the Environmental Law Conference.
     * We are meeting with Steve on Wednesday, March 19th so will not have our monthly meeting on March 10th. We will be meeting with Steve to visit the spiritual nature of our work and the focus on the 7th principle for next year – in part.
     * Ideas for the 7th Principle. Lorna suggested an intergenerational effort to build raised garden beds out in the community for targeted groups (seniors, low income, or anyone who wants to pay?). She suggested that there could be multiple partners, including perhaps the Huerto de Familia, home improvement centers, or grantors such as the Country Fair. Providing a bed ready to plant with a used garden book/simple instructions and/or seeds serves to build community, empower individuals and to lessen the carbon footprint.
     * Judy suggested free bikes downtown for use by everyone.
     * Amy reported that at the Coordinating Council there was discussion of a empowerment workshop to be sponsored by UUA sometime between September and December – date to be chosen by UUA. Friday evening and all day Saturday. Its purpose is in part to assess the quality of social justice program currently and make progress towards a program which is effective and elevates the church in the community.
     * The Green Sanctuary will encourage our congregation to sign up for an audit on- line through the Climate Master Program. Bill Rodgers brought hand outs.
     * It was reported that the public announcements about the movie on the 20th stated the start time as 6:30 while it was in our newsletter and order of service at starting at 7:00 pm. Amy will try to get the word out internally that the time is actually 6:30 and corn will be popped between 6:30 and 6:45 when we will start. Audrey gave Chuck the DVD. Judy Sawyer is getting the projector from CALC and the screen from Rudy Berg. Chuck and Glenn will do a trial run…if Glenn is available. Tea, coffee and popcorn will be served. Digger will bring popcorn and his popper early to the church. Ruth will bring some microwave popcorn. They will be reimbursed. Amy will call Pam Dilahey to see if she can bring her electric car to the movie. It is still hoped the Mark Murphy will come…even without his Gizmo. Chinook books (14) will be on sale for $20. Erik will MC.
     * Northwest Earth Institute class will not start until March but sign up can start earlier.
     * Amy reported that for Steve’s installation they can take Chinet paper plates and napkins to Rexius for composting.
     * Although we will leave it open, the Green Sanctuary doesn’t feel at this time that it can squeeze one more thing onto its schedule to host David Dowd on April 10th
     * February 24th is the next chosen date. The films shown will be “The story of Stuff” and End of Suburbia”
     * Lane Sustainability Office is having a Global Action Movie Day all day on Thursday, January 17th at LCC Boardroom, Bldg. 3 Room 216 (Main Campus).
     * January 25th there is a MFU fundraiser at the First UU church in Portland
     * January 31st a huge teach-in with 1,300 universities talking about climate change
     * March 23rd movie will be How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.
     * April 5th will be the “What a Way to Go” and empowerment workshop at the church with Kate Gessert. We will charge $15, take up to 25 people but require a minimum of 10. The hours will be 9:00 to 4:30 with a luncheon. Amy will get something in out UU newsletter before Friday.
     * Judy Sawyer will work with Digger Peterson-DeGroff on the Stream Team project for Earth Day which will be April 19th.
     * Audry needs to find out about all financial transactions that happen without having to call Marta.
     * Lorna will work with Martha to update our web site.

Chuck Wagar read closing words from Gary Lawless.
Next meeting will be Wednesday, March 19th with Rev. Steve, where?
Judy will bring opening words and Amy will bring closing words.

Adjourned at 9:00 PM sharp.

Respectfully submitted, Lorna Baldwin, secretary

Present: Eldon Haines, Lorna Baldwin, Carol Armstrong, Madisyn Schultz, Barbara Newton, Berry Broadbent, Eve McConnaughey, Cindy Pitcairn, Erik Fisher, Chuck Wagar, Mary Miller, Amy Raven

Opening words were read by Erik. The minutes from the last meeting were approved, with one correction - Eldon is not going to Micronesia this year. He will be in Mexico for one month.

Religious Education Liaison Madison Schultz was introduced.

New Officer Transition: Lorna said she is willing to step up as co-chair, with Erik, until next winter when Erik’s second term will end. Amy was asked if she was willing to be chair or co-chair at that time, and she replied that she is still uncertain. It was moved, seconded and approved that Lorna will be co-chair now, with Erik, and Eldon will go to emeritus status. The church Board will still need to approve this.

Budget: Audrey requested payment to UU Ministry for Earth for this year’s dues.
Erik asked Audrey to find out whether the funds spent on Bill Scarvie’s travel came out of the “general” or “special” account. Special funds come from special events and are used for the same. General funds are recurring annual expenses, and come out of the church’s general budget.