GREEN SANCTUARY MINUTES 2009

January 12, 2009
Green Sanctuary Committee

Present: Judy Sawyer and Amy Raven, Co-Chairpersons, Sharon Gaglia, Secretary, Barbara Davis, Ruth Duemler, Audrey Maslin, Susan Oldland, Bill Rodgers and Chuck Wagar.

Chuck read the Opening Words, “Through the Earth I am Aware” by Elizabeth Rogers from A Green Sound, an anthology of UU published works.

Susan Oldland introduced herself to the group. Minutes from our last meeting were approved. Before moving onto the agenda items a small celebration ensued as a result of the news that we passed Green Sanctuary Certification within our UU Eugene ministry.

Treasurer’s Report: Audrey reports that there is a $7 discrepancy between her records and the church’s for our Special Fund account. Jean Coberly’s church records show $836.25 for that account and Audrey’s shows a balance of $829.25. Audrey reiterated the importance of accounting for deposits and withdrawals using the designated forms. She will continue to investigate the cause of the problem. We still have $300 in our Board Budget Account.
We have yet to assign a purchasing goal for our monies. A film projector is still high on the wish list. Bill Rodgers volunteered to investigate various styles, features and associated prices for the available models.

Audrey’s Treasurer’s Report segued into our monthly film series. We owe a hearty thanks to Judie Hansen for designing the wonderful bulletin board poster showcasing our monthly film feature. We also owe a big thank-you to Digger who faithfully shows up to make popcorn on film night. Not only does he do the work, he donates all the popcorn and fixings for the evening. Sharon offered to send them both a Thank-You note. Our upcoming film, The 11th Hour, will be shown on Sunday, January 25th. Audrey would like to extend additional publicity to outside of our church. Publications like Eugene Weekly, Eugene Register Guard and the weekly e-mail list Lane Current are targeted. Additionally, we should e-mail Audrey if there are other contacts – especially contacts from other churches whose congregants have shown interest in green living. Sharon will identify point persons from other churches, such as Temple Beth Israel and Central Presbyterian. Audrey will introduce The 11th Hour to viewers on the 25th and Amy will facilitate a post-viewing discussion. We should all be thinking about bringing to the discussion some radical solutions.

For the February 22nd film: Solar Energy: Saved by the Sun Amy suggested asking a solar energy expert for a post-viewing presentation. Newt Larken from Solar Assist was suggested. Judy suggested also calling Bring Recycling for some ideas. Chuck will call EWEB for other possible speakers.

Lorna’s Report in absentia:
     • Judy reported for Lorna that there is scheduled a potential sermon on deep ecology in February. Lorna will be serving as worship associate.
     • That’s My Farmer: April 21st is the chosen date for the 2009, 10th anniversary event. Lorna agreed to shadow John Pitney, and eventually take over the program direction, as John and his wife will relocate in a few years. Barb Prentis and Elliot McIntire are also serving in leadership roles.
     • RE snacks: Lorna sent a reminder to Rev. Steve and Candee about the letter they received about RE snacks. She hasn’t heard back yet.
     • Short Mountain Landfill Tour: Lorna asked us to pick a few acceptable dates in February or March for the tour.

In response to Lorna’s report, a healthy discussion followed concerning our role with providing guidance and/or action with regard to RE and healthy snacks. Maybe Green Sanctuary could provide such snacks on one Sunday. Maybe we could involve the children with pressing apples for apple juice or making fruit smoothies or the like. We need to be mindful about allergies to wheat gluten, nuts and dairy. We’ll have to give this additional thought.

Susan Oldland, new to our group, is a co-facilitator for the Ethical Eating group with Suzanne Reynolds. Susan wants to interface with Green Sanctuary more closely to effect positive change in areas of mutual concern. She believes there is some overlap between the Ethical Eating group and Green Sanctuary and wants to work closely with Green Sanctuary to coordinate efforts. It was suggested that she, Judy, Lorna and Barb Berry go to an RE committee meeting to further the discussion about healthy snacks. The next Ethical Eating meeting is on Sunday, January 25th , after the 11 a.m. service. The goal of the meeting is to select specific goals re: such things as animal rights, distribution of food, etc. Susan indicated that they would then break into selected project groups. Judy suggested maybe showing a new film on the Grass Roots Garden. It would be a wonderful introduction of Green Sanctuary’s ideals as it applies to ethical eating.

The field trip to Short Mountain Landfill will take around 4 hours. After checking calendars for possible timing conflicts, we decided upon March 21st or March 28th, 10:00 a.m.

Green Sanctuary Transportation Survey:
Some thoughts about our survey:
      Keep it simple and to the point (it is).
      Administer the survey now and perhaps 6-9 months later to see if there has been a change of habits.
      Use the on-line tool Survey Monkey, when possible. Bill will put the survey on Survey Monkey and will analyze the data as it comes in. Amy will get the link and give the information to Martha Osgood for the Newsletter.
      We will need 50 copies of the survey printed out for those who do not use computers.
      We will need a deadline date for returning the survey. Amy suggested that the survey be issued January 25th with a return deadline of February 28th.
      Mark had difficulty generating interest in carpooling when manning the table at Sunday service. What can we do to better understand church members’ needs? This will serve as topic for an on-going discussion.
      Judy volunteered to be responsible for making sure Green Sanctuary announcements are printed in Sunday’s Order of Service and/or the Newsletter.

Social Justice Project Group and Task Group Reports: We need a brief report to SJUUCE by January 24th regarding our current activities, issues and support needs. Excerpts from our minutes and newsletter articles will be fine. Sharon offered to lead this effort.

Northwest Earth Institute Ethical Eating Class:
Erik, who did not attend this evening’s meeting, indicated to Amy that there is room for one more in the upcoming class. Sue said that she would attend the class.

Green Sanctuary’s Presentation Notebook: Judy, Amy and Sharon will put together a presentation notebook that represents our Green Sanctuary activities. Possible candidates to include: Earth Day and Stream Team Work Party, That’s My Farmer, Climate Masters, Amy’s Victory Garden, Composting Workshop that Lorna led, Chuck and the hornet nest removal project, Erik’s bicycling, Alan Clark and his Bug-E, Pam Dillehay’s Zap Zebra. This notebook will be taken to the General Assembly – needed for the last phase of certification as a Green Sanctuary Church.

Green Sanctuary Certification Application: Amy agreed to put together and send the necessary forms for certification.

Composting/Recycling at UUCE: There is a great need for education in this area. We haven’t suitable containers to accommodate food-scrap composting. Similarly, we need properly labeled recycling containers. We need to provide specific instructions as to what materials can be recycled and what foodstuff cannot be composted. Chuck will ferret out where we might find proper containers. Julie Daniels at Bring will be helpful to that end. Amy also suggested printing signs that read “Water is Precious” and “Paper = Trees” to be laminated and affixed above all church sinks as a reminder to conserve our resources. Total number of sinks in the church and classrooms: 14. Judy agreed to create the signs. Other ideas as it relates to education, action and environmental reform:
      We need to report on films after they are shown for the newsletter.
      We also need to include a preview of the films for the newsletter.
      Start a campaign to get rid of bottled water.
      Could we get Bob Doppelt who writes a column for the Register Guard to speak to us on Earth Day? Bill Rodgers agreed to contact him.
      Audrey will reinstate her “Green Tips” mini-editorial for the Newsletter.
      The Center for Earth Leadership’s 6-week, free workshop on Being an Agent of Change, begins in February. Topics include theories for cultural change; key role of the circle of influence, clarifying your vision, the steps to effect change, implementing your plan, inviting others and maintaining momentum.

Chuck read the closing words from A Green Sound: “Old Trees”, by May Sarton.
Barbara will provide opening and closing words for next month.
Amy will be having surgery next month and will not attend next month’s meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Gaglia