FUSF Green

Minutes for October 20, 2008

Minutes for Green Committee Meeting – October 20, 2008

Marian S. the facilitator

Donna M., minutes

Jon K.:

-Reviewed rules for posting to Green Committee blog. Article that included Obama endorsement will be removed.

-Energy Audit: storm windows and insulation purchased. Light bulbs purchased. Still waiting to hear about toilet flush component. Suggested that lined curtains be purchased for living room sliding door. Any takers?

Jon suggested a manageable contingent of experienced congregation members handle the installation on November 8^th. Members will meet at 9 a.m. (Jon, Steve, Ted, Michael, Donna, and Ray) Some of the building committee members plan to attend.

Members should bring power tools, safety goggles, gloves, and wear protective clothing.

-Champion Causes: Jon suggested that those who suggest action ideas for committee be willing to champion the cause and create a list of duties to delegate to members so the ideas don’t fall flat and never happen. Committee agreed this was a good idea.

Ted M.:

-Informed Committee that the UN was starting environmental negotiations in

Poland

December 1^st-12^th. Believes the Committee should be involved in making this very important event more public than it has been in the past. Will provide more information as the date gets closer.

-Next FACT meeting at FUSF on November 19^th.

Marian S.:

-Suggested Metacomet as the recipient for the first of month collection plate giveaway. The mission of this group is to protect natural resources in the

Franklin

area, and they recently purchased almost 200 acres of land. Green Committee decided that money should be earmarked for Education.

Steve D.:

-Organic Garden: took too much water last summer. Cost 4 x last year’s usage, which defeats purpose of “green” landscaping. Will work to install gutter and rain barrel system that will address this problem for next year’s garden. Jon and Donna will each donate one of their own barrels.

-Sustainable design: Steve will design next phase over winter.

Peace

Garden

will be the next project, and will include volunteers from the congregation, particularly members of the Peace Ministry.

-Suggested new read: Confessions of an Eco-Sinner, which reveals where everything we buy originates.

Lynn N.:

-Provided available date for Green Committee’s lay-led service, which is May 31^st, 2009.

Notified Committee that lay-led services are now minister-approved and Committee will need to talk with Carol some time this winter to review lay-led service guidelines.

Donna M.:

-Feb 5^th, 2009. Sanctuary and foyer reserved for 350.org event. Donna suggested that Green Committee hold a Green Conference that evening. Event will include a number of local groups tied to green causes (i.e. activist, home improvement, farms and other local food organizers, etc.), as well as earth-friendly food and perhaps a speaker. Ted?

Donna will talk with members of the FACT team to see if they would like to be involved with this event. She has agreed to “champion” the cause.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes About 4 Dozen

1 C brown sugar
1 C white sugar
1 C shortening, butter or oil
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
3 C flour
2 C ( 15oz can) pumpkin

½ C vegan chocolate chips

In a large bowl, cream sugars and oil. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients to sugar/oil mixture and then add pumpkin and chocolate chips (I had to mix with my hands). Drop by tablespoons onto a greased or non-stick cookie sheet (flatten to cook better- they keep their shape). Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Let cookies cool.