FUSF Green

Minutes from Committee Meeting, January 19, 2009

Recorded by Donna M.

 

Members: Donna M., Ted M., Marian S.,

Mike D., Steve D., Karen G., and Stef with an F (FACT)

 

 

1. Green Fair, February 5^th (to coincide with Bill McKibben’s National Teach-In)

 

-Participants to date: Christy Raymond from White Barn Farm, Sandy Adams from Simply Unique Boutique, Ed Szymanski, Dan Valente of Next Step Living, Dr. Theolina Barry of Healthy by Nature, Terry O’Brien of Repele Carpet-Cleaning of New England, and Mary Dempsey of Low Carbon Living (LoCal).

 

Also present will be members of the FACT team.

 

Event will also include informational tables and a live podcast of the national www.350.org teach-in event.

 

Some earth-friendly vegan snacks will be provided by Donna and anyone else interested.

 

**Press releases will be sent out this week to a number of local publications. (Donna)

 

Event should have an easel by the door welcoming the public and listing the vendors in attendance.

 

**Ted M. will create a large banner sign to be hung in the foyer.

 

Ted M. will give a small welcoming presentation at 7:15 pm.

 

**Donna will send updated notice to Sue G. for order of service.

 

 **Donna will send flier to Jake to send out to FUSF e-mail list.

 

 

 

2. Letter from Mike D.’s wife, Cindy: is Green Committee interested in participating in some type of area refuse center? Would be similar to one in

   Providence

   , where teachers (and those with permits) are allowed to shop for discarded business materials such as fabrics, felt scraps, magnet scraps, pens, paper, etc.

 

Would require regular staffing and stringent rules about what is acceptable.

Would require large warehouse-type space.

 

Issue tabled while Cindy looks into grant information.

 

 

 

 

3. Organic

   Garden

   : Steve D. met with Ray A. of the Building Committee to discuss plans for spring 2009.

 

Rain barrels and a gutter system will be installed, pending board approval. Donna M. and John K. have each promised a used rain barrel.

 

Steve D. also hoping to increase size of garden, and encourage participation from the congregation, especially the children in R.E.

 

 

4. Green Sanctuary: Download available at www.uua.org/php/template/printer.php

 

“Process for Becoming a Green Sanctuary”

 

**Will break this manual into chapters. Each member of the Committee will take notes on his/her own chapter and report back to the Committee by next meeting.

 

Chapter Breakdown: All are required to read Chapter One.

            Donna – Chapter 2

            Marian- Chapter 3

            Steve- Chapter 4

            Karen- Chapter 5

 

Committee may want to consider visiting other “green sanctuaries” later in the year.

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.

Meeting Minutes, September 15th

I. Cleaning Products

We are no longer using Melaleuca Products. Because of a donation in cleaning products, FUSF will be all set through December. Sue G. has said that there should be money in the cleaning budget to purchase products after that. The committee will need to decide at a later date which products should be ordered.

II. Newsletter Article

Donna M. will write a piece for the next newsletter, focusing on water consumption and including Committee's accomplishments within the past year.

III. FUSF Audit

Ray A. will head a subcommittee that will focus on reducing energy consumption of FUSF office space. Audit - by committee members - will take place this Sunday, September 21st, at 8:30 a.m.

After audit, members will determine what actions need to be taken.

Saturday, November 1st, is set date for "barn-raising" community event. Public and FUSF community will be invited to learn how to weatherize a home in order to save energy by participating in an all-day weatherization/repair session at FUSF. (Marian S. will take care of PR.)

Ray A. and Ted M. will speak with Alec Danz this Sunday to get him on board with the project.

IV. One Sky Event

Ted M. mentioned that One Sky is looking to get every town to participate in a "green job" on September 27th. What could we do?????

V. Council of Committees

Donna M. is not able to represent the Green Committee this coming Sunday, the 21st. Ray A. said he might be able to attend in her place. Donna will forward information.

VI. First of Month Plate Collection

The Board has decided to donate the first collection of every month to a worthy organization. Each committee is asked to come up with suggestions. Green Committee members should connect via e-mail to discuss possible environmental organizations of interest.

VII. Global Warming Cafe

Sunday, October 19th, 1-ish.

Mass Climate Action to discuss the Low Carbon Diet. Open to public.

VIII. F.A.C.T. Meeting

This Wednesday, 7 pm, in the FUSF Sanctuary.

Meeting Minutes

GREEN COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Monday, March 17^th, 7 pm (PB in

Franklin

)

Minute Taker: D. Miller

Welcome M. Dakota to the meeting!

                                                   

Minutes from Monday, January 21st

FUSF GREEN COMMITTEE

Minutes From Meeting: January 21, 2008

Minute Taker: Donna Miller                              Meeting Coordinator: Marian Szymansky

1. REVIEW OF LAY-LED SERVICE, FEBRUARY 24th

1. Music: Michele Kelly, Critical Mass, “Crumbs from your Table” (U2), Jeff Cerrier, “Mother Earth” (Neil Young), drumming and other percussion instruments, “The Air” CD (Michael Mish).
2. Speakers/Readers: Marian Szymansky, Sue Fouracre, Mark Sadecki, Ted McIntyre, Jon Kava, Steve Dedarian, Donna Miller.
3. Informational table after the service.
4. Marian will send out detailed format of service.

2. FOCUS THE NATION: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30^TH, 7:30 – 9:30

1. Location:

   FUSF

   Office

   Building

   , upstairs in living room area
2. Televised Movie: 8-9, followed by some discussion
3. Members encouraged to come early- anytime after 6:30
4. Marian S. has key; will be there at 6:30 for setup
5. Susan Spears (Franklin Recycling Committee),  connected to project and has sent word to Metacomet,

   Crystal

   Springs

   ,

   SPARKS

   , Franklin Town Council, Country Gazette.
6. Could be large turnout, so Committee should be prepared.
7. Ted will announce follow up events: UMass Boston, March 13^th, for hearing on

   Cape

   Wind

   ; David Gershon, author of Low Carbon Diet, will be speaking in April at FUSF; Carbon Rally website
8. Karen Spilka will be at

   Elizabeth

   ’s Bagels in

   Franklin

   this week and Lynne will attempt to speak with her and plug this upcoming event.

3. MISCELLANEOUS UPCOMING EVENTS

1. January 29^th, State House, 10-11 am: Interfaith Pledge for Climate Action
2. Global Warming Solutions Act: supporting legislators want passed by Earth Day, so they are looking for letter-writers. Could make for a good Green Committee/UU Congregation activity.
3. April 26^th,

   Franklin

   Earth Day: Green Committee should have a presence.

4. RECYCLING AT FUSF

1. We need to establish a system for maintaining, ordering and paying for recyclable materials and earth-friendly cleaning supplies.

December 2007 Meeting Minutes

December 17, 2007 at Panera Bread

In attendance: Steve Derdiarian: chair this meeting; Jon Kava; Lynn Narum, Jillian DiNunzio, Sue Fouracre, Marian Szymanski, Mark Sadecki, Ted McIntyre

Marian Szymanski will chair the next meeting in January.

The committee celebrated the actions of November:

• Will Tuttle spoke at the meetinghouse, Vegan recipes uploaded onto blog
• The subcommittee of the sustainable landscape design walked the FUSF grounds

Firming up Items for 2008 Calendar:

The committee discussed topics for the February 24^th lay led service.

• The spiritual aspect of food
• Possibly show “The Future of Food” after service

The committee determined that the January meeting will be dedicated to the planning of our February service. Members will connect via the Yahoo group this month to throw out ideas for the service.

Ted briefed the group on Focus the Nation, which is scheduled for January 31^st, 2008.

There are 800 groups (colleges, faith groups, etc.) that are organized for events that day.

The group decided to show a webcast at Dean College (possibly) to grow our impact in the community. Ted will contact

Dean College to see if there is interest. The webcast is provided by the Focus the Nation.

The committee will discuss participation in the Interfaith Climate Walk (in April) after it plans the lay led service.
Lynn talked about Earth Day on April 19^th. She will report back from her planning meeting with the town of

Franklin which is coming up in January.

Steve talked about Arbor Day (April 28-May 5). He proposed a tree planting for the FUSF grounds with a dedication ceremony.

Sustainable Grounds Design:

Steve presented meeting participants with digital photos on CD of the FUSF grounds, the Peace Abby and other inspiring photos. He presented the original master plan of the grounds from 1998 and his current thoughts about the space along with a plot plan.

New Business:

Mark has written an article for January’s newsletter on the energy use in home energy use.

Sue will be writing on global warming refuges for the February newsletter.

Marian presented information regarding the DelCarte Property. There will be a vote on whether or not to fix the dams or let the property return to marsh.

Lynn asked that people writing newsletter articles let the group know what topics they will be writing on. She asked that people refer to the blog for further information. The group also discussed emailing the FUSF list whenever there is a new article on the blog to let them know what is going on.

 Lynn highlighted that we may want to work on large legislative issues as the administration changes in the next year via a letter writing campaign.

Jon is resubmitting his idea for an evening of fine dining to help people shift their paradigm about vegetarianism and veganism. This event will be in March.

Ted will be presenting at Crystal Springs on February 20^th, and on Global Warming through the Franklin Adult Continuing Education. He talked about the MCAN agenda to work at the town level to effect change. He went the NH event with Obama and Oprah with a red t-shirt saying “Make Global Warming a Priority”.
Next Meeting: January 21^st at 7:15 at Panera Bread

Respectfully submitted: Sue Fouracre

 

Minutes from Monday, November 19th

Minute Taker: Donna M.

Chairperson: Lynne N.

Meeting held at PB in Franklin, and will be held at this location through March, or until further notice.

A. Review of Past Month's Events:

Community Preservation Act informational meeting- did not pass, as expected, but hopes to revive.

Clean-up at Del Carte property aligned with Step-It-Up Day- great job to everyone!

Will Tuttle and World Peace Diet- post vegan recipes to our blog; tape cooking lessons?

Auction of "green" basket at FUSF potluck - Donna wins for $55!

B. Upcoming Events to be discussed:

Focus the Nation on Thursday, Jan. 31st. How should we take part?

Lay-Led Service on February 24th. Details need to be worked out if we are indeed assigned this date.

Interfaith Climate Walk, April ? Sponsored by UU Environmental Action. Meets early in Cambridge and walks to Boston.

Franklin Celebrates Earth Day, April 19th. How will we take part?

Potential Arbor Day Fundraiser for the committee?

C. Landscape Re-design Plan for FUSF Grounds: Steve presented surveyor map of grounds and articulated ideas for future plans.

Reduce lawn area

Introduce native and low-maintenance plantings

Create more inviting children's area for R.E.

Create a meditative, spirit path and possibly a labyrinth

D. Action Items:

*Steve D. will lead a walk of the FUSF grounds this Sunday, the 25th, following the "worm composting" service.

*Lynne N. will contact Sue G. to clear up confusion about January's meeting date.

* Mark S. will locate venue for March's "green" meeting.

*Steve D. will e-mail Ted M. about his thoughts for Focus the Nation.

*Steve D. will e-mail Sue G. to secure February's lay-led service date.

*Donna M. will send out e-mail to FUSF list informing congregation of new meeting place.

*Donna M. will forward vegan recipes to Mark S., who will create a link specifically for these recipes.

Next meeting: Monday, December 17th, 7 pm at PB in Franklin.

September 24, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Members in attendance: Donna Miller, Jon Kava, Lynn Narum, Marian Szymanski, Mark Sadecki, Steve Derdiarian, Sue Fouracre

Lynn Narum started the meeting by asking what each member would like to contribute this year.

Steve Derdiarian asked to start a subcommittee for maintaining the sanctuary grounds. The general committee approved the idea to form a subcommittee for the Sanctuary for the Spirit and Nature.

New member Mark Sadecki joined Steve's new subcommittee and he also wants to contribute to the blog. Mark has been running several independent blogs of his own.

Donna Miller wants to reestablish the compost heap in back of the church as well as contributing in many other ways.

Marian Szymanski wants to restore native plants that provide food for wildlife on the FUSF grounds as well helping out with committee projects in general.

Thanks to Donna Miller for getting a green committee piece into the FUSF newsletter before the Green Committee’s first meeting.

Jon Kava has volunteered to write the newsletter (topic TBD) by the October 17^th deadline for the November letter.

September 2007 First Meeting

The first meeting of the Green Committee for Fall 2007 will be held at the FUSF churc building on Chestnut St. in Franklin, Monday September 24 at 7:15 PM.  Meetings are held the 4th Monday of every month. All FUSF Green Committee members and FUSF congregation members considering joining the committee may attend.

November 2006 Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Jon Kava, Chris Glennon, Patricia Glennon, Sue Fouracre,
Lynne Narum

Jon Kava hosted a showing of the documentary "Death of the Electric Car"

Jon will review the film "The Great Warming" and check out the terms of
showing it at FUSF. If suitable, we may arrange a showing.

The Green Blog has been opened to the public, but all replies will go to the
author only. The author is responsible for making sure the reply is suitable
for forwarding on to the entire blog audience.

Sue spoke to a MassPirg Rep about a letter writing campaign on Cape Wind and
will follow up on further details.

Patricia will contact Sue Gravina about a date for the letter campaign.

Chris will try to locate the former "task list" for organizing the campaign.

Chris will contact other UU Churches to see if they can organize a letter
campaign on or about the same date as ours, to have maximum impact.

Next meeting: Monday, Dec 18 at 7:15