April 26, 2010

1.  We shared a prayer.  

2.-3. We approved March minutes and April's agenda.

OLD BIZ

4.  Recycled paper:  

Gerard learned that our bulletin provider, J.S.Paluch, uses recycled paper (and soy ink) in our area.  (Paluch plans to imprint this on their paper stock. Paluch has asked us to consider reducing our number of copies.  [GERARD:  How best pursue this in the parish?] Walt's idea about getting our entire deanery to buy recycled copy paper:  One local price differential per ream seems great (just under $4), but some members thought there may be better deals per box.  Gerard said the diocese is also studying this.  (We'll give the lead to the diocese.)

5.  Town Hall meeting at Mitty:  

Gerard, Laisz and Walt went.  Bishop McGrath spoke; workshop presentations followed; Fr. Jon Pedigo talked on community involvement...  Attendance was between 50 and 60 but about 75% were new attendees - a good sign.

6.  Bike to Mass Day:  

We don't have an accurate count but we know what more than 100 individuals and about 70 families participated. Future plans:  Do it monthly (Family Mass Sunday?  Don't bless bicycles but maybe helmets brought to altar? . Maybe give out stickers? /[ BIKE COMMITTEE  should meet soon, decide something and submit it for approval.}  Bike committee will also select permanent site for bike rack at STA and arrange for it.  (a little ground leveling and firm   ground cover.)  Walt will check with Chris about availability of discarded Stanford bike racks.

7.  Carbon Footprint Committee:  

Dale Gill joined us and gave his views on ways to strengthen our thermostat  controls.  There was a spirited [I dare not say heated] discussion about this, far above my flat earth science mind,, but his recommendations will be considered. Meanwhile, our just-drafted thermostat policy will get full publicity:general bulletin notice, notice to site committees and each parish ministry, and individual email transmission to each occasional parish group reserving parish facilities.  Our group is working well with Chuck (we met 4/16).  Katia is updating her spreadsheet on progress made; Chuck is continuing his inventory of CFL's and ballast; we await first quarter comparison of meter readings '09 vs. '10.

8.  Attempts to get more text space in bulletin:  

Our first attempt not successful; we'll give it one more shot.

NEW BIZ:

9. -10. Offer Green inclusion in Spirituality Tuesday:  

We decided on household carbon footprint workshop, several movie selections (Blue Water, Sea Without Fish, The Story of Stuff, Greening of Cuba (with speaker)), food issues, and perhaps, speaker from SCU.

11.  Budget:   We agreed to send in a budget request for $1,000.  (Our account number is  572163.)  This is a placeholder, but will be for such items as graphics, conference fees, instructional materials, publications and literature, honoraria and the like.

12.  What's On Your Mind:  

[My notes and memory are fuzzy, but they include:  "Polystyrene in P.A. - Green Corner" , "Green Citizen - Whole Foods" , "Gerard will draft letter to the Thomas House Committee [GERARD:  better to Contract Administrator?] about recycling material whenever possible. Laura will meet with Sr. Adella about recycling school lunch lelftovers.  Laura will give price list for compostable utensils and other party stuff.

Our next meeting:  Tuesday, May 24, Casa Chestnut.

Volunteer for faith-sharing?

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March 22, 2010

Present:  Katia Reeves, Rosemary Gill, Laura Chiu, Paul Chestnut, Gerard McGuire, Walt Lundin

1.  Katia favored us with a faith-sharing moment (out of the mouths of babes):  "We're going to run out of earth."

2. & 3.  We approved February minutes and this agenda.

OLD BIZ

1. GreenTips:  

Since only one response from parishioners despite good publicity, we decided to give it a rest, while still offering bulletin and website  tips we run across.  Maybe we'll try it again later.   Website:  Paul (et ux.?)  will organize GreenTips by broad subjects.

2.  Bragging about our GreenSteps thus far:  

Carbon footprint project/Chuck's report on ballast, LED's etc./no bottled aqua at   Pastoral Center/recyclable-compostable supplies at various parish functions/Funeral Committee re-uses plastic plates/Seder meal flatware brought from home/ our campaign to tighten up on trash disposal/GreenTips in bulletin and website/reduced watering of athletic fields . . . et alia. >  Laura will ask for a Green Committee separate page in annual report.

3.  Show "Renewal" DVD?:  

Perhaps a little too long.  Segments only?   Do it on Earth Day 4/22?  No - a Thursday. > We segued into post-Earth Day Bike to Mass weekend 4/24-25.  We formed a planning committee for it - Rosemary, Laura, Walt.  [Planning is well underway.]

4.  J.S. Paluch and recycled paper bulletins:  

Gerard will follow-up with his contact

5.  City of P.A. & More Careful Recycling:  

We'll encourage it and conform our parish practices. >  Does City have smaller color-coded bins for indoors?

6.  Policies, Programs, Projects, Events:  

Because Elizabeth wasn't present we deferred discussion.

7.  Interfaith Power & Light:  

Gerard will ask diocese about joining. Paul read its mission statement.  Member groups sign a covenant. Katia will tweak and use its survey questions when working with Building & Maintenance.

8.  Ten GreenCommandments:  

Too authoritarian!  Laura suggested instead we give our blessing to GreenBeatitudes.  [HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:  All members:  Blessed are Green Committee members who submit some SOON!   (We want to use them within the octave of Earth Day - so SOON!

9.  More space in bulletin:  

Katia has suggested a way to get more space to Communications Committee [CommCom].  She'll check on status.

10.  Green Town Hall 4/10:  

Going for sure:  Elizabeth, Gerard, Walt.   (Walt will check w/absent members about their plans to attend.  [If enough go, maybe we can attend each of the 6 breakout sessions.] Laura has our "350" sign if Gerard wants it.

11.  Carbon Footprint Project:  

Katia reported a useful meeting with Building & Maintenance & Chuck.  A number of things being pursued.  Thermostat instructions are drafted.

12.  What's On Your Mind?:  
a.  Katia:  Wants to offer family  carbon footprint analysis in a parish workshop.  
b.  Paul:  Asked about parish composting.  [Arlen does; Godofredo puts cuttings/clippings in bin at OLR for City pick-up.]  
c.  Laura:  Will talk to SESS about composting food scraps.  [Gerard suggested talking to Sister Adele.]

13  Next meeting:  Casa Chestnut, 4/26, 7:30 p.m.

We need a volunteer for Faith-sharing.

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February 22, 2010

Present:  Rosemary Gill, Katia Reeves, Paul Chestnut, Laura Chiu, Elizabeth Fitting, Gerard McGuire, Ann Akey, Walt Lundin

1.  Elizabeth offered a faith-sharing poem for our reflection.

2.  The Jan. minutes were approved.

3.  The agenda was amended by adding NEW BIZ item #11-1/2:  Establish defined Policies, Programs, Project, Events

OLD BIZ:

4."Green Tips":  Only one so far, which Laura submitted for both bulletins and our website.  We'll re-run our request for parishioner tips periodically. > We divagated a tad to discuss the occasional non-appearance  of some items submitted for our Green Corner in the paper bulletin.  Walt will write a gentle letter asking the editor for the best break possible in the race for space. > We talked about a Green library.  The publication "Sierra" is a good resource for books.

5.  Our presentation to PSC 2/10: (Gerard/Laura/Walt/Katia)  It was well-received.  The PSC broadly endorsed our plans and efforts.  Katia explained our ongoing carbon footprint study.

6.  Carbon footprint analysis:  Katia handed out the results of a review of 2009's utility bills (gas, water, electric) per 6 metered sites.  It converts consumption totals to metric tons and pounds of CO2.  2009 will be the baseline for comparing variations in this and future years as we work with Building & Maintenance in finding energy-reducing changes in hardware and practices.  Interfaith Power & Light has material that will let us compare our figures with equivalent congregations.  We'll pick the low-hanging fruit first, using the "Cool Congregations" [See item #13(b) below] check list.  We plan to work w/Bldg & Maint to set reasonable energy reduction goals.   We decided we should brag modestly about measures already taken to reduce, re-cycle and renew.  [DID WE DECIDE WHO'D DO DAT?  AND WHEN AND HOW?] (Here are some random comments I recorded:  Motion detectors/OLRH muy caliente?/OLR church with windows open to cool it?/will new furnace be energy-efficient?/are grants from Catholic Foundation available for any of our efforts, includng Thomas House re-do?/electric audit? (Gerard will check for a resource.)/ Solar panels may become less costly, esp. with increased production, rebates and stimulus funds.)

7.  Lenten Carbon Reduction bulletin inserts:  We heard good comments (some from outside the Green Committee).  We'll scatter a few copies in our church vestibules.

8.  DVD "Renewal":  A 90-minute presentation that merges the spiritual/sacred with the secular environmental justice movement .   We'll consider using this or some segments in our educational effort.   (Walt will deliver it to Katia and she'll return it to Elizabeth.   [Unless someone else wants a peek?]

NEW BIZ;

9.  Diocesan update:  Gerard said there's another townhall meeting planned for April 10, 8:30am-1pm, to bring together interested parties and parishes.  This may be an opportunity to connect with our deanery parishes and plan some joint efforts. He will follow up with approach to J.S.Paluch about using recycled paper for bulletins,  (Someone said Cath. Charities does this now.) [Should we inquire if parish/deanery could pool purchases and obtain a volume discount?]

10.  Possibility of alternating Burning Bush sessions in the Fall with HCC:  OK with us.  Gerard says future plans still unclear.  He'll let us know.  Elizabeth said we can also plan events independent of Burning Bush.

11.  City recycling:  Laura went to one of the public meetings.  P.A. wants to encourage more recycling.  (40% (?) of our garbage today is recyclable.) There may be an ordinance to enforce it - and  higher fees if we don't.  We'll keep an eye on this and meanwhile continue our in-house efforts.

11-1/2.  Establish defined policies, programs, projects, events:   Elizabeth, when she fleshed out the newsprint comments from folks at our 1/19 "The Awakening Universe" DVD, asked that we establish   planning and activities with some specificity [her term:  "practical goals"].  So we began to talk of education, projects, policies, and events.  Our discussion was lively, somewhat popcornish and not conclusive, but I gleaned this:  EDUCATION via movies, lectures, workshops, Green Corner, Green Tips, inserts and website;  identify issues for advocacy..  POLICIES:  Flesh out and add to - recycling, BYOB, energy reduction [Cool Congregations].   green purchsing.   PROJECTS:  carbon footprint analysis, energy audit   EVENTS:  Fair trade, Bike to Mass day, other targets of opportunity. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:  As we think about this, take a look at Elizabeth's letter 2/22 "Agenda for our next meeting" with an attachment "GROUP DISCUSSION IDEAS".  See if and how these 13 ideas mesh with our plans for "practical goals".

12. Interfaith Power & Light:  See its website.  It has a method to calculate personal carbon footprints, announces occasion events, suggests green projects, contains "Parish Covenant".  [QUESTION:   WORTHWHILE TO JOIN?  COST IF WE DO?] > Someone (Laura?) said CEAP has a liaison to congregations.

13.  What's On Your Mind?  Elizabeth:  
a.   Write 10 Green Commandments.  ["Thou shalt burn no more bushes." (?) (:-) )  
b.   Someone (Katia?) said "Cool Congregations Carbon Checklist & Action Menu" (with a little tweaking) would be useful in our parish survey.

13.  Date, Time & Place of Next Meeting:  Monday, March 22, 7:30 pm, Casa Reeves (address and directions with agenda).  CARPOOL PLANS ANYONE?

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Item 10 "Watch this one." of my news summary:

Chron 1/10 - AB 32. the 2006 Global Warming Solutions Ac to cap emissions will take effect in 2012.  It creates a mechanism called "carbon offsets" whereby polluting industries could buy credits from pollution-reducing industries.  The theory is that as, over time, allowable emissions are squeezed down, the value of the offsetting credits will increase, so that at some point the economic pain would force the polluter to clean up its act and sin no more. [This California law is said to be a model for what Congress is considering.]

BUT - it could have some loopholes.  Case #1:  Sierra Pacific Industries (timber) plans to dedicate 60,000 acres of forest in perpetuity and to lengthen its clearcut cycle from 80 tao 100 years.   Voila!  Twenty percent more pollution-eating trees!  Critics, however, ask, "What if the preserved trees burn in [increasingly common] forest fires?  Will SPI pay back to lost credits?" > Case #2. [under Kyoto Protocols]  a U.K. producer of music compact discs [their manufacture also pollutes?] planted 10,000 mango trees in India to offset its pollution and sold $25 public shares to finance the planting  BUT - all but a few hundred trees died.  Refund?

There's a non-profit Climate Action Reserve that's sposed to verify all claimed offsets can be sold, and they say, "We're On The Job."

Apparently they now sell offset shares at  kiosks at SFO so that guilt-ridden [already fear-ridden] travellers can buy reforesting offsets for their flight's fuel consumption.

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January 12, 2010

Present: Gerard McGuire, Paul Chestnut, Elizabeth Fitting, Ann Akey, Katia Reeves, Laura Chiu, Rosemary Gill, Walt Lundin

1. We had a faith-sharing moment with Elizabeth

2. December minutes were approved without demur or cavil.

NEW BUSINESS

3. We adopted some suggested changes to the draft letter to the PSC that describes our future plans and solicits PSC's broad support. WALT will revise and send.

4. We rehashed the Order of Service of our Tuesday 1/19 video to the following: We'll lead with a prayer (from the USCCB packet) that GERARD will display on the screen. ELIZABETH, our ringmaster, will announce we're using the USCCB's packet on the Pope's World Day of Peace message; she'll introduce the video; show it; then ask for audience's first impressions. Thereafter, using 3 or 4 bullet points from the USCCB as a basis for discussion questions [READ ALOUD OR POWERPOINT??] she'll do a dialogue with the audience. Questions selected will convey that
a. We're stewards of God's creation,
b. We've earned no gold stars for our performance
c. The poor and marginalized - who aren't big polluters - are most damaged and most defenseless and
d. Developed nations and people of faith should lead.

To conclude, WALT will introduce Green Committee members, ask if others want to join us, ask (if other parishes are present) if we can help them turn green, and point to our take-home material. [BESIDES THE USCCB STUFF AND THE ST. FRANCIS PLEDGE, WHAT ELSE? . . . get it to me soon so I can make copies, PLEASE.]

5. Report from Publicists: Katia outlined her plan to divvy-up the authorship to other members. We agreed we should have some selected sequential themes/topics for our educational efforts. [THIS WILL BE ON OUR FEB. AGENDA - 30 mins. if necessary.]

6. Diocesan news: Gerard said:
a. The video "Blue Gold", with discussion questions, will be offered soon.
b. The diocese (in persona Gerard) is asking Paluch (bulletin publisher) about using recycled paper.
c. [I missed this: something about schools' offering a Green Belt for Sustainability]
d. The U.S. General Services Administration (federal building builders and maintainers) has a plan, by 2020, to use no fossil fuels in government buildings.
e. Soon forthcoming: carbon footprints for parishes.

7. Green tips: We plan to ask parishioners to report what particular things they've done to reduce pollution and waste. These will appear in our bulletin Green Corner and permanently in our website. We'll call it the Green Tip of the Week (asking the tipper if they prefer anonymity or attribution). LAURA agreed to be the recipient and ROSEMARY the editor.

8. Website: Paul described its contents. (There's room for more.) Once we get themes/topics [see #5 above] he'll reorganize it. (We agreed to put our Christmas green tips in mothballs until Advent.) PAUL will ask to have our website address put in the bulletin with, again, Laura as the Commitee contact.

9. Generic letter about Recycle/Compost/Plasticlessness/Styrofoamlessness: Heretofore, on an event-by-event basis, we've gone green: parish picnic, one after-Mass hospitality site, waterless Pastoral Center, upcoming retreat and Volunteer Appreciation party. LAURA now will try to draft suggestions for families and parish. They will include BYOB(ottle) and BYOC(up). A work in progress. FEBRUARY AGENDA ITEM.

10. Our Seven Actions Plan: Not discussed.

11. What's On Your Mind: Walt mentioned two recent articles on water conservations (agriculture and industry use many more gallons that just plain folk) and transit (public transit service cuts and fare increases are driving (no pun intended) more people to drive).

12. Volunteer for faith-sharing: GERARD

13. Time and Place of Next Meeting: Monday, Feb. 22, 7:30pm, Casa Gill, 2783 El Dorado. (Directions will be in February agenda.)

REMINDER; NEXT TUESDAY, VIDEO AT OLRH, 7 P.M. - we hope to see you. Come early and help put out chairs and watch the popping corn.

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December 10, 2009

Present:  Katia Reeves, Paul Chestnut, Elizabeth Fitting, Walt Lundin, Laura Chiu, Gerard McGuire
Absent:  Jerry Martinson*, Rosemary Gill*, Mary Sullivan*, Brandi Walters, Ann Akey*, Greg Todd*   
* Sent regrets

OLD BUSINESS:

1.  Our (now) Seven Action Plans:  All alive and well.  

#4 (Bike to Mass): Scheduled for Spring.  Exploring need for a location of more bike racks.  
#5 (The Story of Stuff):  Now expanding to other videos. See item 5 below for more. 
#6 (Fair Trade):  An Easter (4/4/10) event, with publicity starting three weeks before.  
#7 (No styrofoam/plastic):  Will be phased in incrementally.  Next target: Parish Retreat. LAURA will give Retreat Committee some green ideas at its 12/17 meeting.  
#8 ( Indoor recycling):   We now have outside compost and recycling bins outside at OLR. LAURA will ask Chuck about other sites.  In discusssion we agreed recycling practices must be "supervised" until they are ingrained.  We agreed that we should have standardized indoor bins for all worship sites.
#9  (Green ideas):  We will continue periodic bulletin items, plus memorializing some of them on our website.  
#10 (Energy audit):  GERARD will ask Chuck for list of energy reductions.  GERARD thinks diocesan Steering Committee will be taking this up.  KATIA will check with parish Maintenance Committee on our "carbon footprint" and energy usage.

2.  Green Corner in bulletin:  We have the space; material has been offered through 12-19-20.  Thereafter KATIA has agreed to lead our publicity group (other members: WALT, ANN, PAUL, GERARD, ROSEMARY).  Walt gave Katia a handful of material on environmental matters to distribute that may be candidates for future Green Corner items. [WE INVITE MEMBERS NOT PRESENT TO JOIN THIS OR OUR OTHER WORKING SUBGROUPS.]

3.  Status report on paper reduction:  WALT will follow up on his inquiries about bulletins and Breaking Bread books (to be ordered before Advent next).  We wondered (a little) about the reaction of Paluch and its advertisers if we reduce circulation.

4.  Scope of our inquiries (carryover from our 11/12 meeting):  What should we be looking into?  Walt suggested:

• Parish office: Energy and water usage, supplies purchased, disposal practices.  
• Sites: The same.
• Maintenance:  Equipment used, supplies purchased, disposal practices, composting.
• For parishioners:  as applicable, suggest "best practices."

Elizabeth suggested that when we have our ducks in a row on some specific inquiries we make a presentation to the PSC and obtain their views and suggestions.  WALT will work on this.

Our discussion broadened: double pane windows, recycled paper, centralized purchasing, green purchasing.  GERARD will check on diocesan policies.

5.  "Movie night" [The Story of Stuff]:  Elizabeth has another DVD - "Awakening Universe".  (She also knows of several on Food.)  We formed a sub-group to work on "Movie(s) Night(s)" and chose Tuesday, Jan. 19 for a parish showing of "Awakening Universe."  We'll preview it on Monday, 12/28 at 7:30 pm at the Pastoral Center (upstairs, end of the hallway).  ALL MEMBERS INVITED/ENCOURAGED TO COME.  Sub-group members:  ELIZABETH, LAURA, PAUL, GERARD.

NEW BUSINESS

6.  Members' input on emails:  We "meet" a lot by email.  We should encourage ourselves, if an opinion or OK is requested, to make a response.

7.  Draft Mission Statement: This is being massaged now. Pithy and pregnant.

8.  Bulletin and other publicity:  See item 2 above. Gerard knows of no general intercession dealing with climate change. WALT will make a stab at finding/writing some.

9.  Website:   Our minutes are in it.  Our website will have links to diocesan and other green websites, including [GERARD] one that takes some of the steam out of the "Climategate" kerfuffle.  (See also item 1. #9 Green ideas above.)

10.  What's On Your Mind?:  Someone (who?) suggested that we should arrange for a general intercession for victims of natural disasters (floods, cyclones, droughts, etc.) when they occur.

11.  Date, time and place of next meeting:  Tuesday, Jan. 12, 7:30pm, Casa Chestnut, 3060 South Court (turn towards downtown off Loma Verde, left hand side of South Court.

12.  Volunteer for Faith-Sharing Question?:  Did we get one?  [IF NOT, WE HAVE TO WORK ON THIS.]

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November 2, 2009

Attendance: All present (Ann, Paul, Laura, Rosemary, Walt, Jerry, Gerard, Katia) or accounted for (Elizabeth, Mary)

1.  We faith-shared [barbarous usage!] a question on God's imprint on creation, using quotes from Hildegard of Bingen and Gerard Manley Hopkins.

2.  Report on diocesan doings:  (Gerard)  

a.  Final  count of parishes participating in Pledge Sunday 10/4 not completed, but early returns suggest "more-than-a-few but not-a-lot".  (Some said they needed more time.)  
b.  Diocese has ordered another 5000 reusable bags from an environmentally-sensitive supplier  (Home Bag Industries).  
c.  Linda Batton is responding to comments from doubters about climate change.   [We decided, since we are not scientific poobahs, to let our website show links to sites that contain the scientific consensus.  
d.  There's a water video ("Blue Gold") available - perhaps a Burning Bush candidate?  [NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEM]:  [Should we be following the progress of the Delta plan?  (It calls for 20% usage reduction.)]   [NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEM]
e.  There's a way for individuals and parishes to measure the size of their carbon footprints  [NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEM]:  GERARD: tell us more, please.]  
f.  There are more parishes that might go solar.

3.  Report on our 10/4 Pledge Sunday:  We received 554 signed pledges.   Based on adult Mass counts, 45% of  those attending turned in pledges.   The Rankings:  Numero uno - 9 a.m. OLR - 72% #2 - 8:45 a.m. STA 60%/ #3 - (a tie) 7:30 a.m. STA and 10:30 a.m. OLR 50%/ #4 (a tie) - 10:30 a.m. STA and 5 p.m. SAG 41%/ #5 - 9 a.m. SAG 25%/ # 6 - noon STA 18%.

4.  Our publicity:  There was a wide-ranging spirited discussion about this.  
A. BULLETIN:

1)  We want to keep "green" in the parish's consciousness, using snippets, factoids and other stuff.   [Walt will work with the bulletin editor for a "Green Corner".]  
2)  Inserts are problematic (esp. with Rosemary who turns "green" around the Gill(s) because of paper consumption).  This led us into other people's business, such as:  
(a) can we cut down on the number of Breaking Bread books ordered by racking them in vestibules for people to take if they feel the need?  
(b) Reduce the number of printed bulletins by encouraging subscription to the ebulletin and asking subscribers NOT to take a print copy?  
(c) Imprinting a message on all email transmissions "Think twice before printing this" [GERARD:  Can you progress this?]
(d) perhaps,after a year, brag about the reduction? [Walt will write to the principals involved.]

B.  WEBSITE:
Paul and Rosemary volunteered to work on this.  It will be shown as a link on the parish website [green@paloaltocatholic.org?].  We didn't discuss its content, except that it will have a general statement of purpose, a list of "green" tips (those we come up with plus parishioner contributions), and good stuff from the diocese and elsewhere

5.  Our Ten Action Plans:

#1.  St. Francis Pledge:  See above.  

#2 Bells 10/24:  Very ap-pealing.  Parish publicity was OK (twice in the ebulletin; once in the paper one.  Secular press publicity was meager, puny and back among the truss ads.  Laura made an impressive "350" poster from some of the Pledges and Roland Q. took pix of it on the steps on STA.  Laura will follow up with Roland to get it in our bulletin and send it to the Valley Catholic.  Her poster was on display for a week at OLR with CEAP material nearby; at this writing it's at STA and GERARD will move it to SAG sometime soon.  

#3.  Green Bags:  We distributed our supply and re-ordered some.  What remains will go to our holiday food drives minus a handful to be given to new-registrant parishioners who sign the St. Francis Pledge.  

#4  Bike/Walk/Skate to Mass Day:  
a.   We'll begin publicity early next year for a date in April ["Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote/The droghte of March hath perced to the roote/ . . . /Than longen folk to Bike/Walt/Skate to Mass." -  Canterbury Tales updated.]  
b. Need  for more bike racks:   Certainly at STA; probably at OLR; perhaps at SAG unless given access to the schoolyard.  [NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEM]  

#5  DVD - "The Story of Stuff":  This is one of many educational videos available.  (See "Blue Gold" above plus several other Gerard mentioned.  Laura suggested staging a  "movie night(s)".)  [NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEM]  We agreed, regardless of venue, we have to do good and proper planning and publicity and  provide  supportive educational material.  

#6 Fair Trade Gift Sale:  On track for Easter.  

#7  Styrofoam and Plastic Products at Parish Events:  A work in progress.  (Pastoral Center has discontinued bottled water; parish picnic was all green.)Laura said the St. Patrick's Day dinner [already emerald green] will be supplies-and-utensils green. We mentioned encouraging BYOBottle at parish events.  

#8 Indoor Recycling Bins:  A work in progress.  

#9 Green Ideas:    We're slipping a few into the bulletin;  website, when up and running, can be a repository.  

#10 Energy Audit:  (See "carbon footprint above)  Are  they the same?  WALT will check with Business Manager to see if parish has had an energy audit.

6.  Division of Tasks among Our Committee:  Lots of volunteers for the publicity end (Gerard, Walt, Ann, Paul, Katia); Paul and Rosemary for the website; no one (yet) for General Intercessions.

7.  Scope of our Inquiries:  We never got to it.  [NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEM]

8.  What's On Your Mind?:  

a.  Katia suggested we urge support for the Kerry/Boxer climate change bill now in committee.  After discussion we agreed, because the bill is still in its raw farm, we should keep a watching brief on it.  [I'm clipping news items and will provide periodic updates].  
b.  Jerry thought we should go strong on factoids, provide helpful suggestions and, if forthcoming, "testimonials".  
c.  I have a mysterious note (now meaningless) reading:  "We power America./with pix/circulate/add voice and pictures"  HELP!

9.  Next meeting:  Thursday, Dec, 10, 7:30 pm, OLRH.

10.  Did we get a volunteer for a faith-sharing question?