Mission Statement: We are a coalition of individuals from greater Kansas City faith communities. We partner with, encourage, and assist faith groups to preach, teach, model, and advocate for sustainable living and ecological justice for all creation, in keeping with the tenets of each faith group.
In attendance: Karin McAdams, Margaret Thomas, Jerry Rees, Barbara Chaplin, Janice Grant, Osa Moody, Barbara Sheppard, Curt Straub, Al Pugsley, Rita Norton, Terry Wiggins, Jane Carroll, Diane Kuhn, Jackie Palmer, Jane Carroll and chair, Carol Meyer
§ Karin McAdams showed and described a disposable/modestly reusable dinnerware; made from corn and/or sugar cane, the pieces are compostable at high heat. Note-taker (n-t) failed to get name and address beyond Palo Alto, CA.
§ Barbara Shepherd discussed a “Mothers for Peace” event for 11 May. The goal is to take Mothers’ Day back to its original, peace fostering meaning, to reject the day’s current commercialization.
§ Jerry Rees spoke against cypress mulch (tempting to use this time of year) as a destroyer of forests
§ Barbara Chaplin spoke of current recycling woes and reminded us of the Three Trails area near the old Bannister Mall as a place where most recyclables can be taken. Although this does not include Styrofoam, it does include hard foam peanuts and clean block.
§ Jerry Rees, Holcomb update: Coal proponents, as of 7 April, are one vote away from success. April 30 is the new deadline; Sunflower Utilities want decision by end of May, in part because their chances of funding for coal are diminishing as time passes.
§ Margaret Thomas encourages us to write to legislators. Clean Energy group will be posting names of legislators who are especially important to write.§ March SSC meeting included action to contact people on the Chuck Gillam maintained list from various tabling events who have expressed interest in the activities of Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition.Bev Chaplin managed to speak to one.
§ “New” upcoming “earth events”: 20 April, Grace Covenant Church holds a mini-Earth Fair
27 April, the Eco-Troubadour performs at Unity Church of
Overland Park, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Members discussed the following, mostly enthusiastically. Eileen Horn’s communication regarding Congregational Commitments Program and the expansion of Interfaith Power and Light Chapters into Kansas, eventually into Missouri . Quoting: “Interfaith Power and Light is the nationwide campaign to involve congregations in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. . . . Energy Services Professionals . . . [are interested] in extending low-cost energy audit services to our congregation partners.”Towards affiliation with Interfaith Power and Light, a steering committee which includes ordained religious leaders could/should be built. Margaret Thomas mentioned the organization’s ability to reach into rural areas; Jerry Rees mentioned the organization’s hope to provide grant for audits; Bev Chaplin mentioned the organization’s success in Cambridge, MA.May meeting will include building of this steering committee, including the names of possible ordained members.SSC group broke into groups of three and four for 8 minute discussions of four process oriented organizational topics: leadership, membership, long-term planning & committees, and meetings, communication issues and outreach.
· Leadership : Ideas included 1. Having defined leadership to further the goals of SSC, make decisions between meetings, having spokespersons for continuity, planning, etc; 2. A defined time frame for service, of preferably 6 to 12 months; 3. Use of a leadership team that would plan agenda; 4. Note-taker would be defined for six to twelve months.
· Membership: Ideas include 1. Diverse and without limits; 2. Recruitment possibilities (calls, tabling website, email); 3. Advertising through Craig’s List, free public service notices in local publications; 4. Use of personal meetings with staff members of faith communities not yet involved; 5. Organizing an actual city-wide recruitment event featuring invitations to faith communities and including a crowd drawing activity or event (example, a mini-Inconvenient Truth “show”; 6. Team-building events with current membership to enhance enthusiasm for recruitment
· Short and long term planning: 1. Could a planning committee help to keep group focused on most essential issues? 2. Do we have enough different interests to justify setting up break-out sessions or subcommittees by interest. Whether we were more oriented toward providing resources to faith communities OR leading them in specific actions, we might form smaller groups comprised of those with strong convictions on specific topic. These task forces could study an issue and then make resources or action steps available for all in the group to take back to their own communities.
· Meetings, communication, and out-reach: Note-takers notes inadequate here. Use of and support of the leadership team idea, however, got more discussion.Workshop will occur 9 a.m. to noon on 10 May 2008 at Village Church [Room 127]
Training for congregational green teams—What are best practices for establishing green teams within faith communities:
· Prayer/faith/sharing to begin each meeting
· Having a specific goal· Standard meeting day
· “having a ‘clean motion’ day on meeting date—something that makes members extra conscious of SSC’s mission”
Respectfully submitted, Rita NortonP.S. I’ve enjoyed my association with the Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition and I’m going to miss a bunch of you. Nevertheless, my limited supply of energy requires that I give up meetings and the yahoo group. But I’ll be looking for each of you at energy and environmental events—and probably some state capitol events as well. I wish you multiplied success as you continue and, again, I’m going to really miss a bunch of you. Sincerely, R.N.