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Meeting Minutes First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta Green Sanctuary Committee Meeting 10 a.m., Sunday, October 19, 2008 FUUSM Fellowship Hall Attending: Kim Rush, Patty Troisi, Shari Miller, Debra Miller, Ralph Olander, Linda Sue Pifer, Mike Bailey, Adeline Bailey. Mike Bailey chaired the meeting. First item for discussion was the trial 10 a.m. meeting time. Because attendance has been down, the committee decided we will hold the November meeting after the service, gathering at 12:15 in the parlor. Old business Green Harvest dinner A final report on expenses for the dinner has not been completed because receipts for the dinner expenses are temporarily (Mike hopes!) unavailable. The committee agreed that the dinner was a worthwhile project that we would like to do again next year. Our biggest expense was the Rossi pasta, which we had hoped would be donated. It was suggested that we might make our own pasta or noodles next year. The members of the committee will be on the lookout for a pasta machine, either new or used, or perhaps try to locate a recycled hand-cranked pasta maker. Phone recycling Patty Troisi will take care of donating whatever phones we have collected. "Recipes for Green Living" booklet project Forms to solicit contributions and posters to promote the project have yet to be developed. The committee discussed title suggestions. Working title: It's Easy Being Green. Working subtitle: Solutions for Sustainable Living Other title suggestions: Sustainable Solutions    Green Living    Strategies for Living Green Native Plantings/Memorial Garden. Although the committee agreed that a learning garden of native plants would be a good project, no one expressed interest in taking the lead to develop the garden or to create a budget for it to present to the board. Mike reiterated that Frank Porter would be willing to help us work up a budget and plan. There was general agreement that the first step would be to determine where the plantings would go and what soil preparation would be required. Because the season for planting is past, the committee opted to discuss this further in future meetings. New business Budget Even though we are earning enough from aluminum recycling to carry out our projects, Mike suggested we request the same budget amount for 2009 as we had this year. The committee's original budget was to cover the congregation's application for Green Sanctuary certification. Green Sanctuary certification Ralph asked about the status of the accreditation application. Mike said that most of the problems discovered through the energy audit had been corrected, but that some of the reports have been lost. Since the GS program is now under a different governing department at the UUA, requirements may have changed. Some of the requirements for certification can be fulfilled by moving forward with some current opportunities: 1) working with other churches on environmental issues. Mike reported that he has been working with Betsy Kalter to develop a program with her Baptist church in Williamstown 2) community projects. We could volunteer to help maintain trails or upgrade facilities at the Kroger Wetlands area. Our contact person would be Patrick Stewart, who has been attending services recently. Action item: Committee members are to check the UUA website and get information on forms and requirements. At the November meeting, the committee will divvy up tasks to move forward with the application. Aluminum recycling Shari Miller or Mike will talk to John Brewer about picking up cans from the sites where he was collecting aluminum. Ralph suggested that we remind the congregation of our recycling activities and other projects with an item in the Confluence and an announcement in the order of service. Respectfully submitted, Adeline Bailey