Green Sanctuary Committee Meeting October 4, 2005 Attendance: Chris Hodge, Tom Swigart, Marie Sauter, Marney Bruce, Sandra Smith-Gill Fox Haven: --------- We discussed the visit to Fox Haven, which was enjoyed by all who were lucky enough to be able to attend. There were about 12 folks from UUCF and 20 from Fox Haven at the lunch/talk. The luncheon featured fresh organic food from Fox Haven's gardens. The talk was by Spencer Geasey, a long-time amateur archaeologist. Though not a professional, he is considered an expert on Native American Indian sites in the area. He discussed various work sites going back to the 1950's. The sites date back at far as 15 thousand years ago! Visitors were also impressed by the environmentally sound practices carried out at Fox Haven, including the solar farmhouse, terraced landscaping, and the re-use of "gray" water. It is hoped that we can continue the good relationship with Fox Haven, perhaps inviting them to our congregation to speak or participate in future events. We also hope to gain further insight to Native American Indians in Maryland. Both Sandi Smith-Gill and Anne Wright have friends who are knowledgeable in that area. Tom will put info about Fox Haven and the pictures that Sandi took on our website. GS Acreditation: --------------- Marney provided the charter, action plan, and acreditation application from the River Road UU Green Sanctuary. We hope to use them as a template for our own process. Sandi is pursuing this. Work Parties: ------------ We nailed down some dates for various upcoming work parties: Oct 22 - working in the churchyard - pulling out invasive plants - laying out the wildflower area - this is the same day as the auction - we will also be helping with Ed Rau's plants for the auction Oct 29 - tidy trooping day Nov 5 - this will be the next adopt-a-road, open to the whole congregation - need to set up, advertise, get whole congregation on board. Various people will be bringing cardboard for the wildflower area. Sandi will bring gutter nails to hold down the cardboard and a tarp. People will also be bringing leaves and other mulchy stuff to lay between the cardboard and tarp. Auction Baskets: --------------- Our committee was asked to come up with an basket with a green theme for the auction on the 22nd. We came up with at least 8, plus some more after the meeting! There will be several themes - cleaning, food, coffee-lovers, energy, pets, recycled products, gardening, and babies. [No actual babies will be auctioned off!] Thanks Sandi for the baskets and the organization and thanks Marie for getting gift certificates from Common Market to go in each basket. GWIPL ----- Marney informed us about the Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light group. The website is www.gwipl.com. They are all about greenifying congregations. Any congregation can join for free and get worship materials and take advantage of periodic discounts on environmentally sound products. The group is run by Rabbi Daniel Schwartz. Tom will add website to our website listings. Webpage: ------- Sandi wants the Green Sanctuary webpage more prominently displayed on the main site - Tom will look into this. Tom hopes to add some new websites from the "What Can I Do?" book that Marney found for us. Marney also found a good green cleaning site: www.care2.com that needs to be added. Tabletops: --------- We discussed the upcoming tabletop presentations. Marie has Oct/Nov - winterizing. Marney has Dec/Jan - holiday simplicity. Tom will e-mail the leadership about our Holiday idea to suggest that family and friends of the congregation donate money to UUCF instead of buying gifts. It will simplify our lives and make money for the church! Other things: ------------ Tom will invite Roberta to a special meeting with the Green Sanctuary, since the first Tuesday of the month is bad. He will ask for 3 dates from her and we can vote which is most convenient. Anne Wright has a sermon about population control that would be good to hear. The farm festival has moved to May. We may want to have a native plant sale at that time or in conjunction with Earth Day. We could sell seed packets for Earth Day too. Tom will talk to CUUPS about leading the Earth-Day service. The next meeting will be November 1st at 7 p.m.