Minutes from Green Sanctuary Committee Meeting, December 4, 2007 

Attendance - Marney Bruce, Dick Menzer, Tom Swigart, Sandi Smith-Gill 

Cleaning & Recycling:  

Dave Englehart would like to discuss cleaning & recycling issues with us.  
There is  general problem of accumulating trash and recycling, people do not 
always clean up after themselves after use of kitchen and building.  We will 
try to set up a meeting which will include Dottie,  Sherry, Dave, and other 
interested parties to discuss the issue. 

Report on Programs Council Meeting:  

Sandi reported on the November 27 Programs Council Meeting, which was devoted 
to agreeing on setting dates for UUCF 2008 Events to be placed on the UUCF 3-year 
calendar.  Earth Day observance has been scheduled for the April 19-20, the 
Holiday Boutique & FT Fashion Show for December 6-7.  Earth Day has also been 
added to the calendar for April 26, 2009, and April 25, 2010. 

Communication & Announcements 

We need to find new ways to reach out to the Congregation.  Visibility and set-up 
is limited and more difficult with the new cabinet arrangement in the narthex. 
This is a general problem which is being discussed by many different UUCF groups. 

Meadow Report 

Marney attended a workshop at Huntley Meadows on preparing native wildflower/grass 
meadows.  The best time to scatter seed is in December.  We decided to schedule a 
congregation-wide Green Project of seeding the wildflower meadow for December 27 
(rain date December 28). We will spread a layer of soil over the area now occupied 
by individual plots and mounds of dirt, spread the seed, and cover with a thin layer 
of mulch & soil to prevent erosion and birds from eating the seed. We can get mulch 
for the county, and Marney will order a mix of seeds for native grasses & wildflowers.  
Dick & Dave will prepare the area.  Sandi will reserve the kitchen and take care of 
announcements.  We hope this can evolve into a family-oriented project in which the 
whole congregation can participate. 

Gift Fair 

The December Fair Trade holiday gift fairs will have the theme “Conscious Consumer”.  
The main event was on December 2 12:30-3& advertised to the public, with Judith Broyers 
help.  The YRUU set up a table for Alternative Gifting, and a eco-conscious gift wrap 
center.  CLC catered a light lunch & snacks. The Fair Trade inventory was be set up 
the previous Saturday,  in the Chapel, with lots of help. The general layout worked 
very well. We had a good turnout, including people from outside the congregation. The 
total FT sales were $2897.  Carol Benson & Karl Krum helped with the break-down 
afterwords. There was a nice article published in the Frederick News Post on Dec 3, 
featuring a picture of Carol Silkwood shopping.   A second, smaller gift fair is 
scheduled for Saturday, Dec 15, to coincide with Brandees Craft Day.  

Elmer Derr Rd Clean-up - The next clean-up will be scheduled in the spring. 

Bluebird Boxes 

Marney has cleaned and closed the bluebird boxes for the winter.  Two have failed 
because of the roof.  They would be easier to maintain if they had a side opening.  
Dick reported that John Menke will retrofit the boxes with a side opening, and 
inspect/repair as necessary for structural integrety.  Marney & Dick will take the 
boxes down. 

Coordination with Social Action 

Social Action asked us to suggest 3 environmentally related organizations, local, 
national & international, for split plate recipients in spring 2008..  By e-mail, 
we had decided  March - Md Chapter of the American Chestnut Society, April - UUMFE 
(on Earth Day), May -Population Action International.    Each month the split plate 
will be on the third Sunday, with the Friendly Forum the previous week devoted to a 
discussion of the organization.  We will be responsible for the March, April & May FF’s 
on the second Sundays of the respective months.  

It would be nice to get the Youth involved in FF’s.  Dick Menzer is currently organizing 
the FF’s. 

Addendum - after adjournment of the GS meeting, we joined Social Action Committee.  
They would like to substitute a different recipient for March which involves a project 
in which UUCF members  were involved.  We can designate the PAI for June if we would 
like.  That would make us responsible for FF in March (UUMFW), April (Population Control), 
and May (ACS). 

Announcements/New Business (Marney) 

There will be a regional Green Sanctuary gathering January 12 at the Annapolis UU. 

The Global Warming discussion series this fall was cancelled.  It has been rescheduled 
for next winter on Tuesday evenings Jan 22- Feb 26..  There will be an Introductory 
Session facilitated by Marney, and Lena will facilitate the closing session on Feb 26.