UUCC Environmental Committee Meeting

MINUTES

June 15^th  2004

1. Review of Minutes of last Meeting

 2.   Review of the year’s events:

• Speakers - Carl Frankel
• Speakers - Al Benford
• Highway Clean-up
• Fair Trade Coffee Project
• Birdfeeder workshop with RE

 3. Suggestions for next year: 

Speakers on energy topics (Solarwise?); speakers on pollution e.g. Devorah Clark, author of “When Smoke Runs like Water”; speaker on organic foods or the Slow Food movement (Carma will find out the name of the speaker); Open Days – Garden Conservancy; Buy Nothing Day & Greening your Holidays (in collaboration with Sustainable Hudson Valley)

 4. Reminder re upcoming events: 

This Saturday, June 26^th – Gentle guided hike around Poet’s Walk, a Romantic Landscape Park on the Hudson, just north of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. Guided by a Scenic Hudson Volunteer. 2.30 pm 

Assistance required with final touches to Hudson Valley Sustainable Network’s Resource Center at 150 Cottekill Rd. June 26-27 – 10-4 pm (Melissa writes: We got the concrete stained - now need landscapers, trim-nailers, feng-shui-ers, scavengers and miscellaneous problem solvers... spread the word and come if you can...)

 Purchasing Policy

Jenny will present this to the Board prior to becoming President to avoid conflict of interest.

Annie will provide details of an excellent environmentally-friendly cleaning product, very easy to use, and suitable for those with hypersensitivities. Annie also recommended Full Spectrum lighting. (Note: Later – the Board meeting’s time frame did not permit Jenny’s presentation of the policy, thus it will have to be presented at a future meeting. In the meantime we can gather more information re particular products, their efficacy, and sources to present to the Board).

This policy ties in with the admirable “Under Your Sink” report prepared by Holly Brown last year. It would be good to remind people to check the chemicals they are using in their homes.

Another useful reminder would be to find out how to recycle paints etc at recycling centers.

 Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Discussion re selling these along with the coffee. They save energy and are very cost effective over time. Needed: someone to take the initiative to buy them, bring them in, and start selling. (Cost: 3 for $10.97 at Home Depot; also very inexpensive at Ikea)

Recycling Cell Phones

Jenny presented info gleaned from another Unitarian church re earning money by recycling cell phones. Joanna will follow up on this program to keep them out of the landfill, assist those in developing countries, and provide a source of income to UUCC.

New Chairperson

Jenny handed the position of Chair over to Joanna Steele, with congratulations and best wishes for a successful green year ahead.