Sustainable Moraga

Summary of 12/13 SM Meeting:

The group resumed discussing the November agenda, reviewing the second section, and everyone was energized and in very good spirits, especially following the success of the ICLEI presentation. Until bylaws can be established, the group agreed upon most of the provisions – provisional bylaws, if you will. We praised Ellen’s contribution (table offerings) that provided valuable assistance/balance through the evening’s gathering. The following topics were reviewed and discussed.

Executive Committee StructureDirector & meeting facilitators

SM Secretary, Meeting Minute Takers, and Meeting Timers

Elections

The group agreed to vote on the 3 positions for the Executive Committee in the January meeting. These positions are required for the creation of any business establishments (DBA, or non- profit)

Committees

Specific projects would be given to specified committees (e.g., Member, Speaker/Education, Website, Bag, Bulb, etc. Committees), and that the Lead of that committee would have the responsibilities for decisions and reporting.

Voting for other decisions/projectsQuorum

SM Vision

Matt offered to help us clarify the SM vision, with a workshop, to form a common basis/objective platform, from which to promote projects, evaluate new ideas, etc.

January Meeting:

We will vote from 7 - 7:30, for the three executive member positions, and then Matt will facilitate a team building discussion on our vision for the next hour. This meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2007.

On December 1, 2006, the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) and its contractors started picking up batteries from the Moraga Hardware & Lumber (ACE) and Longs at Rheem (LONG-R). In addition, the SWA and its contractors will be picking up batteries from other cities within the SWA service area. For pick up locations check: http://www.wastediversion.org - New Household Battery Recycling Program
A big “thank you” to all the volunteers who collected batteries and took them to Martinez to be recycled.  Altogether, Sustainable Moraga collected over 8,000 lbs of batteries between February and November 2006. Thank you too to the Moraga stores who supported our project!
The following stores participated in our project by accepting collection bins at their stores.
Computer & Business Solutions (CBS); Longs at Moraga Center (LONG-M);
Longs at Rheem (LONG-R);  Moraga Hardware (ACE); OSH; Safeway (SFW).
In mid August, CBS went out of business and SFW withdrew from our program. SFW used to bring in the vast majority of batteries, being the most frequented store. Its withdrawal from our program, however, did not curb Moragans’ commitment. As shown in the graph, an average of ~800 lbs of batteries is collected each month in our Town. 
Click here to see the pdf file that shows our final tally:   battery-graph.pdf 

We hope that 2007 will bring better health to our local and global environment, that we all find ways to reduce our ‘carbon footprint’, and to ensure a green future for our children and their progeny.