SUSTAINABLE MORAGA
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 4, 2007 GENERAL MEETING
President called the meeting to order. The minutes of the March 7, 2007 meeting were approved as submitted with the addition of the list of members present.
- Treasurer Report: Treasurer reported that we have additional revenue through Moraga Hardware’s sale of our green bags. We should have adequate cash for the May energy faire expenses.
- The April agenda was approved.
Announcements:
1. Green Bags:
o Discussed use and cost of canvas bags as opposed to the green bags we sell now that are re-useable but also an oil-based product.
o The City of San Francisco recently passed ordinance banning plastic bags. They offer a corn-oil based bag that is biodegradeable.
o Discussed how to discard biodegradeable bags – in green recycle bin.
2. Website Publishing and Sponsorship Criteria:
o Discussed need to develop criteria on which to base evaluating organizations, vendors, etc. to include on our website and/or to sponsor, or accept sponsorship. Added to next month’s agenda.
3. Yahoo Group Site:
o To keep everyone informed of current events, articles or information related to SM’s goals, we will establish a YahooGroup site. This will allow anyone who is interested to access information at their own pace, eliminates intrusive or frequent emails in our inboxes, and allows us to store information that can be referenced anytime. We will use the YahooGroup site to post other organizations’ announcements that are related to SM’s goals. People may opt to be notified of such information in their email Inbox.
o The YahooGroup site will not be used for SM business, meetings, or for the communication of ideas within the group, current or proposed projects, or committee work.
4. Sponsorship of Campolindo:
o Matt proposed sponsorship of Campolindo’s Earth Week activities by funding T-Shirts at $10/shirt. This generated conversation about how we evaluate who we will sponsor, who we will accept sponsorship from, who we will post on our website, etc. While the criteria has not yet been established, we felt we could sponsor this project because it fit into at least 2 of our stated objectives: education, community & relationships. SM will fund 50%; Olsen Real Estatewill fund 50% - suggested having both logos on T-shirt if possible. SMG will request student participation at the Energy Faire, May 5.
5. A member introduced the website Worldchanging.com, an international blog that discusses green, sustainable solutions for the future.
Committee Reports:
o Energy Faire, May 5: Members have been working hard to secure a variety of vendors for the faire, including green builders/architect, to develop marketing materials, to coordinate with the Rheem Art and Wine Faire and the Town, and to pursue creative ideas to engage the public. After researching the possibility of baking in a solar oven, they found out that food requires a separate permit. Therefore, we can only demonstrate the cooking technology.
o CFL Bulbs (Judy): There are 200 extra bulbs which we can give away at our table at the Faire. We’ll also want to distribute a flier about CFL’s.
o Membership : A member suggested sending a form letter to each member initially, and to put sign-up sheets at the Energy Faire and at Earth Day booths. The president will help draft letter to new members.
o Green Bag Sales: Starts Saturday, 4/7, unless raining, in front of Safeway.
o Batteries Update : Solid Waste Authority (SWA) took over the SM battery project in December 2006 in 8 cities in Contra Costa County. They have 17 collection sites. SWA collection for 17 sites is far less than , proportionally than what SM collected for Moraga alone. Therefore, we think that there is insufficient awareness of the program and the bins are not in places where people can see them.
. The Group decided for now to distribute flyers at the Earth day and Energy Faire booths listing the locations of battery collection sites.
o Green Movie Festival: tabled for now until we have people and time to organize.
Next Meeting 5/2, 7:00, Moraga Library.