STEP BY STEP TO BECOME A GREEN SANCTUARY

1. Establish a Green Sanctuary Committee

The Green Sanctuary Committee is officially sanctioned (by whatever process is the usual practice for the congregation) as an on-going (not temporary) committee with a designated chair or contact person. Members will represent all aspects of the congregational life, including RE, worship, communications, buildings and grounds, finance, social justice, and any others that are relevant in your congregation. The committee’s charter will declare the congregation’s intention to seek recognition as a Green Sanctuary church. The Green Sanctuary committee will coordinate activities

and document their completion. The role of this committee is not to “carry the water” of the environmental commitment, letting the rest of the congregation off the hook. Instead, the committee will facilitate planning and provide logistical support to the congregation so that the activities can be accomplished more effectively.

2. Conduct an Environmental Audit

The first Green Sanctuary action should be an environmental audit, providing a snapshot of where the congregation stands with respect to their environmental behaviors. The audit establishes the baseline or starting point for your program.

The audit will include at least:

• Energy usage patterns and current conservation practices;

• Compliance with local recycling procedures;

• Church policies for use of non-disposable materials and non-toxic cleaning supplies;

• Church policies govern purchasing and investing;

• Landscaping policies directing use of native species, landscape chemicals, etc.;

• Religious education programs relating to the environment for both children and adults;

• Worship practices integrating the wisdom of the Earth;

• Social action projects or activities relating to environmental justice.

The audit may consist of a series of separate inquiries by different people who then create a comprehensive analysis of the relevant environmental issues in your congregational life.

3. Create an Action Plan

Develop an Action Plan to complete the dozen activities your congregation has chosen, including

a communications strategy for sharing information about and inviting participation in the activities.

Include both time-line targets and names of lead coordinators for each of the twelve actions. The

Action Plan is a road map to help you think through your strategy and check the logistics of your program elements. If circumstances change, plans are no longer appropriate, or barriers for a particular project are insurmountable, the Plan may be adjusted.

4. Apply for Green Sanctuary Candidacy and complete all activities.

Using the form in the Manual (or available separately from the UU Ministry for Earth office), submit your Application for Candidacy, and your $100 application fee to the UUMFE office (address at the top). Then carry out the activities in your Action Plan.

5. Apply for Green Sanctuary Accreditation

After completing all twelve projects or activities in your Action Plan, usually over a period of a year or two, the congregation must vote affirmatively to apply for accreditation as a Green Sanctuary. Using the Application for Accreditation, document all the activities you have completed. Submit your final report to the UUMFE office.