Date/Time/Location: January 12, 1pm, via zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02webij2yobOyfBudOROaUbZmxbx.1b.zoom.us/j/83580483154?pwd=f4KeNO
Meeting ID: 835 8048 3154
Passcode: chalice
Attending: Tom VA., John O’C, Cathy S., Emily, Rosgerard , Erin L., Bob S. Eileen
Agenda:
- Notes for the September meeting, 9/24/25
- Status of our climate action/justice funds
- The 2023 special appeal Imaging A Carbon Neutral World (click here to see the 3 min video) introduced the Carbon Neutral Project to the congregation and set out a number of goals
- The work on these goals is on-going:
- Work with Green Sanctuary 2030 & Cool Congregations (AKA Interfaith Power and Light)
- Have regular meetings of the Climate Action Team
- Explore long term projects that align with Green Sanctuary 2030
- Support climate education for congregation, partners and community
- These are our remaining goals from the appeal for us to work on:
- Replacing inefficient window and doors
- Replace GHG emitting equipment with electric equivalents
- Balance of funds from the appeal and the Martin Wilke fund raiser- $13,163
- Bob Smith [via email] Idaho Power Clean Energy your way. BUUF currently pays $ 0.01 per KwH to Idaho Power’s clean energy development program. The Board wants the cost of that program to be paid from the CAT special appeal fund. Last year it averaged about $ 60/month or $ 720 for the year.
- Tweaking the HVAC system has decreased our energy use.
- Could we use the Climate Justice Budget ? Yes
- Increasing BUUF’S energy efficiency
- Air Sealing the building’s envelope
- Exterior door weatherstripping replacement.
- Need a specialist on Aluminium stored, need to get bids
- Just need to call companies
- Coordinate with Rachael
- New windows
- Board wants to replace all the windows rather than in piecemeal
- Use the Climate funds as well as funds from other funds.
- Could we start with
- the broken windows and
- the south facing windows of the office and south wing?
- Need to get bids for windows
- Pella windows, Bob has worked with them for the sanctuary
- Will send a list to me
- Can we use the same windows that were used in the sanctuary upgrade?
- Safety committee: can they weigh in egress windows
- Cathy will talk to Scott
- John O, Cathy & Jim will work Bob on bids and windows
- Board wants to replace all the windows rather than in piecemeal
- Ongoing work tweaking the HVAC system for the best performance by getting energy usage from Idaho Power
- Community outreach
- Idaho Interfaith Power & Light is the April plate partner
- Jim is on the board of Idaho IPL
- Are there any suggestions we can send to them?
What does an Interfaith Effort on Climate Change look like
- Are there any suggestions we can send to them?
- A booth at the city’s earth day celebration
- Is anyone interested? I will be out of town.
- Pass on this
- Promoting carpooling to BUUF services.
- How can we support carpooling to services?
- Start with a survey to gauge interest in car pooling
- Erin will add a question to survey already planned for the Sustainability committee
- Erin would like to have an Earth Day event for this year: hopeful and/or symbolic
- Vegan potluck
- Jim organize a meeting by email for next month
Suggestions of how to support carpooling to BUUF
Courtesy of Google’s AI
To support church carpooling, create a centralized system for matching riders and drivers (using apps or sign-up sheets), designate convenient meeting spots like the church parking lot, offer incentives such as reserved spots, and promote it as a community-building and stewardship activity, while also exploring partnerships with ride-sharing services or local transit for broader options. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Technology & Systems
- Dedicated Carpool Apps: Use platforms like ChurchRyde.net, which pairs volunteer drivers with riders using a central app, or leverage general ride-sharing apps with church groups.
- Online Platforms: Utilize tools like Community Gearbox or even Facebook groups to organize and manage carpool logistics within the congregation.
- Mapping Tools: Create Google Maps with participant addresses to visualize routes and find convenient connections. [2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
Logistics & Incentives
- Central Meeting Points: Designate specific, well-lit areas in the church parking lot as pickup/drop-off zones.
- Reserved Parking: Offer prime parking spots for regular carpoolers, especially for groups of three or more, 511.org notes for employers, a tactic applicable to churches.
- Partner with Services: Explore options like CCrides.org (powered by Uber/Lyft) for nonprofits, or partner with local transit for discounted passes, Common Courtesy Inc. and Driven Global Chauffeured suggest. [1, 3, 4, 5]
Community Building & Promotion
- Volunteer Drivers: Recruit members willing to offer rides as a ministry, emphasizing relationship-building and community connection.
- Promote Faith Connection: Frame carpooling as an act of stewardship and care for God’s creation, linking it to Christian values like hospitality, TimesAndSeasons.org and Facebook users groups suggest.
- Foster Conversation: Encourage drivers to build relationships and share faith, turning commutes into meaningful interactions. [1, 4, 9, 10]
Practical Steps
- Start Simple: Begin with sign-up sheets at church or an email list to gauge interest.
- Get Approval: Ensure church leadership supports the initiative and its use of church property.
- Offer Support: For those needing rides, offer resources like the Ride United program via United Way for broader community support, United Way Worldwide notes. [4, 6, 11]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://drivenglobalusa.com/church-transportation-how-it-can-help-your-congregation/
[2] https://communitygearbox.com/how-churches-and-community-organizations-use-community-gearbox/
[3] https://511.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/CARPOOL%20Strategies_3.pdf
[4] https://blogs.elca.org/worldhunger/1926/
[5] https://www.ccrides.org/register-a-chapter
[6] https://greenamerica.org/green-living/carpool-climate-and-community
[7] https://www.facebook.com/100067846495726/videos/churchryde-on-demand-video/571456710018277/
[8] https://medium.com/@mayerjoy/5-steps-to-an-easy-carpool-system-1db2d15efd54
[10] https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasiscrcwomen/posts/1480754252534083/