Green Team monthly meeting minutes: January 31, 2011
Meeting called to order and chaired by Aimee Rist
Those present: Doug Arbogast, Laurel Ackison, Holly Clark, Shea Wells, Ginger Danz, Carl Thompson, Aimee Rist, Tom Rist, Amanda Sapienza, Bill Lanham, Erin Stewart, Pat Drago
New and Old Green Team Business
-It was announced that Renee Hodges has resigned as a board member. Nominations for a new board member will be taken during next month’s meeting.
-Aimee Rist moved that GREAT once again donate $375.00 to PAN to help fund the Wild and Scenic Film Festival that is slated to occur Friday, April 22 at the Historic Fayette Theatre. Motion was seconded by Doug Arbogast and motion carried unanimously by verbal vote from officers and board members present.
-Doug Arbogast reported that the remaining conservation kits are set to be distributed February 18th and 25th at 7:30pm during the Midland Trail high school basketball game. Volunteers to help Doug and Gabe with distribution would be kindly appreciated. Doug reports that kits include compact fluorescent lamps, low flow faucet aerators, LED night lights, reusable shopping bags, and conservation literature. There are 60-70 kits left, 30 were given to the Morris Creek Watershed Association for distribution.
-Aimee Rist moved that the board vote to approve $600.00 to be allocated for payment of 4 bouncy houses for Earth Day. Ginger Danz seconded the motion, no debate, motion carried unanimously by all board members present.
Committee Reports
-The Recycling Committee met January 13. The committee has decided to focus its efforts on preparing a pamphlet that outlines current Fayette Co. recycling resources including guidelines for recycling each type of material. The plan is to have the initial pamphlet ready to be distributed by Earth Day. Information about current resources is currently being gathered and meetings with a representative from Raleigh County Solid Waste as well as Fayeteville’s town superintendent, Bill Lanham are being scheduled.
-Bill Lanham briefly reviewed Fayetteville’s recycling program:
Fayetteville is home to Fayette County’s only recycling program that is not coordinated by Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority. Materials that can be processed and reused at a marketable price are collected by the town and the revenue goes back into supporting the program. Currently, plastic and glass are not collected as they cannot generate the volume necessary to make them financially sustainable. Transportation costs are also prohibitive. Fayetteville is looking to increase amount of recyclable materials received by partnering with other municipalities within the county. Centralized sites and increased number of drop-off centers are a future possibility. A $66,500 recycling grant was recently awarded to the town by the WVDEP and will be used to purchase a new truck with bed and lift gate, fuel, promotional materials, conference training, and other items. Recycling information can be obtained at Town Hall.
Earth Day Updates
Aimee Rist reports that the definitive date for the celebration is Saturday, April 23rd from 12-5pm in downtown Fayetteville on the Court House lawn and surrounding streets. The police department has approved the application for the event. Carl Thompson will reserve the Memorial Building for the rain location. The climbing wall has been secured and inflatables will be rented. This year’s theme is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
-Oak Hill Garbage has graciously donated $400.00 and will be this year’s music and entertainment sponsor.
-Diogi’s will host the first fundraiser event on Tuesday, February 22nd. 50% of the proceeds for the Earth Day special will be donated to the Green Team.
-Cathedral Cafe will host the next fundraiser on Wednesday, March 2nd, Sedona Grill in late March, and the Vandalian on Tuesday, April 8th, details to follow…
-Laurel Ackison reported that a t-shirt distributor near Huntington may be able to sell t-shirts made of sustainable materials for roughly $10/shirt, with a minimum order. Doug Arbogast is looking into printing options. A logo contest with local schools continues to be a possibility.
-Shea Wells is corresponding with potential musical groups for the event and she and Erin Stewart continue to contact potential sponsors.
-Amanda Sapienza is coordinating vendors and organizations who wish to participate in the event. Booth space is free!!
-Ginger Danz is coordinating artist vendors
-Holly Clark and Erin Stewart are working hard on marketing materials and communications. The facebook site is up, the initial press release is scheduled for 2/8, and the timeline for all future marketing leading up to the event was outlined. Erin and Holly will also solicit participants for a downtown Fayetteville window challenge with the reduce, reuse,recycle theme.
-Pat Drago is this year’s volunteer coordinator. Opportunities for serving are currently being identified and volunteers are being recruited. It is estimated that 20 or more volunteers will be needed. Currently, volunteers are needed for set-up/breakdown, bouncy houses, and raffle, water, Green team, and recycling drop-off booths.
-Donations for the free raffle are being solicited
-There will be a “rags to riches” clothing swap during the event
Announcements
-The next Earth Day committee meeting will occur on Thursday, February 17th at 5:30pm at the Cathedral Cafe. Anyone interested in joining the effort to make the 6th annual New River Earth Day celebration a success, is welcome and strongly encouraged to attend.
-The next Recycling Committee meeting will soon be announced, help is greatly needed
-The monthly GREAT meeting will occur on Monday, February 28th at 5:30pm at the Cathedral Cafe in Fayetteville. We look forward to seeing you there!
