Terms of Reference for the Green Action Committee

Mandate

The Green Action Committee’s purpose is to engage cooperatively with other committees and members of the congregation to make our church a greener place by enhancing our congregational and individual awareness and practices, and to make our church a catalyst for environmentally sustainable change in the broader community.

Responsibilities

1. Make periodic environmental audits and surveys of the practices of the congregation and post them on the website
2. Identify and recommend improvements
3. Provide liaisons to other committees
4. Education on environmental issues and green practices
5. Participation in and support for other environmental groups in the community
6. Research into best practices
7. Initiate green projects in our church. Eg. Composting, garden, and support for local farmers
8. Public advocacy through letters briefs, presentations, participation in demonstrations
9. Annual reporting

Committee Chair

The committee will select the chair from, the committee membership for a two year term. That term may be renewed once, and may not be elected to that position again for a period of at least one year. The election shall be held in June. The committee chair will work in consultation with committee members and will communicate with the board liaison.

Responsibilities of the chair

1. Hold regular meetings of the committee
2. Attend congregational meetings
3. Prepare an Annual Report for the Congregation each October
4. Prepare a budget for the committee, due mid-January
5. Manage committee expenses in compliance with the approved budget
6. Inform board liaison of any significant issue requiring board involvement, advice or approval
7. Submit requests and information for the Board agenda by the Thursday prior to the Board meeting
8. Participate in an annual meeting with other committees in our cluster group
9. Advise Board Liaison, Webmaster and Administrative Assistant of any changes in the Committee membership or leadership.
10. Remind members, board liaison and minister of next meeting date

Other Officers

• Vice Chair- Assists chair and stands in for chair when the chair is unavailable
• Past Chair- Assists chair and stands in for chair when the chair is unavailable
• Recorder

Responsibilities of the Recorder

1. Take and distribute draft minutes by email to committee members, board liaison and minister
2. Revise minutes as required
3. Keep a log of the minutes

Responsibilities of Committee Members

1. Support the committee in carrying out green projects
2. Attend committee meetings
3. Recruit new members to the committee

Committee Membership

1. Committee membership is open to anyone with a tie to the congregation, including children. Official membership in the church is not required.
2. Ex-officio members include the board liaison, the minister and others at the invitation of the committee
3. Special members are those who participate in one or more of the activities of the committee on a regular basis but do not attend meetings.

Subcommittees

Subcommittees may be formed from the membership to work on special projects on an ad hoc basis. Some examples are the garden committee, the Sunday Service committee, the fund raiser committee

Timeline

The committee is ongoing

Meetings

The committee meets after church on the third Sunday of the month, unless other activities at the church require a change to another Sunday.

Review

The committee’s terms of reference will be reviewed by the committee whenever a new chair is elected.

Approved February 21, 2010