Greener Oconomowoc's 2009 Annual Report
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Greener Oconomowoc (GO) has become the first local environmental organization in the Oconomowoc area, filling a long-standing void. Over the past three years, GO has held public meetings with environmental speakers, helped plan the Chamber Farmer's Market, and sponsored successful Earth Day events attended by hundreds with vendors, activities, and locally sourced meals. GO educates the community on sustainability and forms partnerships to promote environmental initiatives. It has received informal recognition from being appointed to committees and boards and being asked to present and consult on various environmental issues and projects in the community.
Greener Oconomowoc's 2009 Annual Report
- 1. 1 Greener Oconomowoc‟s 2009 Annual Report GREENER OCONOMOWOC ANNUAL REPORT - 2009 Community Service: How has your organization best met the needs of the community? Greener Oconomowoc (GO) has filled a long standing void by becoming the first local environmental organization in the Oconomowoc area. Its mission is to promote a healthy community, economy and environment through education and implementation of the Natural Step principles. (The Natural Step is an international environmental movement that provides guidelines for wise use of the earth‟s resources for the present and future.) The four natural step principles which govern GO‟s actions are: (1) reduce wasteful dependency upon fossil fuels, scarce metals and mineral that accumulate in nature (2) reduce wasteful dependence upon chemicals and synthetic substances that accumulate in nature (3) reduce encroachment upon nature (4) meet human needs fairly and efficiently. GO shares ideas, knowledge and environmentally friendly practices with the community, and assists in their implementation. GO strives to form strategic partnerships with other stakeholder groups including community organizations, church groups, governments, schools and businesses in order to promote environmental awareness and adoption of sustainable practices within the Oconomowoc area. Over the last three years GO has: *Held regularly scheduled public meetings featuring environmental speakers and demonstration programs *Cooperated with the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce by helping to plan and promote Chamber Farmer‟s Market *During the 2009 Chamber Farmer‟s Market season, GO has had the opportunity to work with the chamber and for the chamber as the weekly market monitor *Sponsored Earth Day & Resource Fair Events in April of 2007, 2008 and 2009 The 2009 Earth Day Resource Fair included 38 vendor booths, which covered local green businesses, local community organizations/activities and local farmer vendors (winter farmer‟s market participants). The parking lot pavilion hosted an alternative vehicle show (highlighting local electric vehicles and information for the community about eco-friendly driving tips/practices.) GO worked with local farmers to locally source a full meal for attendees. The meal included sustainable-raised beef and sausage burgers, organic salad mix and baked potatoes, locally made ice cream and coffee. The first 150 families to enter the Earth Day Fair received a free “organic cotton bag” and a 16-page resource fair program guide. Two speakers highlighted the „09 program and a special emphasis was placed on educating families/children about the natural world and the environment. Children were able to learn about animals, nature, soil and invasive species due to the hands-on kid friendly activities. Approximately 900 individuals, families and children attended the 2009 Earth Day. The 2008 Earth Day Resource Fair included 32 booths by local businesses and organizations that were promoting eco-friendly products and/or services. There was an alternative vehicle display outside in the parking lot, which included over 15 vehicles that were electric/ hybrid or ran on alternative energy sources. Local businesses and organizations relating to alternative
- 2. 2 Greener Oconomowoc‟s 2009 Annual Report vehicles/modes of transportation were featured as well. Locally produced meat and bakery items were featured along with six speakers who addressed different environmental topics (such as rain barrels & gardens, 10 tips to green up your home & geo-thermal energy). About 500 people attended the 2008 Earth Day & Resource Fair. *Since GO‟s structure has been evolving over the last several years, our organization is able to initiate grassroots activities (e.g. our membership is able to bring in ideas from the larger community and make those ideas into “action project committees”). In fall of 2008 a couple GO members were interested in starting a community garden project, through GO they were able to recruit community members to join their action committee and were able to network with the UCC (United Church of Christ) church in Oconomowoc. Together members of Community Garden committee worked with the UCC folks to map out a location and plan for placing the first community garden on the grounds of the church. The garden committee has very successful sowed the seeds to a very plentiful harvest, some members of the garden are growing so much food that they are able to donate extra produce to the local food pantry. Throughout this project the co-chairs of the garden committee worked with the GO steering team and they were asked to join the steering team. Plans are already in the works for the 2010 community garden project! *Co-sponsored a local candidate‟s forum with the AAUW and Rotary for school board and city council candidates. The questions sent to the candidates prior to the forum and the questions from the audience at the forum, focused on local issues with environmental matters receiving primary attention. *Set up “Study Circles” (weekly discussion groups) based on the book “The Natural Step for Communities”. These eight to ten-week sessions are led by GO-trained facilitators. At the final “celebratory” session, participants choose environmental action items to work on in the community. (Please see question 6 for more information on action items.) Seven separate multi-week study circles have taken place since GO‟s first meeting in the fall of 2006. Currently, GO is gearing up for the largest class of study circles in its history. Over 50 people within the community have signed up for the fall „09 Natural Step study circles. An organizational meeting will be held on September 16th for the three or four study circles that will be formed. To date approximately 95 people have participated in the multi-week circle sessions. *Worked with both of the local newspapers (Enterprise & Focus) to share events, activities and speakers information. *Prepared and given presentations on the Natural Steps principles to other stakeholder groups (Lions Club, local churches, Oconomowoc Rotary, AARP, Retired Educators, Kiwanis and Oconomowoc High School classes.) *Forged strategic partnerships on the local level with several of the City of Oconomowoc governmental departments - the City Utilities Lead by Example Conservation Team, City Planner, Oconomowoc Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department office and the Economic Development Director‟s office. GO has had the opportunity when presenting information about the Natural Step framework to various community groups, to be able to highlight some of the projects that The Lead by Example team is working on within our community. *Partnered with other environmental organizations to further education of individuals at the county and regional level. GO has developed strategic partnerships with Tall Pines Land Conservancy (local level), Sustain Jefferson (county level), Waukesha County Environmental Action League (county level), Rock River Coalition (watershed level), Drumlin Area Land Trust (regional level) and The Town and Country Resource, Conservation and Development Council (regional level). GO has sent volunteers to work at events hosted by these other groups and/or collaborated with members of these other organizations on different environmental issues.
- 3. 3 Greener Oconomowoc‟s 2009 Annual Report *Filed for and become a recognized 501c3 organization, filed articles of incorporation and will elect the first Board of Directors (in Oct. 2009. GO has been working with a volunteer steering teams for the last year. *Established standing committees that include; education (The Natural Step), Earth Day Resource Fair, Community Gardens, Action project, Events, Ambassadors, Grants/Fundraising, Nomination, By-laws, Financial and Executive committees. Involvement with Education: Explain your involvement with the Oconomowoc Area Schools. GO has made several Natural Step presentations to high school classes, On April 24th 2010, the GO Earth Day Resource Fair will be held at Oconomowoc High School in the Field House. Planning for Earth Day in 2010 has already begun and GO is working hard to include various elements of the high school into the Earth Day planning. Preliminary conversations have taken place with faculty members in the sciences – working toward highlighting student projects at the Earth Day and showcasing the high school solar panel project. Student volunteers have been requested, as has a member of the school district, to help with the Earth Day planning committee. Lastly, the GO Earth Day planning committee will shortly begin working with the school district‟s executive chef to plan a locally sourced meal, which the high school kitchen will prepare for the 2010 Earth Day. Philanthropic Support: How did/does your organization improve the quality of life for the community through its financial support. In 2009 GO had enough funds to make donations to other local “green causes.” GO made a financial donation to the Oconomowoc Community Built Playground – Imagination Station, GO members also helped to build this environmental friendly playground. GO made a financial donation to Town and Country Resource Conservation and Development Council to help pay for a Town and Country staff member‟s time/guidance in aiding GO in strategic planning. GO donated significant financial support to the Oconomowoc Community Garden Project (a joint effort between GO members, members of the First United Church of Christ and the larger community.) The majority of the garden‟s start-up capital came from GO, as did many of the workers/organizers of the project. Service to Youth: Describe the development and implementation of programs assisting area youths. Youth are encouraged to participate in study circles, meetings and a reduced rate for student membership is also available. Students are encouraged to participate in earth day activities through volunteer efforts connected with the local grade schools. One of the main tenets, which GO embraces, is the importance of multi-generational educational opportunities (e.g. educational activities for persons of all ages and stages of life.) GO is working hard to form relationships with both generation X & Y, in order to create a system of support for future generations within our community. Many youth participated in the 2009 Greener Oconomowoc Earth Day Resource Fair (at least 200 children of all ages) got to pet animals, ride in electric cars, try organic locally produced food and play with worms. Youth have also had the opportunity to get their “hands dirty” at the
- 4. 4 Greener Oconomowoc‟s 2009 Annual Report 2009 Community Garden project – working side by side with parents and other community members learning about and planting food to be eaten. International Service: List your involvement in the international arena re: the advancement of goodwill, medical assistance, hunger relief, human and/or spiritual values, etc. The Natural Step principles that GO is attempting to inculcate in the community stem from a philosophy originated in Sweden, and now used widely throughout the world, sometimes in individual communities, and sometimes nation-wide. The developing nations that include the poorest people in the world will be the first victims of climate change. We will all suffer the consequences of energy cost increases and decreasing resources if we do not all learn how to conserve. Three of the four principles of the Natural Step relate directly to wise use of the worlds resources. It is the fourth principle, however, that makes the Natural Step a preferred philosophy for many, “Social equity, including responsibility to future generations.” It is this principle that most attracts church groups to the Natural Step as it fits so well with their mission of helping the poor and disadvantaged. GO is working hard to share the philosophy of “The Natural Step for Communities” book with members of our local community. Many of the tenets outlined in the book relate to becoming a better citizen and working together with our neighbors to create a sustainable community. In other words GO is a product of an international movement based upon the principles of “The Natural Step.” Leadership development: how have you increased or enhanced leadership development within your organization and the community. GO members have learned how to take a holistic view of both the environment and community and learn through their study circle and other GO experiences to initiate, recruit others, plan and promote positive community activity. Some members of the study circles became facilitators and leaders for subsequent circles; they were taught how to lead discussions, and how to ask questions that encourage people to consider many sides of difficult questions. Participants set priorities for local action, and organized into task forces that plan and undertake action. Members have thus learned how to be responsible citizens, individually as well as collectively, attending appropriate government meetings and public hearings, communicating with government officials and other community leaders. For example, GO members have organized a Pabst Farms Task Force. As one of their first activities, they attended the city plan commission public hearing, urging that the proposed shopping center implement a number of “green” elements. The plan commission incorporated many of these ideas into their official recommendations, which were in turn adopted by the city council. The task force continues to monitor and encourage additional measures to assure an environmentally compatible development on the Pabst farms. In another instance one GO individual used his newly learned skills to convince the administrators of his residential complex to have the maintenance and other staff trained in environmentally sound principles, offering to facilitate a Natural Step study circle on site. In another case of personal carry-through, two members living in the same condominium complex
- 5. 5 Greener Oconomowoc‟s 2009 Annual Report convinced the homeowners association to provide space for composting and to eliminate the use of chemicals in lawn care. Still others have used their citizen action skills to work with the city in the adoption of an ordinance that permits NEV‟s (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) within the city. The City of Oconomowoc passed a NEV ordinance in February of 2009 at a council meeting at which several GO members spoke in support of the ordinance. GO members have also been influential in working with the Oconomowoc Utilities award- winning Lead by Example team; two of the team members are also GO members. When the mayor put together the Fowler Lake Advisory Committee, he appointed a GO member to assure environmental input. One person from a nearby community joined GO, participated in a Study Circle, and then promoted the environmental approach in his own community. He has subsequently facilitated a study circle there and been appointed to its municipal plan commission. Local, Regional or National Recognition: Briefly explain any recognition you have received locally, regionally or nationally and why. Although GO has not received any formal recognition, GO regards the “informal” recognition it receives as heartening and helpful to carrying out its mission. This informal recognition includes: *Appointment of its members to governmental committees and boards *Queries from individuals and organizations soliciting environmental information (such as “What can I recycle? Where do I get rid of my used CFL bulbs? Where can I buy locally raised organic meat? Whom should I contact about an energy audit for my house?) *Requests by other community groups asking for GO‟s assistance in carrying out local projects (example- 2009 Moonlit Movie Board asked for GO‟s assistance in helping connect them to the local unit of government (Waukesha County Recycling) and for ideas how to implement recycling at the 2009 movies.) *Solicitations for GO to present The Natural Step or other environmental programs to clubs, churches, school children, etc. *Regular contacts from the local media seeking GO‟s opinions on current civic undertakings, proposed ordinances, governmental actions, etc. *Request by city officials asking for letters of support to state and federal authorities when applying for grants related to such matters as passenger rail funding, alternative energy, etc.