10-point Action Plan?

[Carol Landis]

With guidance from GINI members (representing 13 faith groups in NE Tennessee), we now have all the nuts and bolts in place to build GINI. That's awesome! If you'd like to help, please let us know. I have another suggestion, too. Let's also step out and plan things to do. Let's lay out an activity a month and set some dates. I happen to have a list of ideas, and you may have others.  We can do any of these things in stages (or make it a one-time all-out effort). We can do them in small and in larger groups. Let's just start.

 

What do you think of these? (Seriously, please let me know what you think.)

 

1)  Energy audits. We'd love for you to tag along as we start offering energy audits to local houses of worship. Many of the energy-saving ideas are directly transferable to our homes and the work place. Let's lead!

 

2)  Gardening. Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by how much your garden has produced this summer? Are you making choices every week about how much you can actually get done and what's going to waste? Let us help. We can harvest, clean, and donate fresh produce to food banks, etc. Can we coordinate leaf pickup for those who need compost materials? Can we improve gardens in our neighborhoods by offering help with mulching?

 

3)  Appliance recycling. Do you know anyone who's gotten a "newer, more efficient" appliance, and is getting rid of their old one?  If the item is still in working condition, there are households and organizations who NEED those appliances. We can help make that connection and provide a service to the region.

 

4)  Sewing. If you like to sew and/or have extra fabric lying around, let's make something useful and offer it to someone who would appreciate receiving it. I also have a really easy way to make gift bags, instead of using wrapping and tissue paper. Let's make a bunch of them...and then set a goal for how many we can make per month. The holiday seasons can be less consumptive, especially in use of paper and other single use stuff.

 

5)  Preparation for winter. My students did a service project each fall, where we helped older and less able residents in our neighborhoods install their storm windows, caulk basement windows, clean out their gutters and downspouts, etc. It was much appreciated, and helps to reduce energy consumption...and costs...for the elderly.

 

6)  Litter. Sadly, there's always litter to remove. Over and over and over again.

 

7)  Legislation. (Don't roll your eyes!) If you're aware of what's happening, about to happen, or should happen, please help the rest of us know about it and help us to communicate effectively with important people who can influence those decisions.

 

8)  Partnering. Several groups in the area have similar values and goals. Let's partner with them. Several churches have active groups focused on stewardship and eco-justice issues. (I'm not going to mention names for fear of leaving some out.) We also have the United Religions Initiative, Interfaith Hospitality Network, etc. Let's step forward and be a GINI supporter of these efforts.

 

9)  Bays Mountain. They are still seeking recyclable plastics. Let's collectively donate at Mahoney's so that larger numbers of recyclables are delivered to them.

 

10) Service groups. Many local organizations exist that would benefit by some targeted giving (time, service, money, and/or goods). Let's pick one (or more) and collect something to give from GINI.

 

Other ideas?  Let's just do something...a couple of us, here or there, now and then. We can honor our commitment to our faith and to each other, and make a real difference where we live. If you can contribute a few hours of your time in the next month, just let me know when and what you'd like to accomplish. Then we'll decide who can help and get things moving. Sound good?