team. For those departments where 4. Take down all ideas—the list may get up includes each Green Team mem-
there are no volunteers, follow up with lengthy, but it’s important to encour- ber going over the list in their depart-
a call to the director or manager to ask age everyone to participate and con- ment’s “all staff” meeting. Also, each
who would be best for the team. tribute their ideas. If the number of Green Team member needs to serve
3. Once the team is formed, schedule ideas grows way past 25, you might as the leader in their department—
your first meeting and send out an want to select the best 25 ideas to gently reminding and encouraging
initial DRAFT list of ways to reduce keep the list manageable. employees to participate. This leader-
energy, fuel, water and product use 5. Once the Green Team has agreed on ship role in following through is why
about one week prior to the meeting the final draft, ask the Mayor and de- it is important to have volunteers
(it’s usually more productive to work partment heads to review the list. It’s who are dedicated and excited about
from a good draft than from scratch). important to have the top leadership saving resources.
Ask team members to review the aware and supportive of the list to
draft list and come prepared to add get it implemented. Having gained
Tracking results
additional ideas. their approval, ask the Mayor to again
send out an “All Department” email
Ideally your city has taken a greenhouse
with the list attached as the new
gas inventory and you can track how
Green Policy that every employee is
these Green Team efforts reduce ener-
to follow. See the example provided
gy and fuel use, or you can simply track
with this article that the Mayor of
gallons saved and compare utility bills.
Missoula Mayor John
Missoula sent to our employees.
Similarly, knowing how much paper each
Engen’s memo to city
6. After the Mayor has sent the list,
department uses before and after can
employees (see pages 5
schedule another Green Team meet-
help Green Team members continue to
and 6) lists the Green
ing to continue discussing ways to
encourage people to participate by peri-
Team’s 25 ways to
implement the list. Important follow-
odically announcing the savings. v
go green for free.
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