Our Lady of Good Counsel

Green Church Committee
November 11, 2021
Minutes
Present – Betty Boissineau, F. Paul Conway, Rose-Marie Valade, Chris Shoust, Suzanne Shoust, Mary Trevisan, John Plecash, Salvatore Marchese, Katie Charrette, Randy Johnson, Karen Gionette
Regrets – Wanda Taillefer
Prayer – From Laudato Si’ –
Approval of the Agenda – Chris added two items: The Waste Reduction Project and an Update on Styrofoam
Approval of the Minutes of the Aug 19, 2021 Meeting – Approved, no change
Business Arising

1. Adopt at Highway Update: Chris reminded us that the waivers must be signed before we go out to pick up garbage. There will be an announcement in the bulletin reporting on the event. Rose-Marie will send one to Sue.
2. Season of Creation Update: A thank you note will be sent to Fran on behalf of the Green Committee thanking her for her help with deliveries to the Hazardous Waste Depot. F.Paul will write and send it.
3. Review of Past Items from Minutes:

1. Hazardous Waste Depot update – Chris is still working on his research. It is a work in progress.
2. City Council Resolution re: Elimination of Single Use Plastics – Chris mentioned that there are several local businesses that no longer use plastic bags for their customers, in particular: Habitat for Humanity, Value Village, Timber Mart, Lyons, Country Way, Wacky Wings on Lake St. and the Bulk Barn. Randy suggested that we acknowledge these businesses in the Green Church Committee monthly bulletin announcement and that we send these businesses a letter of appreciation from the committee. Rose-Marie will prepare a letter for review at the next meeting.
3. Logo update – Chris brought pictures of proposed logos and the group voted and chose one to become our new logo.

4. Moving Forward –

1. Green Church Tips of the Month – As Rose-Marie is running out of ideas for this, it was suggested that we include acknowledgement of businesses that are making efforts to ‘go green’.
2. Organizing an executive – Suzanne Shoust has agreed to become the secretary of the group. Several members agreed to share the position of Chair of the committee. In January Chris will chair, in February Randy will chair, in March, it will be Salvatore, and in April it will be Mary. At the end of the minutes there is a proposed checklist of the Chair, which will be reviewed at the January meeting.
3. Communication with churches in the Sault – Rose-Marie will update the list of churches and bring it to the January meeting.
4. Review of mission statement/vision – Tabled
5. Waste Reduction Project – Chris described to us his plans to use waste metal bottle caps, jar lids and stoppers to create art to sell to raise funds for our committee. He is also interested in leading classes where people can create their own art from recycling.
6. Update on Styrofoam – Chris reported that a ‘densifier’ at $20,000 is a machine that reduces Styrofoam to small particles to be used in products such as insulation. He is trying to meet with Terry Sheehan to discuss this project.

Next Meeting – to be determined – in January.