School Green Teams Implementation Plan

PROGRAM ELEMENTS

Careful planning and division of labor are prerequisites for the success of a Green Team. Thus, it is critical to recruit interested stakeholders, develop a concise vision for your efforts, and provide support for individual initiatives. In order to do this effectively, the following steps are recommended:

1. Put your name and contact info on the sign-in sheet to indicate your interest in starting a Green Team at your school.
2. With the help of Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI), present the Green Team PowerPoint at a staff meeting and discuss the benefits of the program.
3. Ask your principal to sign the participation agreement, indicating his/her intent to support you as you develop your Green Team.
4. Recruit students, staff, and community members through newsletters, emails, and direct contact (see possible stakeholders).
5. Hold an initial meeting with all stakeholders to create a vision of the perfect sustainable school as a means of energizing participants and allowing them to share their ideas.
6. Publicize your efforts to the greater school community and recruit any missing stakeholders for your team.
7. At the second meeting, set clear goals based on the group’s vision and ensure the sustainability of your efforts by discussing ways to maintain legacy (calendar, roster, publicity, recruitment).
8. Develop a list of possible action steps, determine the priority and timing of each, and assign committee members to serve as lead and support on projects.
9. Wherever possible, quantify savings and publicize successes, both on campus and via the media.
10. Provide incentives and recognition for people who are involved in your efforts.

POSSIBLE STAKEHOLDERS

The more people you can involve in your effort, the better you will be able to effect change and generate ownership of environmental efforts on campus. With that in mind, the following groups might play important role on your Green Team, though not all will apply to elementary, middle, and high schools:

• Environmental/Garden Club
• Student Government
• Community Service Clubs
• Admin
• Activities Director
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Teachers
• Custodial Staff
• PTA/PTSA
• Site Council
• Alumni Association
• District Reps

Sample Green Team Organizing Documents