COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PARTNERSHIP (CEAP)

Minutes, April 9, 2008

 

The meeting was held at the Mitchell Park Community Center.  Chairs were arranged in circles by segment, and participants were asked to seat themselves with the segment of their choice.  The meeting was called to order by the chair at 4:10.

 

Chairman Walt opened the meeting with a statement about why we are taking our precious time for CEAP.  He said that in his mind global warming is a threat to our entire civilization, and it’s not clear that humanity is responding in time to avert it.  The issue is whether we love our families and the planet enough to do the hard work necessary to avoid disaster, and he affirmed the participants for manifesting that love by taking time from their busy schedules to help make the CEAP a model of community response.

 

A. SEGMENTS.

Walt asked the group if they wanted to add a “Building Community” segment.  After expressions of concern about dividing the Business Segment into too many subgroups, the consensus was to leave building in that segment at this time.

 

B. MISSION AND GOALS.

1. Mission.

Walt noted that the Planning Committee had amended the original draft statement to incorporate the changes that received the highest votes at the first meeting.  The group adopted the statement with t hose changes, as follows:

 

The Community Environmental Action Partnership, a collaborative citywide initiative, connects engages the various segments of the Palo Alto community to identify opportunities and create and implement sustainable environmental solutions.

 

2. Goals.

Tom Kabat stated that the draft goals were strategies rather than goals; e.g., a goal would be something like “reduce greenhouse gas emissions by __%.”  While the chair acknowledged the point, he recommended in order to get on with action, the group adopt the proposed goals for now, with the understanding that they can be amended later.

 

The group agreed, and adopted the draft goals with the following changes;

 

a. Based on the suggestion of Councilman Peter Drekmeier,  “ Engage and educate” each segment of the community was changed to Educate and engage. . . .”

 

b. As proposed by Debbie Mytels, “Create and avenue of communication and education. . . .” was changed to “Create a vehicle for communication, education, and awareness. . . .”

 

As  amended and adopted, the Goals read as follows:

 

Goals

 

A.   Identify and implement top-priority environmental initiatives with measurable objectives.

B.    Educate and engage each segment of the community in environmental initiatives that fit their needs.

C.    Create a vehicle for communication, education, and awareness among the City and all segments of the community.

D.   Leverage resources and actions among segments by aligning and coordinating efforts.

E.    Connect with expertise, input, and initiatives from the community and beyond to inform, improve and inspire innovative ideas and programs.

F.    Track and report progress toward objectives to the community.

 

STRUCTURE

The group adopted the structure proposed by the Planning Committee, with the following changes and suggestions:

 

1. The focus in item 2 under First Year Priorities was changed from “Climate Protection” to “reducing greenhouse gases.”

 

2. The chair suggested that the Planning Committee designate someone as provisional Vice-Chair, and the group agreed.

 

The final structure as adopted is as follows:

 

First Year Priorities

1.     Solidify committee – agree on mission, goals, structure, etc.

2.     Focus on reducing greenhouse gases.

3.     Segments work within themselves with support from the CEAP to pick their actions for the year, develop a plan and begin implementation.

 

Meeting frequency

Monthly

 

Segments

Committee includes liaisons from each of the different segments:

·       City government

·       Business community

·       Nonprofits

·       Home and Neighborhood

·       School Community

·       Faith Community

·       Stanford

·       Medical Community

 

·       New segments should be able to be added as we learn of them

 

Advisory Committees

Groups than can provide needed expertise.

• Measurement (Quantification)

 

Affiliate Members

Groups or individuals outside the City – can join any segment to help and/or act through the Advisory Committee.  The purpose is to connect CEAP with the broader community, creating an avenue for communication and collaborative efforts.

 

Liaisons

One per segment

Liaisons commit to acting as Communicator for their segment.

 

Meetings can be attended by anyone. Community attendance and participation is encouraged.

 

Decision Making Process for CEAP (segments will develop their own process as needed)

Consensus with the fall back of substantial majority (3/4)

 

Reporting

·       Annual report of activities to the community

·       Share report/activities with Council – on Earth Day when City gives updates

 

LIAISON ISSUES

Liaison Expectations

Liaisons make the commitment to be the communicator for their segment. However, they are not formally selected to represent their segment and cannot make commitments on their behalf.

Liaison expectations:

·       Disseminate information throughout their segment about the new CEAP

·       Communicate segment efforts to the CEAP

·       Attend 75% of Committee meetings each year

 

Liaison Selection

Liaisons shall be selected by their segment

 

Liaison Term Length

Until retirement or replacement

 

CEAP OFFICERS

Committee Chair

Appointed first year and then elected by CEAP thereafter.

Chair expectations:

·       Create agenda

·       Facilitate meetings

·       Coordinate information sharing between segments and committee

·       Coordinate information from the group as a whole (CEAP) to the City and community

 

Vice-Chair

Preside in absence of Chair

 

Secretary

Take and distribute minutes

 

Planning Committee

Meets with Chair to develop agenda and for general guidance and planning.

 

INTRODUCTION TO ACTIONS.

Wendy Hediger of the City’s sustainability team gave examples of actions already under way in various segments.  She also discussed an Action commitment Form, which she recommended be filled out before undertaking any new action.  She emphasized that not every subject in the form would have to be exact before starting; they are merely guidelines.

 

For those who could not attend, the form is attached.

 

E. DISCUSSION IN SEGMENTS.

The segments then devoted about 40 minutes to discussion of possible actions, and were encouraged to share email addresses and start thinking about whom they would select as Liaison.  Each group had an easel and flip chart on which ideas were written.  The charts were collected, to be distributed and returned at the next meeting.

 

F. ANNOUNCEMENTS.

1. Whitney MacFadyen of City utilities announced an event called Greenstock, to be held from 11 -3 in Mitchell Park on May 17, to celebrate Palo Alto Green (PAG) and the residents and businesses that have made it a success.  They are inviting other sustainable organizations to participate, to offer information and services to the

~2,000 attendees expected. The event will begin with a pair of solar

hot water and PV workshops from 11am-1pm, remarks from the Mayor at

1pm, followed by a bluegrass concert with local green interest vendors

present from 1:30 - 3pm.

 

PAG is also using Greenstock to help launch an exciting initiative to

unite community residents and business participants - the Team Card.

The Team Card will be issued to PAG residential participants and will

earn them special discounts at participating PAG business starting in

late April.

 

2. Bryan Long, who established the Wiki being used by CEAP, Pacool.pbwiki.com, explained how to use it and asked for volunteers to help maintain it.

 

3. Carroll Harrington, a professional graphic designer who as a volunteer designed the umbrella logo for CEAP and for many other nonprofits, invited attendees to participate in Earth Month, and passed out flyers about related events.  A copy of that flyer is attached.

 

Carroll also thanked the Sustainability Team, Wendy Hediger, Karl van Orsdol, Nancy Nagel and Julie Weiss, for their work in coordinating and setting up the meetings, and the group gave them a hand.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6 P.M.

 

Walt Hays, temporary secretary