the minnesota energy challenge: environmental outreach in congregations
TRANSCRIPT
The Minnesota Energy Challenge:Environmental Outreach in Minnesota
Congregations
Neely Crane-SmithCenter for Energy and Environment
www.mnenergychallenge.orgNovember 7th, 2010
Why Energy Efficiency?
The Average MN Household…
Spends over $4,000 a year on electricity, natural gas and transportation
Leaves 30-40 electronics plugged in at all timesUses 15-40 gallons of water per person per dayIs responsible for over half of the carbon
dioxide emissions in Minnesota
Mission of the Energy Challenge
Make saving energy fun and easy
Save money and
increase comfort
Reduce carbon dioxide
emissions
History of the Energy Challenge
Launched in October 2006
April 2008:10,000 Members
April 2009:20,000 Members
November 2010:Over 26,000 Members
March 2008:Dot.Org “Bright
Idea Award” from MN Council of
Nonprofits
January 2009:MNEC joins
December 2009:New identity, new website, database
clean-up
Action Guides
0
Action Guides
The Energy Challenge in Congregations
St. Joan of Arc (#1)
Dedicated volunteersCall to action during
worship servicePledge cardsWeekly email reminders
Unity Church Unitarian (#4)
Call to action during service
Paper Challenge formsTabling during coffee
hourArticles in newsletter,
order of service
Successful Congregational Campaigns
Set a finite time period
Tell a story
Get the message from the pulpit
Make the campaign visible
Celebrate any results
Materials and Resources
Printed Guide
Paper Challenge Forms
Free Presentations
How the average MN home uses energy
The “greatest hits” of energy efficiency
How to take advantage of local utility and nonprofit energy programs
Keep Up the Good Energy
Help people feel good
Give credit where credit is due
Reward your volunteers
Do it again next year!
Questions?
Neely Crane-SmithCommunity Energy Coordinator
Center for Energy and [email protected]
612-335-5852