The Minnesota Energy Challenge: Environmental Outreach in Congregations
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The Minnesota Energy Challenge provides environmental outreach to Minnesota congregations to promote energy efficiency. It aims to save members money on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. Since launching in 2006, it has grown to over 26,000 members. The average Minnesota household spends $4,000 per year on energy and leaves electronics plugged in constantly. Congregations that have seen success recruit volunteers, promote the challenge from the pulpit, and celebrate results to motivate continued participation. The Energy Challenge offers guides, forms, and presentations to educate congregants.
The Minnesota Energy Challenge: Environmental Outreach in Congregations
- 1. The Minnesota Energy Challenge: Environmental Outreach in Minnesota Congregations Neely Crane-Smith Center for Energy and Environment www.mnenergychallenge.org November 7th, 2010
- 3. The Average MN Household Spends over $4,000 a year on electricity, natural gas and transportation Leaves 30-40 electronics plugged in at all times Uses 15-40 gallons of water per person per day Is responsible for over half of the carbon dioxide emissions in Minnesota
- 4. Mission of the Energy Challenge Make saving energy fun and easy Save money and increase comfort Reduce carbon dioxide emissions
- 5. 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 Twitter December 2009: New identity, new website, database clean-up
- 10. The Energy Challenge in Congregations
- 12. St. Joan of Arc (#1) Dedicated volunteers Call to action during worship service Pledge cards Weekly email reminders
- 13. Unity Church Unitarian (#4) Call to action during service Paper Challenge forms Tabling during coffee hour Articles in newsletter, order of service
- 14. Successful Congregational Campaigns Set a finite time period Tell a story Get the message from the pulpit Make the campaign visible Celebrate any results
- 16. Printed Guide
- 18. 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
- 19. Keep Up the Good Energy Help people feel good Give credit where credit is due Reward your volunteers Do it again next year!
- 20. Questions? Neely Crane-Smith Community Energy Coordinator Center for Energy and Environment ncranesmith@mncee.org 612-335-5852
Editor's Notes
- #2: This would be the first networking event after the launch of MN IPL on September 23rd, and your work is at the heart of what we would like congregations to be doing. I would like to see: an overview of the MN Energy Challenge and specific ideas on how to promote the MN Energy Challenge in congregations success stories, different ways it has been done, etc. Also what a green team can do to generate enthusiasm for the challenge.
- #3: Broad appeal across political, religious, not only environmental, help engage all types of people without judgment.
- #5: The benefit of