The Minnesota Energy Challenge: Environmental Outreach in Congregations

The Minnesota Energy Challenge:Environmental Outreach in Minnesota Congregations
Neely Crane-Smith
Center for Energy and Environment
www.mnenergychallenge.org
November 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 times
Uses 15-40 gallons of water per person per day
Is responsible for over half of the carbon dioxide emissions in Minnesota

Mission of the Energy Challenge

History of the Energy Challenge
January 2009:
MNEC joins Twitter
March 2008:
Dot.Org “Bright Idea Award” from MN Council of Nonprofits
November 2010:
Over 26,000 Members
April 2009:
20,000 Members
April 2008:
10,000 Members
December 2009:
New identity, new website, database clean-up
Launched in October 2006

Action Guides
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Action Guides

The Energy Challenge in Congregations

St. Joan of Arc (#1)
Dedicated volunteers
Call to action during worship service
Pledge cards
Weekly email reminders

Unity Church Unitarian (#4)
Call to action during service
Paper Challenge forms
Tabling during coffee hour
Articles 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

Questions?
Neely Crane-Smith
Community Energy Coordinator
Center for Energy and Environment
ncranesmith@mncee.org
612-335-5852

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The Minnesota Energy Challenge: Environmental Outreach in Congregations

by Minnesota Energy Challenge on Nov 10, 2010

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