New England Grassroots Environment Fund

Group Resources

Home Weatherization Volunteer Application Form
Home Weatherization Flyer
Home Weatherization Project Application Form
Background Check for Volunteer Working With Children Release Form
Sample Release & Waiver of Liability from Habitat for Humanity RI
Sample Waiver of Liability from Rebuilding Together RI
Congregation’s Environmental Audit Update
Congregation’s Environmental Action Plan

Group Details

The Green Congregation Committee of Channing Memorial Church, in response to the global climate change crisis, resolved: to commit to and strengthen awareness and advocacy for environmentally sustainable practices and to encourage, empower and support the board and committees in the provision of environmentally sustainable decisions, action and collaborative efforts for the church and in the community. Whenever feasible, specific practices may include, but are not limited to, environmentally sustainable efforts for utility usage; alternative ‘green’ energy source investigation, purchase and use; recycling and waste reduction; food, land, water and air protection; use of ‘green’ building materials and methods; encouraging the use of alternative transportation sources to reduce emissions; awareness and advocacy in environmental social issues and increasing consciousness, and support, of environmentally and socially responsible businesses and investments. The committee has committed to develop and monitor indicators of progress toward environmental sustainability and to publicize and celebrate these accomplishments.

The group’s successes so far include: engaging an increasing number of members from the congregation, and from the community, in efforts to effect change in their own lives, and the church leaders in revising the policies and practices of the church. The education program has been particularly active in engaging children on environmental issues. The Step It Up collaborations have reached out to several hundred local residents, and monthly local radio appearances have potentially reached several thousand more. In its first year of weatherizing (‘08-‘09), Channing’s Green Congregation Committee assisted sixteen families, mostly on Aquidneck Island.

The group, located in Newport (RI), received its latest NEGEF grant to partner with organizations serving low income families to develop a program for helping low-income homeowners and renters to make their homes more energy efficient, thereby lowering their costs for heat and utilities. The project includes compiling simple ‘kits’ to weatherize their quarters, literature with energy tips, and referral options for subsidized energy audits and installations. The Green Congregation Committee will develop a teen leadership program, with adult supervision, to deliver and assist in installing the kits, as well as reviewing the literature with the recipients.