|
|
The Team Approach | |
About the GTP
Green Team ApproachHow it works
Tides CenterLocationsJoin A Green Team!Mission & GoalsOur SupportersOnline Resources |
Green Teams are our most successful method for reducing an individual's environmental impact. Employed by many other entities such as the Grameen Bank, Weight Watchers, and Alcoholics Anonymous, the team process works because people feel empowered, supported and responsible to the group. They feel a part of something meaningful and bigger than themselves and therefore, follow through on good intentions with actual actions. It also has a very relaxing pace and atmosphere as well as allows for a much more in-depth and thorough look at an issue. Changing one's behavior from old habits is very difficult to do and the team process not only makes it easy but also fun and stimulating. A typical green team is a small group (6-8 people) of neighbors, friends, church attendees or co-workers who come together for a set of meetings to learn home conservation methods and put this education into practice. Each participant learns how to live a more earth-friendly lifestyle through the support of a Green Action Guide, web resource listings and a trained coach. Participants reduce their solid waste, home chemicals, energy, water and auto fuel consumption while having fun, building community, and saving money! Once a team is formed, each participant receives a Green Action Guide and commits to attend a total of seven meetings. Each meeting focuses in depth on one chapter of the Guide such as solid waste and everyone chooses which actions he/she will try to complete in that topic area before the next meeting (e.g., set up a compost system or write letters to stop junk mail). At the following meeting, everyone shares their experiences on which actions they were able or unable to complete as well as learns about the next topic area. There is a lot of laughter, discussion and learning that occurs at each meeting. At the last meeting, participants turn in a summary report form of all their actions and later receive their individual and team statistics showing their financial and resource savings. The average participant saves between 10-30% in each resource area and between $60-$500 a year on bills.
A $25 program fee per participating household covers the Green Action Guide, coach and calculated individual and team results. A reduced fee of $15 and full scholarships are available as needed. The cost is not meant to be an obstacle. We have just learned that people tend to value the program more when they have paid something. Green teams are formed in numerous ways through churches, neighborhood associations, friends and family members, company workplace teams (during their lunch hours), Mom's groups, non-profit organizations, civic community groups, government outreach programs, apartment buildings, and the list goes on. The locations of team meetings vary but are predominantly held in team members homes (with potluck dinners or appetizers), library or church meeting rooms, coffee shops and workplace conference rooms. If you are interested in participating on a green team you can fill out and submit this form and we will group you with others interested in a team in your area or you can form your own team (download "how to" PDF packet here) through your workplace, friends, group, etc.
Additional Benefits to the Green Team Approach In addition to measurable monetary and resource savings, the team process also:
Join a Green Team! (click here to fill out and submit a brief form) Currently under construction, sorry for the inconvenience. Please contact the main office to join a team. |
