EEC Meeting Minutes December 11, 2011, 6 PM to 9 PM
Location: Rich’s house
Attending: Ann Baker (chair), Richard Reis (minutes), John Kester, Sue Jacobson, Carol Rawie
1. We had a wonderful pot-luck dinner and interesting go round and discussion.
2. During the review of the agenda, we added an item about ground rules for events like movie discussions. We
corrected the previous minutes item 6 E from Terry Allen to Terry Ellen. Ann suggested the use of a talking stick
that she brought along. (One only talks while holding the stick.)
3. We discussed the showing of “Earth 2100”. Linda had prepared discussion points for the movie. The discussion
went very well and was respectful – although there was no resolution to the challenge posed by the movie.
 For future movies, we should have the movie seen by at least one person and better two. When we choose a
movie, the movie moderator should be one of the people who has seen the entire movie.
 Carol and Jackie Fralley saw Growth Busters. They agree that it is worthwhile. Rich will purchase a copy of that
movie. (ordered)
 Sue has a movie on nuclear power. She will plan a time to view the movie with Linda Silversmith for possible
showing to a wider audience.
 BagIt is on-line. She and David Lindsay have seen it, but it is costly for a public showing ($75 rental / $150 to
buy). Carol liked it – it was entertaining. Carol will contact WES to reserve room for 2/4/12 at 7:30 or alternate
date (see below). We will try to get reusable bags to sell or just give to attendees. Carol will start a publicity
document based upon our general publicity template.
 Rich will preview the tar sands movies.
 Rich will ask the Sierra Club and Molly Hauck (of Cedar Lane UUC) if they have any movies they can loan us for
showing.
 Rich suggested a book talk on “Prosperity Without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet” by author Tim
Johnson. He will research this idea further by reading the book and by looking for previous book talks by this
author. There is a predecessor document by the same name here:
http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications.php?id=914
[Note: There are other similar books, such as “The End of Growth: Adapting to Our New Economic Reality” by
Richard Heinberg, with a somewhat lesser environmental emphasis. Also there is “The Crash Course: The
Unsustainable Future of our Economy, Energy, and Environment”, by Chris Martenson.]
4. Rich may work further on the Flyer Brochure. He showed the business cards (on the back of regular WES
business cards) to further the EEC. This is the business card info:
The Earth Ethics Committee is part
of the Washington Ethical Society
(WES).
We meet monthly and work to
improve the relationship between
people and the planet through:
Sponsoring events
Connecting to the wider
environmental community
Improving environmental
stewardship at WES
Taking action to protect the
environment
To learn more, contact Rich Reis at
301-325-8001 or rreis@verizon.net.

Rich, John, and Sue reported on the progress of the “Ethical Community Solar, LLC”, which is being established through
Steve Skolnik, Peter Kent, Rich, and others. Ann suggested sharing other GWIPL congregational models with the people who
are setting this up. A major objective is to get ECS to fund a new roof for WES as part of the process.


Rich and Linda had talked to Amanda about revamping the Sunday program to reuse part of it and thus save paper. Rich
showed a prototype of what the revised program could look like. Many had questions about how much paper it could save
and the process for ensuring that the reusable part of the program is saved from Sunday to Sunday. We decided to table
further discussion to allow Linda Silversmith to address the reasons for going this way.
Rich identified some types of recycling containers that WES could purchase. Amanda is open to doing this. He showed an
iPhone picture of this model in use at a Virginia public library. The container would presumably be kept in the main lobby. It
costs about $900, so we discussed possible funding options possibly with EEC backing. [Rich would be willing to pay $100
toward its purchase.] Rich will send Amanda, Mary Herman, and Kate Thorton a message outlining a proposal to purchase
the recycling container.
5.
We tentatively planned the next meetings (see below). Rich will generate a spreadsheet showing it with assignments for
chairing meeting, hosting them, doing minutes, etc.
6.
We adjourned.
Rich
- Will set up a tentative rotation list for EEC meeting chairs for spring 2012
- Will purchase a copy of movie "Growth Busters"
- Will set up a time for available EEC members to view Molly Hauck's tar sands movies (which he possesses)
- Will purchase/borrow a copy of book "Prosperity without Growth" by Tim Jackson and start reading it (with view to considering
whether to have a book discussion at WES, with author)
- Will do outreach about recycling container to Amanda, Mary, Kate Thornton/capital expenses committee
- May work on EEC flyer or brochure
Carol
- Will ask Jackie Fralley to share her opinion about "Bag It" with EEC (by email)
- Will find out how long "Bag It" is
- Will contact WES about reserving a room (and any conflicting events) to show "Bag It" on Saturday, 2/4/12 at 7:30 (alternate dates:
Sunday, 2/5/12 at 7:00; or Saturday, 2/11/12 at 7:30)
- Will be point person/coordinator for showing of "Bag It"
Sue
- Will develop a short reminder/save the date item about Feb. movie ("Bag It") for January newsletter (note: first need to get date
info from Carol)
- Will try to set up time with Linda to view DVD on nuclear power that she purchased (for possible WES showing)
Ann
- Will ask Chris Z. if has info about cost of printing logos on cloth bags (Answer: he doesn't know; suggests we look online)
- Will look for info about author Tim Jackson, such as online interviews in the media (with view to considering whether to have a
book discussion of "Prosperity without Growth" at WES, with author)
Schedule for early 2012 EEC meetings:
- Jan. 15: lunch meeting, possibly at WES at 1:00 (Brown Bag or take-out); Rich to chair
- Feb. 12: evening potluck, possibly at Ann's home
- March 11: lunch meeting (note: daylight savings time starts today)
- April 15: evening potluck, at Carol's home (assuming WES Earth Day is April 22)
- May 13: breakfast meeting
Issues tabled:
- Further discussion of reusable Sunday program covers; until Linda Silversmith (proponent) is present
- Discussion of Earth Day plans (should probably put on January's agenda)