We are planning a Chattanooga Green Community Commitment event on Earth Day, April 22. It will be open to the public and will be held in the University Center at UTC. Now that we have an adopted Climate Action Plan, we will be enlisting attendees to go to work on the various initiatives recommended in the Plan.

I'm passing along this invitation to CG's April meeting, so that everyone can get involved in the important work that CG's participants will hopefully do to lower Chattanooga's carbon footprint. Because CG is a jointly public- and government-entity, it needs as much public direction as it can get. People will get the chance to discuss their interest areas with Mr. Hyde on the 19th, so their strengths can be tapped in the most efficient, effective manner at the April meeting. Sustainable Chattanooga is focused on mobilizing folks to guide this government program for the public good. Currently, Chattanooga Green's Action Plan is just a draft, thus it's not detailed enough to significantly lower our footprint. We can make sure the plan's incentives and policies seek to replace our oil addiction with more sustainable behaviors and products. We can make sure it contains provisions for homeowners who want to go green in their yards and homes, adopting protections for those of us who farm our yards, install solar panels, naturalize our yards (into low-maintenance, no-mow, no-pesticide zones,) or restore native habitats. How fast and how thoroughly Chattanooga goes green rests in the hands of the people who attend the work groups of Chattanooga Green

We need some volunteers to help with 2 tasks – one prior to and one during - the April 22 meeting. If you are interested and willing, please contact me via email at hundt_karen@mail.chattanooga.gov and let me know which of the following 2 tasks you can help with. Also give me your phone number so we can call you to confirm.

1. Computer / Graphics Assistance – Between now and April 22, we need one or two volunteers to come to our office for a few days and help enter some information on the computer using PowerPoint, Photoshop, or Illustrator. Prior experience in these programs is not necessary. We’ll show you exactly what to do. This would be during regular work hours (8:30 – 5:00), but you would not need to stay all day. We can work with your schedule.

2. Meeting Greeters – On April 22, we need several volunteers to serve as greeters, direct people to the correct rooms in the University Center, help staff tables, etc. You will still have an opportunity to participate in the event. We’ll work volunteers in shifts.