In concert with the UUA's Seventh Principle and with urging from the UU Ministry for Earth, the General Assembly Planning Committee has been working toward the environmental sustainability of our meeting - the “Greening” of GA. To that end, the Committee has entered into consultation with Meeting Strategies Worldwide, experts in environmental stewardship with extensive knowledge of environmentally responsible meeting practices. Together, the Committee and Meeting Strategies have worked to determine goals, objectives, and achievable environmental practices, and to monitor the implementation of those practices.
Because the Association embraces social and environmental responsibility, then naturally our events should reflect that commitment. Each year we work to incorporate environmentally responsible practices, communicate those practices to our contracted hotels and the convention center, manage and monitor these efforts during the meeting, and evaluate our progress.
Meeting Strategies has prepared a case study of the Greening efforts made during GA 2006 in St. Louis , MO. It includes background information about how the process was initiated and implemented, including lessons learned and strategies we will carry forward. Read the case study 
.
In 2006, we introduced an optional $6 carbon offset as part of the conference registration process. Voluntary donations were collected and forwarded to Carbonfund.org , a non-profit organization that educates the public about the issue of climate change and works with businesses and civic groups on CO2 reduction programs. For more information about carbon offsets, please visit Carbonfund.org . Twenty percent of GA registrants participated and $5078 was collected for Carbonfund.org.
We requested that the America 's Center in St. Louis
- Provide documentation about air quality control and systems
- Minimize energy use by turning off lights in meeting rooms when not in use
- Implement recycling of glass, aluminum, plastic, paper, grease and cardboard
- Purchase bathroom supplies with a minimum of 20% recycled products for towels and toilet paper
We requested that our contracted hotels
- Implement a towel and linen reuse program
- Not replace amenities unless empty
- Shut off HVAC, televisions, and lights when guests are not in their rooms
- Donate left-over food
- Purchase environmentally responsible cleaning products
We requested that our exhibitors, presenters and vendors
- Participate in recycling efforts
- Minimize packing materials
- Use printed materials with soy/vegetable-based ink and post-consumer recycled paper
- Use reusable signage
- Donate left-over materials
Meeting Strategies also prepared a case study of the Greening efforts made during GA 2005 in Fort Worth , TX . It includes background information about how the process was initiated and implemented, including lessons learned and strategies we will carry forward. Read the case study .
If you have questions, comments or questions about efforts to Green GA , please contact Lynda Bluestein 
of the GA Planning Committee.
Portland 2007 
