
The Green Team
Our Mission is to help First Unitarian Church of Omaha become more energy efficient and reduce its carbon footprint to reflect our values and be an example within our Omaha community.
Sandra Burns AMAZING Green Team Logo here, which will become shirts, bags, and whatever else sometime in the future to be sold as a fundraiser (Katrina has seen a sketch and thinks it may be one of Sandra's best pieces of work so far). This is assuming the board is game, but they will be when they see the logo.
Meet The Team
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Mark Loscutoff
Mark is an energy auditor by trade and is willing to put a 5-10 year plan on how to get our church energy efficient. Chances are, whatever you are passionate about is somewhere in the program, and you can still be in charge of it! He is also known as the "thermostat guy." Why? One can do many small things to help the church, and he finds them! Have an hour or two to spare and want a project you can own and be proud of? Ask him what to do!

Jack Round
Katrina doesn't know what Jack does, but there should be a sentence here about it. Jack Round is in charge of the church's building and grounds and is head of the solar panel project. His passion and drive have led many at First Unitarian Church to believe that solar panels are a doable and exciting project that we can accomplish.

Katrina Schmidt
Katrina has experience in web administration, digital marketing, fundraising, and the arts. She stepped up to be the Green Team's marketing guru and co-coordinator because when it comes to People, Planet, and Profit, she feels this role is a home run by helping the planet, being a part of saving First Unitarian Church money long-term, and taking a burden off of Cat Dixon who typically steps in as every team's marketing director.

Elaine Wells
Elaine became deeply committed to the environment in 2008, after hearing a Holland Lecture by Dr. Henry Pollack, who said that global warming required immediate remedial action.
She was on the committee that earned the Green Sanctuary designation for our church. She worked with both Nebraskans for Peace and OTOC (Omaha Together One Community), to move OPPD away from coal-fired plants and to more renewable energy. Also on the planning team of Elders for the Earth, she has many connections with the environmental community. “There are literally more than 100 ways to REVERSE global warming, and I’m excited about helping our congregation to practice some of them, because climate change is going to affect every person and creature on our mother Earth.”

Projects
Want to help? Here is a list of projects in the works or ready to be explored. Do you have thoughts or expertise in any of these areas? If so, please get in touch with greenteam@firstuuomaha.org for more information or to volunteer to lead a project. Also, please see Interfaith, Power, and Light and Cool Congregations for further inspiration. More projects are encouraged and welcomed because they are probably a part of the "plan" Mark Losciotuff is putting together already and we want people to take ownership and pride in their respective parts!
Grant Applications
We have found several grant options that we could apply for and need people to volunteer to apply for them.

Insulation
We have many places within the building that require more insulation. We need people to evaluate, take pictures, and develop a plan to implement.

Lighting Upgrades
Having motion sensor lights may be an option to increase energy efficiency.

Windows
Windows are not appropriately sealed, and storm windows may be added to improve energy efficiency. We also have one plexiglass window that needs to be replaced. This may be in progress and need more information and someone to research the situation.

Solar Panels
Jack Round is leading the efforts with the support of numerous people to see the church get solar panels.

Re-education Campaign
Every member can do things that help the building to be more energy efficient such as turning off the heat, lights, and making sure doors are completely shut.


What Can You Do Personally?
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Get an energy audit for your home and apply changes (Occasionally High Country Conservation Center runs promos to get a free audit).
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Turn down the heat
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Turn off lights
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Install motion detector lights.
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Contact Katrina Schmidt to add your thoughts to this list.