LEECH LAKE GREEN TEAM

1. LEECH LAKE GREEN TEAM Brandy Toft Air Quality Specialist Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe National Tribal Forum June 2009

2. Green Team • Concept based on a group of individuals to work together to: • Become more sustainable • Save energy • Save resources • Save $$$ • Composed of Leech Lake employees • Combine resources and ideas • Educate • Combined/cohesive approach

3. Green Team Meetings • Meet at minimum once a month • Meet to: • Brainstorm for ideas/projects • Compose draft policies • Set forth goals • However need one or more individuals to coordinate…can be challenging to keep all engaged

4. In Front of Tribal Council • Presented Team idea to Tribal Council • Initial meeting was one of convincing, education and information • Second meeting • presented potential policies • Third meeting • presented resolutions • Fourth meeting (with Executive Director) • approved energywise challenge

5. Key Players of the Team • Purchasing • Economic Division and Planning • Health Division • MIS (Computers/Tech) • Property • Tribal School K-12 • Child Welfare • Solid Waste • Air Program • Facilities Management • Tribal Council

6. Purpose Mission Statement draft “Practicing conservation, recycling and ecologically respectful business to sustain Leech Lake’s land and resources for generations to come.” Statement of Purposedraft Strive to reduce usage and conserve both resources and energy for the betterment of today and our future generations. This effort will have resource and economic benefits.

7. Authority • Set up as an Advisory Committee to Tribal Council • Provide updates to the Tribal Council • Ask for approval on actions, asking for “teeth” • Told “we have the ear of the Council”

8. Accomplishments • Education • Earth Day • Health Fair • Planning/ideas for the future • Organization of Team and awareness • Resolutions • Styrofoam free by 2010 • Electronic notification of Delegation

9. LEECH LAKE RESERVATION TRIBAL COUNCIL STYROFOAM FREE POLICY WHEREAS, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe have made a commitment to “green and sustainable”; WHEREAS, one of the most persistent problems for recycling and disposal is the pervasive use of Styrofoam based materials such as cups, plates, food trays, etc.; WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Reservation Tribal Council that the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe shall be Styrofoam-free by October 1, 2010; WHEREAS, it is important to the culture and well-being of tribal members that we manage our resources and limit the use of single use products to decrease our tonnage fees and the environmental costs beyond the landfill. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that it is the direction of the Reservation Tribal Council that all Divisions, Departments and Programs of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will undertake all possible efforts to reduce and/or eliminate the use of Styrofoam based materials within the work place or program areas/activities and replace them with items made for permanent use or can be recycled when disposed of.

10. LEECH LAKE RESERVATION TRIBAL COUNCIL NOTIFICATION OF DELEGATION MEMO POLICY WHEREAS, the Leech Lake Reservation Tribal Council, through its advisory council the Green Team, is responsible for sustainability, reduction of wasteful activities, and “green” alternatives to current operations within the Leech Lake government; and WHEREAS, it has been past policy that when a staff person is designating their signature authority to another staff person that notification of this action will be sent throughout the entire Band government division structure; and WHEREAS, it is important to the culture and well-being of Leech Lake Tribal Members that we manage our resources and reduce waste; and WHEREAS, the Reservation Tribal Council recognizes that this practice is inefficient and extremely wasteful since hundreds of sheets of paper are required for this practice; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that it is the direction of the Reservation Tribal Council that notification of transfer of signing authority need only be e-mailed to the following staff: Executive Director, Deputy Director, Accounting, Purchasing and an appropriate person within the staff’s office who can refer inquiries of the appropriate contact person.

11. Energy Wise Challenge • Challenge of two government buildings • Based off of June 2008 • Use Green Team as coaches/educators • Building with the largest percentage saved wins FOOD! • Turn OFF! • Computers and all accessories, turn down AC, close windows with AC on, xerox, turn off lights… • Could save thousands of $$$$$$$

12. Reminder Magnet/Flyer

13. What needs to be done? • Hire a Coordinator • Hire of a part-time “green” grant writer • Act as a central coordinator with the Green Team as the steering committee • Find funding to implement projects • Research other opportunities and partnerships

14. What needs to be done? • EDUCATION!!! • Expand energy savings project • Further implement recycling program • Much, Much more…

15. What can you do? • Start your own Green Team • Gather many different characters • Start small, tackle little things first • Come up with a overall mission statement/purpose statement • Brainstorm, share ideas • As difficult as it is, follow through with commitments!

16. Brandy Toft Air Quality Specialist Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe 218-335-7429 air@lldrm.org www.lldrm.org