Green Sanctuary Re-Accreditation Process
Many Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations have earned official recognition for living out their commitment to the Earth. They have created sustainability measures in congregational life and have encouraged each congregant to make environmentally-friendly choices while working towards creating environmental justice. They congregations have earned Green Sanctuary designation as they continue their commitment to creating and maintaining a religious community that has a fundamental, bottom-line, commitment to living in harmony with the Earth.
Congregations that have already earned official Green Sanctuary recognition can now earn official recognition for continuing their work to restore Earth and renew Spirit through the Green Sanctuary re-accreditation process.
Congregations can begin the re-accreditation process four or more years after having earned initial Green Sanctuary accreditation. According to each congregation's individual, unique situation, the re-accreditation process to may take as little as three months or as long as two years to complete. The process is outlined below.
Process for Re-Accreditation
- Conduct an assessment of your current Green Sanctuary program. Assess how your congregation has continued to meet the Green Sanctuary program goals. Determine how your congregation has lived your Green Sanctuary commitment.
- Create a re-accreditation action plan that may address some of the things highlighted in your assessment. Choose projects that build on successes and/or fill gaps in your current program. Include a minimum of five projects from among the four focus areas.
- Apply for Green Sanctuary re-accreditation candidacy. Submit your application by email to greensanctuary @ uua.org.
- Review feedback from a Green Sanctuary review team. These teams meet via conference call once a month and review three to four applications at each meeting. After the review meeting, the Program Manager for Congregational Stewardship Services will draft a letter approving your application and providing feedback about your application.
- Based on feedback from a Green Sanctuary review team and changing circumstances, make appropriate modifications to your action plan. If you have any questions contact the Office of Congregational Stewardship Services.
- Complete your action plan. Have fun carrying out your projects and remember to celebrate your accomplishments along the way.
- Apply for Green Sanctuary re-accreditation. Submit your application by email to greensanctuary @ uua.org. A Green Sanctuary review team will review your application. After the review meeting, the Program Manager for Congregational Stewardship Services will draft a letter officially recognizing your congregation as a re-accredited Green Sanctuary.
- Hold a congregation-wide celebration for achieving re-accrediation as a Green Sanctuary.
For more information contact greensanctuary @ uua.org.
Last updated on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.
