Workshop descriptions

Sunday, October 14  3:45 to 4:45 p.m.

Workshops for the annual meeting and conference aimed at making our conference theme (Climate Change and Faith-Based Action) relevant on the levels of Congregation, and Community.

 

1. Acting as if Tomorrow Matters: Accelerating the Transition to Sustainability – John Dernbach

 

This workshop will explore how to make a greater variety of more sustainable decisions even more attractive, how law can provide an even better enabling environment for sustainability, and how public opinion and leadership can be more effectively engaged to support sustainability.

 

John Dernbach is Distinguished Professor of Law at Widener University in Harrisburg and co-director of Widener's Environmental Law Center. Before coming to Widener, he was policy director at the PA Dept of Environmental Protection.

 

2. Climate Change, Policy and Action in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.  – Joy Bergey

 

In this session, we'll look at how Pennsylvania has slowed the growth of its carbon footprint and helped the clean energy industry through well-crafted legislation. Although we haven't seen satisfying progress in the last couple of years from Harrisburg, it's important to understand what kinds of policies we should push for when the tied turns again, as it always does. We'll also look at what's happening at the federal level with Congress, the President, and the EPA. As a group, we'll discuss how PA IPL should most effectively try to  influence  what's happening in Harrisburg and Washington to address global warming.

Joy Bergey is Federal Policy Manager for PennFuture and Co-chair of PA IPL's Advocacy Committee

3. How to Work with Communities of Color on Sustainability - Rafiyqa Muhammad

 

This workshop will help you get started reaching out to your local communities. We will cover: where to start or how to begin; Who should you talk to,; What is needed, and more!


Rafiyqa Muhammad is Co-Founder of Ngozi, Inc. and serves as Sustainablity Administrator for Ngozi Let's Get Dirty Program in Harrisburg. She has over twenty five years experience inevent planning, program design/implementation, and is certified in eco consulting and permaculture design.

 

4.  Earth Care Team Creation in Your House of Worship – Rev. Doug Hunt and Chuck Marshall

 

Building a "new thing" or "yet another committee" can be a challenge in any faith community. Workshop leaders will discuss approaches to building a "green team" in your congregation.  Issues to be discussed include: finding kindred spirits; leadership support; growing by doing - in your space at home, with the congregation, in the community; interfaith clusters - connecting/learning/supporting.

Session leaders Rev. Doug Hunt and Chuck Marshall are both members of the PA IPL board of directors. They have long-time experience both in their own congregations and working with members of the interfaith community.

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