Greetings, and Happy New Year!! Yes, I know this is the February 2018 newsletter, but I am writing this in late December. I can't help but be a bit reflective.

My usual resolutions are to eat less junk food and try harder to curb my sharp tongue. (The latter is soooo hard - the junk food thing is easier.) Other than things that I should be able to control, this year I need to think BIG.

Things I can control - that is the key, but it doesn't mean that they are solo endeavors.  Someone wise once said, "Strength in numbers", so, let's think about what we can each do so that our collective impact is BIG.

I've got it! Help us put our strategic plan into action!! (If you haven't read it yet, you can find it HERE.) What, exactly, am I talking about - and what can you do to help make this happen?

1) EDUCATE - We are busy creating new tools for ourselves and our members. These tools will help us educate others on the FACTS about climate change, including the causes, the impacts, the steps individuals can take. This can be a dense, complicated message. It is important to make it as accessible as possible.

Do you have a special skill set in this area to offer? Can you help us design, develop, or edit our content? Do you have ideas on how we can best connect with others, or ways and places in which we can best make ourselves heard? Will you host an event? What do you have to offer that can help educate fellow Rhode Islanders on climate change?

2) GET SERIOUS ABOUT ENERGY EFFICIENCY - Energy efficiency is an ongoing process. Changing your light bulbs to LED, or having a utility program energy audit, is just the beginning. I work in the energy efficient and sustainable building field. It continues to evolve, we continue to learn. One thing that I have learned is that you MUST pay on-going attention because things fall apart. We aim to work with our membership to benchmark their energy use and look for opportunities to save. Houses of worship should always lead by example - and they always need to save money. Faith leaders should invest in energy efficiency in their congregation. Discussing energy efficiency with your congregants will help motivate them to act.

Do you understand how your building(s) should perform energy-wise? Are you good with computers? Data? Can you work with others to track energy efficiency for our member congregations? What can you do to help put your buildings on a carbon diet?

3) GROW OUR MEMBERSHIP - We are a membership organization. It is the people that belong to our member organizations that can take action and make an impact. We offer membership to houses of worship and to individuals - we need both, without a doubt. Most importantly, we need to increase the engagement of our current members. This is among the most serious issues in our lifetime. We need 'all hands-on-deck' to keep the ship from sinking.

Do you know how to run successful membership campaigns? Can you offer your experience to us, even for a short time? Can you simply help us with some of the leg-work?

I am not denigrating the work my fellow board members and our very capable executive director do. We're on task and working hard. But we are always open to new ideas, new involvement, and good old-fashioned help.

So - sum this all up and it pretty much says that this is the year to GET INVOLVED!! There are many ways, both big and small, mundane and creative, one time or on-going. Every bit helps. Do what you can, when you can - and push yourselves a little. Just like you might be doing now in the gym.

Am I a little late with this message? Have you already made your New Year's resolutions? Maybe you have already broken them! Please make room for one more. Let's resolve to work together to make something BIG happen on climate change in Rhode Island. Why do I need to think BIG this year? It's simple - if we don't work our tails off to address climate change now, our future 'New Years' won't be as happy.