10 Keys to Success

  1. Chairperson
    There must be someone who will take responsibility for the program, including being the spokesperson, contacting the clergy, recruiting other volunteers, assessing the budget, setting the schedule, and, in general, being the driving force behind the project.

  2. Volunteer Committee
    The program is too big for one person. There must be at least a few others who are committed and reliable to accomplish the necessary tasks. The chairperson must also be willing to delegate appropriate tasks.

  3. Buy-in of Clergy 
    The clergy must not only do the 1-2-3, but he/she must also publicly announce the fact, preferably in a service, bulletin, newsletter or all three.

We don't recommend you do the program without these first three!

 

  1. The Right Message
    The right message strikes a balance between good and bad news, “gloom and doom” and hopefulness, and doing nothing and doing everything. It emphasizes that we have a serious problem but that there are concrete things we can do to address it.

  2. Basic Education Program
    At the very least, a mailing should be done to every household in the congregation, explaining the problem of global warming and what we can do about it. In addition, we strongly recommend a kickoff, program or forum inviting all congregants, which would include a scientific speaker who can relate to lay people. Also, the clergy should be making a public announcement during a service (or two, or three).

  3. Flexibility
    The 1-2-3 is designed to meet people where they are. They have a choice as to pledging all three actions, or one or two. They also have a choice within each action, to do less or more than what is requested.

  4. Constant Repetition
    This includes having the pledge form available in the mailing, at two services, and every week at a public display table or coffee hour before or after services. It also means having announcements every week in the bulletin accompanying the service and in the newsletter.

  5. Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Demonstration
    Everyone understands thermostats and driving speeds, but a whole bunch of people know nothing about CFLs. The demonstration, using two identical lamps with one CFL and one regular bulb, is a great attention-getter and hands-on educational technique. It attracted people and increased dialogue about the program more than anything else we did.

  6. Visibility
    The totals of both the number of households participating and pounds reduction of carbon dioxide should be publicly reported each week. In addition, an earth-friendly sticker for the nametag of everyone who participates is a great way to both publicize the popularity of the program and be able to identify who hasn’t signed the pledge yet.

  7. Some Money
    The program isn’t extremely expensive, but it does require some funding. See the accompanying sheet for approximate costs.

This page is from the 1-2-3 Response to Global Warming Campaign developed by the 1st Unitarian Church, Portland OR