Energy Stewardship for Congregations: A Practical Guide to Taking the Next Steps: Oct 29-30

This is a seminar for faith communities and non-profits who already know they want to do more to conserve energy, lower costs, and care for creation. It will be facilitated by Nikki Coddington, writer and former Executive Director of New York Interfaith Power and Light, and Rick Ufford-Chase, Co-Director of Stony Point Center. There will be an opportunity to create small groups around topics that interest the participants, as well as workshops on Saturday that cover specific, practical guidelines for how to take the next steps with your buildings. Participants may choose to participate as commuters, or stay the night. To read the program agenda and presenter information, see below.

Friday dinner through Saturday afternoon. Cost: $120.00/person. Cost covers meals and a shared double room in one of our lodges. $60 commuter rate (includes meals). Any faith community that sends three people may send the fourth one free. If requested at registration, a limited number of private rooms may be available at an additional cost. Download our Program Registration Form here. Email our Program Registrar or call 845-786-5674 with any questions. For transportation information email our Transportation Coordinator.

AGENDA
Friday, Oct 29:
5:00 pm   Registration and refreshments
6:00 pm   Dinner

7:00 pm  Welcome and get to know one another

7:30 pm   Keynote Presentation: "Change for Sustainability: Greening the Operations of Our Faith Communities" (Nikki Coddington, writer and former Executive Director of NYIPL, and Rick Ufford-Chase, Co-Director of SPC)

8:30 pm   Refreshments and conversation (optional)

Saturday, Oct 30:
8:00 am  Breakfast
8:30 am  Morning Prayer in the Christian Tradition (optional) - in the Meditation Space
9:00 am  Workshops - Round One (Choose one: see Workshop Options)

10:30 am   Break
10:45 am   Introduction to Open Space Sessions: (Open Space is designed to allow conference participants to co-create the conversations they want to have -- sharing ideas, questions and experiences about energy stewardship with one another.)

11:15 am  Open Space Session One

12:15 pm  Lunch
1:15 pm    Workshops – Round Two (see Workshop Options: first three workshops repeated)

2:45 pm    Break

3:00 pm    Open Space Session Two

4:00 pm    Sharing Open Space Ideas and Next Steps

4:30 pm    Conference Ends


WORKSHOP OPTIONS (See below for detailed descriptions and presenter bios)

"Effective Energy Strategies: reducing use, costs, and carbon without breaking the bank or scaring the congregation."  (Presenter: Ed Smyth)

"Historic Preservation and Energy Conservation: Compatibility not Competition" (Presenter: Walter Sedovic, FAIA, LEED)

"So Let's Do It! A nuts and bolts tour to see energy conservation efforts at SPC" (Presenter: Andy Sullivan and Tyler Drost)

“Saving Money by Choosing Your Power Supplier” (Presenter: Lindsay Audin) [offered First Session only]

“Effective Energy Strategies: reducing use, costs, and carbon without breaking the bank or scaring the congregation” (Presenter: Ed Smyth)
Faith communities offer interesting challenges in reducing energy costs. Long decades of avoided maintenance, old heating equipment, limited budgets, and low operating hours all pose hurdles. What steps can be taken to assess your current situation and take action? Ed Smyth is a senior manager for a energy efficiency consulting firm that has performed energy assessments for a wide variety of churches, and has led his congregation in energy efficient practices. Ed will discuss energy audits available by New York State, utilities, and other entities; no-cost and low-cost steps to reduce energy costs; retrofit opportunities churches can take; and longer term strategies for significant upgrade projects, and how they should be timed. Discussion will also follow on the cost practicalities of renewable energy sources, and when they should be pursued. Change management steps will be briefly outlined for church leaders to help congregants accept and support energy reduction activities.

"Historic Preservation and Energy Conservation: Compatibility not Competition" (Presenter: Walter Sedovic, FAIA, LEED)
Energy conservation is not a new concern. Traditional buildings—particularly religious structures—reflect this in many ways: careful selection and use of materials, building orientation appropriate to local weather conditions and the incorporation of both passive and active systems for thermal comfort, light and natural ventilation. In order for these inherent components to operate effectively, though, we first need to be aware of them and how they work to our benefit. This program will unveil the architectonic underpinnings of traditional buildings that have made them perennially strong performers in the realm of energy efficiency, as well as preservation issues to consider when planning for energy-related improvements—including how to avoid potential pitfalls and unintended consequences.

"So Let's Do It! A nuts and bolts tour to see energy conservation efforts at SPC " (Presenters: Andy Sullivan and Tyler Drost, Stony Point Center Maintenance Team)
This workshop is designed for those who want to talk about the challenges of converting old buildings for energy conservation. Stony Point Center's campus is home to more than twenty buildings that are extremely varied in their histories, use, and energy systems. What they have in common is that none of them was built with an eye toward energy conservation. Join Andy and Tyler for a walk around SPC's campus and a challenge and a conversation about the taking on big problems with a limited budget. Conversation will include lighting, heating, cooling, instant hot water, windows, and issues around water conservation.

“Saving Money by Choosing Your Power Supplier” (Presenter: Lindsay Audin) [offered First Session only]
In many states, power customers can choose to buy electricity from either their local utility or a licensed power supplier. Savings are possible, but are rarely guaranteed. We will review how and from whom customers may select a non-utility power supplier, and how they may protect themselves from unforeseen problems. We will also review how savings may be secured through alternative utility rates, and how to specify that a portion of power comes from renewable sources (e.g., wind). Options for aggregating usage and buying as a group will also be covered.

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS
Lindsay Audin’s experience in energy services spans almost 35 years, including 8 years as energy manager for Columbia University and 14 years as president of Energywiz Inc., which serves large energy users (i.e., those using over over $1M a year). His many awards include being named Energy Manager (or International Energy Manager) of the Year by 4 organizations, and membership in the AEE Energy Managers Hall of Fame. He holds certifications in energy management and procurement, is a LEED AP, has co-authored books on energy issues, taught over 100 seminars, given over 200 presentations, and had over 200 articles and columns published in trade magazines and technical journals. Audin teaches power procurement to other consultants and customers.

Walter Sedovic, FAIA, LEED, Principal & CEO of Walter Sedovic Architects, is dedicated to historic preservation and sustainable design. His work and firm are recognized as representing the vanguard of infusing preservation projects with green building approaches and ideologies, resulting in enriched educational and cultural opportunities, and strong community ties. Walter is a highly sought-after speaker, presenting internationally on the subject of Sustainability and Preservation. Recently, he has been selected as Guest Editor for the APTI Bulletin Special Issue on Sustainable Preservation scheduled for publication in 2010. He has authored many publications, including numerous articles on the sustainability benefits of preserving/restoring traditional windows versus replacing them.

Ed Smyth is a senior manager for KEMA Inc., an energy practices consulting firm. Ed has 12 years of experience leading and performing energy assessments for commercial and non-profit buildings, and currently leads or supports programs for NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) for Small Commercial Energy Audits, Hospitality, and Supermarkets/Groceries. He has recently supported his own church's activities in energy efficiency for First Reformed Church of Wynantskill, and helped the church win a Caring for Creation funding award by the Reformed Church of America. Ed has an MBA from the College of St. Rose, Albany, and is a Certified Energy Manager by the Association of Energy Engineers.


KEYNOTE PRESENTERS
Nicola Coddington is a writer currently focusing on how to facilitate positive social change. She is the former Executive Director of New York Interfaith Power & Light (www.NYIPL.org), a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to support congregations of all faiths in their actions to curb global warming and protect the sacredness of the Earth. She also serves on the Environmental Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Previously, she served on Governor Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force and on the Westchester County Global Warming Task Force.

Rick Ufford-Chase and his wife Kitty are co-directors of Stony Point Center, and co-founders of the Community of Living Traditions, a multifaith residential community committed to the study and practice of nonviolence located at Stony Point Center. Rick has worked in nonprofit development and management for more than twenty years, and has significant experience in making organizational change happen. Rick is an experienced "do-it-yourselfer" with a passion for energy conservation and alternative energy projects.

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