Greener Oconomowoc 2011 Annual Report © 2

Mission: To provide the Oconomowoc Area with a healthy community, a healthy economy and a healthy environment through the understanding and implementation of the Natural Step principles.

Letter from GO President Lisa Geason-Bauer

Hello Greener Oconomowoc Membership – Over the last year, Greener Oconomowoc has embarked upon a number of very exciting initiatives which have helped to support our mission within the greater Oconomowoc community. Those innovative and exciting activities include; a second community garden at Worthington Street, a pilot winter farmers market, a first bike ride and the most successful Earth Day Resource Fair Event. Images on the cover of this Annual Report were taken at various GO functions over this past October 2010 to September 2011. Over this last year Greener Oconomowoc and our board of directors have worked hard to forge successful partnerships with other businesses and organizations in our community. As you read through the Annual Report you will find a summary of each of the different GO activities/committee’s efforts over the last year. In order to alleviate any confusion about the Greener Oconomowoc structure or to better understand where a specific committee/initiative fits into Greener Oconomowoc we have put together an organizational chart (it is posted on the GO website under the GO documents section.) It is recommended that you view a copy of the organizational chart while reading the Annual Report; together both documents should clarify any confusion regarding the organizations structure and specific committee obligations. Several key organizational initiatives have happened over the last year, they include:

- Greener Oconomowoc’s board of directors procuring a yearly insurance policy, which covers all GO activities. - A membership survey was conducted for the first time and that survey found that the majority of GO members are

happy with their current level of involvement within the organization. For all survey details please see the Membership committee report section of the Annual Report.

- Greener Oconomowoc established a permanent mailing address (PMB#141, 1288 Summit Ave #107, Oconomowoc, WI 53066).

- Greener Oconomowoc created its first membership recruitment brochure, which debuted in April.

Greener Oconomowoc needs your help! - Attendance at GO monthly programs dramatically decreased, from the average of 42 people per monthly program

(2009 – 2010 year) to 22 people at the monthly program meeting (2010-2011). There are many reasons why this has occurred such as individuals work schedules and members are time starved. Therefore in order to best accommodate the majority of GO members schedules, it is very important for you to each complete the member’s availability survey (it is posted on the GO website).

- Several of GO’s committee members and board members will be decreasing their volunteer time this coming year. Currently, Greener Oconomowoc is in need of volunteers to run for several positions for the 2011-2012 year. The positions include; Vice President, Action Project Director, Earth Day Director and Marketing/PR Director. Committee’s that are in need of GO volunteer support include; Oconomowoc Winter Farmers Market and Earth Day. If you are interested in running for any of these positions please contact Lisa at 262-354-0341.

Looking forward to seeing you at our September program meeting (Sept. 21st 6:30 – 9pm at the library in the large conference room, speaker is Mr. Tom Finco, Manager of Real Estate at ATC (American Transmission Company) and the 2011 Annual Meeting (Oct. 19th 6:30pm – 9pm in a conference room at Waukesha State Bank, the speaker will be from the NuGensis Farm project & GO will hold our annual elections.)

Greener Oconomowoc 2011 Annual Report © 3

2010- 2011 Greener Oconomowoc Board of Directors & Officers Elected Officers 2010-2011 Lisa Geason-Bauer, President Tom Depies, Vice President Connie Holzmiller, Secretary Jim Olson, Treasurer Elected Directors 2010-2011 , Action Project Director Howard Bowman, The Natural Step Director Audrey Lasse, Community Garden Director Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen, Events Director/President Elect Ken Rizzo , Education & Outreach Director Robert Schoen, Marketing & Public Relations Director Wendy Wilson Uhl, Earth Day Director Appointed (by President) Directors 2010-2011 Melissa Vernon, OconomoWalk Bike Co-Director Deborah Turner, OconomoWalk Bike Co-Director Lisa Geason-Bauer, Oconomowoc Winter Farmers Market Director

Review of all 2010-2011 Greener Oconomowoc Activities by Committee Community Garden Committee Report Submitted by Audrey Lasse, Community Garden Director Worthington Street Community Garden Greener Oconomowoc’s Community Garden Committee has opened two community gardens that utilize organic gardening practices between 2009 and 2011. The Committee started and managed the garden at Oconomowoc’s First Congregational United Church of Christ grounds in 2009 and 2010. While in 2011 the church took over management of the garden, so that the committee was able to focus on the new garden located on South Worthington Street on Oconomowoc Utilities property. The Oconomowoc Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry partners with the Garden committee and promoted the garden in its program booklet for the Spring/Summer 2011, as well as they accepted the garden forms/payment at their office. The Garden committee registered the gardeners, erected fencing, designed and plotted the garden, mulched walkways and other communal areas and provided hoses, sprinkler heads and reels. The committee continues to monitor and maintain the garden. The community garden has twenty-six rentable plots, all ten foot by ten foot in size. The plots were rented at twenty-five dollars each; water and watering equipment were/are provided in the fee. The garden has a six-foot high metal fence and metal gate surrounding it to keep deer and other animals from eating gardening produce. Persons with questions about the garden are encouraged to call Audrey at 262-569-0909. Earth Day Resource Fair Committee Report Submitted by Wendy Wilson Uhl, Earth Day Director Greener Oconomowoc’s 2011 Earth Day Resource Fair was held on May 1st at Oconomowoc High School. The EDRF showcased the Oconomowoc Area School Districts efforts to provide a green and sustainable educational program for their students. The elementary, intermediate and high schools staffed tables to showcase their efforts. Also part of the program was the school’s FFA plant sale and petting zoo. We served a locally sourced lunch utilizing the school districts registered dietician. Our EDRF Kid’s Corner provided hands on experiences for children. Our Oconomo-walk and Bike committee and area Girl Scouts hosted a Ride Rodeo to encourage bicycle safety. The EDRF featured 39 vendors who had an opportunity to educate the community about their green and sustainable businesses and products. Vendors included green builders, green energy providers, products using recycled or repurposed materials, organic gardening products and natural health products. We also had an alternative energy

Greener Oconomowoc 2011 Annual Report © 4

vehicle show that featured electric and hybrid cars, scooters and school buses. We also had a drop off for CFL’s and #5 plastic recycling. The purpose of the EDRF is to educate the community on how to lead a sustainable lifestyle and assist them in finding local businesses that they can support for services and products. We also want to leave the message that they can do all this and have a good time too. 1200- 1500 community members attended the 2011 Earth Day Event. Go to the GO website (www.GreenerOconomowoc.wildapricot.org) to see the 2011 EDRF 24 page program book which details all event information. ACTION for 2011-2012 YEAR: The 2011 EDRF planning committee has decided that they do not have enough GO member volunteer support to host an event in 2012. The committee is in need of a director and several of the event subcommittee’s also need members/chairs. Planning this educational activity is a year long process and thousands of volunteer hours are donated. Events Committee Report submitted by Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen, Events Director For 2010-2011 we strived to offer several different topics that we felt would be of interest to our members and the great Oconomowoc community. We also held our meeting at a larger location, Waukesha State Bank. October 2010 Mr. Gerald Medinger (Wisconsin DNR) spoke on Air Quality in Southeastern Wisconsin. We held our GO Annual Meeting and voted on the 2010-2011 Board of Directors. November 2010 Amy Lord (Focus on Energy) and Greg Hoffmann (WPPI Energy/Oconomowoc Utilities) Focused on the programs that each organization offers and how they can help homeowners save on their utility bills. December 2010 The meeting was social in nature, and we came together to discuss our hopes for the future of Greener Oconomowoc. January 2011 Ben Nelson presented on how he built his own Plug-In-Hybrid Car. We also presented a handout that highlighted “Green initiatives and projects occurring in the greater Oconomowoc Community.” This was created by our GO President, Lisa Geason-Bauer. February 2011 Several GO members took a field trip to tour Johnson Controls National Headquarters in Glendale. The entire campus is new construction and remodeled buildings, LEED design- Level 5. March 2011 The 3 Rs: Not Just for Elementary School Anymore! Presented by Meribeth Sullivan, Recycling Specialists with Waukesha County. Meribeth explained where our recycled materials go after our blue bins are collected and how it impacts the environment. She also took questions from the audience on how the new state budget will affect our recycling programs. April 2011 Mark May of May Garden Center presented on gardening in small spaces, how to grow 10-100 pounds of potatoes in a 2 square foot area. He answered the audience’s questions regarding gardening in our area. May 2011 We held our 6th Annual Earth Day Resource Fair at Oconomowoc High School. We had 39 vendors and between 1200 and 1500 people in attendance. We offered a variety of free activities for people of all ages: Bike Rodeo Appearance by Wisconsin’s 63rd Alice in Dairyland Alternative Vehicle Display On-site recycling of CFL’s, #5 plastics and cell phones FFA Petting Zoo Kids Corners Green Gift Giveaways Hiku Station and Native American bracelet making

Greener Oconomowoc 2011 Annual Report © 5

GO’s E-newsletter Throughout the 2010-2011 year all paid Greener Oconomowoc members received official communications from GO via the electronic newsletter system. Electronic reminders of GO events/activities and other information on “green” initiatives that are occurring locally were distributed to the over 100 contacts in the system. Membership Committee Report Submitted by Ken Rizzo, Membership Director The 2011 membership campaign began in earnest in October and continued through February 2011. A very detailed database of Greener Oconomowoc’s (GO) membership was compiled. GO has 42 paid memberships (family and individual) as of July, 2011. Turnover was 15 memberships from 2010 to 2011 with no net change in the number of paid GO members. The membership director obtained general liability and directors/officers insurance for GO in calendar year 2011. A membership survey was conducted in December 2010 through January 2011 to provide feedback on GO’s activities to the Board of Directors. A much needed multimedia projector was purchased for outreach and educational activities in March. Additionally a colored recruitment/outreach brochure was designed by GO member Mike Bauer and printed up and distributed at the Earth Day Resource Fair in May. The new membership brochure is GO’s primary tool to handout to folks who are interested in learning more about the organization. The GO website (www.GreenerOconomowoc.wildaprocot) continues to be the primary tool used to store/house all detailed information related to Greener Oconomowoc and GO’s events/activities. 2011 Membership Survey Summary A membership survey was taken in December of 2010 to obtain feedback from the general membership on GO’s activities for future planning. Only 14 members (33% of the GO membership) completed the survey and most completed the survey at the December meeting at the Waukesha State Bank meeting room. Members that responded have been GO members ranging from one month to since GO was initially organized (5 years). Most members receive GO information from the email blast and local newspapers. Educational meeting on the third Wednesday of the month works for those that responded to the survey but keep in mind the majority that responded were present at the December meeting. The location of the educational meetings at the Waukesha State Bank also works for all of the respondents 28% stated or inferred that the library location was better. All of the respondents are comfortable with their current level of involvement in GO. Most felt that there is sufficient communications between GO and the membership but 30% thought communications could be improved through other means. Members suggested that GO should work more toward reducing pesticides/insecticides on public property, more recycling, and getting a film series started. A number of recommendations to attract new members and for future educational topics were suggested. Finally, most members thought GO has improved toward meeting its mission. OconomoWalk & Bike Committee Report Submitted by Melissa Vernon & Deborah Turner- OWB Co-directors During the 2010-2011 fiscal year the OconomoWalk & Bike committee held their "First Annual Bike Ride" event. The original ride, scheduled for September 18th, 2010 was rained out. The event was successfully held on June 11th 2011. With 40 participants of all ages from kids to adults, the ride was a success. Groups toured north to downtown and Nature Hill School and south to the Pabst Farms area. The drink stops were staffed by a Girl Scout Troup and several other volunteers. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive and they would like to see more events like this in the future. Thanks to Mike Fagan, DeeDee Jacobsen, Melissa Vernon, Jim and Leslie Olson, Donna Lillethun, Deb Turner and all of the other orchestrators of the event. It was a good first time event. A Bike Rodeo was held during the 2011 Earth Day Resource Fair. The Rodeo was created and run by Girl Scout Troup #2366. The event was very successful and many of our area youth learned about bike safety and traffic rules. Wheel & Sprocket provided free bike tune-ups. This event should be replicated in the future. The OWB submitted an application to the Oconomowoc Area Foundation for a grant to purchase bike racks to be installed in Oconomowoc parks and downtown areas. We are awaiting their decision.

Greener Oconomowoc 2011 Annual Report © 6

Oconomowoc Winter Farmers Market (OWFM) Committee Report Submitted by Lisa Geason-Bauer, OWFM Director In early 2010 Lisa Geason-Bauer (GO President) began conversations with the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce regarding piloting trying an Oconomowoc indoor winter farmers market. Through many conversations and lots of research it was determined that the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce (OACC) was interested in partnering with Greener Oconomowoc to try a pilot winter farmers market. Both organizations would equally share in the planning, work to make the market happen and in the market proceeds. The market was scheduled to occur on the second Sunday of the month (November – March) from 10am to 2pm and it would be located inside of Oconomowoc Landscape Garden Supply Center’s greenhouses. Due to incremental weather the December market was canceled and rescheduled for the third Sunday in December. The pilot market planning committee was comprised of several Greener Oconomowoc members (Audrey Lasse, Tom Depies, Terri Howe, Ginny Scholtz and Chris Glowacki) and it was co-chaired by Lisa Geason-Bauer. Other committee members from the OACC were Chris Rhode, Ann Lueth, Aelred Gannon, Terry Van Lare, Sheryl Quandt and the other co-chair was Pat Ornberg. The winter market planning committee worked together to showcase local producers and create a family friendly atmosphere during the winter season. The market grew in popularity both via market producers (12 producers at the first market in November, 17 producers at December market, 18 producers at January market, 23 producers at February market, 23 producers at the March market) and through increases in attendance number. The average attendance for a pilot winter market was about 650 people, there was so much demand that the planning committee decided to add another market in the month of April. In addition to the excellent free samples which the public was able to try while shopping at the market, compliments of the producers. The planning committee worked hard to add educational experiences to the market as well. Each month a local chef or producer chef would do a demonstration for the market attendees about how to make something delicious using ingredients from the market. Samples were made available to market attendee’s for each of the items demonstrated due to the generosity of various market producers and the chefs who conducted the demonstrations. Chef demonstrations were held for each of these excellent recipes: raw Chocolate mousse, queso fundido, Irish lamb stew, rustic whole wheat bread, trio of appetizers (portabella pizza, stuffed mushroom and mushroom quesadillas). In March and April the market added a demonstration on composting, gardening and home composting to further educate local residents as they prepared their yards/gardens for planting. Due to the success of the pilot winter farmers market both GO and the OACC have decided to expand this activity in the 2011-2012-winter season. Beginning on November 13th the OWFM will take place on the 2nd and 4th Sunday’s of the month (November 13th & 27th, December 11th, Jan. 8th & 22nd, Feb. 12th & 26th, March 11 & 25th and April 1st). The hours will be from 9:30am to 1:30pm and our planning committee will continue to offer educations demonstrations where the public is invited to “Ask the Expert” regarding a variety of topics associated with local food. The market will again be located in the greenhouses at Oconomowoc Landscape Supply and Garden Center and at least one volunteer from GO will be on hand at each of the markets. For this next season of 10 markets GO/OACC decided to hire a “market monitor” instead of having all of the management at the market done by volunteers. If you would like to join this committee please contact Lisa at 262-354-0341, for more information on the market go to www.oconomowoc.org . Public Relations/ Marketing Committee Report Submitted by Robert Schoen, PR/Marketing Director Acting as the primary contact point for the organization, press releases were created and sent to the local media publications communicating Greener Oconomowoc's key events and action projects during 2011. A close working relationship with the media assured that the public was kept updated on the key opportunities to benefit from the environmentally friendly work that GO does for our community. Regular contact with the local media and community stakeholders seeking Greener Oconomowoc's opinions and current civic undertakings , proposed ordinances and governmental actions. Assisted in answering city officials requests for letter and information supporting state and federal authorities when applying for grants in such matters as alternative energy projects. In 2010 Greener Oconomowoc was nominated for a “Giraffe Awards” based on activities that GO has taken to “stick our necks” out within the greater Oconomowoc.

Greener Oconomowoc 2011 Annual Report © 7

TNS Committee Report Submitted by Howard Bowman, TNS/Education Director Our Committee consisted of Tom Depies, Donna Lillithan, Floss and Dick Whalen, Howard Bowman and Ken Rizzo of the Membership Committee. We attempted to recruit TNS (The Natural Step) Study Circles for the Fall of 2010, and again for the Spring of 2011. We were able to form one Circle of two new persons augmented by GO members (to make a viable group) and led by Floss and Dick. Our lack of success in recruiting more persons to participate in TNS has led to some reflection and “re-framing.” At least for the coming program year, we see TNS as “TNS/Education” and will reestablish the routine at Public Educational Meetings of having a GO member review some aspect of the four main principles of TNS. We will also support the Public Meetings as an education forum in which we can pursue our TNS/Educational mandate. If elected at the Annual Meeting, Tom Depies will take over direction of the TNS/Education Committee while Howard and Jeanne Bowman will work on “Events” (e.g., the periodic public educational meetings).

Greener Oconomowoc’s Financial Review 2010- 2011 Submitted by Jim Olson, Treasurer GO

• Budgeted Expenses 2011 = $7695.00 • YTD Expenses Aug 1, 2011 = $6744.64 • Planned Income 2011 = $6350.00 (excluding donations) • YTD Income Aug1, 2011 = $8223.92

Revenue Breakdown 2010-2011 YR

• Earth day Resource Fair: 55% • Winter’s Farmers Market: 17% • Community Garden: 7% • Membership Dues: 6% • Oconomowalk and Bike: 5% • Other: 10%

In 2010 – 2011 the GO Board of Directors voted to provide a scholarship of $250 to Cameron Johanning a junior at Oconomowoc High School. The scholarship went to offset the costs of his travel to an environmental field study program in Hawaii through Brown University. In 2011-2012 year the student will be volunteering his time with GO. Several members of the GO board of Directors elected to donate money to GO in order to pay for a Maple being planted at Fowler Park in Greener Oconomowoc’s name by the City of Oconomowoc Forestry Department during Arbor Day 2011. 2010-2011 Bylaw Changes for Annual Report, Submitted by GO Vice President Tom Depies – Chair Bylaws Committee By-Law changes were on the Agenda for July, August, and September 2010 Board of Director meetings. The following elected Directors : Outreach/Membership, TNS/Education, Public Relations/Marketing, Actions Projects, Events, and Earth Day each submitted position descriptions for discussion and approval by the BOD. The BOD voted to add Community Gardens Director as an elected position and discussed and approved the position description. Section 7 of the By-laws was added for removal of a BOD member, as determined by “just cause.” This section defines and outlines the removal process in (3) three steps. The above By-Law changes were presented and approved by the General Membership at the Annual Meeting on October 20, 2010. Article XI - Dissolution Clause was added to the Bylaws indicating how GO’s assets and or payments for debts and liabilities shall be distributed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin. The Board of Directors amended the Article on January 5th, 2011. At the 2011 Annual Meeting the membership of Greener Oconomowoc will vote to amend the GO bylaws to include this article.