Steering Group

The members of your green living program (GLP) steering group will be among your most important partners. They will provide many kinds of support, including funding and advice related to their professional areas of expertise. It is important to keep this body of supporters very invested in and committed to the vision of the GLP.

Because you receive funding from your steering group members, you want them to feel actively involved in the development of the GLP’s projects. You will likely have email dialogues and phone conversations with most individuals on your steering group more than once per month, but you also should meet with the full group to encourage the individuals to grow together in their vision and support of the program. Chances are good that one steering group member will have a great idea that relates to another member’s department, which may not have been raised had there not been a group discussion.

Monthly Meetings

It is important to schedule monthly meetings with your steering group because it will give you an opportunity to update them about the progress of the GLP and for them to give you their feedback and ideas. It is generally a time for everyone to touch base.

In setting up steering group meetings, you will have to consider the work schedules of the professional members, plus the academic schedules of any student members and the GLP captains. Consider finding a time and place that works for everyone and use that for your regular meetings.

At the meetings, have the captains update the steering group members on the progress of the GLP reps and talk about upcoming activities. Even though the reps will not be at the meeting, it is important to represent their needs and vision to the steering group.

Regular Contact

Outside of the monthly meetings, it is important to keep up contact with the steering group members by email, phone and personal meetings to get their feedback and vision. Consider asking for their help with revising goals, crafting a vision for the future and running specific activities that relate to their department. This will help you by making sure you are meeting the needs of your funding partners, and it will build a relationship of support and trust between you and your steering group members. Also consider having the coordinator or captains meet with steering group members on a periodic basis to make sure their goals for the program are being met.