University of Florida
PAE-15: Employee Sustainability Educators Program

Green team captains are either nominated by their supervisor/dean or volunteer after receiving proper approval from their supervisor/dean. Captains liaise directly with the Office of Sustainability to receive updates on programs, initiatives and events, as well as to receive resources and support customized to the unique challenges and opportunities for sustainability in their unit or department. Similarly, Green Team members volunteer to be a part of the team and network, and coordinate with their captain. The program is open to all staff, faculty and students on campus. We require that captains be a staff or faculty member, except in very few, unique situations where students are approved to serve in this capacity and find new leadership when they depart the university. Green Team resources and training are available to all UF employees. The program is widely promoted through UF employee communications, HR training opportunities and presentations at staff meetings on campus. There are currently 115 registered Green Teams on campus. Total number of colleges on campus: 16 Total number of academic departments on campus: 157 Total number of administrative units: 182

All Green Team captains are provided a set of resources to acclimate them to what the program is and how to best deliver in their new role. This includes a guide to greening their office, a green office audit checklist, materials regarding our energy efficiency campaign, Chomp Down on Energy, material on alternative transportation options on campus and our office’s annual One Less Car program, and a Sustainable Event Planning Guide. Starting in 2011, a new resource, “Green Team Guide to Getting Started” will be available to all existing and new teams, as well as an updated and expanded Sustainable Event Planning Guide, which will include a Green Events Certification program. Additionally, the Office of Sustainability offers individual team orientation presentations, as well as open “Green Your Office” trainings administered through Human Resources and conducted by Office of Sustainability staff. The Office of Sustainability also hosts captains’ meeting once a semester, topic-based meetings twice a semester and a summer reading discussion group in the summer. These various meetings and discussions work to bring Green Teams closely into contact with our office for feedback and guidance on sustainability initiatives, and to encourage collaboration among teams for synergistic efforts.

The Green Team network is administered solely by the UF Office of Sustainability, and relies on the dedication and enthusiasm of its wide array of volunteer members. The Office Outreach Coordinator oversees the program and support is provided for captains meetings and the sustainable solutions awards presentation each year.