Using Less Stuff Team Set up
YOU NEED A TEAM… AND A LEADER DRIVING THE PROCESS
Taking on the Using-Less Stuff programme is a large commitment and unless the programme is thoroughly thought through from the start and your plans are rigorously seen through to the end, the results won’t be anywhere near as fruitful as anticipated. It could all end up being for nothing.
To start with, you will need to have the right person leading this committee, perhaps one of the Senior Management Team (SMT). The leader needs to be someone who understands the school and the Using Less concept. They also need to be dynamic, energetic and positive as they need to help engage the whole school and ensure the momentum continues.
Do you have someone in mind after reading this… if so sign them up quick!
Make sure you take some time to really consider who is going to join the committee. These people will be functioning as the cornerstones of the project. Ideally, it is the department heads or specifically nominated department representatives who take these positions. The most important thing is that the committee works as a means to serve the interests of the whole school.
The team of people need to represent all areas of the school including pupils, teachers and support staff (school office, maintenance, cleaners, catering). You can also include parents and governors if you have suitable people who will contribute to the process and who will be available for meetings.
Create a balance of people who get stuff done.
Getting the team right at the start is hugely important and it will form the backbone of your ULS schemes and projects. Ensure that you have committed and enthusiastic team members.
Important Information to remember:
- ULS Team allows people within your school to make a difference together.
- ULS Team has been created with a nominated leader and will consist of a cross section of all areas of the school including pupils, teaching staff and support staff.
- ULS Team members will be of equal importance and have different areas of influence and expertise. For instance, the kitchen staff will be in charge of reducing food waste, the pupils can support this food waste by reducing their portion size which supports the kitchen team in reducing overall waste, whilst the teachers or senior pupils can set an example by selecting healthy options and should be seen doing so.
- It’s the whole ULS teams’ responsibility to promote ULS around the school, set goals for the school, and encourage participation and action.
- ULS Team will meet at the beginning of each term to set targets and plan new methods of Using Less.
- ULS Team will identify deserving recipients for both individual and house / class commendations and prizes.
- ULS Team will collate information and results to feedback to the whole school community once or twice a term and again annual at the end of year awards day.
A Role For Everyone
Watch the video below to find out why your role is important for Using Less Stuff
What Next?
Once you have agreed on your ULS Team, what do you do next?
You will need to have your first Committee Meeting, as part of this programme we have included support materials to help you plan out your meetings. These have been set up across 6 terms, check out the materials tab in this section to download all 6. Your first meeting overview is shown below:
Eco Committee Meeting Agenda – Term 1
- The advantages of Using Less
- How we will start to Use Less in your school
- The incentives for Using Less
- The programs we’re going to use in the first term at your school
- Setting targets for the first term
- How to use and analyse the monitoring system
- The personal role of each member of the committee this term
- How you communicate with us
- Your first Using Less presentation to the school