MCSAT Meeting Notes 08/21/25

Kenzie Schlangen
  • Revision of Vision, Mission, and Goals: Heidi led the team, including Greg, Anna, Allison, Jesse, and Daniel, in a detailed review and revision of the organization’s vision, mission, and goals, focusing on clarity, measurability, and alignment with sustainability priorities. 
  • Vision Statement Edits: The team discussed wording options for the vision statement, debating terms like ‘foundational’ versus ‘foundation’ and whether to specify the industry as ‘our industry’ or keep it general. Consensus was reached to use ‘foundational’ and keep the industry reference broad. 
  • Mission Statement Simplification: Heidi and Anna proposed simplifying the mission statement by removing redundant sentences and focusing on weaving sustainability into all operations, with input from Greg to include guest education. The group agreed to end the mission at ‘planet’ and add a reference to educating guests and team members. 
  • Defining Measurable Goals: Heidi emphasized the need for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. The team critiqued existing goals for being too vague and proposed new measurable goals, such as publishing an annual sustainability report and reducing fossil fuel consumption. 
  • Waste Reduction and Recycling Targets: Jezrai contributed that education on recycling is measurable by tracking reductions in landfill waste, such as scrap metal and cardboard. The team agreed to set a goal for increasing materials diverted to recycling by a specific percentage, with Jezrai tasked to propose a target by the next meeting. 
  • Energy and Resource Use Reduction: Heidi and Greg discussed setting reduction targets for electrical usage and fossil fuel consumption, considering fluctuations in usage and the need for realistic, motivating goals. Heidi will consult with Zach or Kent to determine reasonable targets. 
  • Development of Team Training Content via : Heidi, with input from Allison, Anna, and Greg, facilitated a discussion on improving team training content using the  platform, focusing on sustainability practices such as recycling, idling awareness, and resource conservation. 
  • Identifying Training Topics: The team identified key topics for inclusion in the Eloomi training, such as idling awareness, mass transit and ride sharing, litter prevention, reuse versus disposables, recycling guidelines, garbage disposal procedures, and energy and water savings. 
  • Department-Specific Training Approaches: Allison suggested integrating sustainability content into department-specific orientations for a more targeted approach, and Heidi confirmed that such training had occurred in the past but was replaced by broader sessions. 
  • Content Development Process: Heidi explained that Kelly would develop the Eloomi course content based on PowerPoint slides provided by the team, and invited further suggestions for topics or content adjustments. 
  • Promotion of Behavioral Change: The group discussed the practicality of promoting certain behaviors, such as bringing reusable containers and cutlery, and decided to focus these messages on employee training rather than guest-facing materials. 
  • Review and Update of Environmental Engagement Materials: Heidi led the team in reviewing the environmental engagement poster and related materials, with contributions from Anna, Allison, and Greg, to ensure messaging is current, relevant, and effectively promotes sustainability actions. 
  • Content Relevance and Updates: The team reviewed the environmental engagement poster, identifying outdated references such as the NSA Climate Challenge and discussing the need to update or remove them for accuracy. 
  • Consolidation of Messaging: Suggestions were made to combine similar items, such as reusable utensils and containers, and to adjust the layout for visual clarity, including possibly enlarging the QR code for trail maps. 
  • Audience-Specific Messaging: The team decided to move less practical suggestions, like bringing reusable containers and cutlery, from guest-facing materials to internal team training, focusing public messaging on more broadly applicable actions. 
  • Project Champions Updates: Heidi invited project champions, including Allison, Jesse, and Daniel, to provide updates on their ongoing sustainability initiatives, such as idling awareness, bird decal installations, and e-cycling management. 
  • Idling Awareness Campaign: Allison reported on the development of a new decal for all vehicles, detailing idling limitations, vehicle information, and reminders for fuel type and service, with plans for consistent placement in all vehicles. 
  • Bird Decal Project: Jesse updated the team on the purchase of 120 new white bird decals, chosen for visibility, and plans to install them on all windows with assistance from facilities, noting the effectiveness of the decals in reducing bird strikes. 
  • E-Cycling Program Status: Daniel shared that e-cycling materials are accumulating and need to be disposed of, with a reminder to rotate the duty of checking collection points among team members. 
  • Other Ongoing Projects: Heidi mentioned ongoing work with marketing on EV charging station messaging, reverse ATM improvements, and alternatives to single use cutlery, as well as efforts to address litter from rental boot stickers. 
  • Recognition and External Opportunities: Heidi, Allison, Jesse, and Greg acknowledged team members for their sustainability efforts and shared information about an upcoming NSAA Environmental Committee meeting focused on employee engagement in sustainability. 
  • Team Member Recognition: Recognition was given to individuals such as Hayley Perry for carpooling, Jesse for biking to work, and others for their contributions to recycling and sustainability initiatives. 
  • External Committee Participation: Heidi invited interested team members to participate in the upcoming NSAA Environmental Committee meeting on engaging employees in sustainability, offering to share notes or a recording for those unable to attend. 
  • Support for Mass Transit: Greg announced the company’s commitment to sponsor the Gorge to Mountain shuttle for three years, contributing $10,000 annually to support employee and guest transportation. 

Follow-up tasks: 

  • Recycling Diversion Goal Setting: Determine a realistic percentage goal for increasing materials diverted to be recycled by the end of the 25/26 winter season and report back to the team. (Jezrai) 
  • Compactor Swaps Data Collection: Collect and provide data on the number of compactor swaps from the last two or three seasons to inform waste reduction efforts. (Heidi) 
  • Electrical Usage Reduction Target: Consult with Zach or Kent to establish a reasonable percentage reduction goal for electrical usage for all resort activities. (Heidi) 
  • Environmental Engagement Poster Revision: Revise the environmental engagement poster by combining or removing the reusable utensils and to-go container sections, and consider increasing the size of the QR code or enhancing the take-back program section. (Heidi) 
  • Idling Awareness Decal Implementation: Finalize and install idling awareness decals in all equipment vehicles, ensuring consistent placement and inclusion of relevant information. (Allison) 
  • Bird Decal Installation: Install 120 new white bird decals on all necessary windows, coordinating with facilities for high windows as needed. (Jesse) 
  • E-Cycling Program Maintenance: Check and manage the accumulation of e-cycling materials, including inspecting the admin room bin and the lodge shelf, and coordinate dumping as needed. (Daniel)