Before You Begin

Gain Staff Support

Your Green Office Program will have the greatest success when you have the support of your coworkers and management. Ask these questions at a staff meeting or other gathering:

• Why should our office get certified with the Green Office Program?

• Why is adopting ethical and efficient practices important to you/us?

• What are some of the challenges we may face in becoming more sustainable?

• How can we overcome those challenges?

Record the answers to these and other questions you may have. Knowing your team's perspectives will be helpful to accomplish and implement changes.

Gain Approval

What level of organizational support will be needed for participating in the Green Office Program? Support may include:

• A statement on the importance of participating.

• A team leader (your future GO Rep) assigned or volunteered to the program.

• A senior-level project champion.

Obtaining the support of directors/department heads/deans will demonstrate a commitment to the initiative and will be a useful reference for getting cooperation, support and participation throughout your office.

Green Office Audit

The Green Office Representative completes an audit for their office: before pursuing certification, after each level of certification, and when recertifying annually.