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Interests GreenStep hosted a series of meetings in 2021-2022 to gauge interest from O communities, partners, and technical assistance providers. These meetings consisted of both informational presentations and idea facilitation sessions. Represented at these meetings were state agencies, GreenCorps members, private businesses, sustainability nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and city staff. This working group came to be known as the GreenStep Climate Program Advisory Committee ("the advisory committee") and met on average every three weeks. Common concerns and interests included: • Financial incentives. Advisory committee members, especially from state agencies and nonprofit organizations, expressed that local governments would not be interested in completing high level actions without financial incentive, or would not be able to complete actions without financial support through grants. Technical assistance. Rather than financial assistance, many city staff and other city representatives desired technical assistance, reporting that even if they do have the finances to complete actions, they may not have the staff or training to do so. Maintaining simplicity in GreenStep. Some advisory committee members cautioned that complicating the GreenStep program further will repel potential participants. • Emphasis on action over planning. Staff from state agencies and nonprofits continuously asserted that it is past the time for climate action planning efforts to address the effects of climate change (through policies, ordinances, reports, etc.), and planning efforts are not as effective as they were previously. Rather, actions need to be focused on measurable or observable results. • Community leaders and youths. Advisory committee members identified as having a local leader to champion climate action in their community is a major determinant of the success a local government has in participating in climate action. When organized, another major proponent of climate action is dedicated students pressuring and encouraging their local governments to address climate change. • Capacity of smaller communities. Often there was concern for how accessible this program and its actions would be for communities with less city staff, resources, or greater political barriers. These communities tend to be with lower populations and/or located in greater Minnesota (although cities of all sizes and location struggle with capacity). While developing this program, we endeavored to find a balance between only including actionable options and reducing requirements to meet all cities where they are at. • Language. A goal of this project was to have actions that can be repeated in order to receive recertification status. GreenStep regional coordinators indicated that such language would be intimidating. This language was eliminated from outward presenting materials. Some advisory Gold Leaf Program Proposal I www.MNGreenStep.org Page 57 of 185