January 4, 2009 Happy New Year! january meeting We will be meeting at Cascade Engineering on January 11 where a representative from Cascade will be discussing the business plan – focused on ‘Base of the Pyramid’ strategies – they are developing for their Hydraid water filter. Deb Steketee of Aquinas College will also be discussing their new Sustainable Business Certification program. To ensure adequate seating and food for everyone, it is vital that those wishing to attend our monthly meetings register with me prior to the deadline. This is generally the Wednesday prior to the meeting and this month is January 6. The WMSBF on Twitter and Facebook We are now on Twitter (@wmsbf) on Facebook (West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum) and updating regularly with meeting information, member news, and general sustainability news. Follow or friend to remain in the loop! Upcoming Events In every edition, I attempt to include information regarding upcoming events that may be of interest to those receiving this newsletter. I also include this information on the calendar on the WMSBF website. If your company is hosting, sponsoring, or attending an event that you would like to share with others, please contact me at kyle@wmsbf.org and I will include in future mailings. WMSBF Volunteer Opportunities There is still opportunity to volunteer with any of our various committees and workgroups. If you are interested in joining any of the following groups, please let me know and I will introduce you to the appropriate chair: - Design Committee
- Energy Committee
- Social Responsibility workgroup
- Sustainable Business Committee
- Program Committee
- Outreach Committee
There are also possibilities to host or sponsor (partially or in whole) one of our monthly meetings in 2010. Please contact me for open dates or for more information. As always, feel free to email me if you have any questions of concerns.
Kyle Ten Broeke
New Member Avid Marketing Solutions creates visibility for companies who wish to grow their business and share their sustainability messages. Their goal is to help create marketing experiences that convey the proper information, allows the public to learn more about companies who are truly making a difference, and increase sales for my clients.
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS Cascade Engineering :: 3400 Innovation Ct SE Grand Rapids (map) January 11, 2009 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm A representative from Cascade Engineering will be discussing the business plan – focused on ‘Base of the Pyramid’ strategies – they are developing for their Hydraid water filter. Deb Steketee of Aquinas College will also be discussing their new Sustainable Business Certification program. Space is limited. If you would like to attend this meeting, you must register by email at info@wmsbf.org by Wednesday, January 6. Cost of attending is $10. There is a $10 arrangement fee, payable by cash or check at the event. Credit card payments may be made prior to the event through PayPal (no PayPal account is necessary) here. A $1 additional processing charge is included for credit card payments.
SUSTAINABILITY EVENTS If you are sponsoring or hosting an upcoming event, please email me to include in our upcoming newsletters and calendar! Diversity and Inclusion Monday, January 18, 2010 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM :: Cascade Engineering Quest Sustainable Solutions, a division of Cascade Engineering, is offering a one day workshop to help organizations understand how a focused diversity and cultural inclusion plan contributes to the overall success of a company.
What's Your Culture?
Successful companies have a culture of diversity, flexibility and innovation.
Is Your Culture Innovative?
Talented employees and customers choose companies that are innovative.
Leave with a Plan!
Attendees will leave with the ability to articulate the Business Case for Diversity and Cultural Inclusion, Steps to Advance Diversity and Cultural Inclusion in their organization, as well as an assessment of where they currently are and ideas for future steps.
There is limited seating available for this event, so save your place now at Diversity and Inclusion. For additional information contact:
Kelley Losey
Director, Quest Sustainable Solutions
kelley.losey@cascadeng.com Virtual Energy Forum Wednesday and Thursday January 27-28, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm The Virtual Energy Forum is a free conference that brings together stakeholders in the energy industry with potential customers, policy makers, and investors. The event, which meets twice a year and features live video presentations, real-time Q & A and a virtual exhibit floor, answers the need many senior executives have today--to better understand how to implement renewable and cost-saving energy-efficient practices in business.
The conference meets entirely online, making it time and cost-efficient to attend from the convenience of any computer, offering a greener way to gather.
The Virtual Energy Forum features . . .
· Live video keynote presentations from renewable energy and sustainability thought leaders. · Get your questions answered by these experts in real-time! · Live video track presentations feature case studies in industries such as consumer goods, healthcare, government, education and retail. · Browse a virtual exhibit floor featuring product & service solutions from energy innovators. · Chat live with exhibitors or other attendees and exchange contact information. Free Sign-Up Now Sustainability Issues in Global Packaging Operations Wednesday, February 3 :: Hyatt Place The evolution of the environmental movement dates back to the 70’s and the pursuit for sustainability is strong today. This seminar will review the history of this evolution and site examples of significant industry activities in the area of sustainable packaging and life cycle processes. The program will offer a discussion of definitions and metrics as well as the role of packaging performance in sustainable design. Individuals involved with shipping & packaging operations should attend. Dates: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 Hyatt Place 2150 Metro Lane, Wyoming, MI Thursday, February 4, 2010 Engineering Society of Detroit 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450, Southfield, MI Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am Registration: $30 per person includes continental breakfast Discovering Sustainability: A Second West Michigan Conversation Friday, February 5 :: Aquinas College The WMSBF, along with a growing number of co-conveners, will be hosting the second part of this continuing discussion regarding a sustainable West Michigan. At this meeting, we will be: · Continuing to cascade our asset mapping survey for inclusion in the Aquinas’ Center for Sustainability Mapping Project · Connecting our conversation to the work on regional indicators already underway by the SWMSBF and Southwest Covenant group including the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas. · Continue developing the depth and breadth of our collaborative connections More information will become available in the coming weeks. If you are not receiving email updates, please contact Kyle Ten Broeke at kyle@wmsbf.org to be added to the distribution list. Sustainable Business Practice Forum Thursday and Friday, February 11-12, 2010 :: Cascade Engineering and Davenport University Corp! Magazine has partnered with Cascade Engineering and Davenport University to bring to you a two day Sustainable Business Practices Forum titled “Building Business Value and Enhancing Our Community via Sustainable Business Practices". On Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm we will be hosting a workshop “Starting a Sustainable Business Focus” and will feature a tour of Cascade Engineering. On Friday, February 12, 2010 from 7:30 am - 5:00 pm we will feature an all day forum. Attendees will be given the choice of two educational workshops to attend, these workshops are designed to fit any level of interested in Sustainable Business Practices. There will also be two keynote speakers that day. Fred Keller, CEO of Cascade Engineering will be speaking about Enhancing Our Communities and Economy via Sustainable Business Practices. We will also hear from Dr. Stuart Hart, from Cornell University regarding Building Business Value via Sustainable Business Practices. Dr. Hart will also give us a case study on Creating a Culture of Innovation. More information, including registration (which ends February 8), can be found here. Green Facilities Conference Tuesday, March 23 :: Calvin College In its fifth year the Nichols Green Facilities Conference will offer a full day of education about features, benefits and cost management of green buildings. Participants can expect a keynote speaker and a variety of workshop topics including Lean 5s in facilities management and case studies of LEED buildings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.) Keynote speaker Alan Bigger, retired facilities director from Earlham College and Notre Dame University and author of the book “Frugalisms: Creative Ideas on Leadership in Facilities and Housekeeping Operations” will bring a front line message to conference participants. Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 Location: Prince Conference Center at Calvin College 1800 East Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI Time: 7:30am – 4:00 pm Registration: $80 per person includes continental breakfast and lunch Watch for more information at www.enichols.com/greenconference. Questions can be directed to Marcie Palmer at marcie.palmer@enichols.com. Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Conference and Expo April 28-30, 2010 :: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Save the date for this biannual meeting of the various sustainable business forums throughout the state. More information will be forthcoming. Contact Patty O'Donnell at pattyodonnell@nwm.cog.mi.us or 231-929-5039 for information about the event. 8th Annual BALLE Business Conference May 21-23, 2010 :: Charleston, SC Charleston is world renowned for its warm hospitality, historic architecture, outstanding local food, and beautiful waterways. But did you know that the lowcountry of South Carolina and the Southeastern U.S. is also a hotbed of innovation for community economic development? Forgotten mill towns are rising anew, tobacco farmers are converting their fields to sustainable local foods, local commodities like cotton are finding fair prices among socially minded consumers, family farms are being reclaimed, local businesses are learning sustainable practices to improve their bottom line - and the ties that bind communities and citizens together are being restored in the process. Join hundreds of entrepreneurs and business owners, BALLE network leaders, economic developers, local government representatives and community connectors, as we explore innovative best practices in growing community wealth and opportunities for your community to step forward as a leader in the new economy.
Group rates are available for parties of 6+ or 10+ registrants. Please inquire with Event Manager Todd Mills for details
Register Now! | 