- WMSBF Essay Contest! – Submission Deadline March 2
- New Member Welcome
- February 13 Monthly Meeting: RSVP’s due TODAY
- WMSBF Speakers’ Bureau
- Waste Exchange Survey
- March 13 Speed Greening Your Facility
- Follow us on Twitter & Facebook
WMSBF Announces Essay Contest!
The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum is sponsoring an essay contest. Inspired by the collection of essays in Moral Ground, we are calling for essays sharing your own reflections on what inspires your sense of responsibility, what underscores the commitment you’ve made in your work life and your home life to contribute to a more sustainable world…and why it’s important. Submission deadline is March 2, 2012. Maximum length is 1,500 words.
Please circulate this information within your company or institution and pass on to colleagues and friends.
Download essay contest details and a submission form at <http://www.wmsbf.org/index.php/presentations/doc_download/53-essay-contest-infosubmission> or contact Lisa Locke at <mailto:llocke@wmsbf.org> . We look forward to hearing from you!
WMSBF Welcomes New Member
Grandville Jenison Chamber of Commerce
February Monthly Meeting
Monday, February 13, 2012 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
University Club, Fifth Third Center
111 W Lyon NW, Suite 1025, Grand Rapids
Renewable Energy Update -- Is There a Future for Sustainable Energy in Michigan? Warner Norcross & Judd attorneys will bring you up to date on developments in the renewable energy field, including hurdles to project development that have become apparent as efforts move from dream to reality. Is the idea of a sustainable energy future possible given the legal, technical, and political realities? Issues that will be discussed include NIMBY litigation, local zoning, the electric grid, and the deadlock in Washington. Rich VanderVeen, founder and president of Mackinaw Power, will discuss current wind projects and share perspectives on the future of wind power.
In order to reduce our environmental impact, please consider alternate transportation strategies. Contact Lisa Locke, <mailto:llocke@wmsbf.org> if you would like help in arranging carpooling.
Space is limited. If you would like to attend this meeting, you must register by email to <mailto:llocke@wmsbf.org> by Monday, February 6. Also, please help ensure an accurate headcount - and associated luncheon expenses - by notifying Lisa of cancellations no later than the Friday morning before. Cost of attending is $10 for members. Cost to non-members has increased to $15.00. Payment may be made by cash or check at the event or by credit card in advance through the home page of our website, Monthly Meeting Payment on the left hand menu, <http://www.wmsbf.org>A $1 additional processing charge is included for credit card payments.
WMSBF Speakers’ Bureau
The Marketing & Membership Committee is getting ready to launch a Speaker’s Bureau. Last year members were surveyed both on programming topics of interest to them and presentations they would be willing to offer to the broader community, based on their own areas of expertise. We are reaching out again to the membership to help us update this information. Please send ideas for monthly meeting presentations to Programming co-chairs Dana Lowell, <mailto:dana.lowell@faurecia.com> , or Don Goetcheus, <mailto:don.goetcheus@morganstanleysmithbarney.com> , and topics on which you would be willing to present to the broader community to Hannah Herrington, <mailto:heringtonhannah@yahoo.com> . This information will also be used by the Tools & Resources Committee to support the grant-funded self-assessment tools project.
Waste Exchange Survey
The Employers Association of West Michigan (EAWM) and WMSBF are collaborating on Pollution Prevention grants awarded last fall from the DEQ. EAWM is creating a Waste Exchange website, (similar to www.vbmx.org), to help local businesses control their waste materials, increase recycling, and decrease landfill contributions. The site will operate similar to craigslist.com to match waste, by-products and under-valued resources at one facility with those who can use them at another facility. The result will be cost savings for the participating businesses, cutting down on landfill waste, the reduction of energy use and CO2 emissions and possible revenue!
EAWM is reaching out to area HSE, engineers, purchasing and plant managers with environmental concerns of the business. Your input will ensure that this website will include features that will make a difference in your business practices!
Please click the link below to answer six questions and you'll be entered to win a $50 gift card. Feel free to forward this on to anyone else who would be willing to help us improve our website. All information received will be kept private and you will not be contacted outside of this survey. Questions, contact Lisa Sabourin at lisasabourin@eawm.net.
Take the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/employersassociation
Events
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 :: 7:00 am to 12:30 pm
Speed Greening Your Facility, Sponsored by Nichols
Calvin College
3201 Burton SE, Grand Rapids
Looking for an interactive way to learn about Speed Greening Your Facility? Participants will have a menu of various topics on greening a facility to choose from. Attendees will rotate through round table topics and spend 25 minutes at each topic before moving on to the next topic of choice. Experts on each topic will be facilitating the round tables. Each attendee will have the opportunity to participate in seven round table topics. For topics, dates and times and other details visit https://www.enichols.com/training-and-events/?task=view&id=43 ttps://www.enichols.com/training-and-events/?task=view&id=43>.
We are now on Twitter < http://twitter.com/wmsbf>, Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Michigan-Sustainable-Business-Forum/127221256417?ref=ts>, and LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1448887&trk=anet_ug_hm>. We are using these media to update meeting information, member news, and general sustainability news. Follow or friend to remain in the loop!
