March 1, 2010 March meeting We will be meeting at Herman Miller’s Greenhouse Facility for our March meeting where Eric Vandam, Director of Production Operations at Herman Miller, will be presenting on HMPS, Herman Miller Performance System. Dave Muyres of New North will also be presenting on sustainable innovation. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Those wishing to do so may wish to meet up at the parking lot in front of the old Kmart (just East of the Target store) at the intersection of I-196 and Chicago Drive in Jenison by 11:30am. April meeting On April 12 we will be meeting at Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids’ Grandville offices where the WMSBF’s social responsibility workgroup will be presenting their social primer. A tour of Goodwill’s recycling facility will also be conducted for those interested. 2010 Sustainability Scholarship There are only four more days before this year’s application deadline (this Friday!) for our $5000 scholarship. If you know of any students preparing to enter their senior year at a local college or university, be sure to tell them of this fantastic opportunity and send them to the WMSBF website for more information. Online Self-Assessment Guide The WMSBF has been updating our Self Assessment Guide (SAG) to Sustainable Business Practices based on the information/feedback from our pilot group and the membership meeting information session awhile back. The SAG has now been developed as a web-based tool and is appropriate for various types of organizations (size, service versus manufacturing, appropriate for renters, etc.). We are at a point where we are able to try out this 2.0 version. We need your feedback on how you would like to see reports structured so we need your feedback. Please do the following: - Use this link to access the Online survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WMSBF_SAG
- Take the survey and hit submit
- Results will be calculated and a report will be sent via e-mail within a week.
- Please send your feedback on how the reports should be structured to Kyle (kyle@wmsbf.org) for compilation.
The first ten organizations to complete the survey will receive as special token of appreciation...thanks! State Conference Charter Bus Details are still being finalized for the April 28-30 Michigan Sustainable Business Conference. However, in collaboration with the Southwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, we are exploring the possibility of chartering a bus to Traverse City for the days of the conference or the extended weekend. If you are interested in either of these options, or would be interested in another schedule, please email me at kyle@wmsbf.org.
More details about the conference can be found on the Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum's website and in this press release. 2010 Board Nominations It is almost time for board elections. If you would like to be considered for one of the open seats that will be voted on in April, please complete this form and return it with your resume to my at kyle@wmsbf.org. I will pass it along to our elections committee. Seminar on LEED Certification Legislation Warner Norcross & Judd will be offering a free seminar on current legislation being considered in Lansing. See the events section for information. The WMSBF on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook We are now on Twitter (@wmsbf), Facebook (West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum), and LinkedIn. We are using these media to update meeting information, member news, and general sustainability news. Follow or friend to remain in the loop! Website Updates The website has been updated with past presentations, recent newsletters, and more. Also, there is a sign-up form to receive this and other WMSBF newsletters. If you are receiving our newsletters second hand or wish to receive information about our Discovering Sustainability efforts, please sign up. As always, feel free to email me if you have any questions of concerns.
Kyle Ten Broeke
New Member Kim Selleck is our newest student member. He is enrolled in the MM program at Aquinas and is concentrating in Sustainable Business.
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS Herman Miller Greenhouse Facility:: 10201 Adams Street Holland, MI (map) March 8, 2009 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm Dave Muyers, of New North will be presenting on sustainable innovation. Eric Vandam, Director of Production Operations at Herman Miller, will be presenting on HMPS, Herman Miller Performance System. This system is based on the principles of the Toyota Production System. A tour of their facility will follow. Space is limited. If you would like to attend this meeting, you must register by email at info@wmsbf.org by Wednesday, March 3. 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. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Those wishing to do so may wish to meet up at the parking lot in front of the old Kmart (just East of the Target store) at the intersection of I-196 and Chicago Drive in Jenison by 11:30am. Goodwill Industries :: 3035 Prairie Street SW Grandville, MI (map) April 12, 2010 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm The WMSBF Social Responsibility committee will be presenting their findings to the group at this meeting. Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids will also be leading participants on an optional tour of their recycling facilities. Space is limited. If you would like to attend this meeting, you must register by email at info@wmsbf.org by Wednesday, April 7. 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! Seminar on Tax Incentives for LEED Certified Projects March 15, 2010 4-5pm :: Warner Norcross & Judd Information concerning this community event is being provided as a courtesy to Forum members but does not constitute an endorsement of the host organization or of its policies. We at Warner are very excited to offer a free one hour educational session on the recently introduced LEED legislation to all Sustainable Business Forum members. We have reserved a venue in both Grand Rapids and Detroit, on March 15 and 17, respectively, from 4-5 pm to provide an overview of the new LEED Legislation. We would very much like to reach out to all SBF members and invite them to this event. If they are not able to attend in person, then we will set up either a webcast or conference number to dial in to. Contact Alison Waske at AWaske@wnj.com for more information. "Business and the Sustainable Development Landscape"
Monday, March 22, 1 p.m. :: MSU Union, Parlor C As part of a year-long speaker series on climate change Bjorn Stigson, President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, will be speaking at MSU in East Lansing. He serves on the boards of or on committees advising the Chinese government, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the Clinton Global Initiative and the Global Reporting Initiative. He is a graduate of the Gothenburg School of Business Administration, the Swedish Management Institute and Harvard Business School. For more information (and to register) visit http://www.environment.msu.edu/climatechange/lecture.php 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. Climate Change Vulnerabilities and Opportunities: Michigan and Beyond April 26-27, 2010 :: Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center As a continuation of the Distinguished Lecture Series on Bioeconomy and Global Climate Change and of the MSU Climate Change Symposia held in previous years, and with the support of MAES, we are organizing a symposium on "Climate Change Vulnerabilities and Opportunities: Michigan and Beyond." The symposium will take place at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on MSU campus on April 26 and 27, 2010, for one and half days. It will include multiple simultaneous sessions and several plenaries, on topics including connecting science with policy, climate change impact assessments, adaptation strategies, and business and local government responses. All are welcome. There is no fee. For more information, visit their website at: http://www.environment.msu.edu/climatechange/symposium.php Local First: Designing Sustainable Communities Through Business April 28, 2010 :: Aquinas College Highlights of the Local First Annual Conference, which is expected to draw 200 business owners, government officials, and community leaders, includes: · A kickoff session that allows participants to help define sustainability for the community and businesses. · Keynote speech from Amy Emberling, Managing Partner at Zingerman’s Bakehouse. Also, six hands-on sessions will include topics: · Building Social Capital · Creative Marketing Tactics · Going Green and Cutting Costs · Maximizing the Benefits of My Local First Membership · Succession Planning Breakfast, lunch and afternoon reception are included. COST: $85.00 for Local First members, $95.00 for non-members. RSVP: $10 discount for people who register by Wednesday April 14, 2010. Day-of registration will be available. Register at: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=197968 Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Conference and Expo April 28-30, 2010 :: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa This year, the Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will be hosting the statewide Sustainable Business Conference in Traverse City. This multi-day event will include business and winery tours, speakers, workshops and more. For more information about this exciting event, visit NWMSBF's website or download this press release. 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 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.
You may also contact Elissa Sangalli Hillary at Local First (a BALLE affiliate) for additional information. Register Now! Sustainable Business Practice Forum Thursday and Friday, June 17-18, 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". 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, can be found here. | 