March 15, 2010 March meeting Many thanks to Herman Miller for hosting us at their incredible Greenhouse Facility in Holland for last week’s meeting. Also, thank you to Dave Muyers for his presentation and group activity on sustainable innovation. If you would like a summary of his presentation, you can download it from the WMSBF website here. 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. The Tools and Resources Committee will also be demonstrated the newly released online version of the Concise Self-Assessment Guide (see below for more). A tour of Goodwill’s recycling facility will also be conducted for those interested. June Meeting The Program Committee is excited to announce that in lieu of meeting on the 2nd Monday of the month in June, the WMSBF is instead partnering with Davenport University, Corp! Magazine, and Cascade Engineering to offer special access to their Sustainable Business Practice Forum. On Friday, June 18, WMSBF members are invited to take advantage of a special $40 rate to participate in the day’s activities which include multiple track sessions, networking, and presentations by Cascade Engineering’s Fred Keller as well as Dr. Stuart Hart, Samuel C. Johnson Chair in Sustainable Global Enterprise at Cornell University. Registration includes breakfast and lunch, a copy of Hart’s book, and a jump drive with information from the day. Those interested should register as soon as possible via the Corp! magazine website here. WMSBF members are invited to use the promo code ‘WMSBF’ to take advantage of the $40 price. Cost for non-members is $100 for the day (those joining the WMSBF before registering are welcome to take advantage of this special pricing). 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 me at kyle@wmsbf.org. I will pass it along to our elections committee. The WMSBF on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook We are now on Twitter, Facebook, 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! As always, feel free to email me if you have any questions of concerns.
Kyle Ten Broeke
New Members Kim Holt is a student in the Sustainable Business (Masters) program at Aquinas College. Jake Himmelspach is participating in the MBA program at Kendall College/Ferris State University.
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS 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 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. Grand Rapids Community College ATC :: 151 Fountain NE Grand Rapids (map) May 10, 2010 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm Mark LaCroix of the CarbonNeutral Company and Alison Waske of Warner, Norcross & Judd will be presenting on carbon measurement and management. Space is limited. If you would like to attend this meeting, you must register by email at info@wmsbf.org by Wednesday, May 5. Cost of attending is $10. There is a $10 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. Davenport University :: 6191 Kraft SE Grand Rapids (map) Friday, June 18, 2010 :: 7:30 am to 5:00 pm 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. WMSBF Members are invited to take advantage of a special $40 registration fee (regularly $100). Enter promo code ‘WMSBF’ when registering to receive the discount. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register early as space is limited. Non-members are welcome to join the WMSBF before registering to take advantage of this special pricing. More information, including registration, can be found here.
SUSTAINABILITY EVENTS If you are sponsoring or hosting an upcoming event, please email me to include in our upcoming newsletters and calendar! "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. WMSBF Members are invited to take advantage of a special $40 registration fee (regularly $100) for the second day of this event. Enter promo code ‘WMSBF’ when registering to receive the discount. More information, including registration, can be found here. | 