April 5, 2010 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). The meeting agenda is attached. 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). 2010 Michigan Sustainable Business Conference The Michigan Sustainable Business Conference in Traverse City on April 28-30 is fast approaching. This three day event will include a variety of wonderful speakers, break-out sessions, and networking events. Registration for all three days is $150 per person but the early bird registration of $100 has been extended to this Friday, April 9. The deadline for registration is April 22. More details about the conference, including registration, can be found on the Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum's website. Those interested in carpooling or possibly chartering a bus are encouraged to contact me at kyle@wmsbf.org as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made. 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
COmmittee Spotlight The Sustainable Business Practices Committee, chaired by Steve Goulet of Blue Sphere and Janine Oberstadt of foodprint, is responsible for tracking trends in sustainable business and reporting on new developments. To accomplish this, their committee members update the WMSBF-sp.org/resources website for WMSBF members to access. Subsites for several domains are overseen by facilitators who are experts in their fields. If you are interested in participating in this work that is vital to WMSBF programming, contact me or one of the chairs.
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! Michigan Energy Conference April 7-8, 2010 :: Ferris State University The Michigan Energy Conference is dedicated to affecting positive advancement and opportunity associated with energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability. The conference provides an inclusive forum that cultivates accomplishment through collaboration and learning. More information for this event, including registration, can be found here. Earth Day Celebration April 22, 2010 :: CityFlats Hotel, Holland The intent of the Earth Day celebration is to connect during happy hour with the local business community to explore common interests in sustainability. By focusing on the three spheres of sustainability (environment, society, economy), the event sponsors hope to stimulate discussions about local efforts that are more than simply being “green”. Attendees will be encouraged to share their stories and learn more about the efforts of the participating companies to promote local sustainable business practices. The event was conceptualized by local Rehau representatives, Melody Henriksen, Linda Kersman and Brock Rodgers, who are based out of the company’s regional office in Grand Rapids. Rehau provides a wide range of extruded polymer solutions for the furniture, automotive and construction industries. The Rehau team recognized that to be truly successful, they would need additional support from other West Michigan businesses committed to sustainable development. They received overwhelming support for the concept and have secured the following sponsors for the April 22 event: Avian, The CarbonNeutral Company, Stiles Machinery, and Victor S. Barnes representing Formica. The sponsoring companies provide emerging technologies to support sustainable manufacturing. For example, Rehau offers a polypropylene edgebanding material, which can be used with the high-tech equipment from Stiles and applied to the lightweight board produced by Avian. The sponsors are anticipating attendance from over 100 local business individuals, including local furniture design and manufacturing companies as well as architects and designers. To promote networking, opportunities will be provided for participants to qualify for a white pine sapling, drink tickets, and a free night stay at CityFlats Hotel. For more information, to see who will be there, or to register to attend, visit http://events.SignUp4.net/earthday 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. | 