IN THIS NEWSLETTER: · WMSBF CALL FOR BOARD NOMINATIONS · April Annual Membership Meeting · March 21-23 Renewable Energy Technology Show · March 23 AWMA Annual Conference –Reinventing Michigan · March 23 Gasland Screening & Panel Discussion · March 30 Green Facilities Conference · April 7-9 Gimme Shelter Symposium on Human Shelter and Sustainability · April 13 & 14 – 4th Annual Michigan Energy Conference · April 15 – 15th Annual Wege Speaker Series · April 23 Grand River Green Up (Grand Haven) WMSBF Call for Board Nominations - due Monday, March 28 Bring your own energy, experience, and perspective to the governance of our organization by serving on the WMSBF Board of Directors. Establish policies for the care and conduct of the organization operations, including those that promote sound planning and fiscal responsibility. Nominations for one, two, and three-year terms, beginning in May, are now being accepted. Deadline for nominations is Monday, March 28. Please contact Lisa Locke, llocke@wmsbf.org for more information. April Membership Meeting Monday, April 11, 2011 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm Kentwood Office Furniture 3063 Breton Rd., SE, Grand Rapids Details on this Annual Meeting will be announced later this week… Alternate transportation strategies are encouraged. Contact Lisa Locke if you would like help in arranging carpooling. Space is limited. If you would like to attend this meeting, you must register by email at info@wmsbf.org by Thursday, April 7. Cost of attending is $10, payable by cash or check at the event. Credit card payments may be made prior to the event on the WMSBF homepage, www.wmsbf.org, Monthly Meeting Payment. A $1 additional processing charge is included for credit card payments. Events AWMA West Michigan Chapter Annual Spring Conference: Reinventing Michigan – the Environment Wednesday, March 23; 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. GVSU Eberhard Center 301 Fulton St. West This conference will feature some of the state-of-the-art industries that are reinventing Michigan as well as guest speakers: Congressman Bill Huizenga – The Future of Environmental Policy Mayor George Heartwell – Prospering in a Sustainable West Michigan Mi DEQ Director Dan Wyant – Environmental Regulation in Michigan MDEQ Division Chiefs will also be presenting and available for questions. On-line registration is available at www.wmawma.org. GASLAND Screening and Panel Discussion Wednesday, March 23; 7:00 p.m. Celebration Cinema North, Knapp Corners Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary and winning top prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, GASLAND details how the largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history is sweeping across the United States utilizing a controversial process called fracking. Following the screening, a panel discussion representing a variety of views will contribute significant expertise and provide a Michigan context to the film. Tickets are $5 ($3 for WMEAC members), available at the door or in advance at the WMEAC office. Contact Dan Schoonmaker at dschoonmaker@wmeac.orgor 616.451.3051 X28 for more information. Nichols Green Facilities Conference Wednesday, March 30, 2011; 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. University of Michigan – Dearborn, Fairlane Center 19000 Hubbard Drive Dearborn,Michigan This conference will offer education on features, benefits and cost management of green buildings, as well as display products for green cleaning and facilities maintenance. For registration or more information, go to http://www.enichols.com/greenconference/ Gimme Shelter – Symposium on Human Shelter and Sustainability April 7-9, 2011 Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain NE, Grand Rapids A three-day symposium bringing together national and local scholars, professionals and philosophers to discuss the American image of shelter. April 7 at 7 p.m., NYT Best selling author of The Not So Big Life, Sarah Susanka, will deliver the keynote address. Day Two provides activities designed to explore themes of sustainable, affordable and accessible environments for all segments of the population. A final gathering on the third day will unveil a call to action for the Grand Rapids community, followed by hands-on opportunities to visit local projects and organizations in action throughout West Michigan. Admission is free. For more information contact Ryan Kilpatrick, ryan.kilpatrick68@gmail.com or Tony Kroes, tony.kroes@gmail.com. 4th Annual Michigan Energy Conference – Energy Innovation & Technology April 13 & 14, 2011 Holiday Inn & Conference Center, Big Rapids Focused workshops and technical break-out sessions. Keynote speakers include: The Honorable Vern Ehlers speaking on Public Policy and our Energy Future George Erickeck on Michigan’s Energy Future Rich VanderVeen on Private Wind Peter Varga on Energy Transportation For more information and register, go to www.ferris.edu/mec. 15th Annual Wege Speaker Series April 15, 2011; 4:00 p.m. Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, Grand Rapids Featured speaker is Chris Palmer, internationally honored environmental film producer. His presentation will include clips from some of his celebrated wildlife films. Screen credits include producing environmental films for prime-time television, including the Disney Channel, TBS Superstation, Animal Planet, Home and Garden Television, The Travel Channel, The Outdoor Life Network and PBS. Palmer is currently Distinguished Film Producer in Residence and full-time faculty member at American University. This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, email harbuell@aquinas.edu by April 6. Limited seating is available. A reception will follow. Grand River Green Up April 23, 2011: 9:00 a.m. to noon Riverside Park, Grand Haven Grand River Green Up is organized by the Grand Haven Area Jaycees and the West Michigan Environmental Action Council and sponsored by the Grand Haven Community Foundation to remove trash and debris from the surrounding area while providing a hands-on learning experience to encourage people about preventive practices. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Kristi Klomp at kklomp@wmeac.org or call 616.451.3051, ext.25, or Brock Rodgers at brockrodgers@gmail.com or call 616.485.6344. THE WMSBF ON TWITTER, LINKEDIN, AND FACE BOOK 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!
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