IN THIS NEWSLETTER: · Board Election Results · No June Membership Meeting · Michigan Community Pollution Prevention Grant Proposal · May 26: Sustainability: Building the Business Case · June 2: Pathways to Prosperity Employer Business Summit · June 7-9: National Environmental Sustainability Summit/Green Screen for Safer Chemicals/ Health Care Track · August 8 WMSBF Scholarship Golf Outing – SAVE THE DATE Board Election Results The membership overwhelmingly approved the slate of candidates for Board of Directors. A hardy welcome to those members beginning their first terms: Dan Buron, Goodwill Industries Rick Post, Louis Padnos Iron & Metal Company Dan Schoonmaker, West Michigan Environmental Action Council Jennifer Wammack, IDa Design Doug Wood, Kent County Department of Public Works Our sincere appreciation to those extending their terms of service: Phillip Greene, Grand Rapids Community College Carol Pike, Fusion Business Services Su Paauwe, NTH Consultants Eric VanDellen, Alticor/Amway Gabe Wing, Herman Miller Dave Aupperlee, Bissel Homecare Mark Lenz, Sugar & Felsenthal David Rinard, Steelcase Alison Waske, Metro Health We extend special thanks to those members completing their service on the Board. Danielle Ouendag, FTC&H Rick Pulaski, Nederveld Associates Laura Rauwerda, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Membership Meeting There will be no monthly meeting in June. Our next meeting will be July 11 at Rockford Construction, with presentations coordinated by the Energy Committee. Michigan Community Pollution Prevention Grant This past week, the Tools and Resources Committee, on behalf of the WMSBF Board of Directors and members, submitted a grant proposal to the State of Michigan. It is anticipated that awards will be announced early in July. Funding will support the expanded development of tools, metrics, resources, and reporting relative to the WMSBF’s Sustainability Assessment Guides – existing and proposed. It will facilitate sustainability reporting using a multi-level framework including an individual organizational rating system, industry comparison, and business-to-business comparison. Information gathered will drive educational programming and further resource development. Results will be tracked and reported on both a local and regional basis. The project is a long-term approach to regional planning, benchmarking and continuous improvement, engaging WMSBF member organizations, regional partners, and ultimately other sustainable business forums and their partnering organizations. We’ll keep you posted! Events Sustainability: Building the Business Case May 26, 2011 Aquinas College, Wege Ballroom Learn from thought leaders who have integrated sustainability into their business model. Get first-hand knowledgeand local expertise on the measurable benefits of sustainable practices and how to set obtainable goals and objectives. You will learn everything from metrics and technology to the social components. Cost is $30. Register at www.regonline.com/sustainability11 or call Bernadine Hartmann at 269.388.7015. Pathways to Prosperity Employer Business Summit June 2, 2011; 7:45 a.m. to noon Cascade Country Club, 3725 Cascade Rd., Grand Rapids Join Fred Keller, Mayor George Heartwell and Dr. Steve Ender for a morning of valuable information and conversation around the topic of talent attraction and attainment for your company. This FREE session is designed specifically for CEO’s and Human Resource management. Interested community partners are encouraged to attend. Email kelley.losey@cascadeng.com or visit www.grcc.edu/thepath for registration information. 8th Annual National Environmental Sustainability Summit June 7-9, 2011 Westin Book Cadillac, 1114 Washington Blvd., Detroit You are invited to attend the ONLY annual national gathering of environmental professionals. This year’s Summit will provide the information, resources, contacts, and tools for professionals who want to advance sustainable manufacturing, energy efficiency, green products design, pollution prevention, chemicals policy and environmental innovation. Summit co-hosts include U.S.EPA, the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and Terrachord LLC. Sponsorship opportunities are available. A special training will be offered June 7 in conjunction with the Summit: Green Screen for Safer Chemicals. This day-long training will be of particular interest to business experts in supply chain management, materials selection, procurement, product and process design, environmental health and safety, sustainability and regulatory affairs who need to select safer chemicals for their products. Cost is $95.00, which includes lunch. Space is limited. Also offered is a Health Care Track, June 8, 8:30-4:30, at the Westin Book Cadillac. Sessions include: Sustainable Health Care: Anna Gilmore & Hillary Bisnett A Tale of Two Hospitals: Josh Miller, Spectrum Health & Alison Waske, Metro Health (the first health care systems in Michigan to adopt sustainable operational practices.) Moderated byRenae Hesselink, Nichols & Sustainable Solutions. The Ideal Green Hospital: The Balance of Green Ideas and Value: Alan Burcope & Michael Young, MDEQ. Sustainable Healthcare Management – Shelia Finch & Phyllis Strong Early registration is encouraged at www.environmentalsummit.org. Great Lakes Transportation Summit July 27, 2011 GVSU Eberhard Center, 301 Fulton St. West, Grand Rapids Registration starts June 8. Sponsored by The Right Place. WMSBF Scholarship Golf Outing August 8, 2011; 8:00 a.m. - SAVE THE DATE Quail Ridge Golf Course, Cascade Watch for details and sponsorship opportunities. Contact Lisa Locke if you are interested in helping with this important fund-raising event, or with questions, llocke@wmsbf.org. 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! | 