PLEASE NOTE:

Replies from Lisa Locke will be sent after October 2.

Check out WMSBF Facebook to see photos from our 2011 Scholarship Golf Outing.

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

·       October 10 Monthly Meeting

·       Pollution Prevention Week 2011, September 19-25

·       BioAuto Council’s Annual Conference, September 22

·       Mayors’ Grand River Clean-Up – October 1

·       Materials & Recycling Management Training Series starts September 29

·       Michigan Green Health Care Conference, October 4 & 5

·       Leaps of Faith: Moving Sustainability Forward in Houses of Worship, October 5

·       October 18 State of the Community Sustainability Partnership (CSP) Address

·       Help West Michigan Businesses Fill Jobs With Skilled Military Veterans

·       Fall 2011 Schedule for the Sustainable Business Professional Certificate


October 10 Monthly Meeting

Monday, October10, 2011 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Steelcase Corporation, Global Headquarters Building, Main Theater
901 44th St., SE, Grand Rapids
 
Kristin van Reesema, Smart Street™ project manager, will offer a sneak peek at emerging opportunities for saving energy, saving money, and improving the environment. Throughout 2011, Consumers Energy has conducted the pilot program in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Smart Street™ provides smart grid technology, empowering participants to track their energy usage in near real-time and use this feedback to make decisions and change behaviors that result in greater energy efficiency. Join us for a discussion of the project and lessons learned.

Visitor parking just east of Global Headquarters Building, in lots facing 44th St. Alternate transportation strategies are encouraged.  Contact Lisa Locke, llocke@wmsbf.org <mailto:llocke@wmsbf.org> , 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 <mailto:info@wmsbf.org> by Wednesday, October 5. Cost of attending is $10, payable by cash or check at the event. Credit card payments may be made through the home page of our website, Monthly Meeting Payment on the left hand menu, http://www.wmsbf.org <http://www.wmsbf.org> . A $1 additional processing charge is included for credit card payments.
 
Events

September 19-25, 2011
Pollution Prevention (P2) Week
 
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality invites you to join in celebrating the 2011 P2 successes in the great State of Michigan and to be a part of Pollution Prevention Week by incorporating activities into your daily routine that reduce, reuse and recycle waste. Visit their website for information on State initiatives, business programs and recognitions, and other resources at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3585_57743_57820---,00.html <http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3585_57743_57820---,00.html> .
Call Laura Rauwerda, 616.356.0034, or Maggie Fields, 517.335.6250, with questions about the celebration.
 
Thursday, September 22, 2011 :: 8 a.m
Innovation Without Borders:  Making It Happen
Ontario BioAuto Council 2011 Annual Conference
Holiday Inn Select
1855 Huron Church Road
Windsor Ontario
Cost: CDN$100
 
As a follow-up to the Great Lakes Summit, this conference will continue to focus on accelerating the re-industrialization of the Great Lakes region by strengthening cross-border partnerships in innovation.  Discussions will concentrate on promoting the use of biochemicals, bioplastics and biocomposites through greater R&D cooperation, establishment of new supply chains and joint market development.
 
To register for the conference, go to http://www.bioautocouncil.com/conferences/registrationform.aspx <http://www.bioautocouncil.com/conferences/registrationform.aspx>

Saturday, October 1, 2011 :: 9:30-noon (9 a.m registration)
Mayors’ Grand River Clean Up
Sixth Street Bridge Park, Grand Rapids
 
West Michigan Environmental Action Council and Grand Rapids Young Professionals are partnering with the cities of Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Walker, and Grandville to host the 8th Annual Grand River Clean Up.  An estimated 450 volunteers are needed to collectively cover over 12 miles of riverbank. For more information and to register, visit www.grandrivercleanup.com <http://www.grandrivercleanup.com> .
 
Thursdays, September 29, October 13 & October 27; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Materials & Recycling Management Training Series
MSU Recycling Education Center
223 Surplus & Recycling Center
East Lansing, MI  48824
 
The Michigan Recycling Coalition is offering a series that will provide participants with the knowledge base and practical tools to support a sustainable recycling program. Reduced waste disposal costs, revenue from the sale of recyclable commodities, and improved community image are just a few of the benefits a business may achieve by implementing a materials management and recycling program.  For more information and to register visit the Michigan Recycling Coalition website, www.michiganrecycles.org <http://www.michiganrecycles.org> .

October 5, 2011 :: 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Leaps of Faith:  Moving Sustainability Forward in Houses of Worship
Aquinas College, Wege Student Center

This one-day conference, sponsored by Interfaith Power & Light in partnership with Aquinas Center for Sustainability, will inform and educate congregations, students, and the public in building visions for sustainability in faith communities and identifying actionable next steps. Dr. Andy Hoffman, world-recognized leader in sustainability from U of M Ross School of Business, will be the keynote speaker and sessions will include topics in energy efficiency, faith education, public policy, & business sustainability. Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities available. For more information, contact Michigan IPL at director@miipl.org or call 248.808.2518. Register at http://www.miipl.org/conference/.

October 5, 2011 :: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Michigan Green Health Care Conference
October 4 Tour and Pre-conference Roundtable
Park Place Hotel, Traverse City
 
This event is intended for the health care industry. Specifically it is for sustainability officers, dieticians, nurses, individuals affiliated with engineering facilities and environmental services departments, and those who have a passion for reducing the ecological footprints of their facilities. Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities available. For more information and to register visit www.deq.state.mi.us/eforms/greenhealthcare-attendee-workshopregistration.html <http://www.deq.state.mi.us/eforms/greenhealthcare-attendee-workshopregistration.html>  or call the DEQ Environmental Assistance Center at 800.662.9278.

October 18, 2011 :: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
State of the Community Sustainability Partnership Address
DeVos Place, Grand Rapids
 
This event will include a keynote address from the current chair of the CSP, Mayor George Heartwell, and interactive roundtable discussions. Join them for an update on the CSP’s work to date and lend your insights for crafting a vision for the future For more information and to register, visit their website at www.grpartners.org <http://www.grpartners.org> .

Resources

Help West Michigan Businesses Fill Jobs With Skilled Military Veterans.
 
Cascade Engineering and Compass Point Labor Management have announced a new partnership focused on decreasing the unemployment rate of West Michigan’s military veterans while providing area employers with skilled and dependable job candidates.  The companies' “Armed Forces to Work Forces” initiative will commence with an October 3 summit for business leaders interested in joining the new partnership and include a November meeting for regional employers to learn more about how they can place these talented individuals in their organization. For more information, contact.Amanda Passage, Lambert, Edwards & Associates, 616.233.0500 or apassage@lambert-edwards.com.

Fall 2011 schedule for the Sustainable Business Professional Certificate

This program offered by Aquinas College Center for Sustainability is now finalized and registration is open.  The non-credit program provides an opportunity for managers and executives at all career stages to deepen their understanding of the fundamentals of sustainable business. This program is approved for the No Worker Left Behind Program of Michigan Works! and may be eligible for other worker retraining programs. For more information and to register visit the website at http://www.centerforsustainability.org/indexx.php <http://www.centerforsustainability.org/indexx.php> . 

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