| March 16 Newsletter | | Print | |
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UPDATES
THANK YOU Thank you to Warner Norcross for hosting last week's monthly membership meeting. The University Club was a wonderful location. Special thanks to Mary Judnich of Senator Stabenow's office, Scott Watson of Warner Norcross & Judd, and Bruce Thompson of Aquinas College for presenting on recent legislation and activities in the renewable energy arena. Minutes from the meeting can be downloaded here.
BOARD NOMINATIONS As was announced at the meeting, the Board of Directors is extending its term an additional year during our transition. However, there is one seat that will be opened and we are accepting nominations. In particular, we are looking for someone with the skills to take over as treasurer, and experienced in the establishment of a new 501c3 non-profit. Nominations can be sent to Kyle Ten Broeke at kyle@wmsbf.org.
INVITATION TO ATTEND All are welcome to attend Aquinas' Sustainable Enterprise Exchange Series event on March 27. Registration costs $125 though WMSBF members may register for a discounted rate of $100. You may download additional information on the event flyer here.
WEBSITE Finally, the new website is up and running and all members are invited to send event notices and job postings to me at kyle@wmsbf.org for inclusion. If you have not already, you may also wish to error check your member listing as some of the information may be outdated.
NEW MEMBERS
Wolverine Building is a full-service general contractor with a long history of success in industrial and commercial construction. They provide a broad range of building services from site selection and project design to construction and facility maintenance. More information can be found in their listing in the WMSBF member directory.
Price, Heneveld, Cooper, DeWitt & Litton, LLP represents clients from across the nation and around the world. The firm is involved in every aspect of intellectual property law, from licensing to litigation. More information can be found in their listing in the WMSBF member directory.
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
As part of our desire to balance information within the framework of the Triple Bottom Line we will be focusing on diversity in the workplace during our April 13 meeting.. As part of this, we will be examining the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce's recent report on diversity. As details, including presenters, are confirmed, they will be updated on the website. If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP to info@wmsbf.org by Wednesday, April 8.
Bus access to the event via The Rapid's Routes 13 (East Fulton) and 6 (Cherry/Woodland)
SUSTAINABILITY EVENTSPierce Cedar Creek Institute’s 7th Annual Renewable Energy Conference March 21, 2009 :: Hastings, MI
Energy issues are a critical concern facing both our environment and economy. To help homeowners, students, and other members of the public understand the issues surrounding energy consumption in Michigan, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute will be presenting its 7th Annual Renewable Energy Conference. A variety of speakers and topics will be featured at the conference, highlighting ways to save energy and reduce the environmental impact of the energy we use. The break-out sessions will highlight green building practices, renewable energy for homes and businesses, and career opportunities in renewable energy. A display area will allow participants to interact directly with vendors and non-profit organizations. The conference is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge of renewable energy and meet other like-minded individuals.
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is a non-profit environmental education center in Hastings, MI, centrally located between Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Lansing.
Cost: Members $35 | Non-Members $40 | Students $15 Registration includes lunch and other refreshments.
For more information and a complete agenda, visit us at http://www.cedarcreekinstitute.org
In keeping with its solid commitment to Green Cleaning and Sustainability, Muskegon-based Nichols will host an all-day Green Facilities Conference on Wednesday, March 25th, at Calvin College’s Prince Conference Center in Grand Rapids. The keynote speaker will be Norman Christopher, Director of Sustainability of Grand Valley State University a regional leader on the forefront of Sustainability.
The focus of the March 25th conference will be on educating Nichols’ customers and others about maintaining healthy buildings while still protecting the environment. In addition to Christophers’s presentation, the event will include more than 20 educational workshops led by national, state, and local speakers. Some of the workshops presented will be What’s New with LEED EB Operation and Maintenance, LEED and Life Cycle Analysis, Commissioning as a Conservation Method and Making Money Tool, Beyond Clean: Advanced Environmental Discussion for Executives, Custodial GS-32 Certification, Marketing Your Green Story, Green Product Standards and Certifications, Stormwater Management: Why You Should Care , among others including several case studies of local sustainable organizations.
The cost for the Green Facilities Conference is $75 per person, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Anyone who is interested in attending may register by visiting the Nichols Web site at www.enichols.com/greenconference or calling Nichols at 800-442-0213, extension 111.
GOVERNMENT ACTION AND GREEN MARKET STRATEGY
Next practices win every time. Leading-edge strategy meets market intelligence as we exchange insights on what the Obama administration’s approach means for the world of clean tech, alternative energy, carbon management and other sustainability-related markets. Join us for engaging conversation and innovative roundtables facing the future. Featured participants:
Honorable Kathleen A. McGinty
Mr. Mark LaCroix
Dr. Craig Miller
Mr. Michael Peck
Mr. Kelly Slikkers
$125 Registration, includes lunch ($100 for AQ Corporate Partners & WMSBF Members) Corporate Group Discounts Available. Web Registration and Information: www.centerforsustainability.org/exchange.php For more information: 616.632.1994
Download the flyer here Michigan Energy Conference
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.
Visit http://www.ferris.edu/MEC/ for more information
Embracing a Green Future The Right Place, Inc./MMTC-West is hosting this event featuring sessions lead by manufacturers who have seen the power of sustainable business practices first-hand. Their presentations will give you specific tools and strategies in areas such as: Environmental Management Systems, Product/Service Design, Facilities, Purchasing/Supply Chain, Operations, Packaging, and more. Your conference admission also includes your choice of two of our intensive, half-day workshops: · Green Materials and Chemistry · Carbon Management 101 · Green Marketing Guidelines Featuring Keynote Presentations by:· Nancy Hickey, Senior Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer, Steelcase Inc. · Gary Hirshberg, President/CEO, Stonyfield Farm · Doug DeVos, President, Amway Corp. For more information, visit http://www.rightplace.org/events/green-future/
Join us as at Aquinas College as we gather West Michigan's leading businesses to share best practices and take steps towards the Triple Bottom Line (economic, social, and environmental). Start off the day by helping to define sustainability for our community and businesses, listen to keynote speaker Craig Throne (VP of Global Marketing for Merrell and Patagonia Footwear) as he describes the lessons Patagonia's learned along the way, select from eight hands-on sessions, and wrap up the day by networking with other attendees. This is an event not-to-be-missed!
For more information, visit http://www.localfirst.com/calendar/123
The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) is now accepting registrations for the “Green Today, Jobs Tomorrowu201D; conference to be held on May 11, 2009 at the Lansing Center. The registration form is at available online at www.michigan.gov/greenjobsconference.
The conference is a once in a lifetime opportunity for everybody to play a role in devising the strategy to create a vibrant green economy in Michigan. The conference is aimed at partners from the renewable energy, environmental, workforce, and economic development communities, as well as labor, education, student, community and faith-based leaders. The conference will highlight what green jobs are coming and what training is needed for these jobs. The conference will feature dynamic national leaders soon to be announced.
Interested participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible since space is limited and to take advantage of the early registration fee of $110 offered through March 15. The registration fee increases to $135 for registrations submitted between March 16 and the May 4th cutoff date. Registration on the day of the event, if still available, will be $185.
Members wishing to have an event included in this newsletter must submit their notice to info@wmsbf.org by the end of the day on Friday, April 3.
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