MONTHLY MEETING
Next Monday, a representative from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will be presenting on grant and other funding opportunities established with recent stimulus legislation.  Chris Byrnes of Viability will also address the group regarding grant-writing,  We do not have room confirmation, but the meeting will likely be held at GRCC.  I will send a notice, and the agenda, once our meeting place is confirmed.  If you are interested in attending the June 8 monthly meeting, please RSVP to info@wmsbf.org by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4.  More information can be found below or on our website.
 

WMSBF SCHOLARSHIP GOLF OUTING

The date has been set for our third annual golf outing in support of the WMSBF’s Sustainability Scholarship.  The outing replaces our usual monthly meeting on August 10 and will be held at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Ada.  This is the sole funding source for this $5000 award that this year went to Brett Little at Aquinas College.  To make this happen, we need golfers and sponsors.  You can find more information, including sign-up forms, here.

MICHIGAN GREEN CHEMISTRY GOVERNOR'S AWARD

The deadline for students to apply to the Michigan Green Chemistry Governor's Award competition has been extended to July 15, 2009. The awards were announced by the Green Chemistry Roundtable and will honor industrial, academic, student, and non-profit efforts to green Michigan's economy. The award program is open to individuals, groups, and organizations in Michigan, both nonprofit and for profit, including academia, educators, nonprofit advocacy groups, and industry. Award recipients will be honored at a special dinner at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit on September 24.

More information, including the press release, save the date, and sponsorship possibilities for the dinner can be found on the WMSBF website here.

SUSTAINABILITY TESTIMONIALS WANTED

The Right Place is collecting substantiated sustainability firsts, large and small, to be used to help promote the region for attracting talent and investment.  Please help in this endeavor by sending the points of pride you are aware of from your organization or elsewhere that should be on the list to Dan Fase, Right Place Intern, at fasedan@gmail.com.

Similarly, the WMSBF Outreach Committee is seeking testimonials from members who have successfully implemented ideas and practices as a result of their participation with the WMSBF.  Please send your success stories to Vicki Kellough at vkellough@grpress.com.

WMSBF PARTICIPATION

Finally, if you would like to take a more active role in committees, or if your organization would like to sponsor future meetings, please contact me at kyle@wmsbf.org and I will assist you in finding the best options for you.

As always, please feel free to email me if you have any questions. 

Kyle Ten Broeke

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

GRCC :: Room to be announced this week
June 8, 2009 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

A representative from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will be presenting on grant and other funding opportunities established with recent stimulus legislation.  Chris Byrnes of Viability will also address the group regarding grant-writing, 

If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP to info@wmsbf.org by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 4.l address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

There is a $10 arrangement 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.

The Sustainable Business and Design committees will meet the hour before.

SUSTAINABILITY EVENTS

Corp! Michigan’s Premier Green Networking Event

June 16, 2009 :: Davenport University  Grand Rapids, MI

This all inclusive event will encourage networking and an opportunity to tell others about what you are doing in the green sector. Whether its energy, conservation, manufacturing, or the like, what we all have in common is conservation. The purpose of this event is to learn from others, engage in dialogue and to shine a light in a positive Green industry in Michigan. The focus will be to make the right connection to move your green initiatives forward. Attendees will be from all areas of the State and from all Green industry sectors.

For more information, or to register, please visit www.corpmagazine.com/EventsandCommunity/Events/tabid/78/itemid/577/Default.aspx

 Virtual Energy Forum

June 24 & 25 :: Online

 The Virtual Energy Forum is a free, two day online-only event focused on how leading companies can adopt better energy management practices to cut costs, while at the same time adopting clean energy alternatives -- presenting alternative energy technologies, policies, and best practices in a live, interactive environment. The event is designed to meet the needs of corporate energy executives in a way that is not possible with physical events, webinars or other means.

 Virtual Energy Forum will include speakers, track presentations, virtual booths and informational resources from the top institutions and individuals in the field.

Presentations will cover the following tracks:
 - Keynotes
 - Global Energy Projects
 - Utility Profiles
 - Renewable Energy
 - Energy Management
 - Smart Buildings

The Virtual Energy Forum features:

·         Live streaming video presentations from alternative energy thought leaders with the opportunity for attendees to ask questions of these experts in real-time

·         Industry-specific tracks of live video and panel presentations that will present green case studies in industries such as consumer products, healthcare, government, education, retail and high technology

·         A virtual exhibit floor and virtual booths featuring several of the leading technology product and service providers

·         Live chat among attendees and exhibitors, with the opportunity to easily exchange contact information and collect materials in a virtual briefcase

·         Meet-the-Expert live video chats that will provide attendees access to experts in specific energy areas

·         An emerging technology showcase featuring award winning companies with green products or services

To register, please visit http://www.virtualenergyforum2008.com/en_CA/guest/app-registration/referral=WMSBF

Michigan Green Chemistry Conference

September 25, 2009 :: Fort Shelby/Detroit Downtown DoubleTree

The first annual Michigan Green Chemistry Conference will transform knowledge into action and action into results. Leading experts in the field of business technology, chemistry, engineering, and business process improvement will inspire and inform as Michigan business leaders construct an infrastructure for advancing and sustaining green products and processes.

This results-oriented conference will be highly interactive, providing a multi-level knowledge approach to green chemistry and product and process design. Participants will receive fact-based informative strategies, tactics, tools, and resources and develop a first level action plan to incorporate knowledge gained into their business model. 

You can invest in Michigan’s future by sponsoring and attending this event. By doing so, you will share the floor with key stakeholders who are committed to moving Green Chemistry forward to benefit Michigan’s economy, environment, and overall health.

 Sponsor and Registration Forms Online at www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops

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, June 12.

Our website is being updated regularly, please visit www.wmsbf.org for more information.