WMSBF June 9^th Meeting

Introductions:

Marylu Dysktra: Thank you for coming. Marylu gave a brief run-through of meeting agenda and format

The Group introduced themselves in a roundtable format

Presentation: GRAM
            Shane Napper, Project manager for GRAM, presented a preface of what went on during the construction and development of the GRAM. Showed Video describing the Green Design of the GRAM, video used for educational purposes. Video reviews the aspects of the GRAM that make it LEED Certified under a Gold Rating.

Three main issues around GRAM LEED Certification:

• Water Management
  • All Restrooms run on recycled water
  • Has 18,000 gallon water cistern to keep rainwater
• Lighting
  • Lantern Skylights, can use both natural and artificial light, based upon the needs of the artwork in that region
• Maintain the Atmosphere in the Museum
  • Keeping the Museum at 60-70 degrees and at a constant humidity
  • Use rainwater to maintain humidity

30% of GRAM Store inventory is environmentally friendly. There s bicycle storage but no parking lots. The GRAM has implemented Green Cleaning policy. The GRAM continues the push for sustainability through its education courses (ie. “The Art of Fine Dining”) that encourages environmentally friendly living.

Q& A session

What filters on Rain Water?

            Straining system, tried not to use chemicals

CO2 Monitoring system?

            While CO2 monitoring system is widely used, the GRAM is the first of its kind to sync that system to the HVAC system

Is this cost effective?

While initial costs are very but based upon the materials used and the recycling programs the long term effectiveness will have be highly effective especially in terms of cost.

Best Practice Presentation: Tom Mulligan

            Tom Mulligan, Reentry Employment Resource Center, presented an overview of the RERC. There needs to be a stronger emphasis on looking at Social action on the Local level rather than International, in addition there should be social action on the corporate level rather than worker level.

• Social Process of the RERC:
  • Traditionally Seen as the realm of Corporate Culture
    • Values of Diversity, inclusion and volunteerism
  • Hiring Certified Former Offenders
    • You provide an opportunity for them to reintegrate
    • Increase tax base in the community
    • Reducing recidivism
    • Decrease cost of incarceration

With the increase of the ideal of “getting tough on crime. Because of this crime did not increase rather policy reforms meant more people were being sent to and staying incarcerated.

Two Aspects of Organizations helping former offenders

• Case Management
  • Provides resume development, interview skills, workshops, etc.
• Job Placement

RERC pulls together a network of employers that will hire individuals that have passed through a certification process that RERC has created.

RERC Certification process:

• Individuals Apply and Interview to RERC
• If Individuals express strong interest in completing the RERC program they will be asked to join for eventual RERC certification
• Next steps include workshops, Orientation, and education on how to reintegrate into a Self- Governing Life.
• Individuals then move into Transitional Work Experience that places them into the workforce for a short period of time.
• After this employment period if they have shown good work then they will be RERC Certified and will continue to be certified as long as individuals maintain good standing with employers.

RERC acts as a conduit between agencies and employers. RERC’s primary responsibilities are employer recruitment and job placement. RERC is trying to promote policy reform that creates an agency that deals with the development of a community of employers that will hire former offenders.  

• How to get involved
  • Hire One
  • Build the Network
  • Join the Employer Advisory Group
  • Join the Board

What do we need to overcome the problems of hiring former offenders?

            How do you train the employer?

                        No formal training except 1 on 1 discussions

• Trust-factor would be a major factor, not could they do a good job but would they do a good job
• Safety, if they were convicted of robbery would one have to be worried about the money.
• What is there to provide credibility to the RERC certification process
• Rockford Construction: There are employer rights, the RERC certification helps redeem any lost credibility and give them a possibility  that otherwise did not exist

“Hidden rules of Class at work” – Ruby Pane

August 11^th – Annual Golf Outing

Statewide SBF Meeting

WMEAC/WMSBF Executive Director –

Save Your Ash!  WMEAC is working toward a campaign to educate area residents about their opportunitites to treat and save their Ash Trees from the Emerald Ash Borer.  WMEAC can be of assistance to forum members – as individuals and/or businesses who would like to participate in the campaign and Save Their Ash!  More information is available at www.saveyourashgr.org

Project Light Change – WMEAC and Sustainable Research Group received $100,000 from the Michigan Public Service Commission to:

1. Promote the use of energy efficient products,
2. Deliver 20,000 CFL bulbs to 4 towns/neighborhoods in the region
3. Create and market a robust network of businesses and governmental hazardous waste sites for the safe connection of the  mercury in CFL bulbs.

Business involvement will be needed and more information will be available as the project launches in the Fall, 2008.  Stay tuned!

Announcements-

USGBC is hosting LEED for existing Building Workshop July 25^th

Bill Foley  the Right Place “Embracing Green Manufacturing Workshop”

June 12^th GV metro council –sustainable ASK RACHEL

June 14^th, 17^th, 19^th - WMEAC Volunteer Training for “Save your Ash” Campaign

Michigan Renewable Energy Fair- FOUND OUT DATE