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October 5, 2009 October meeting We will next be meeting on October 12 at Amway in Ada. There we will be exploring the current state of corporate sustainability. If you are interested in attending, please let m know at
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. More information can be found below. DIscovering Sustainability: A west Michigan COnversation Over the last twenty years West Michigan has demonstrated leadership in sustainability. We’re contacting thought leaders in the region in an effort to explore ways in which we further this momentum. Please join us Thursday, October 15 for Discovering Sustainability: A West Michigan Conversation. You will be joining a group of individuals who are taking action and influencing others in order to assure our region's financial prosperity, social equity and the integrity of our natural ecosystems. There is no cost to attend.
We will begin to capture the collection of our energy, vision and creativity that will help us move toward a conscious design — a design moving us to further sustainability in the region.
The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, and other partners are convening this daylong conversation, will be held from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Aquinas College’s Wege Center. Thanks to grant funding by the Tipping Point Network and the support of our host, the Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College, there is no registration fee, but all participants will be expected to engage others as we map our assets and activities – there will be several, small, break-out sessions and opportunities to discuss with similarly-minded organizations. More information can be found on the WMSBF website. HYATT Place Invites Members to LEED certification celEbration Please join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on October 22 in celebration of the Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-South becoming LEED Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. Tours will be offered showcasing our LEED features throughout the property. Download an invite here.
WEBSITE UPDATES I have updated member listings on the website. Please take a moment to check your information to ensure that it’s correct and email me with any edits, additions, or subtractions. As always, please feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Kyle Ten Broeke
NEW MEMBERS Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids is a social enterprise that uses self-generated revenue and leverages public support to fund employment and training programs for individuals with barriers to employment. PM Environmental serves Banks and other Lending Institutions, Developers, Commercial Realtors and Borrowers/Buyers of Commercial Real Estate by providing a full range of Environmental Due Diligence Services.
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS Amway :: 7575 East Fulton Ada (map)
October 12, 2009 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is a leading global provider of environmental, health and safety, risk, and social consulting services. ERM delivers innovative solutions for business and government clients, helping them understand and manage their impacts on the world around them. They have 137 offices in 39 countries and employ approximately 3,300 staff. ERM will present the current state of sustainability in corporations. This would include how companies are organizing sustainability programs, what strategies they are using, and goals they are setting. WMSBF Board member Eric Vandellen, will provide a detailed example of Corporate Sustainability programs at Amway. Rick will review current best practice at and lessons learned at Amway regarding corporate sustainability programs. Space is limited. If you would like to attend this meeting, you must register by email at
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by Wednesday, October 7. Cost of attending is $10. 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.
SUSTAINABILITY EVENTS
Discovering Sustainability: A West Michigan Conversation Thursdays October 15 :: Aquinas College Over the last twenty years West Michigan has demonstrated leadership in sustainability. We’re contacting thought leaders in the region in an effort to explore ways in which we further this momentum. Please join us Thursday, October 15 for Discovering Sustainability: A West Michigan Conversation. You will be joining a group of individuals who are taking action and influencing others in order to assure our region's financial prosperity, social equity and the integrity of our natural ecosystems. There is no cost to attend. We will begin to capture the collection of our energy, vision and creativity that will help us move toward a conscious design — a design moving us to further sustainability in the region. The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, and other partners are convenining this The daylong conversation, will be held from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Aquinas College’s Wege Center. Thanks to grant funding by the Tipping Point Network and the support of our host, the Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College, there is no registration fee, but all participants will be expected to engage others as we map our assets and activities – there will be several, small, break-out sessions and opportunities to discuss with similarly-minded organizations. While there is no charge to attend, there is a prerequisite. Please fill in this very brief online survey which has been designed to identify the strengths our region already possesses for this creative and collaborative endeavor. When you complete the survey, we will provide you with your complimentary pass. If you have questions, email Kyle Ten Broeke at
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or call (616) 723-0525. For additional information on this project, please call Marylu Dykstra at *(PHONE) or Deborah Steketee at 616.632.2930 Fall Fashion Show of the Most Fabulous and Unexpected in Eco Apparel! Saturday October 17, 5-8pm :: 141 Diamond SE Grand Rapids
Experience Clothing Matters’ World Class Collection of 29 sustainably manufactured product lines for men and women, at work and play, in perfect comfort and style.
Clothing Matters’ leadership in the industry of sustainably manufactured apparel is substantiated by their experience as manufacturers' reps, distributors and retailers. The store features a full showroom of workplace and promotional apparel for businesses and organizations to add a layer of sustainability to their practices, serving clients from Health and Medical; Building, Architecture, Engineering & Manufacturing; Colleges and Universities; Food, Farms & Restaurants; Environmental & Community Service Organizations & Churches. Open M, T, W, F, 10-6; Th. 10-7; Sat 10-5 616.742-2818 www.clothingmatters.net Hyatt Place LEED Certification Celebration Thursday, October 22 :: 2150 Metro Lane Wyoming Please join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in celebration of the Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-South becoming LEED Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. Tours will be offered showcasing our LEED features throughout the property. When: Thursday, October 22, 2009 Where: 2150 Metro Lane, Wyoming, MI 49519 Time: 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. RSVP by Friday, October 9, 2009-616-724-1234 extension 0. A paper invite can be downloaded here. We look forward to seeing you! Innovation Ecosystem 2009 – Driving Business Growth with proven Innovation Methods Tuesday October 27, 9am-4:30pm :: 41 Sheldon SE Grand Rapids Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT), an Israeli innovation coaching firm, will present a half day workshop to help participants enhance their innovation skills. Using a systematic process based on five innovation patterns, inventors can generate ideas that are both ingenious and viable. Attendees will also connect with local innovation resources and learn tips and techniques to successfully commercialize their ideas. Register for this event A Land Ethic for the 21st Century: Integrating Land Conservation and the Built Environment Thursday, October 29 :: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park The relationship between the Aldo Leopold land ethic and the built environment will be the focus of the 2009 Korth lecture as our speakers present the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center, designed by The Kubala Washatko Architects. The Legacy Center’s design incorporates the Aldo Leopold philosophy and sustainable features and was awarded Platinum LEED ® Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Featured Speakers: Buddy Huffaker, Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation Tom Kubala, Principal & Co-Founder of The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc.
Cost is $18 per person with registrations due by October 22. Download this flyer for more information and the registration form.
LEED Green Associate Study Group Mondays from 6:30-8pm :: 622 Godfrey SW Grand Rapids The U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan Chapter is offering a facilitated study group to prepare individuals for the challenging LEED Green Associate (GA) Examination. These study groups differ from instructor-led courses and rely on the strength of the facilitator and the active participation of the learners. Study group sessions are a combination of facilitated, peer-to-peer discussion and personal study and will provide participants with the ability to explain green building concepts and strategies, apply test-taking strategies, navigate exam structure and prepare them to sit for the exam. Study group participants should have the prerequisite knowledge of the subject matter covered in the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. They will also need study the content of the Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide, First Edition. This guide must be purchased separately through the USGBC website. This study group is not eligible towards GBCI’s LEED Professional Credential Maintenance Program (CMP). After successful completion of the study group, candidates may provide their Certificate of Completion in lieu of a letter of attestation to sit for the LEED Green Associate Exam. Classes will be held at the Tassell M-TEC located at 622 Godfrey Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503. Facilitated classes begin will meet bi-weekly from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on the following dates: 1.) October 5, 2009* 2.) October 19, 2009* 3.) November 2, 2009* 4.) November 16, 2009* *Additionally, participants will separate into smaller groups and meet for an additional 5 hours between classes. The total program includes 6 hours of facilitated group discussion and 20 hours for informal small group study. Registration Fees for the course: Due September 25th to avoid a late fee. Local USGBC Chapter Member $100.00 ea. See below for benefits of Local membership! Non-member $125.00 ea. Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide, First Edition (E-Book) $35.00 purchased separately This study group is registered for 24 LUs (HSW/SD) with AIA/CES, with three more if you take the LEED GA exam. Please include your AIA number with your registration if you wish to take advantage of this offer. Participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program satisfying eligibility requirements for the LEED Green Associate exam. More information, including the registration form can be downloaded here. Home Energy Savings Classes Tuesdays from 6pm-8pm :: 1100 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids Home Repair Services is offering FREE classes to help you discover how to save energy at home: October 27: Creating your Plan November 3: Fixing Air Leaks November 10:Understanding Appliances & Systems November 17:Healthy and Green More information can be found on the flyer here.
Members wishing to have an event included in this newsletter must submit their notice to
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by the end of the day on Friday, October 16.
Our website is being updated regularly, please visit www.wmsbf.org for more information. If you would like to unsubscribe from the WMSBF newsletter mailing list, you can do so here. Conversely, if you are currently receiving this newsletter indirectly, you may sign up to have it delivered to you directly here. |
