VBSR Logo Vermont
Businesses
for Social Responsibility
May
2008
E-News

2007 Employer Guide BannerThank you to all of you who were able to attend the 18th Annual VBSR Spring Conference! We hope you would agree that it was a successful event and an example of the growing voice of Vermont's Socially Responsible Business Community. The representation of Vermont businesses and their good work was truly humbling.  To view a sampling of pictures from the days events, scroll down or visit the archived Spring Conference page on our web-site.

Let us continue the important work of shaping Vermont's new economy together.  We hope to see you out on Lake Champlain on June 12 for the 2008 Terry Ehrich Awards Dinner.  Join us for cocktails, dinner, presentations, awards and dancing to the music of the Starline Rhythm Boys, aboard the Northern Lights Cruise Boat departing from the King Street Ferry Dock at 6:00 pm, returning at 9:30 pm.  Visit the event listing for more details.  To RSVP or ask questions, call the office 802-862-8347 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

We also hope you will find time to review VBSR's Strategic Plan for 2008 to 2011.  With the help of over 250 VBSR members and external stakeholders, we have crafted a common vision to carry us forward for the next three years.  Visit our Strategic Plan page to find out how to be part of this forward-motion.  I look forward to your contributions.

Finally, congratulations to the three finalists for the Deane C. Davis award presented annually by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce to an outstanding Vermont business.  All three are VBSR members - Small Dog Electronics, Chroma Technology, and this year's winner, Symquest Group.  Since the start of this award in 1990, 55% of the winners have been VBSR members!  Congratulations to all!

Sincerely,

Will's Signature

Will Patten

Executive Director, VBSR

In This Issue
VBSR's Strategic Plan - 2008-2011
VBSR Events
Public Policy Updates
Simply Perfect - LineSync Architecture in Mother Earth News
VEIC Welcomes New Executive Director
Renew Salvage - VPR Link
Small Dog's eWaste Collection Event a Success
King Arthur Flour is a Finalist in Multichannel Merchant Awards
VBSR Bookshelf - VBSR Keynoter's Book!
VBSR's Strategic Plan - 2008-2011
With the leadership of the Strategic Plan Advisory Group, and input from over 250 VBSR members as well as external stakeholders, VBSR has completed the writing of its three-year strategic plan! 

VBSR invites your participation as we work to execute the plan together:
Strategic Plan Advisory Group Members:
Jan Blittersdorf - NRG Systems, Inc.
Andrea Cohen - VBSR Policy Coordinator
Arne Hammerlund - Chittenden Bank
Melinda Moulton - Main Street Landing; VBSR Board
Jacob Park - Green Mountain College
Will Patten - VBSR Executive Director
Beth Sachs - VEIC; VBSR Board
George Schenk - American Flatbread; VBSR Board
Liz Schlegel - Found Line, Inc.
Stephanie Lahar, Andy Robinson - Assisting Consultants
Networking, Social Responsibility and Service Events
2008 Terry Ehrich Awards Dinner
Join us aboard the Northern Lights Cruise Boat!
Thurs, Jun 12, 2008, 6:00 - 9:30 pm, departing for Lake Champlain from the King Street ferry dock in Burlington.  Cocktails, dinner, awards, presentations and dancing to the music of the Starline Rhythm Boys!  Visit the event listing for details.  To register, call Rita Bevacco at 802-862-8347 or e-mail [email protected].

For a more complete listing of events helpful to your business, visit VBSR's Events Calendar.

If you are interested in sponsoring or hosting a VBSR event, contact Rita Bevacco at 802-862-8347 or at [email protected]

Past Event Pictures:
18th Annual VBSR Spring Conference

Workshop Business Panel

Racine Dostis Klein Cohen

Workshop


Gaye Symington and Will Patten

Anthony Pollina

Conference Attendees








Public Policy
Support for Nursing Mothers Bill Signed
Governor Douglas Thanks VBSR for Leadership

Nursing Mother Bill SigningThursday, May 16, the Governor signed a bill into law that will require support for nursing mothers in their workplaces.  VBSR has followed and supported this bill. 

Employers wishing to be added to the list of "Breastfeeding Employers," should visit the Vermont Department of Health's Breastfeeding Friendly Employers Page

Simply Perfect
Straw Bale Home
Article about Straw Bale Home by LineSync Architecture in 'Mother Earth News'

by Karen Olson on May 1st, 2008

Set on 22 acres in Wilmington, Vt., Michele and Dale Doucette's 3,200 square foot straw bale house fits right into the landscape.  Native stones around the base of the stucco perimeter connect the house to the earth. Locally sourced timber and straw bales make up the frame and walls.  The indigo metal roof mirrors the surrounding mountain peaks at dusk.

Although it took five years to plan their house and another two to build it, Michele and Dale agree it was worth the wait.   When imagining their home, the Doucettes knew they wanted to live close to nature's cycles and to conserve energy.  They read everything they could about solar power, visited many straw bale homes and decided to go off the electrical grid. 

To transform their ideas into workable blueprints, they turned to architect Joseph Cincotta of LineSync Architecture, a longtime friend who also lives in Wilmington.  "The design evolved from Michele and Dale's initial idea of having separate work and living spaces to one barn-like structure that houses both efficiently," Cincotta says.  Michele's chiropractic office and Dale's woodworking shop both are located on the main floor.

Read more and download pdf with pictures...
 
VEIC Welcomes New Executive Director 

The Board of Directors of Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) is delighted to announce that Scott Johnstone of Burlington, Vermont will become its new Executive Director in June 2008.  VEIC is a non-profit energy services organization, best known for operating Efficiency Vermont; Vermont's nationally-acclaimed statewide energy efficiency utility.

"VEIC sought a new Executive Director to lead it through its next phase of development as the urgency and demand for energy services grow," says Chip Stone, VEIC's Board President, "and we have found that leader in Scott Johnstone." Scott brings a wealth of wisdom and experience from his roles in both the private and public sectors in Vermont.

Read more...
Brattleboro Company Specializes in "De-construction"
Renew LogoTuesday March 11, 2008
Susan Keese, Brattleboro, VT


Brattleboro's ReNew Building Materials and Salvage is one of several businesses around the state aimed at finding new uses for construction and demolition waste. Its founder and the dozen or so people that work there specialize in the gentle art of DE-construction.

To listen to this VPR story go to:  http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/79674/
Small Dog and Partners Hold eWaste Collection Event

Small Dog ElectronicsTotal Waste Collected Triple Last Year!

Small Dog Electronics with VBSR-member partners, Ben & Jerry's, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Seventh Generation, Chittenden Bank and Chittenden Solid Waste District held a free eWaste collection event on Saturday, April 19th.

This was the 2nd Annual event. In 2007, Small Dog Electronics collected over 50 tons of eWaste at their Earth Day event.  This year, the total is expected to exceed 150 tons.  That is 300,000 pounds of eWaste kept out of our states landfills! Many thanks to our partners in this year's event!
King Arthur Flour is Finalist in Multichannel Merchant Awards

King Arthur FlourEmployee-Owned Company's Web Site, Catalogue Recognized

April 21, 2008
Norwich, VT


King Arthur Flour's catalogue and Web site have been selected as finalists in several categories of the 23rd Annual Multichannel Merchant Awards, sponsored by Multichannel Merchant magazine.

King Arthur Flour is a finalist in the Cross-Channel Business-to-Consumer category; and its Web site, kingarthurflour.com, and Holiday Preview 2007 catalogue are finalists in the Consumer Specialty Products category for Web and Print Channels, respectively.

Read more...

Our Newsletter Sponsors:
Ef VT Click Here logo

Efficiency Vermont
888-921-5990
www.EfficiencyVermont.org



Front Porch Forum Logo

VBSR members now receive a 10% discount on purchase of advertising on Front Porch Forum.

802-540-0069

www.frontporchforum.com



INTERESTED IN SPONSORING VBSR'S NEWSLETTER?  E-mail Michele Denault-Reynolds at [email protected] or call 802-862-8347 to secure a space today.


Welcome New
VBSR Members!
Career Networks
 
Middlebury Natural Foods Co-Op
 
The Mac Doctor, Inc.
 
Encore Redevelopment
 
Plainfield Flower
 
Vermont Soapworks
 
Kelliher Samets Volk
 
VIT (Vermont Interactive Television)
 
123 Pilates
 
Southern Vermont College

VBSR Bookshelf
Climate Crisis

By Nigel Hawkes


Climate Crisis Book

*Book recommended by keynote speaker, John Abrams at 2008 VBSR Spring Conference

VBSR Bookshelf Information Courtesy of Northshire Bookstore:

2007 Employer Guide Banner
CONTACT US
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60 Lake Street, Suite 3G
Burlington, VT 05401
802-862-8347

Our mission is to foster a business ethic in Vermont that recognizes the opportunity and responsibility of the business community to set a high standard for protecting the natural, human, and economic environments of our citizens.

We are commited to a multiple bottom line approach to business that values people, planet and profit.  For more information about our organization visit [email protected]

Membership Information
VEOC Logo
Sixth Annual Employee
Ownership Conference

Friday, June 6, 2008
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Champlain College, Burlington, VT

www.veoc.org