|
 Greetings!
VBSR's 2008 Fall Conference planning is in full swing! Save the date for Thursday, October 30, at the Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro. Spread the word among your business colleagues. The event is open to the public.
2008 FALL CONFERENCE
The Power of Our Choices:
How Responsible Business Decisions
Can Leverage Change
This year's conference will feature:
- A plenary session on our public policy advocacy work focusing on two important topics: 1 - economic sustainability through development of local food production and local energy generation and - 2 - Vermont's future energy supply, and the role of nuclear energy and Vermont Yankee
- Four workshops, each addressing the power of business decisions in the areas of money practices, community and civic engagement, use of resources, and how leadership is distributed within the company
- Recognition of three Vermont legislators for their outstanding leadership on energy, health care and workforce development
- A pre-conference public policy forum
- Plenty of networking opportunities
- Great-tasting, locally provided food and coffee
- An invaluable opportunity for you to share practical ideas with your business peers
- And of course a keynote speaker to be announced...
For sponsorship information, please visit our conference page, and contact Rita at ritab@vbsr.org no later than September 15.
Look for our printed brochure in your mail in early October, spread the word in your community and to your business peers, and we hope to see you there!
Thank you,
Rita Bevacco
Program and Events Manager
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
ritab@vbsr.org
802.862.8347
|
| Networking, Social Responsibility and Service Events |
Save the Date for the VBSR Fall Conference!8:30 - 5:00,
Thurs, Oct 30, Latchis Theatre, BrattleboroVBSR Get-Together Hosted by Common Ground Center5:30 - 7:30, Tues, Aug 26, Common Ground Center, StarksboroTo register or for more information call 802-862-8347 or e-mail info@vbsr.org. VBSR Get-Together Hosted by Smuggler's Notch5:30 - 7:30, Thurs, Sep 18, Smuggler's Notch, JeffersonvilleTo register or for more information call 802-862-8347 or e-mail info@vbsr.org. 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 ritab@vbsr.org |
| VBSR 2008 Public Policy Forums |
We hope you will join us at a public policy forum in your area as we get together with our legislators to discuss our public policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
Northwest VT Public Policy Forum
Gubernatorial Candidates Invited for Debate
Thurs, Sept 25, 8 - 11 am
Main Street Landing Film House
Sponsored by Main Street Landing
Southwest VT Public Policy Forum
Wed, Oct 8, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Northshire Bookstore, 4869 Main St., Manchester Ctr
Sponsored by Northshire Bookstore
Northeast VT Public Policy Forum
Thurs, Oct 16, 8 - 10 am
Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, St. Johnsbury
Co-Sponsored by Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium and Barry Lawson Associates
Central VT Public Policy Forum
Mon, Oct 20, 3 -5 pm
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Facility, Waterbury
Local Host- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Southeast VT Public Policy Forum
Thurs, Oct 30, 7:30-8:45 am (prior to the fall conference)
Latchis Hotel, 50 Main Street, Brattleboro |
VBSR Public Policy Priorities
|
 Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Says No To Vermont Yankee
During the 2008 Legislative Session, VBSR was the only business association to testify for the decommissioning bill that was later vetoed by Gov. Jim Douglas. This July, consistent with VBSR's position, the NRC turned down Vermont Yankee's plans to use money from the decommissioning fund for nuclear waste management. Read the AP article as reported by David Gram below:
Entergy's Plan to Raid Decommissiong Fund Shot Down by NRC
July 18, 2008
By Dave Gram Associated Press
MONTPELIER - Federal regulators have turned down the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant's plan to use some of the money from its decommissioning fund for management of the plant's nuclear waste, and say the plant has been overestimating the fund's likely earnings.
Entergy had been hoping to use some of the money from its decommissioning fund - already hundreds of millions of dollars short of what it needs, by some estimates - to cover the costs of storing and disposing of highly radioactive spent fuel from the Vernon reactor.
But in a notice made public Thursday, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Entergy failed "to provide reasonable assurance the spent fuel management withdrawals would not inhibit the ability of the licensee to complete radiological decommissioning."
Read more...
VBSR Study Committee and Policy Group Updates
The VBSR policy committee launched its work on two study committees this summer/fall. The topics are:
- Economic Sustainability Through Development of Local Food Production and Local Energy Generation
- Vermont's Future Energy Supply- The Role of Nuclear Energy and Vermont Yankee
The Economic Sustainability Group is co-chaired by Will Raap of Gardener's Supply, and George Schenk of American Flatbread. The Energy Supply Group is chaired by Michael Burak of Burak, Anderson and Melloni. Go to VBSR's Economic Sustainability Page or VBSR's Energy Page to view the work of these committees to date.
To get involved in the public policy group, contact Andrea Cohen at andreac@vbsr.org. |
|
| Member Services Corner
|
Mentor Matches Among VBSR Members on the Horizon
VBSR members interested in becoming business mentors or obtaining a business mentor should contact Member Services Coordinator, Lisa Curtis. Lisa is getting ready to form mentor relationships among VBSR's membership. If you have ideas about areas you would like to be mentored in, or would like to among the first matches, contact Lisa at lisac@vbsr.org or call 802-862-8347 for more information.
|
| VBSR Intern Matches Create Benefits for All Involved
|
VBSR has succcessfully placed 12 interns with VBSR members! We are now getting ready for fall and spring placements. If you are interested in taking part in this program that connects students approaching graduation with Vermont opportunities, contact VBSR's Intern Program Coordinator, Tara Pfeiffer-Norrell at tarap@vbsr.org or call 802-862-8347. Visit VBSR's Intern Program Page for details. Picture: Laura and Dan worked for VEIC.
|
Matching Green with Greenbacks
|
By Joel Banner Baird
Free Press Staff Writer
August 18, 2008 Greg Strong would be the first to tell you that he doesn't have the only solution. But the company he founded in 2002, Burlington-based Spring Hill Solutions LLC, aims to be an indispensable partner in the quest for carbon-smarts in an energy-strapped business climate. Spring Hill Solutions fills a unique consultancy niche in what is commonly known as the "eco-econ" trade - where green and greenbacks harmonize and where zeal meets the bottom line. The company's expertise, Strong said last week, is helping clients bring methodical sense to their ever-expanding options. "There are water specialists, sustainable-energy folks; people who specialize in problems with waste management or public policy," Strong said. "What we try to do is bring it all together." Spring Hill Solutions begins by calculating a company's energy use. Read more...
|
| Woodbury College, Champlain College Announce Merger
|
 BURLINGTON, Vt. (Aug. 14, 2008) - The leaders of Champlain College and Woodbury College announced today that they have signed a letter of intent to merge and create The Woodbury Institute at Champlain College beginning fall 2008. "We have found a wonderful partner whose culture, infrastructure, and support will allow us to capitalize on numerous and significant opportunities," said Woodbury College President Larry Mandell. Champlain College President David Finney agreed. "Over the course of its 33-year history, Woodbury has established itself as one of the nation's premier institutions of higher education in the critically important areas of legal studies, mediation, and advocacy." Read more...
|
| Engineering Ventures, Inc. Announces Recent Awards
|
On Thursday, June 5, 2008, Engineering Ventures, Inc. was awarded the Grand Award for Structures from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Vermont, for their structural work at the Dudley H. Davis Student Center, at the University of Vermont.
The 186,000 square foot building was also awarded LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Ninety two percent of all construction waste from the project was reused or recycled.
The civil work performed by Engineering Ventures, Inc. for a new snow making system at Cochran's Ski Area was awarded a Certificate of Merit for Water Resources. Cochran's Ski Area is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit organization offering ski and snowboard programs for children and families.
Read more...
|
groSolar Acquires Chesapeake Solar
|
North American Solar Energy Leader Strengthens Mid-Atlantic Base
 by Vermont Business Magazine on Jul 8th, 2008 July 8, 2008 - White River Jct., VT - groSolar, North America's premier provider of solar energy solutions, announced today the acquisition of Chesapeake Solar, a leading installer of solar energy systems in the Mid-Atlantic region. The acquisition makes groSolar one of the nation's largest solar energy providers and extends the company's reach, enabling groSolar to install more solar solutions on more homes and businesses in its effort to fight climate change and save customers money on energy costs. Read more...
|
Draker Laboratories Secures Capital and Partners For Upcoming Product Launch
|
Draker Laboratories (Draker) announces a series of partnerships and the securing of a significant investment today. These partnerships and investment greatly improves Draker's ability to grow the company's position in the renewable energy monitoring industry.
This exciting development includes strategic alliances with Campbell Scientific and the Nathaniel Group as well as investments from FreshTracks Capital II L.P and the State of Vermont through its Clean Energy Development Fund.
Draker is now on track to complete the development of a next generation renewable energy monitoring product that will be unveiled at the Solar Power 2008 conference in San Diego, CA this fall. Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
Newsletter Sponsorship
|
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING VBSR'S NEWSLETTER? E-mail info@vbsr.org or call 802-862-8347 to secure a space today. |
|
|
VBSR Bookshelf
|
Equipped to Lead
Managing People, Process, Partners, and Performance
by Dan Sanders
and Galen Walters
VBSR Bookshelf Information Courtesy of Northshire Bookstore:
|
|
Child Care Center Grant Funds
|
Thinking about starting, relocating, expanding or improving a child care center facility?
The Vermont Community Loan Fund is now accepting applications for its Building Bright Futures Funding.
Applications due by 3pm September 15.
Read Press Release
|
or go directly to
www.VCLF.org
VCLF also has many other grants and lending programs for Vermont businesses.
|
Spread the Word!
|
Tell your employees and co-workers:
|
Deadline
SEPT 2nd
for 2007
Renter Rebate!
If you rented for 12 months in 2007, you may be eligible for a renter rebate if you apply by the deadline.
Forms needed:
PR-141
HI-144
Download Forms
or Request Forms and Information:
VT Dept of Taxes
866-828-2685
802-828-2865
|
CONTACT US
|
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 info@vbsr.org
Membership Information |
|
|
