We suffer a Boom and Bust Economy.  The Busts, like this Great Recession, follow Booms that are often built on inflated currencies that represent artificial.  Junk bonds, securitized mortgages, credit default swaps and derivatives all flew around the globe creating great wealth for the few just before the Bust reliably impoverished the many.

This year, VBSR is introducing to North America a business-to-business exchange program that has flourished in Europe for decades. It's called The VBSR Marketplace but I like to think of it as Currency 3.0.

The Marketplace is a web-based exchange for VBSR members to purchase products and services from other VBSR members with trade credits earned from selling products and services to other VBSR members.  We are currently busy recruiting Founding Members to jump-start the exchanges but every VBSR member will have access to the Marketplace when it is launched in a couple of months.

We've partnered with Amy Kirschner of Vermont Sustainable Exchange to manage this program. To learn more about it or to contact Amy, please visit The Marketplace web site.

PLEASE NOTE THE 2010 SPRING CONFERENCE and TERRY EHRICH AWARD DINNER DATE CHANGES!
2010 Spring Conference
Monday, May 17, 2010; 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Hilton Hotel; Burlington, VT
For more information on sponsoring the conference, visit our web site conference page.
Terry Ehrich Award Dinner
Sunday evening, May 16, 2010; 5:45 - 9:30 pm
Northern Lights Cruise Boat, Lake Champlain
See the announcement below for details on submitting a nomination for this year's award winner.

VBSR Networking Get-Together hosted by
Black River Produce
Thursday, February 25, 2010; 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Black River Produce, 449 River Street, N. Springfield, VT
For more details visit our web site event listing.
To RSVP or for help with carpooling, please contact VBSR at 802/862-8347 or info@vbsr.org.

 
VBSR Networking Get-Together hosted by
Maple Landmark Woodcraft
Thursday, March 25, 2010; 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Maple Landmark Woodcraft, 1297 Exchange Street, Middlebury, VT
To sponsor this event, please contact Rita Bothfeld at ritab@vbsr.org or 802/862-8347 no later than Wednesday, March 3.

2010 Legislative Reception a Great Success
The annual VBSR Legislative Reception was a tremendous success, and we want to thank our members and the legislators who attended. Once again we packed the venue, reminding us that interest in networking between members and legislators continues to be an important priority.  Special thanks again to our reception sponsors, Washington Electric Cooperative
National Life Group, and Kimbell Sherman Ellis, LLP, who continue to support this important event.

VBSR and ENVY--Your Business Voice Needs To Be Heard!
The Vermont Senate will be voting Wednesday on whether to extend the operating period of Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee beyond 2012. VBSR has been urging legislators to "vote no". As you may recall, back in December 2008 VBSR adopted an energy supply policy that outlined conditions that needed to be met before VBSR would support extension of ENVY's license--those conditions have not been met.

It is critical that Senators hear from their business constituents that ENVY is not a reliable or cost-effective solution to our long-term energy needs, and that it should close in 2012 as scheduled. Please take a few minutes to contact your legislator before the vote this Wednesday. Please contact Andrea Cohen, Public Policy Manager, if you would like more information.
There are many voices of business in Vermont--make sure yours is heard.

You can follow us on Twitter at VBSRPolicy for quick daily updates.

Owen Milne comes to the VBSR team with a strong background in business development, experience working with socially responsible organizations and a specialty in sustainable workplace design. As the Development Director with VBSR, Owen will grow the membership, cultivate the current members and help develop tools to support Vermont's socially responsible business community. In addition to his work with VBSR, Owen Milne sits on the Board of Directors at VGBN (VT Green Building Network) and is a member of the GCEPD (Governor's Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities). Welcome, Owen!

Who Do You Know?
Each year VBSR honors an outstanding member with the Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business. Named for the late owner of Hemmings Motor News and founder of the First Day Foundation, the Terry Ehrich Award is given annually to a person who exemplifies Terry's commitment to the environment, workplace and community. The award will be presented at the VBSR Annual Awards dinner on Sunday, May 16, 2010. Deadline for nominations is February 28, 2010. Please visit our web site event listing for more information and to submit your nomination.

Tune in here for current news about Local First Vermont and other local economies features...

Local First Vermont is offering a very exciting opportunity to all locally-owned, independent businesses in Chittenden County--a LOCAL coupon book.

The Local First Coupon Book will feature savings in the form of coupons, a place to tell your story, a business directory, and educational materials on ways to "Be Local" and support local businesses while visiting and living in Vermont.

SECURE YOUR SPACE TODAY!!!! Visit the Local First Coupon Book website for more information or contact Lisa Curtis at lisac@vbsr.org.

Karen Duguay, the Marketing and Public Affairs Manager at Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) in Burlington recently added Rebecca Cohen, University of Vermont (UVM) senior, to her Marketing team. CCTA hired Rebecca, their first "formal" paid intern through VBSR's Vermont Intern Program.  "I was impressed with all the candidates sent to me from VBSR, but Rebecca really stood out," Karen said,  "We are so glad to have an intern at CCTA because our to-do list is longer than we can finish. An intern is not only affordable, but mutually beneficial for the student and the business." Read more about CCTA's experience working with the Vermont Intern Program...

The Vermont Leadership Institute Now Accepting Applications to the Class of 2011
The Snelling Center for Government invites members of the public, non-profit, and private sectors to apply for admission to the Vermont Leadership Institute. The application process is highly competitive, with up to twenty-six associates selected on the basis of their professional achievements, demonstrated interest in the community, and potential for leadership. The application deadline is March 22, 2010. For more details, please visit the Snelling Center's web site.

Rhino Foods to Receive Over $1.2 Million in Loan Assistance Through Recovery Act Funds
USDA has allocated $452 million in loan guarantees to assist 130 rural businesses through funding made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and Vermont company Rhino Foods has been awarded over $1.2 million in loan assistance. According to Ted Castle, President of Rhino Foods, the funding will help them to expand their capacity for new production as well as increase workplace safety initiatives. "These loan guarantee funds will help us to expand and to put additional procedures in place to allow us to produce products more quickly and efficiently, cutting down on costs and making our company more competitive," said Castle. "Rhino Foods is known for its socially responsible business practices and these funds will help us to continue supporting the local economy." Read more...

VBSR a Partner for Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center's "Leading Through Innovation"
Developed and taught by Doug Hall, founder and CEO of Eureka! Ranch, the Innovation Engineering Leadership Institute is a 3-day program focused on learning and applying the Innovation Engineering system. Participants learn by doing: during the day, dozens of interactive case studies drive deep learning. In the evening, teams apply the day's learning to their own company profiles. The program is designed for CEOs, Presidents and General Managers and two to four of their direct reports. Visit the web site for more information and to register.