Tulips
VBSRVermont Businesses for
Social Responsibility
 Vermont Businesses...Vermont Values
June 2010 
ENews Sponsors
Montgomery & Merrill

Bleu Sky Creative

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING VBSR'S NEWSLETTER? E-mail info@vbsr.org
or call 802/862-8347 to secure a space today.
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In This Issue
New Members
VBSR Marketplace
VBSR Bookshelf
VBSR Job Opening
VBSR Events
VBSR Public Policy
VBSR Member News
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Welcome New VBSR Members!


Too many to list here...please visit the full list on our web site.
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VBSR Marketplace
an online business-to-business marketplace using trade dollars valued the same as cash

Member Offer
From Vermont Cookie Love
Our Oodles of Love gift box includes our six most popular flavors for a total of 24 cookies. 100% Trade.
Vermont CookieLove

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Member Request

From Nova Natural Toys & Crafts
We are looking at doing in-house video production for our website. We would like a few hours with someone who has experience doing this for a Q&A session on production, software, and equipment.
Nova Natural Toys & Crafts

For more information about the VBSR Marketplace, please visit the web site.
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VBSR Bookshelf

Eaarth: Making Life On A Tough New Planet
by
Bill McKibben

Eaarth: Making Life On A Tough New Planet

VBSR Bookshelf brought to you by Northshire Bookstore
Will PattenA couple of things...

First, if you're like me, this catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico is like a headache that won't go away.  I think about the risk/reward analysis that surely preceded the decision to dig a well a mile under water.  Clearly the reward of financial gain far out-weighed any consideration for the fish or the fishermen.  After all BP's single focus and sole legal obligation is to create earnings per share.

With the signing of Act 113 and the creation of the Vermont Benefit Corporation, businesses now have the opportunity to expand fiduciary responsibility to include the fish and the fishermen.  Should a company choose to charter as a Benefit Corporation, its directors would be legally required to consider the interests of various stakeholders such as employees, the local economy, suppliers and the environment as they determine what is in the best long term interest of the company.  The Triple Bottom Line business model is now a legal option in Vermont.

If you would like to learn more about the Vermont Benefit Corporate charter, VBSR is hosting a public forum this Monday, the 21st, at Main Street Landing in Burlington from 3 to 5 PM.

Secondly, I've decided that this September is a perfect time for VBSR to transition to new leadership.  As the Great Recession sends businesses scurrying for new solutions, VBSR is providing the fresh thinking and leadership they are looking for.  We're growing and getting stronger and I look forward to helping a new Executive Director take over the reins of this wonderful organization later this year.  Kathleen and I are going to sail our boat to the Caribbean for the winter but we have a busy summer ahead of us, so it's back to work.
VBSR Seeking Executive Director
VBSR is seeking a dynamic, self-motivated and experienced manager to join our team as Executive Director. Demonstrated leadership, organizational and communication skills. Actively interested in creating positive social change. Bachelor's degree plus 10 years management experience, or equivalent. Competitive salary and benefits. Application Deadline: July 4th, 2010. For more information, visit the full job listing.
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VBSR Educational and Networking Events

VBSR Vermont Benefit Corporations Forum
Monday, June 21, 2010; 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Lake & College Building, Atrium & Black Box Theater
60 Lake Street, Burlington, VT
Join VBSR for a special forum & celebration of the passage of the Vermont Benefit Corporation legislation. Come and learn about a better way to do business from speakers with various perspectives and useful information to share about this new legal corporate structure. More information on our web site.
Many thanks to host sponsor Main Street Landing!

VBSR July Networking Get-Together co-hosted by
Vermont Woodworking School and Burlington College
Wednesday, July 7, 2010; 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Vermont Woodworking School, 148 Main St., Fairfax, VT
Vermont Woodworking school will share what they learned about trust as a growing small business, how they adapted along the way, how they partnered with highly respected Burlington College and the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers to deepen their curriculum, and how they plan to keep alive the traditions of apprenticeship and fine craftsmanship in Vermont's new economy.
To sponsor, please contact Rita Bothfeld at ritab@vbsr.org or 802/862-8347 no later than Thursday, June 17.

VBSR August Networking Get-Together hosted by Black River Produce
Thursday, August 26, 2010; 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Black River Produce, 449 River St., North Springfield, VT
Join us to learn why Black River Produce - currently working with over 100 Vermont farmers - makes working with Vermont products its first priority.
To sponsor, please contact Rita no later than Friday, July 30.
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VBSR Public Policy Update
We have much policy work planned for the summer and fall and we hope you can get involved.  Please contact Andrea (andreac@vbsr.org) if you are interested in participating in either of our summer study groups: 1) facilitating development and usage of passenger and freight rail, and 2) fiscal and tax policy for the future.

Our annual member policy survey will be launched at the beginning of July, and your response to that is critical to the success of VBSR policy work.  Also, our 2010 Legislative End of Session Report is now available on-line or you can download a PDF copy. Please take a look to see about some of our 2010 accomplishments including passage of the Vermont Benefit Corporations Act, health care reform next steps, and responsible energy supply for our future.

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

Good Point Recycling's parent company, American Retroworks, profiled by Forbes columnist
Sramana Mitra, entrepreneur, business consultant, author, and weekly columnist for Forbes profiled American Retroworks (Good Point Recycling's parent company) on her blog series "Deal Radar 2010." Read more...

Green Living Journal award winner Stephen MorrisGreen Living Journal Recognized with Governor's Award
Publi
cation Cited for Excellence in Education and Outreach
Green Living: A Practical Journal for Friends of the Environment is the 2010 recipient of the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in Education and Outreach. It is the only publication to receive this recognition. In notifying the company of its selection Jonathan L. Wood, Secretary of the Vermont Agency for Natural Resources, said "Your award-winning project stands out as a model that should inspire all to find innovative approaches to conserve natural resources, safeguard human and environmental health, and prevent pollution before it is generated." Read more...

Burlington, VT Chosen As One of Top Ten Best Cities for the Next Decade
Article in Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine mentions a number of VBSR members
Best Cities 2010: Burlington, Vt.
The economy in our number-eight pick for Best Cities for the Next Decade is powered by the green movement.
by Stacy Rapacon of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine
Read the full article...

Chroma TechnologyInc. Magazine Announces Winners of 2010 Top Small Company Workplaces
VBSR Member Chroma Technology Among the Winners
New York, NY, June 7, 2010 - Inc. magazine and Winning Workplaces announced the winners of the 2010 Top Small Company Workplaces competition - the best small and mid-sized places to work in the country - in Inc.'s June issue.  The magazine features the 20 winners, which range from the New York Jets professional football team to A Yard and a Half landscaping company to Patagonia, the outdoor clothing designer and retailer to VBSR member Chroma Technology. Read the full announcement...
Champlain College
VBSR Mission
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 committed to a multiple bottom line approach to business that values people, planet and profit.
 
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Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
60 Lake Street, Suite 3G
Burlington, Vermont 05401
802/862-8347
www.vbsr.org
info@vbsr.org
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