ENews Sponsors
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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Welcome New VBSR Members!
Too many to list here...please visit the full list on our web site. __________________ |
VBSR Marketplace
an online business-to-business marketplace using trade dollars valued the same as cash
Member OfferFrom Yestermorrow2-Day Biofuels Workshop, Aug 28-30 Do you want to slash your fossil fuel consumption? This workshop will enable students to begin replacing fossil fuel with renewable fuel in a variety of applications. The heart of this intensive course is the adaptation of diesel engines to operate on straight vegetable oil.  ~~~~~~~~~~
Member RequestFrom Service Pro Carpet CleaningRestaurant Gift Certificates Wanted We travel to work in Burlington frequently and would like to use trade to eat at VBSR businesses. Flexible on type of restaurant and amount of gift certificate.  For more information about the VBSR Marketplace, please visit the web site. __________________ |
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VBSR SAYS FAREWELL TO WILL, WELCOME TO ANDREA!
 When I retired from Ben & Jerry's in the spring of 2007, I fully intended to leave for the south seas in the fall. Then I saw this terrific ad that Marketing Partners had created to lure sailors onto the rocks of the non-profit world. An opportunity to smash the status quo was more than an old Berkeley radical could possibly pass up.
 Over the past 3+ years we've put some serious cracks in that egg. As the melt-down on Wall Street proved, it was starting to get old anyway. And in its place, you're growing a brand new business model that values more than money. Nice work!
This year, with the leadership of Andrea Cohen, that new business model was legally recognized by the Vermont legislature. It is truly wonderful that the "business ethic" that has been our mission to advance for 20 years has become a legal reality with the Vermont Benefit Corporation. Happy Birthday.
Now, with Andrea as the new Executive Director of VBSR, our job is to bring that legally recognized concept to life.
Thanks for having me these last few years. I hope to see many of you at the 20th Birthday Family Barbeque on September 19th. Then it's off to the south seas!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Greetings from Andrea! VBSR will greatly miss Will as we send him off on his "bon voyage." During his tenure Will has "grown" our organization in the best sense of the word. We are bigger, but most importantly better--offering greater service to our members and our community. Under Will's leadership, VBSR has become even more relevant and influential -- we sure will miss him. Please continue to support VBSR during this transition through your continued membership, your policy voice, and your participation in our events. I look forward to getting to know many of you better, and working with our fantastic staff and Board!
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VBSR Educational and Networking Events
VBSR Marketplace Info SessionTuesday, August 17, 2010; 8:00 - 9:00 amOffice Squared, 106 Main St., Burlington, VTNetwork with VBSR members, and find new ways to BUY LOCAL RSVP and more information - Marketplace Trade Coordinator: Amy Kirschner at amy@changethemarket.com, 399-4210VBSR 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.
RSVP to Rita Bothfeld at ritab@vbsr.org. Walk-ins welcome, but RSVPs appreciated! Info on our web site...
VBSR's 20th Anniversary CelebrationSunday, September 19, 2010; noon - 5:00 pmWest Monitor Barn, 1949 East Main Street, Richmond, VT$10 / adults; $5 / kids under 10RSVP to info@vbsr.org, or call 802-862-8347RSVPs are greatly appreciated, but you will also be able to buy tickets at the door.Mark your calendars for a Sunday afternoon family-friendly picnic with fine local food and music to celebrate VBSR's first 20 years and look forward to the next 20! Join us for lots of fun, and local bands The Willoughbys and Filk. Sponsorships, exhibitor tables, and volunteer opportunities available! Please visit our web page for details, or contact Rita at ritab@vbsr.org.VBSR October
Networking Get-Together hosted by Maclay ArchitectsWednesday, October 6, 2010; 5:30 - 7:30 pmMaclay Architects, 4509 Main St., Waitsfield, VTTo
sponsor, please contact Rita Bothfeld at ritab@vbsr.org. VBSR October
Networking Get-Together hosted by Green Mountain PowerThursday, October 21, 2010; 5:30 - 7:30 pmGreen Mountain Power, 163 Acorn Lane, Colchester, VTTo
sponsor, please contact Rita Bothfeld at ritab@vbsr.org. ______________________________________________________ |
VBSR Public Policy Update
Annual Policy Survey Deadline Approaching--Don't Miss this Opportunity to Make Your Opinion Count
Do you think Vermont is a good place to do business? Should Vermont Yankee operate past 2012? In what areas of government should VT increase or decrease spending? Please make sure your opinion counts by completing VBSR's online public policy survey by August 18th.
VBSR Legislative Scorecard in the News
Our first legislative scorecard has gotten considerable interest and attention! We have posted some of the recent news coverage. Please refer to the scorecard to inform your vote this election season.
View VBSR Co-Sponsored Primary Election Debates
Special thanks to Channel 17 Center for Media & Democracy for inviting VBSR to co-host four of the statewide primary debates. You can view the candidates' responses to VBSR priority policy questions here.
VBSR Summer Study Committees
It is not too late to engage in our summer study work involving "Rail and Magnet Communities" and "Tax and Fiscal Policy". Please contact Andrea to find out how you can get involved.
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 Local Matters
Tune in here for current news about Local First Vermont and other local economies features...
Local First Vermont Resource Guide and Coupon Book Available Soon!
On September 15th the first annual Local First Vermont Resource Guide and Coupon Book will be back from press and hitting local distribution sites by the end of that week. The book includes local coupons, business stories, and buy local facts. There are 141 contributing businesses from Addison, Chittenden, and Washington Counties and coupons worth a total of $2,300 in local savings. There is also a special section for the Burlington Old North End, where local fare is international and includes a Himalayan market, Vietnamese grocery, Middle Eastern treats and more. This is a great chance to support your local Vermont economy for $10. Read more...
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VBSR Member News
 Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Awards $334,765 in New Grants for Biofuels Projects
Montpelier, Vermont - The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) has awarded $334,765 in grant funds to develop local biofuels and foster the development of a viable biomass-to-biofuels industry in Vermont that uses local resources to replace petroleum with renewable alternatives. Read more...
 Yestermorrow Design/Build School Awarded $5,000 in Revelation to Action Competition
Earlier this year, Green Mountain Coffee and Ashoka's Changemakers came together to find and help fund the most innovative ideas and organizations that strengthen and improve communities in Maine, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut or Massachusetts. Out of hundreds of entries, and 15 finalists, Yestermorrow was one of the top 3 vote-getters. Read more...
Green Mountain Power-Shelburne Farms Solar Project Moves Ahead
Green Mountain Power and Shelburne Farms are working together to build solar generation at Shelburne Farms. Under the terms of a 25-year cooperative agreement, Green Mountain Power will install a 770 solar panel array at Shelburne Farms. The panels will occupy three quarters of an acre in a field that Shelburne Farms has recently designated as a "Solar Orchard." Read more...
Hometown Hero Nominations Hit Home!
Six Businesses Nominated for the 2010 United Way Hometown Hero Annual Volunteer Awards
United Way of Chittenden County announced this year's 43 nominations for the coveted "Hometown Hero" volunteer awards, marking the impact community volunteers have on the quality of life in Chittenden County. Among the nominees in the Business/Organization category are VBSR members Gardener's Supply for their service to the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Hickok & Boardman Financial Planning & Group Benefits for their service to various area nonprofits, and Magic Hat Brewing for their service to the Women's Rape Crisis Center. Read more...
 Common Ground Center and AllEarth Renewables Make Going Solar a Reality
Common Ground Center, a family camp and retreat center in central Vermont that has incorporated green practices into its mission since its inception in 1994 has installed five new AllSun Trackers™ from AllEarth Renewables, Inc., a solar and wind energy developer and manufacturer based in Williston, Vermont. These new trackers, in addition to the three already installed on the Common Ground site, will provide the center with 100% of its estimated electrical needs, now and into the future. Read more...
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Vermont Businesses for
