VBSR March Networking Get-Together co-hosted by AllEarth Renewables, Vermont Works for Women, and J.A. Morrissey Inc.

Thursday, March 17, 2011; 5:30 - 7:30 pm
AllEarth Renewables, 94 Harvest Lane, Williston, VT
Learn more about how AllEarth Renewables and J.A. Morrissey are working with Vermont Works for Women to train and employ women in the fields of construction, efficiency and renewable energy. Walk-ins welcome tonight!

VBSR April Networking Get-Together hosted by Roots Restaurant, Rutland

Wednesday, April 27, 2011; 8:00 - 10:00 am

Roots Restaurant, 51 Wales Street, Rutland, VT

Join us to learn more about how Rutland's newest restaurant is committed to providing affordable meals from minimally processed, locally grown food, including organic crops and humanely raised livestock. 

To sponsor this event, please contact Rita Bothfeld at ritab@vbsr.org no later than Friday, April 1. 

VBSR Terry Ehrich Awards Dinner

Wednesday evening, May 11, 2011; 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Northern Lights Cruise Boat on Lake Champlain

Celebrate this year's winner of the Terry Ehrich Award for Social Responsibility in Business, given annually to an individual who for a sustained period demonstrates exceptional socially responsible business principles in the workplace, political, social and natural environments. Online registration will be available Friday March 25. 

VBSR 2011 Spring Conference

"Building on Our Strengths: What makes a great place to do business?"

Thursday, May 12, 2011; 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
University of Vermont Davis Center, Burlington, VT
Online registration will be available Friday, March 25. If you have questions, please contact Rita Bothfeld, ritab@vbsr.org or 802-862-8347. If you would like to donate to our silent auction, please contact auction intern Samantha Digiandomenico at intern@vbsr.org.
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This year's Legislative session has been exciting. Vermont citizens, doctors and business leaders have rallied in support of health care reform, urging lawmakers to fix our deteriorating employer-based system.
   But it's also been frustrating because there is a lot of misinformation being spread throughout the state about what H.202, the bill that will put Vermont on the path to single-payer health care, actually does and doesn't do.
   I've heard people suggest that the bill doesn't cut health care costs, when one of the main focuses of the bill is to bend the health care cost curve. Others accuse lawmakers of rushing forward with a flawed design, but a famed Harvard economist designed the blueprint for the new system.
   At times the debate has reminded me of the discredited "death panel" nonsense launched two years ago against the new federal health care law.
   Here's what H.202 does: It creates a state-level board that will work to reform how health care is paid for and find ways to cut and control costs. The bill also readies Vermont for the launch of a Health Insurance Exchange in 2014, a mandate under the federal health care law, and begins planning to eventually transform that exchange into a single-payer system.
   Reforming Vermont's health care system will take several years. There are lots of topics to debate between now and the launch of the new system- What's the benefits package? How will we fund it? - But the fact remains that we're spending more than $5 billion every year on health care in Vermont and we're not covering everyone. Businesses are crippled under double-digit insurance cost increases. We're already spending too much money and we're doing it in a crazy and inefficient way.
   Don Mayer, the owner of Small Dog Electronics and the chair of VBSR's Public Policy Committee, summed it up perfectly when he testified recently before the a group of House lawmakers. "I believe H.202 is basically an economic development bill," he said, "disguised as health care reform."

- Daniel Barlow, Public Policy Manager
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Time to Take the 2011 Membership Survey!

VBSR's annual Membership Survey is open to members until March 28th.  This is your opportunity to tell VBSR about your business, comment on how we're doing and offer recommendations.  VBSR is dedicated to providing relevant services and benefits that offer tangible value.  Your feedback is truly appreciated. You can access the survey by CLICKING HERE.

Market Your Business Through VBSR

VBSR's 2011 Marketing Packet is now available for on-line viewing. See new pricing and rates for sponsorships and advertising. Owen Milne, VBSR's Development Manager, is available to help you explore the best options for your business. The Marketing Packet is a great way to see what we are planning in 2011 and how to best outreach to members.

There's a lot going on with the Buy Local Resource Guide and Coupon Book!

 
The book features coupons, stories, and a business directory of locally-owned, independent businesses. It's a perfect gift for friends, family, employees, or you. To find out more about the coupons and offers in this year's book or to get more information about getting involved in next year's book, click here.
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