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 Vermont Businesses for
Social Responsibility
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Vermont Businesses...Vermont Values
| August 2011
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E-News 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!
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
See the Marketplace on Channel 5! Member OfferFrom Taproot Consulting Food as Medicine Workshops for the Workplace 100% Trade Learn how different foods can reduce stress, help you stay focused and feel energy throughout the day. Handouts, food demo, tastes. Can be designed as a once/week Lunch & Learn series.  ~~~~~~~~~~
Member RequestFrom Vermont Stage CompanyStorage for Costumes and Set Material We need a new location for storage. Chittenden County. Can be in a barn, warehouse, offbeat location as long as it is secure, dry and rodent free. We would need about 750 sq feet and occasional access.  To Activate Your Marketplace Account and start buying & selling with VBSR members, click here__________________ |
VBSR Bookshelf
Locavesting by
Amy Cortese
VBSR Bookshelf
brought to you by
Northshire Bookstore
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 August Greetings !
We have made it a priority to get more quality "face time" with our statewide membership and we have been out and about quite a bit. We have also been recycling these events by posting more video on our VBSRtube channel. See some clips from a truly remarkable event held in July at Vermont Works Bakery focusing on how to pay a liveable wage to employees in the restaurant sector.
In addition to the numerous upcoming Get-Togethers, Membership Committee meetings, the Fall Conference, and the Public Policy Forums (see below), we want to extend a very special invitation to you to join us on Sunday, Sept. 25 in Richmond at the Monitor Barn for the VBSR Annual Meeting and Family Friendly Event ! We will conduct some important business from 12-1 and then continue with some serious fun with fantastic food and great music performed by the Starline Rhythm Boys. We hope you can attend to fete your VBSR alliance and to celebrate what makes Vermont such a great place to do business. We continue to be better and stronger together !
Sincerely, Andrea Cohen
VBSR Executive Director
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VBSR Educational and Networking Events
VBSR Membership & Development Committee Meeting
Thursday, August 18, 2011; 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Concept2, 105 Industrial Park Drive, Morrisville, VT The meeting will focus on the newly created VBSR Chapter model and lead discussion around promotion of new chapter development. To RSVP, contact Owen Milne at owenm@vbsr.org.
VBSR August Networking Get-Together co-hosted by the Cellars at Jasper Hill and Caledonia Spirits & Winery
Thursday, August 18, 2011; 5:30 - 7:30 pm Event to be held at the Vermont Food Venture Center, 140 Junction Road, Hardwick, VT
Join us for a look inside the Vermont Food Venture Center (VFVC), a shared-use kitchen incubator in Hardwick. We'll gather for great food and networking, a tour of the newly opened, 15,000 square foot food processing facility and kitchen incubator, and tours of the Cellars at Jasper Hill. More info...
VBSR September Networking Get-Together hosted by Total Temperature Instrumentation (TTI) / Instrumart
Wednesday, September 21, 2011; 5:30 - 7:30 pm Total Temperature Instrumentation / Instrumart, 35 Green Mountain Drive, South Burlington, VT Sponsorship costs $200. For more sponsorship details, please contact Rita Bothfeld at ritab@vbsr.org. More info... VBSR Annual Meeting and Family Picnic Sunday, September 25, 2011; noon - 4:00 pm West Monitor Barn, 1949 East Main Street, Richmond, VT Please join us in supporting our Board, staff, and other members at our first dedicated Annual Meeting and fun extravaganza. We'll start the afternoon with a one-hour annual meeting, Dux the Balloon Man and other fun for kids, and followed by a great picnic lunch, live music by the Starline Rhythm Boys, and 10-minute chair massages by Innovative Bodywork. More info on sponsoring, exhibiting, and to RSVP... VBSR 2011 Fall Conference - SAVE THE DATE! Wednesday, November 16, 2011; 7:30 am - 5:30 pm The Grand Summit at Mount Snow, West Dover, VT For details on sponsorship and exhibit opportunities, please see the conference page or contact Rita at ritab@vbsr.org. For more information on VBSR's and VBSR members' events, please visit our events pages... __________________________________________________________ |
VBSR Public Policy Update
Summer is almost over. And this fall, I'm looking forward to travelling across Vermont to visit with our members. VBSR will host several policy forums across the state starting next month and stretching out to December. We hope you can attend and hear about VBSR's policy achievements for 2011 and hear a little about what's on the plate for 2012. But we also really need to hear from you. These forums are your opportunities to tell VBSR directly what is working for businesses and communities in Vermont right now - and what isn't. Your experiences influences what our organization advocates for at the Statehouse each year. Read more...__________________________________________________________ |
2nd Annual Buy Local Book Available Soon!
 The second annual Buy Local Resource Guide and Coupon Book will be available on September 1st. This year's book is bigger and better than ever with local stories and over 200 valuable coupons from Addison, Chittenden and Washington counties. During the first two weeks of September, keep an eye out for participating schools selling the book through Red Barn Fundraising. Starting September 19th, the book will be available at distributors. Please check in HERE frequently for the most up to date list of participating schools and distributors. __________________________________________________________ |
Hire an Intern This Fall- A Great Way to Grow Your Business !
VBSR's Vermont Internship Program has successfully connected 125 talented young people with growing Vermont businesses. Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity for your business. VBSR will assist you in defining the project, attracting qualified candidates, and supporting you and the student throughout the process. Find out more and let us help you get started ! __________________________________________________________ |
VHFA Housing Survey for Employers
Vermont officials are looking to hear from you about the state's housing needsThe Vermont Housing Financing Agency (VHFA) is hosting an on-line survey for employers and human resource directors about the housing needs of workers across the state. The agency is specifically interested in hearing about employees' housing needs and if a lack of affordable or available options hampers employers' ability to hire or retain workers. The survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MLB5RCF. __________________________________________________________ |
VBSR Request For Proposals: Wellness Benefits Program
In keeping with our efforts to help members maintain a healthy workplace, VBSR is looking to expand wellness offerings to our members. We have issued a Request for Proposals to explore opportunities within our membership to develop a diverse set of wellness programs and services. Deadline for submission is Thursday, September 15. For more information or questions, contact Owen Milne at owenm@vbsr.org. __________________________________________________________ |
Correction to VBSR Printed Member Directory
Please note the following correction on page 26 of our 2011 printed member directory: Center for Sustainable Innovation should be the Center for Sustainable Organizations, web site: www.sustainableorganizations.orgWe apologize for the error! Please direct additional directory feedback to Rita at ritab@vbsr.org. __________________________________________________________ |
VBSR Member News
VBSR is excited to announce its newest Champion Level member, Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew  The Burlington firm of Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, founded in 1917, embraces a culture distinguished by a commitment to collegiality, family and community. In addition to its continued support of VBSR, the firm has a long history of community engagement and has undergone changes in recent years to decrease energy use and waste. For more information on Champion Level Membership, contact Owen Milne at owenm@vbsr.org.
Vermont Smoke and Cure to Expand to Old Saputo Factory in Hinesburg  A major plan is moving forward to bring jobs and fill a hole left in Hinesburg, Vermont. Three years ago a fire heavily damaged a factory and erased around eighty jobs. The old Saputo Cheese plant will soon be brought back to life...this time as a smokehouse. As part of a half million dollars in Vermont community development grants awarded to Hinesburg, Vermont Smoke and Cure will receive a loan to expand its operations into the factory and double the number of employees. Read more...
Google Helping Vermont Businesses Get Online VBSR member Google is offering a new program called Vermont Get Your Business Online that provides the tools and resources for Vermont businesses to get online and succeed online. Although 97% of Americans look online for local products and services, 63% of America's small businessees do not have a website or online presence. This program is dedicated to helping to drive economic growth by giving small businesses an online presence to find more customers and includes a free, easy-to-build, professional website as well as customized domain name and hosting for one year. Go to www.vermontgetonline.com for more information.
Visit VBSR's News page for all the latest news from members!
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BroadbandVT.org created to provide information on broadband availability in Vermont
"Broadband for All" is a goal that has been established for Vermonters, and multiple continuing efforts are moving this forward. BroadbandVT.org has been established as a resource for those seeking information on those efforts. Businesses, prospective home buyers, service agencies that require mobile access and others should check here to learn about plans and activities of mobile and fixed broadband service providers. Of course, the up-to-the-minute information on particular service addresses is still best requested from the providers themselves, but BroadbandVT.org will provide much information on initiatives and a state-wide perspective of progress.
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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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 Contact Us
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
60 Lake Street, Suite 3G
Burlington, Vermont 05401
802/862-8347
www.vbsr.org
info@vbsr.org
Membership Information
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