E-News Sponsor
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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VBSR Marketplace
an online business-to-business marketplace using trade dollars valued the same as cash
Member OfferFrom Office EnvironmentsOffice Furniture - all kindsWe have a backroom full of furniture that needs to move asap. 2 and 4 draw lateral file cabinets, side chairs, chairs with casters, tables, desks, etc. Most of these are demo models and one-offs. Will work with you on prices. 100% Trade  ~~~~~~~~~~
Member RequestFrom Vermont Public RadioAnnual Commentators Brunch LocationSouthern Vermont, prefer May 19th afternoon. Buffet for 200-250 people. 2-3 hours long. Need good acoustics for recording speeches. 100% Trade  To Activate Your Marketplace Account and start buying & selling with VBSR members, click here__________________ |
VBSR Bookshelf
The New Sustainability Advantage by Bob Willard
VBSR Bookshelf
brought to you by
Northshire Bookstore
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 February Greetings !
"Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you are willing to become." Reinhold Niebuhr
We wish a fond farewell to Rita Bothfeld who has been the heart and soul of VBSR for almost half of our twenty years. Rita is leaving to follow her "inner geek" to work for Instrumart, a South Burlington VBSR member. We will miss her deeply. Congratulations Rita and all the best to you!
Rita has ensured that the planning for the May 15 VBSR Conference is in good shape and we look forward to seeing you all at the UVM Davis Center. We have 15 workshops and 2 great keynoters lined up: John Replogle, CEO of Seventh Generation and Ellen McCulloch-Lovell, President of Marlboro College. At the end of the day we will be hosting Governor Shumlin and the 2012 Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence. Save the date!
Don't forget to nominate a business leader for the Annual Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business. The deadline is March 2. Please also tune in to WDEV on Wednesdays at 1:00 to hear "Smart Business Wednesday" sponsored by VBSR. We welcome your feedback on guest and issues of importance to you.
A big "thank you" Rita B.
You are simply best
What will we do without you?
Sincerely, Andrea Cohen
VBSR Executive Director
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 VBSR Circles
February Montpelier Circle
Tonight ! Tuesday, February 21, 2012; 4:30-6:00 pm
Kellogg Hubbard Library, Montpelier, VT
Basic business financial management for solo and small businesses. Presented by Priscilla Gilbert, J.Cole Financial Managers
March Burlington Circle Join us March 27, 5:00 in Burlington. More details soon.
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VBSR Networking and Educational Events
February Networking Get-Together Hosted by hmc2 Advertising
Thursday, February 23, 2012; 5:30-7:30 p.m.hmc2 Advertising, 65 Millet Street, Richmond, VTFor decades, hmc2 has been helping some of Vermont's most iconic brands be heard and seen by their respective target audiences, both in the state and out. Come meet the people who make it happen and maybe even learn a little about what's hot in marketing for 2012. More information...March Networking Get-Together Hosted by National Life Group
Wednesday, March 21, 2012; 5:30-7:30 p.m.National Life Group, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VTJoin us at National Life Group to learn more about and tour the company's newly redesigned space built around teamwork and collaboration. You'll also hear about National Life's new biomass system, which provides primary heat for the company's 500,000 square-foot headquarters and saves the company $500,000 annually in heating costs. Sponsorships available - deadline Thursday, March 1. Contact VBSR at info@vbsr.org.April Networking Get-Together Co-Hosted by Sovernet Communications and the Vermont Foodbank
Tuesday, April 17, 2012; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Held at the Hotel Windham, Bellows Falls, VT Sponsorships available. Contact VBSR at info@vbsr.org. VBSR 2012 Terry Ehrich Award Ceremony and Spring Conference SAVE THE DATES! Terry Ehrich Award Ceremony Monday evening, May 14, 2012; 6:00-8:30 p.m. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, VT We are now accepting nominations for the 2012 Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business. To learn more about the award or to make a nomination please visit the Terry Ehrich Award page. Deadline to nominate - March 2. Spring Conference Tuesday, May 15, 2012; 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. UVM Davis Center, Burlington, VT Featuring keynote speakers: Ellen McCulloch-Lovell, President of Marlboro College and John Replogle, CEO of Seventh Generation Save the date and sponsor the conference! For more information, please visit the conference web page. For more information on VBSR's and VBSR members' events, please visit our events pages...
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Mentoring Survey
At the VBSR spring conference we will have a session on Mentoring Young Professionals. We are gathering information about mentoring experiences and practices so that the session can address the most pressing questions and bring out best practices to implement in your workplace. Please take a few minutes to take the survey here.
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VBSR Public Policy
Some changes have come to VBSR's Public Policy Committee.
Earlier this month we welcomed Russ Bennett, the owner of Northland Design and Construction in Waitsfield, as the new chairman of the committee. Russ is a longtime VBSR member and an active participant in policy discussions on the committee over the last several years.
Unfortunately, that means Don Mayer, the owner of Small Dog Electronics, has stepped down. Don chaired the committee for several years and was VBSR's "rock star" witness to testify before legislative committees last year during the health care reform debates at the Statehouse. Don is staying on the committee, however, and we look forward to using his talents in new ways.
Other recent additions to the Policy Committee include Mary Sullivan, the communications coordinator at Burlington Electric, and Paul Craven, the owner of Paul Craven & Associates in Essex Junction. VBSR's Board of Directors approved their appointments in February.
VBSR is always looking for members who want to participate in policy-making, including testifying at the Statehouse or writing letters to lawmakers. If you would like to get involved, please email me at danielb@vbsr.org and tell me what issues you are passionate about.
- Daniel Barlow, VBSR Public Policy Manager
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VBSR Now Accepting 2012 Terry Ehrich Award Nominations
VBSR's annual award ceremony honors an outstanding individual of a member company with the Terry Ehrich Award. 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 Terry Ehrich Award Event on the evening of May 14, 2012, the night before the Spring Conference.
Nominations will be judged on four criteria: workplace environment, political environment, social environment and natural environment. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. Any VBSR member at a for-profit business is eligible to be nominated. (Employees of not-for-profits or public sector agencies as well as past award winners and sitting members of the nominating committee are not eligible.)
Deadline for nominations is March 2, 2012.
Please click here to fill out the nomination form. For more information, please cal Becky at 802-862-8347 or email beckyc@vbsr.org.
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2011/2012 Buy Local Coupon Book - SIX more months of couponing!
 Remember that the coupons are good through 9/1/12 so they still make a great gift! Please click here for an up-to-date list. Also, if your child's school, team or club is looking for a great spring or fall fundraiser, contact Amy at Red Barn Fundraising and she can set them up to sell the coupon books. ________________________________________________________ |
VT Health Reform and Your Business
The Health Insurance Exchange bill is moving its way through the legislative process. The version passed by the House Health Care Committee in mid-February differs greatly from the original bill. VBSR has concerns about some of the changes and will continue to lobby for a bill that makes a smooth transition to a universal health care system in Vermont. Every state must set up an Exchange, an online marketplace where individuals and businesses can shop for health insurance, according to the new federal health care law. Enrollment is expected to begin in Fall 2013 and the Exchanges will be running in early January 2014. Changes in the bill passed by the House committee include: * Retaining the so-called "bronze plans" in the Exchange. Many of these plans are high deductible benefit packages. * Limiting the population within the Exchange to employers with 50 or less employees. Employers with 51 to 100 employees will be included in the Exchange in 2016, according to federal law. ________________________________________________________ |
 Local Matters
Tune in here for current news about Local First Vermont and other local economies features...Survey Finds "Buy Local" Message Benefitting Independent Businesses
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (Jan. 26, 2011) - For the fourth year in a row, a national survey of independent businesses has found that those in communities with an active "buy local" campaign have experienced markedly stronger revenue growth compared to those located in areas without such a campaign. The survey, which was conducted over an 8-day period in January, gathered data from 2,768 independent businesses, including retailers, service providers, restaurants and others. It found that those in places with a "buy local" initiative reported revenue growth of 5.6% on average in 2010, compared to 2.1% for those elsewhere. Read more...__________________________________________________________
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Vermont Leadership Institute Applications Invited for 2012-13
The Snelling Center for Government invites members of the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to apply for the Vermont Leadership Institute. VLI participants gain a keener understanding of themselves and their impact on others, awareness of Vermont issues from a systems perspective, habits of reflection and listening that strengthen authentic engagement with diverse viewpoints, and a long-lasting and supportive network throughout the state. For information, visit VLI's web site or contact Judy Warriner Walke, judy@snellingcenter.org, or Colleen Oettinger, colleen@snellingcenter.org. 802-859-3090. Applications are due by Monday, March 26, 2012.
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VBSR Member News
Business Culture Consultants: Vermont's Sixth Certified B Corporation
 Burlington, VT-February 15, 2012-Business Culture Consultants, LLC joins the ranks of leading Vermont companies to become the sixth organization in the state to obtain Certified B Corporation status. Heather Van Dusen of B Lab, the non-profit agency that certifies B Corporations nationwide, says that B Corporation status is recognition of a company's "high social and environmental impact." According to B Lab, Business Culture Consultants has donated more than 5% of its profits to charitable organizations, operates out of a facility that is powered by renewable energy and banks with a local bank. Read more...
Local Architectural Firm wins National Social Responsibility Award
 | | Photo Credit: Gary Hall Photography |
MONTPELIER, VT - Gossens Bachman Architects in conjunction with Housing Vermont and the Rockingham Community Area Land Trust were recently recognized by the John M. Clancy Award for Socially Responsible Housing for the transformation of the historical NAMCO Block in Windsor, Vermont.
The John M Clancy Award for Socially Responsible Housing was established in 2004. The intent of the John Clancy Award for Socially Responsible Housing is to recognize and encourage excellence in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of socially responsible urban housing by honoring an organization, a group, or an individual who has been a major force behind one or more built housing developments characterized by excellence in planning, design and construction. Read more...
Apple Invites Small Dog CEO Don Mayer to Present Ideas to Cupertino Top Brass
Apple Inc., renowned for its airtight privacy, invited Waitsfield resident and Small Dog Electronics CEO Don Mayer to be one of five Apple specialists to present to a panel of senior executives at the technology behemoth's Cupertino, CA headquarters last month. Don was joined by his son and Small Dog CFO and COO Hapy Mayer, who shared Small Dog's 2012 fiscal forecast. Intrigued by Small Dog's standing as New England's largest Apple Specialist, Apple invited the Mayers to share the secrets of their ongoing success and exceptional growth this past year. Read more...
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