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 Vermont Sports Magazine Food & Beverage Guide Listing List your restaurant, specialty food, or beverage in the Vermont Sports Food & Beverage Directory. Our readers care about how they eat and drink, and support local businesses. Remind them that next time they are out for a hike, bike, run, or paddle, to stop by your eatery before and after! 100% Trade  ~~~~~~~~~~
Member RequestFrom Vermont Trophy and EngravingElectrician Needed, small job, moving lights and switches, 100% Trade  To Activate Your Marketplace Account and start buying & selling with VBSR members, click here__________________ |
VBSR Bookshelf
Small is Beautiful in the 21st Century - The Legacy of E.F. Schumacher by Diana Schumacher 
VBSR Bookshelf
brought to you by
Northshire Bookstore
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 Dear VBSR Members:
For the past 20 years VBSR members have been working to promote public policies that are protective of the environment and that provide incentives and opportunities for the development of "green" businesses. Every year when we have surveyed our membership, the Vermont brand and quality of life are the top factors that contribute to their success. VBSR believes that the key to our economic future is to build off of our unique strengths, especially our clean environment and green brand. Well it seems to be paying off ! VBSR member Doug Hoffer just sent us a Green Goods and Services jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that gives Vermont the top spot in the country for green jobs (as a percentage of total jobs). Digging into the data Doug reports that there are over 16,000 green jobs in Vermont (and this does not even include organic farmimg). Let's not rest on our laurels- contact VBSR Public Policy Manager Daniel Barlow to learn how you can assist VBSR in letting policymakers know that green jobs are key to a successful economic development future in Vermont.
Creating Pathways for Vermont's Next Business Generation- Registration Is Now Open ! We are very excited about the May 15 conference we have been planning for you. Please see below for more detail about how to register for the May 15 conference and the May 14 Terry Ehrich Award Reception.
Finally, so many communities and small businesses continue to struggle from the economic losses caused by Irene. Please continue to offer your support however you are able. As you may have heard the I Am Vermont Strong license plates are now available for sale with proceeds benefiting the Vermont Irene Disaster Relief Fund and the Vermont Food Bank. You can find information about how to order one here.
Hope to see you at a VBSR event soon.
Best regards, Andrea Cohen
VBSR Executive Director
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Registration is Open !
VBSR's May 15 Spring Conference
Don't wait to register for what will certainly be one of our best conferences yet! At VBSR's 22nd Annual Spring Conference will explore what is needed to ensure young people have the tools and support they need to be socially responsible business leaders. Hear from Keynoters John Replogle and Ellen McCulloch-Lovell, and connect with long-time and new business colleagues. Don't wait to register for this not-to-be missed event being held at UVM's Davis Center. Also plan to attend the special Terry Ehrich Award Reception we have planned the the evening prior at ECHO. View the full conference page here. ________________________________________________________________
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VBSR Networking and Educational Events
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 Please view the event page for more details. Sponsorship deadline is Tues! Contact VBSR at info@vbsr.org. Terry Ehrich Award Ceremony and Reception Monday evening, May 14, 2012; 6:00-8:30 p.m. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, VT Registration is now open for what will be a special evening with friends and business colleagues. The Awardee will be announced in April but no reason to wait to register. To learn more about the award please visit the Terry Ehrich Award page. For more information on VBSR's and VBSR members' events, please visit our events pages...
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 VBSR Circles and Chapters
March 27 Burlington Circle Meet
Tuesday, February 21, 2012; 5:00-6:30 pm
Offices of sponsor: Dinse Knapp McAndrew
209 Battery Street Burlington, VT
Keeping Track of it All: Measuring and Keeping Your Sustainability Program on Track Despite Limited Resources. Presented by Bryan Sheehan- SymbioSus Sustainability Consulting
Montpelier April 10 Circle 4:30-6:00. Kellogg Hubbard Library. Mentoring and Internships. More details soon.
Southern Vermont Chapter Meet May 9
5:00. Marlboro College Graduate Center. More details soon.
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VBSR Public Policy
The legislature is now past it's midway point and progress has been made on many VBSR priorities. Link here for an update on some of these bills and for more information about the Health Insurance Exchanges under development. VBSR is hearing from members that they need more information about the Exchange and we are making preparations for a member-only webinar to bring it to you. Stay tuned.
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 Local Matters
Current news about Local First Vermont and other local economies features...Will a Cash Mob be Coming to a Store Near You?
Cash Mobs have hit Vermont. A cash mob is when a group of people rally to support a local business by showing up en masse to shop there. SevenDays "Stuck in Vermont" covered a recent Cash Mob in Waterbury and this past weekend there were Cash Mobs in Barre and Waitsfield. For more information about cash mobs and how to get one going link here. Also, let us know if you are planning a cash mob and we will help get the word out! calenk@vbsr.org__________________________________________________________
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 Tune in to VBSR's Smart Business Wednesday's.
If you are unable to listen to the live stream, podcasts are available for listening at Equal Time Radio's website. Recent guests included Vt. Commerce Secretary Lawrence Miller, Paul Ralston on Fair Trade, Ellen Kahler on Sustainable Jobs, Chris Miller on Safe Products and Packaging, and Don Mayer on Health Care Reform. Daniel Barlow, VBSR Public Manager also calls in every week with statehouse updates. You can call in live to participate in the discussion. Contact andreac@vbsr.org with any questions or comments. _______________________________________________________________ |
VBSR Member News
Vermont's Maple Landmark to Supply Smithsonian Gift Shops
 Maple Landmark Woodcraft of Middlebury has reached an agreement with the Smithsonian Institution to supply the museum with select Vermont made wooden items.
The Smithsonian Institution came under harsh criticism and made headlines when United States Senator Bernie Sanders, I-VT, tried to buy American made gifts for Christmas 2010 at the one of the Smithsonian Gift Shops and found nothing but imports. Senator Sanders was appalled that even the busts of our Founding Fathers were made in China. Read more...
Burlington Electric moves closer to renewable goal
The city-owned Burlington Electric Department says it is a step closer to achieving its goal of being 100 percent renewable by 2016.Read more...
VBSR Board Member Appointed to Green Mountain Care Board
Julie Lineberger, owner of Linesync Architecture, and a board member and former chair of Vermont Businesses Social Responsibility, was one of 41 Vermonters chosen from among more than 120 applicants to serve as a sounding board for the GMCB as they create what is slated to become the first single-payer health care system in the United States. Read more...
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