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Volunteers Wanted
Writers
We're looking for people who are interested in writing for our monthly column in MiBiz.
Marketing Chair
The Marketing and Communications Chair will lead the marketing and communication efforts. This member will be responsible for coordinating press releases, monitoring the website, and email communication for events and other USGBC West Michigan activities.
Please contact renae.hesselink@enichols.com for more details.
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 USGBC West MichiganPO Box 6332Grand Rapids, MI 49516T: 616.301.6688E: admin@usgbcwm.orgwww.usgbcwm.org |
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Mission:
To transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, in a way that improves the quality of life in West Michigan
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It is hard to believe we are starting the 4th quarter of 2011 and we're already one month into Fall. Our Chapter has many things going on this fall for your participation. A notice was recently sent out summarizing all of the activities; be sure to mark your calendars. On Friday, October 14th we have our CE Palooza. This is a great chance to earn continuing education credits.
I keep getting reminders from GBCI counting down the months I have left (December 31st) to get all my credential documentation recorded. I'm sure many of you are receiving those same notices, so don't wait until the last minute.
Only a short time is left to submit nominations for the open seats of our Chapter Board of Directors; All nominations are due October 12. You will be able to meet the candidates on October 19th at our membership meeting at the UICA - don't miss it! A notice will be sent out when online voting opens. As a member, it is your duty to vote.
Finally, I want to inform you of a project on which we are working with Grand Valley State University. In 2009, the State of Michigan published a Green Jobs Report. Click here for report. Michigan defines green jobs as jobs directly involved in generating or supporting a firm's green-related products or services. The state's green economy is defined as being comprised of industries that provide products or services in five areas:
1. Agriculture and natural resource conservation;
2. Clean transportation and fuels;
3. Increased energy efficiency;
4. Pollution prevention or environmental cleanup;
5. Renewable energy production.
The impact of construction on our Michigan GDP is measured and has remained steady for the past two years (a decline from previous years) as you can see by this chart from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis. Click here to view chart.
We feel it is important to measure the impact of green building (specifically LEED) on Michigan's GDP, and as you can see by the above definition of the green economy or green jobs, the list does not specifically include construction. The Sustainable Community Development Initiative at GVSU has been working on a database of green jobs and we approached them about the possibility of tracking construction jobs related to green building, and we are starting to go down that path. We will need input and some of you may be hearing from us or GVSU to help track down some of the needed data or provide expertise. There are many questions that have already come up and more may as we work on this.
Thank you in advance for your support. See you on October 14th at our CE Palooza and on October 19th for Candidates and Cocktails at the UICA.
Renae Hesselink, LEED AP, Chair
renae.hesselink@enichols.com
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Membership
 Welcome to all of our new and renewing members! - Dennis Bekken, C2AE
- Lynda Boomer, Michigan State University
- Nathan Funk
- Theresa Hogerheide-Reusch, Reusch Design Services, LLC
- Carter Huffman, C.D. Barnes Associates, Inc.
- Karen Ingle, Grand Valley State University
- Aaron Jenks, Triangle Associates, Inc.
- Kelsey Jett
- Jay Miedema
- Dennis Moline
- Jim Nicolow, Lord Aeck & Sargent, Inc.
- Jenne Rooks
- Scott Whisler, Grand Valley State University
Our membership committee is looking for additional committee members. If you would like to be part of this committee please email, admin@usgbcwm.org. Visit our web site, http://usgbcwm.org/membership for more information about membership.
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CE Palooza: Earn Your Credits and Increase Your Knowledge of Green Building Practices.
On Friday, October 14, USGBC West Michigan will be presenting an extraordinary event - CE Palooza! At this all-day event you'll be able to choose classes that fit your needs. Not only will you increase your knowledge of green building practices, but you'll be earning CE credits. Each class equals one CE credit.
By attending the CE Palooza, LEED Professionals can maintain their credits. Credential maintenance is the continuing education completed by LEED Professionals to maintain current knowledge of green building practices and LEED. Credential maintenance requirements ensure the LEED Professional Credentials maintain their relevance and significance in a constantly evolving industry. LEED Professional Credentials demonstrate current knowledge of green building technologies, best practices, and the rapidly evolving LEED Rating Systems. They show differentiation in a growing and competitive industry, and they allow for varied levels of specialization.
Click here for more details.
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LEED and SERF Certification Round Table
LEED? SERF? Not sure which system is right for you? Interested in learning more about the two certification processes? Please join USGBC West Michigan and several other associations for a roundtable discussion with experts of both the LEED and SERF systems.
The roundtable will be held November 10 from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm in Grand Rapids.
Click here for a registration form and more information
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Ceiling Recycling Program
If you have at least 7500 SF of ceiling tiles that are getting trashed, Armstrong will ship a trailer to you for FREE to collect them.
The tiles do need to be asbestos-free and a survey needs to be provided prior to approval of collection. The paperwork can be completed within an hour. The catch is the tiles need to first be put on a pallet and stretch wrapped. There is a program through Waste Management in Wyoming, Saginaw, and Detroit where Waste Management will drop off a dumpster and take care of the pallet process.
If you're interested in the program please visit this link. Click here for more information.
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Virtual Tour of MSU Emmons Hall
Take a virtual tour of the newly renovated Michigan State University Emmons Hall. Learn what makes this a registered LEED Silver certified building.
Begin the virtual tour.
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USGBC National Board Elections
Starting Oct. 3 and through Nov. 1, employees of USGBC's member organizations will be able to begin voting for USGBC's 2012 Board of Directors. Members will choose from among 11 candidates for the following open board seats: Designer of Buildings, Environmental Nonprofit Advocate, Urban/Regional Planner, and Large-Scale Manufacturer. Vote today!
Click here for more information about the candidates and to begin voting.
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'App Store' Aims to Get LEED Buildings to Deliver on Performance There are two big challenges in ramping up the potential impacts of green building technologies: Getting more green buildings built, and making sure they are performing as efficiently as expected.
Today, just in advance of the annual Greenbuild conference, Indie Energy has launched what it thinks could be a solution to the performance problem. The company's Energy App Exchange is an open platform for developers to create solutions to make sure sustainable buildings deliver on their promise.
Read complete article.
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Ways to Get Involved
- Lead an Interest Circle
- Make a tax-deductable contribution to your Chapter.
- Support the Chapter with your continuing membership, so that we can support you.
- Send newsletter content to admin@usgbcwm.org. Articles welcome!
Contact Trisha Spaulding with articles for our monthly radio show. WGVU FM airs a 20-minute interview show the fourth Monday of each month titled Getting Green - Hosted by Shelly Irwin. It's an opportunity to educate and communicate all things green. We are looking for ideas, topics and potential guests. You can call Trisha at 616-574-0220 or cell: 616-901-7316. |
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