Making Sustainability Standard Practice
Vol. 10       No. 4       April 2016
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn
In This Issue
Quick Links
Register today!
Apply code: 200ISSP
at check out & save
$200. Offer exp: 4/30
Upcoming Events
Ongoing:
Ongoing:
Top
From the President's Desk
Meet Other ISSP Members Locally and Worldwide
By Marilyn Johnson, ISSP President and Senior Director, Corporate Sustainability at IHS, Seattle WA  

One of my favorite benefits of being involved with ISSP is in expanding my professional network and having the opportunity to work with and develop friendships with amazing people from around the world. As you grow in your career, please note that there are many opportunities to volunteer and get involved on ISSP committees and projects. Perhaps your interest is in starting or joining a local chapter. In addition, there are opportunities to meet other ISSP members, live and in person, at different sustainability events around the world. If you are interested in connecting with ISSP board members, please refer to the new 'Out and About' section of our newsletter to learn when and where our board members will be attending conferences and meetings. And for those of you that will be at the upcoming Responsible Business Summit in NYC April 12-13th, please be sure to reach out and say hello!

ISSP Certification News
ISSP-SA Beta Participation Tops 130-Member Mark 
This week marks the close of ISSP's highly successful ISSP-SA Beta, a second Beta test of the ISSP Sustainability Associate Certification process. Over 130 professionals representing a range of industries and countries participated, bringing a diverse group of ISSP members into the certification program.

Along with an earlier ISSP-SA Beta and accompanying ISSP-CSP Beta held during the summer and fall of 2015, the latest exam has given ISSP valuable feedback as we continue to develop the first internationally recognized certification for sustainability professionals. It has also helped to expose the immense interest, enthusiasm, and ultimate need for certification among those in the sustainability field. Stay tuned for the forthcoming announcement of the second cohort of certified ISSP Sustainability Associates!

The success of the Beta occurs as ISSP moves forward on Certification through the development of our Education Partners program. The program will recognize organizations that share ISSP's mission of making sustainability standard practice around the world, and will include promotional and networking benefits for those who qualify. If your organization is interested in participating, send us an e-mail at [email protected]. 
Read the Paper and Attend the Webinar:
A Behavioral Competency Model for Sustainability Leaders  
Sustainability leaders need a wide-ranging and divergent mix of behavioral competencies to be effective. Where leaders have more developed competencies, they are able to respond to sophisticated challenges in a way that others are not. ISSP member Beth Knight, who is Head of Corporate Sustainability for EY, authored a paper on this topic that was recently published by The University of Cambridge. Download a copy of Beth's findings from the Special Reports page of the ISSP website.

On Thursday, May 19th at 11:00am PT, Beth will present an ISSP webinar on her research. Key takeaways from the webinar will include an overview of the scope of sustainability leadership roles and the evolving nature of this discipline. Find out more!
 
Back to top
April Webinar: The Transformational Company - The New Sustainability Leadership Standard 
Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 11:00am PT / 2:00pm ET 
 
Corporate responsibility and sustainability have become crucial for business success.  This webinar will provide an overview of The Qualities of a Transformational Company, a new leadership standard in corporate responsibility and sustainability. Based on research conducted for Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, The Qualities of a Transformational Company focuses on the new imperative for business and societal success. The webinar will include the drivers and trends of this new business paradigm, the business case, and suggestions for how you can use the qualities in your organization.

ISSP Chapter News
ISSP Local Chapters Offer Diverse Set of Activities
ISSP members continue to form local chapters across the globe in order to meet and network with other sustainability professionals. Here's a round-up of upcoming chapter activities.

Join Us for a Screening of Love Thy Nature

In celebration of Earth Day, the New York City Chapter joins other NYC regional environmental groups for an April 25th, 7pm ET screening of the award-winning documentary, Love Thy Nature. Narrated by Liam Neeson, the film is a cinematic journey through the beauty and intimacy of our relationship with the natural world. It shows how a renewed connection with nature is central not only to our well-being, but also to solving our global climate and environmental crises. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A discussion with the film's director, writer, and producer, Sylvie Rokab. Guests are then invited to join a cash-bar networking reception at the nearby Reservoir Bar.
 
You can learn more about the film and purchase tickets. ISSP-NYC Chapter friends will receive a 25% discount with the promo code <ISSP>. Code expires April 18th.
 
Explore Ocean Frontiers 

Join the ISSP Greater Washington DC Chapter on April 13th and learn about the draft Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Plan - being released for public review this spring - and find out how we can help sustain the ocean environment, marine livelihoods, and coastal cultures in our increasingly busy Mid-Atlantic waters. An interactive panel discussion with regional and international experts will follow the film. This event is hosted by George Mason University, the ISSP Greater Washington DC Chapter, and Green Fire Productions. The event is free, but registration is required at bit.ly/RSVP-NOVA. Stay up to date on all activities of the ISSP Greater Washington DC Chapter by joining the DC local chapter LinkedIn group page.
 
Executive Director Maureen Hart to Help Lead Certification Workshop

ISSP Executive Director Maureen Hart will join attendees of the April 11 meeting of the ISSP Colorado Chapter to explore the ins and outs of the ISSP Sustainability Professional Certification program. Participants will be able to review and discuss sample questions from the certification exam. Join us in Denver to meet Maureen and to learn more about ISSP Sustainability Professional Certification - what it is, how it works, and what it will do for you. Check out event details here. 

ISSP Out and About: Where to Meet our Board Members
Here's a look at where various ISSP board members will be traveling this month. If you're attending any of these events, seek them out and say hello!

Baltimore, MD
ISSP Board Member Rob Andrejewski attending

New York, NY
ISSP President Marilyn Johnson speaking

April 22-24 TSC Summit
Washington, DC
ISSP Board Members Alejandro Florenzano and Sarah Lewis attending

Sustainability Events Around the World   
 
The International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) is the world's leading professional association for sustainability professionals. ISSP is a member-driven association committed to moving the profession of sustainability forward through building strong networks and communities of practice.