Chapter Committees
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Get engaged.
Network.
Get involved with a Committee!
Deeper Green
Regional & Statewide Outreach
Education
Communications
Membership
Advocacy
Fundraising
Events
Emerging Professionals (EPMA)
To find out more about the committees and how to get connected, go to our website or send an email to
[email protected]
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Chapter Events
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January BLUG:
The January BLUG will be on LEED Credentialing Maintenance. The expert will be: Jennifer L. Cronan, P.E., LEED AP, GGP - Construction Manager and LEED Coordinator at Jones Lang LaSalle Construction. Jennifer recently presented on the Credential Maintenance Program at Greenbuild in Chicago. Date: January 18, 2011Time: 6:00 - 7:00pmLocation: the Boston Society of Architects/AIA
The Architects Building, 3rd floor conference rm. 52 Broad Street, Boston
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EPMA Events
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Design Competition: Design Solutions to Environmental Needs This winter, USGBC Emerging Professionals of MA, in parternship with Youthbuild Boston and the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy is hosting the "New Urban Tree" Design-Build Competition. Primarily, as environmental stewards, the competition challenges the design and engineering community to conceptualize a non- biological design solution to the crisis of shrinking tree cover in metropolitan areas. Through biomimicry, the "New Urban Tree" will replicate the spatial and environmental function of a tree. Registration is now open and submissions will be accepted through February 11, 2011. For more information, please see the EPMA website or contact the committee.
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Sponsors
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Is your company interested in being a Sponsor of the USGBC Massachusetts Chapter?
Click here to find out the benefits you'll receive as a Chapter sponsor.
Donations are tax deductible and a great way to support our green building education, advocacy and outreach programming efforts in MA!
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Our Chapter Founding Sponsors
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Platinum: Baldwin/Clancy/Rogan Advertising; National Grid; DLA Piper.
Gold: NEXUS; Boston Properties; Sasaki.
Silver: AHA Consulting Engineers; K&L Gates.
Bronze: Sterritt Lumber; Lutron; Citizens Bank; Structure Tone; Mark Richey Woodworking; Margulies Perruzzi Architects; Robinson & Cole.
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Chapter Newsletter
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Interested in writing for the Massachusetts Chapter newsletter? Please email Carrie at [email protected]
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Greetings!
Want to do something different in 2011? Join a growing organization & help to change the green building community!
The Massachusetts Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) will be accepting nominations for candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. Qualified candidates are those who are current members in good standing with the Massachusetts Chapter of the USGBC and have demonstrated interest in Chapter activities. It is also expected that nominees will have a familiarity with the mission and goals of the USGBC national organization. To find out more about Board of Director responsibilities and qualifications, click here.
Valid forms must be received by January 5, 2011. Ballots will be distributed and voting will begin around January 7, 2011. Click here to learn how to submit your nomination.
Election results will be announced at the Chapter's Annual Membership Meeting on January 26th.
The event will be at the BAC from 5:30-8:30, with the first 1/2hr open for voting. So SAVE THE DATE!
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2010 Member Recognition Event
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Sixty active members, volunteers and s ponsors of the Chapter came together last week at the Westin Waterfront Hotel's Sauscity Restaurant. The Member Recognition event was a celebration of a tremendously successful first year for the USGBC MA Chapter and was an opportunity to acknowledge several members who have gone above and beyond to ensure the organization's success. This was the first annual Member Recognition Event and Toys for Tots drive, but it will definitely not be the last!
Click here to see more photos of the event and read about the winners.
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LEED Certified Wood Credit to Stay the Same
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"A proposed rewrite of the certified wood policy in the LEED rating systems failed to get  enough "Yes" votes from U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) members to become policy. Without a two-thirds majority, the policy failed to pass under LEED rules, and the certified wood credits will remain unchanged." - USGBC
The Forest Certification Benchmark would have allowed any forest certification program to be evaluated against the same set of stringent attributes. Programs that met the benchmark would have been recognized in LEED. Since the benchmark was voted down, the LEED certified wood credit will stay the same.
At the BLUG a couple weeks ago, Jack Mackin of Sterritt Lumber Company gave some tips on how to get the FSC wood credit:
- Don't wait until the last minute to try to get FSC wood - you may not be able to get what you need. Think ahead!
- Don't assume the team knows anything about FSC wood.
- Give clear instructions to bidders.
- Have clearly marked/written drawings and specs.
- Make sure you require FSC submittals.
- Provide list of suppliers.
- Check the validity of COC.
- Know documentation requirements.
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National Grid Becomes Platinum Sponsor
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In a brief ceremony at Nation al Grid's LEED Platinum New England Main Office, National Grid's Director of Business Operations, Michael McAteer and Lead Account Executive of the Architect & Engineer Program, Mark Stafford, presented a check to Suzanne Abbott, Chapter Operations Consultant, Jim Newman, Vice-Chair, and William Holland, Founding Board Member of the United States Green Building Council's Massachusetts Chapter. Mark Stafford, National Grid: "National Grid recognizes the importance of sponsoring the USGBC MA Chapter and partnering with them to promote, educate and communicate our mutually important message of sustainability and energy efficiency. National Grid looks forward to working with the USGBC MA Chapter in supporting LEED and the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated."
Suzanne Abbott USGBC MA: "The US Green Building Council's Massachusetts Chapter continues to strive to educate the community on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. National Grid continues to lead the way in energy efficiency both within their company and throughout their work in Massachusetts. We are proud to have National Grid as a Platinum Sponsor."
To view National Grid's energy efficiency programs go to www.powerofaction.com/efficiency
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| Advocacy Update:Federal Facilities Training Act | |
From the Grassroots: a Win on Congressional Advocacy
On Nov. 30, 2010, USGBC learned of a schedule change in the U.S. House of Representatives, offering a brief window of opportunity for USGBC's 2010 Congressional Advocacy Day participants to continue their dialogue with members of Congress on one of USGBC's priority pieces of federal legislation this fall. Legislative Director Bryan Howard notified chapter advocates who have worked with USGBC on advocacy to Congress, and the grassroots support that ensued influenced the passage of HR.5112, the "Federal Facilities Training Act," a bill (S.3250) previously passed by the Senate in July.
This legislation provides federal facilities staff with the necessary training to maintain and operate high performance buildings, requiring that competence in operations and maintenance be demonstrated through education courses, certification or licenses as determined by the administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The bill is currently on President Obama's desk, and a signature is expected. Written by Jeremy Sigmon LEED AP BD+C Manager, Building Codes Advocacy, USGBC |
USGBC Upper Northeast Region "Drop In" Calls
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February: Switch Your Approach to Membership: What It Means to Be a Public-Benefit Charity
The USGBC Upper Northeast Region is hosting a series of calls designed to get you the information you need to succeed with USGBC!
These calls are for all chapter members in the seven states within the Upper Northeast Region (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York Upstate, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.) The format is a brief presentation followed by time for questions, answers, comments and sharing. There will be a 30 minute call every other month, with a different topic each time.
Topic: Switch Your Approach to Membership:
What It Means To Be A Public-Benefit Charity
When: February 8, 2011; 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Presenter: Lisa Whited, USGBC Organizational Development Consultant. Lisa will explain what the IRS 501c3 designation means and share how switching your
chapter's approach can grow your membership.
Event link
Event password: UNeRC2010!
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LEED for Subs Workshop a Success!
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LEED for Subcontractors Workshop 2010
by Peter Papesch, AIA
National Grid hosted this year's LE ED for Subcontractors workshop at their Waltham Headquarters, and it was another success. We had 49 attendees, plus a handful of presenters and other committee members. 15 of the attendees took advantage of the special offer to also become USGBC MA members.
National Grid's Ben Rivers and Peter Papesch coordinated the event. Chapter Operations Consultant Suzanne Abbott and Susie Price checked in the attendees, and Adam Redbord coordinated Forklift catering. Peter Papesch gave a brief introduction, emphasizing how everything we do in the building sector also contributes to atmospheric pollution by greenhouse gases. Ellen Light gave a succinct overview of USGBC and LEED, and Suffolk Construction's Steve Lappin highlighted the important role the subcontractors play in a construction team seeking LEED certification for their building. After a short break, Bill Holland presented an overview of Materials and Resources, followed by an hour-long break-out session under the guidance of table leaders. Marie Nolan discussed Indoor Environmental Quality, and our inimitable Jim Newman provided us with a list of resources.
To read more about this event, go to our Chapter website.
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Put Your Website Expertise to Good Use
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 USGBC MA is looking for a volunteer to help keep the Chapter website current and interactive for members. Some website projects we are currently working on are case studies, map of local green organizations, speakers bureau, and video links. We are looking for someone who has open source website knowledge and constituent management database experience. We use drupal and CiviCRM, but experience with other systems is helpful. If you are interested, contact Phoebe Beierle. Compensation may be considered depending on experience. |
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SGBC Massachusetts Chapter is a non-profit organization serving the sustainable design community throughout the Commonwealth by providing a wide range of green building education, networking and advocacy services. For more information visit: