January Events

see: http://www.usgbcma.org/events_calendar

Wednesday 1/29: Our Annual Meeting w/ "Greenbuild in Boston"

We have a great event in store for you! Come join us at EnerNOC for a variety pack: finalizing our Board of Directors Election, recognizing our awesome volunteers, and hearing from a few green building luminaries as they summarize their Greenbuild presentations.

The evening starts at 5:30 with our Volunteer Recognition Ceremony. Dozens of volunteers have contributed hundreds of hours of service to the Chapter. Let's give them a hand!

At 6:30 we will hear some quick "teaser" presentations lifted straight from Greenbuild. Read more here. We will hold a series of Greenbuild presentations in 2014.

Gunnar Hubbard of Thornton Tomasetti: Using the Outdoors to Create Indoor Comfort
Chris Schaffner of The Green Engineer: Creating Sustainable Organizations and the B Corporation
Ian Finlayson & Pat Coleman from MA DOER: Energy Ratings for Homes and Commercial Building Labeling

The evening will evolve into networking among the membership and guests.

When: January 29th, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: EnerNOC Headquarters, 1 Marina Park Drive, Boston, MA
Cost: Free (small fee for non-members)
RSVP: On the Chapter website

TONIGHT in Northampton! Western MA Green Consortium:

USGBC MA West Branch Green Building Update and Green Drinks

Anyone in the western part of the State is welcome to come out to hear from Ludmilla Pavlova and Mark Dunn, both of UMass Amherst Facilities & Planning, to learn more about exciting green building activities in the region.

When: January 8th, 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Location: Clarion Hotel, 1 Atwood Drive, Northampton, MA

Cost: Free
RSVP: Read the flyer through this link

Monday - 1/13: Energy Performance Scores for Homes

Come to our next Residential Green Building Committee meeting this Monday for a presentation on energy performance scores (EPS) from Alissa Whiteman of the Dept. of Energy Resources.

An EPS is like an MPG rating-an energy efficiency metric that's comparable across homes. To compute an EPS, software models make building predictions about energy use based on a home's measurable features and incorporating standard assumptions about typical occupant behavior. The EPS provides a way for homeowners to more easily understand the current efficiency of their home, as well as what it would be if the home were upgraded.

When: January 13th, 5:45 PM to 7:45 PM

Location: 281 Summer St, fifth floor, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
More Info: On the Chapter website

Check out our VIDEOS on YouTube - Fun for Everyone!

We have a great group of interviews from our Showcase.

Tues 1/14: Cape & Islands "Materials Dinner"

Produced in conjunction with HBRACC - the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod - the USGBC MA Cape & Islands Committee presents "Cost Effective Green Materials - Selections For Everyday Construction Projects"

We'll hear from three great speakers:

Nicole Goldman, founder of 'g' Green Design Center
Richard McLaughlin, owner of Fresh Interiors in South Yarmouth
Craig Fischer, Shepley Wood Products Architectural Window Specialist

This expert panel of material suppliers discusses what defines green materials, how they are beneficial, and easy opportunities for integrating green materials into typical construction projects.

When: January 14th, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Double Tree by Hilton, 287 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, MA

Cost: $35

RSVP: through this link

We are hiring! Seeking a part-time Outreach & Communications Manager - take a look at the job description here. Deadline 2/3/14

Thurs 1/16 Design for the Post-Carbon Economy

Wake up! Wake up! It's time for the Green Breakfast Club in Boston. Eric Corey Freed is in town from southern California to talk about the future. Join us for an exciting presentation about Net Zero, Post Carbon and Organic Architecture.

Even if every new building were to obtain LEED Platinum certification, it wouldn't reduce our current carbon emissions. In truth we need to focus on making all buildings be net zero energy, net zero water and net zero carbon, including our existing ones.

The next generation of buildings can't simply continue trying to be "less bad" or make us feel guilty for our lifestyles. What is needed are living, regenerative buildings that do no harm and repair the damage we've done. In this talk we will explore new models for how to transform our buildings into living habitats.

When: January 16th, 2013 7:30 AM through 9:30 AM

Location: 281 Summer Street, 5th Fl, Boston, MA

Cost: Free (small fee for non-members)
RSVP: On the Chapter website

Tues 1/21 6pm The LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE

The Living Building Challenge is a philosophy, advocacy tool, and certification program that addresses development at all scales. This one hour introduction will review the seven performance areas, the certification process, and will review project examples. What if every single act of design and construction made the world a better place? Come learn how.

An Introduction to The Living Building Challenge:

Understand the basic philosophy of the Living Buidling Challenge
Desribe the key components of the program
Discuss the rationale for restorative design principles
Identify and locate the resources provided by the International Living Future Institute for deeper engagement

Presented by: Shawn Hesse, emersionDESIGN, a Living Buiding Challenge Ambassador and member of the City of Cambridge Net Zero Task Force.

Tuesday, January 21st 6pm-8pm at 5 Cambridge Center, 7th Floor [MIT Center for Collective Intelligence]

To learn more or register, go to the Chapter website.

Webinars

Come attend our in-person webinar presentations for your credential maintenance. Learn, network, socialize and connect to the Chapter. Show up and earn your GBCI hours. This is a great free benefit for Chapter Members! (small fee for non-members)

January 15, 4:30PM
LEED 252: Introduction to LEED V4 (1.5 GBCI) - this is the first time we're broadcasting the new USGBC LEED v4 webinar content. All new material!

January 23, 12PM

LEED 252: Introduction to LEED V4 (1.5 GBCI) - yes, again!

Committee Meetings and Other Gatherings

January 13th 5:45pm - the Residential Green Building Committee on Energy Performance Scores

January 15th 6:15pm - Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts (EPMA) - kick-off meeting - planning for 2014

January 16th 5:30pm - The Design Museum of Boston "Green Patriot" opening reception

January 23rd 5:45pm
Communications and Membership Combined Committee Meeting - organizing our outreach and more!

February 13th 6pm - The Emerging Professionals (EPMA) is hosting their Kick-off Soiree at the Baseball Tavern in the Fenway

Save the Date: LEED v4 Professional Session for Practitioners at NESEA BE14 - Tuesday, March 4th 9am - 5pm (scroll to bottom of page!)

Connect With Us

The U

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: www.usgbcma.org