VBSR Welcomes and Thanks our Newest Members!
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An online business-to-business marketplace using trade dollars valued the same as cash! Double-Member-Offer Montpelier Alive  Underwriting for Montpelier's 4th annual celebration of National Poetry Month (100% trade) Placement on the Montpelier downtown business map. (Appears in Vermont I-89 travel guide, on-line, and as a large scale poster displayed at the Montpelier Information Booth and Capitol Region Visitor's Center) ($20 as 100% trade) Email Marketplace Broker, Amy Kirschner, or call 399-4210 for more details. To activate your marketplace account and start buying and selling with VBSR members, ________________________
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VBSR Bookshelf
VBSR Bookshelf
brought to you by:
Northshire Bookstore
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| At VBSR,
Our mission
is to foster a business ethic in Vermont that recognizes the opportunity and responsibility of the business community to set a high standard for protecting the natural, human, and economic environments of our citizens. We are committed to a multiple bottom line approach to business that values people, planet and profit.
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Dear Members:
VBSR is pleased to have had a role in helping to support Vermont House passage of H. 99: Equal Pay and Workplace Protections. The bill now goes over to the Senate for consideration. H. 99 proposes to clarify and strengthen existing laws regarding equal pay and the prohibition of discrimination in employment, and to ensure that employees can request flexible work schedules without fear of retaliation. It is hard to believe that in this day and age that nationally, women only earn 78 percent of what their male counterparts earn. We are only doing slightly better in Vermont at 84 percent. We need to do better by our citizens and our families and we ask our members to do your part in facilitating open conversation in your work place about how best to meet employers' and employee needs.
As you can see below, with the arrival of Spring we are actively planning a fantastic Spring Conference for May 14th in Burlington. Please plan on joining us! Your VBSR Board and Staff Team look forward to the lively networking and educational exchange.
Best,
Andrea Cohen, VBSR Executive Director
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Internship Program
Hits Busy Season
Manager seen throughout state
Since January, the Intern Program has posted 45 positions and filled 12, well on the way to meeting and exceeding projected numbers. And now, as spring rolls into town, the internship program is starting to hit it's busy season. In the next two weeks, the program will attend 8 career fairs throughout the state and expects several internships to be posted this month.
If your company would like to be part of the "busy season" by hiring a spring or summer intern, email Becky today or visit the webpage for more information. Check out current internship openings here.
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This Issue of Enews Sponsored By:
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VBSR's 2013 Spring Conference
UVM's Davis Center, Burlington, VT - Tuesday, May 14
Registration: Registration will open in early April... stay tuned!!
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Buy Local Book Launches March "Pot o' Local Gold" Discount
Book features 3 counties of deals
It's your lucky day, err... month! During the month of March, purchase Buy Local Books for only $10 (regularly $15) and receive coupons worth hundreds -- possibly even thousands! -- of dollars in savings, all at local Vermont businesses.
Click here to find a Buy Local Book distributor!
And don't forget to Buy Local First!
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2013 Health Care Exchange Webinars
Log on and listen to learn
As the exchange approaches, it is clear that small businesses are still confused about the right thing to do. On Thursday, March 21, Vermont Health Connect (the State exchange) will be running a webinar from 12:00-1:00 PM, in attempts to help clear up some of that confusion. If you would like to attend via your computer, register here.VBSR member Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Vermont has offered all VHSG association members the opportunity to "attend" a health care exchange Webinar on April 3, 11:00. To register for this webinar, click here.________________________________________________________________
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Local Initiatives Showcased on
"The Vermont Conversation"
Wednesdays, 1-2 PM
On Wednesday March 20, "The Vermont Conversation" featured authors Rob Williams & Kirkpatrick Sale who discussed "Most Likely to Secede," their new book about Vermont localization initiatives. Lynne Goodson, of VBSR's Local First Vermont Program, also joined host David Goodman and discussed Local First's signature Buy Local Coupon Book. Listen to the show here, or if you missed any other recent shows, check out the full list here or click on a specific show below:
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 Public Policy: S.30 Update
VBSR works to support renewable energy
S.30, a bill that would place Act 250 requirements on statewide energy generating projects, is expected to hit the Senate floor for a vote sometime next week. VBSR does not support this bill because: (1) It is premature as the work of the Energy Generation Siting Commission, which has taken hundreds of hours of testimony on the issue, is still ongoing. (2) It is inconsistent with the will of Vermonters, the business community and the state's renewable energy goals. (3) It will make Vermont more dependent on out-of-state sources of energy while missing out on the economic development and energy stability that comes with developing more in-state sources of renewable energy. READ our letter to the Vermont Senate telling them to oppose this bill. VBSR members who also oppose this bill can contact their State Senators and let them know they should vote against S.30 this week. CLICK HERE to find out who your senator is. CLICK HERE to find their contact information. Follow our Policy Blog.________________________________________________________________________ |
VBSR Benefit Corner:
Local First Vermont Membership
Free to qualifying VBSR members
Local First Vermont (LFVT) is a VBSR program committed to preserving the character and prosperity of Vermont's economy, community networks and natural landscape. Members of Local First Vermont receive a number of different branding and promotional benefits:
- LFVT sticker for doors and permission to use logo for company promotion. (Check out Environmental Hazard Management's trucks!)
- Links to online images for your website. (Already a member but need a sticker or a link to online logos? Email Calen!)
- Recognition in VBSR's online directory.
- Reduced Buy Local Book Advertising: LFVT's "Buy Local Book" reaches well over 5,000 people. In 2012, LFVT members saved $50 more than non-members when advertising in the Buy Local Book. Sales for 2013 book ads will start in April.
- LFVT Flags are also available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Calen to get yours today.
See if you qualify for Local First Vermont membership!Do YOU meet the criteria? Join VBSR today and make sure to mark "LFVT" when completing the application! Already a VBSR member and want to take advantage of LFVT benefits? Contact Calen today!
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VBSR Hosts Three Events in Four Weeks
Over 300 attendees pack winter events
 The early winter months of 2013 were packed with VBSR events. On January 31, over 60 people attended a Get-Together hosted by Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery. On February 7, over 100 people joined VBSR at our annual Legislative Reception. And last month 150 guests turned out for a Get-Together co-hosted by Vermont Smoke and Cure and the Hinesburgh Public House. If you missed any of these events, check out the photos below. Click here for photos of Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery Click here for photos of the Legislative Reception Click here for photos from Vermont Smoke and Cure VBSR will be taking a break from networking events in April, but be sure to join us next week on March 27 our Get-Together hosted by New Chapter in Brattleboro! (More info below.) ___________________________________________________________ |
Upcoming VBSR Events
VBSR Networking Get-Togethers
Join VBSR and New Chapter in beautiful Brattleboro! Network with like-minded business professionals, learn New Chapter's commitment to social responsibility, and enjoy food and drink provided by our generous host!
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Member Events
Upcoming Member Events:
4/12 and 20: Smart Grid: Intelligent Energy Infrastructure
4/26: Introduction to Solar PV
Log-on to VBSR's website to post an event. Forgot your password? Send us an email!
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Member News
We want your news!! Submit or post a story on our
Facebook page or send Russ an email...
News items will be posted in the "Member News" section of our website and will be considered for inclusion in VBSR's monthly E-News.
 To support the growing demand for quality local meats, Guild & Company will open a 5000 square foot USDA approved meat processing facility in Winooski. Guild Fine Meats, the retail extension of Guild & Company's Winooski meat processing facility, is scheduled to open this summer at its downtown location of 111 Saint Paul Street, Burlington. This project is in collaboration with Rob Downey and Paul Sayler of American Flatbread Burlington Hearth. Guild Fine Meats will be an old world style butcher shop and delicatessen offering fresh meats, house sausages, charcuterie, and Italian salumi made from 100% locally sourced, naturally raised meats. Check out more details here!
Renewable Energy Vermont recently circulated an online petition to oppose Senate Bill 30. Click here to read the letter they drafted and check out the over 150 Vermont businesses that "signed-on" to the petition. 
This March, for the second year in a row, Kids VT, a Seven Days publication serving as Vermont's free monthly parenting magazine, took home top prizes in the Parenting Media Association's Design and Editorial Awards Competition at the organization's annual convention in Atlanta, Ga. Congrats everyone, keep up the good work!
  For a week in February, City Market customers were given the opportunity to support the Intervale Center at the checkout line. Shoppers added an additional $1 to their bills and pledged it toward the non-profit organization working to build and strengthen community food systems. Vermont Coffee Company partnered in the event and donated to the Intervale Center 25 cents for each pound of bulk coffee sold at City Market. City Market in turn matched Vermont Coffee Company's donation in full, for a total fundraising effort of $2,433. Read the whole story.
AllEarth Renewables, has announced a new program to finance solar at no cost to homeowners, businesses, non-profits, and public institutions. The residential lease is unique, offering a no cost lease for homeowners to net meter with solar at or below their electric rates and the opportunity to fully own the system at a significantly reduced cost after 7 years. Get more info!____________________________________________________ |
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