Call for Conference Sponsors: Conference sponsorship opportunities now available! We have added some new categories (Localvore Lunch Sponsor, for example) and benefits.... With more ~350 attendees, don't miss this opportunity to underscore your organization's commitment to developing a robust SR business sector in Vermont and help VBSR maintain its educational presence and offerings. Learn more here!

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK! 

*** REGISTRATION OPENS FIRST WEEK OF APRIL ***

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Vermont lawmakers returned to Montpelier this month after the week-long Town Meeting break, signifying the half-way point of the session. The week following town meeting is known as crossover - bills need to be approved by their committee of jurisdiction by that Friday if they stand a chance of becoming law this year. It was the week that some bills died and others advanced through the committee and floor process.

 

Following is an update on legislative priorities VBSR has been working on this year and where they stand with about six weeks of the legislative session left:

 

Clean Energy - Both the House and Senate have approved legislation expanding the state's net metering program, lifting the cap from 4% to 15% of peak load (several utilities had already hit the cap, slowing deployment of solar in some parts of the state). Meanwhile, the Senate is working has worked on bills aimed at bringing more regulation to the siting of energy projects, including small-scale solar. There have also been attempts to scale back the state's long-term dedication to energy efficiency.

 

To read about the other bills VBSR has worked on this year click here to go to the VBSR policy blog.  

Upcoming VBSR Events

 

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Member Jobs

 
Vermont Wins Five Gold Medals at International Cheese Competition

Vermont cheesemakers won five gold medals at the 2014 World Championship Cheese Contest, which concluded Wednesday in Madison, WI. VBSR Members Jasper Hill Farm of Greensboro and Cabot C reamery both won multiple awards. Jasper Hill also placed two cheeses, their Bayley Hazen Blue and Harbison, among the overall Top 16. Click here to see the full article from vermontbiz.com.  

Gardener's Supply Certified by B Corp as Socially and Environmentally Responsible Business
B Corp, the premier entity that measures the social and environmental practices of businesses nationwide and internationally, has certified Gardener's Supply of Burlington, Vermont, a leading online and catalog garden products retailer and wholesaler, as a Certified B Corporation. B Lab is the national non-profit that certifies and supports B Corporations. B Lab conducted a rigorous evaluation of Gardener's Supply and determined that the company met the comprehensive performance standards required to qualify for certification. Gardener's Supply will join other Certified B Corporations that are legally empowered to consider the impact of their decisions on their employees, suppliers, community, consumers and environment. Click here for the full CSR Press Release.


Renewable NRG Systems Honored with Worksite Wellness Award
Renewable NRG Systems, a designer and manufacturer of decision support tools for the global renewable energy industry, has been recognized with a Worksite Wellness Silver Level Award by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports and the Vermont Department of Health. This award acknowledges the company's fitness facilities and initiatives that encourage employee health and wellbeing. "Worksites that promote healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco use cessation, and breastfeeding contribute to the overall health and wellness of all Vermonters, and they are one of the key reasons we are routinely rated the nation's healthiest state," said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD.  Click here for the full story from Renewable NRG Systems.

 

B Lab Receives Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship

 The Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship is given each year to organizations that "are disrupting the status quo, driving large-scale change, and are poised to make an even greater impact on the world." Skoll has been closely following the growth of the global movement of Certified B Corps, and believes in its ability to affect social change on a wide scale by redefining success in business. This award belongs to us all. The entire community of B Corporations and their supporters is what make this movement worthy of recognition. Click here to read the original story. 

 

 

City Market Onion River Co-op Members Donate to Non-Profits

City Market, a Member-owned cooperative, declared a Patronage Dividend for fiscal year 2013 of $1,588,814, based on net income from sales to its Members. The City Market Board of Directors voted to return 55% of this dividend to Members in the form of a Patronage Refund. On November 8, the Co-op mailed over 9,000 checks to its Members, with an average check of $96. Click here to read the original press release from City Market.     

 

 

   

BCorp Names SunCommon Among "Best for the World"

 Today, 92 companies worldwide were recognized for creating the most positive overall social and environmental impact by the nonprofit B Lab with the release of the third annual B Corp Best for the World list.  The B Corp Best for the World list honors businesses that earned an overall score in the top 10% of all Certified B Corporations on the B Impact Assessment, a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of a company's impact on its workers, community, and the environment.  Honorees were recognized among micro, small, and mid-sized businesses. Click here to read the remainder of the press release. 

 

 

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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.

Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility

255 South Champlain Street, Suite 11

Burlington, Vermont 05401

(802) 862-8347