August
2015
Vermont Businesses for 
Social Responsibility
 
Just Good Business.
Members and Friends:

What a privilege it is to work with VBSR members who truly do strive to do good with their businesses. In the past month, we've seen some incredible, selfless acts from business leaders using their voice to promote not themselves, but others in the community doing good.

At our Networking Get-Together Hosted by VSECU on July 30, several event sponsors used their podium time to thank our host for their involvement in Southern Vermont and for their dedication to environmental and community well-being. As we looked for sponsors for our number-one rated radio show, The Vermont Conversation, we were thrilled to have a longtime VBSR supporter come on board as a new supporter of the show. The caveat? They're working with us to use their airtime to focus on VBSR member nonprofits. 

It's selfless acts like these that show how business can truly build our communities and be a force for good. And speaking of, we hope you will join us on September 16th to honor another CSR-minded business leader. This year's 14th Annual Terry Ehrich Award Ceremony and Dinner will honor SunCommon Co-Founder and Co-President Duane Peterson for exemplifying the triple-bottom-line approach to business.

Thank you all for working to create a healthy, sustainable community and economy in Vermont and beyond.

People. Planet. Profit.

Russ Elek
Communication and Membership Manager
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VBSR Welcomes and Thanks our Newest Members!
 
 
Individual Members:
Caroline Dowe
Jack Dubois
Caroline Hauser

*Also joined Local First Vermont! 
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This Edition of E-news Sponsored by: 
 

Introducing "Career Pathway Certificate Programs"... Pursue YOUR dream job.

VBSR members receive 20% certificate programs designed to help you take the next step in your career.
Click here to learn more or get enrolled today.
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Registration Open for 14th Annual Terry Ehrich Award Ceremony and Dinner
Celebrate Great Business Practices September 16  
  
Join us as we celebrate Duane Peterson, Co-Founder and Co-President of SunCommon, on September 16 from 6:00 - 8:30 PM.

We'll honor Duane with a fun and festive celebration in Williston, Vermont at the beautiful mountain-top property of Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's and 2010 Terry Ehrich Awardee. Guests will have the chance to network and celebrate capitalism with a conscience while enjoying a cocktail hour, dinner by Sugarsnap, a unique dessert from Ben & Jerry's, and a cash bar; all of which will feature Vermont producers ,including many VBSR members. This year's award will be presented by none other than Ben & Jerry themselves... you won't want to miss this event!
 
 Named for the late owner of Hemmings Motor News and a founding member of VBSR, the "Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business" is given to a VBSR member who best exemplifies Terry Ehrich's commitment to the environment, workplace, progressive public policy, and community. Fellow VBSR members proposed Peterson for the award through an open nomination process and VBSR's Nominating Committee suggested the board of directors honor Peterson with the award. Click here to learn more about the event or:


Don't forget, VBSR members save $25!!! 
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2015/16 Buy Local Book Is Here!
6th Edition Hits Stands in September 
  
The 6th edition of Local First Vermont's Buy Local Resource Guide and Coupon Book is here! This year's book features 200+ coupons from a great selection of Vermont-owned businesses in Addison, Chittenden, and Washington counties.

From now through September, you can purchase a book and support your local schools: more than a dozen school groups are currently selling the book as a fundraiser for $20 per book. (Last year, students raised more than $20,000 through this fundraiser!) Click here for a list of participating schools.

On Saturday, September 26th, we will host Buy Local Book launch events in Burlington, Middlebury and Montpelier. That day only, books will sell for $15 each. Then on Sunday, September 27th, the book will be available at select stores for $18 per book. If you'd like to sell the Buy Local Book at your business please contact Wendy Wilson McArdle, Interim Manager of Local First Vermont. Commission is $4 per book this year!

The Buy Local Book is a highly visible way for VBSR to promote local businesses and help Vermont communities thrive... special thanks go out to the VBSR members who advertised in this year's edition! For more information on the launch events or to stay up to date with your local, Vermont-owned businesses, like us on Facebook. 
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Southern Vermont Chapter Ramps Up 
Events Being Planned Through End of Year
 
As our Southern Vermont Chapter gears up for a new season of networking and education, VBSR members and friends are invited to attend an evening of networking with VBSR Southern Vermont Chapter members at Whetstone Station in Brattleboro on Wednesday, September 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

Attendees will have a chance to meet other forward-thinking business professionals from Southern Vermont who are interested in the triple-bottom-line approach to business. Bring stories about your newest green initiatives to share and business cards to pass out. Cash bar and appetizers will be available.

This event is graciously sponsored by our Southern Vermont Chapter Sustaining Sponsor: The Green Up Girl. RSVP's appreciated... Click here to let C S know you'll be attending.

We're finalizing details for events through the end of the year, but you're input is important. If you have ideas for topics or discussions you'd like to see us tackle, please let us know.
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The Vermont Convo Begins New Season
Thank You to our New Sponsors! 
 
Wednesday afternoon's number one talk radio show, The Vermont Conversation, entered another season on the air this month with host David Goodman at the reigns.  

This season, we are thrilled to have 6 great members as underwriters for the show. Please join us in thanking The Alchemist, Concept 2, Green Mountain Power, Let's Grow Kids, National Life Group, and The University of Vermont Medical Center.

Not missing a beat, Goodman's first two shows of the season focused on Governor Howard Dean's 2004 run for president, former Congressman Ron Dellums, and the future of college with VBSR members Vermont Technical College and Community College of Vermont. Click here to listen to any of these interviews. And if you have a great idea for a show, topic, or guest, contact us today.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!! 
   

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50+ Attend Bennington Get-Together at New VSECU Branch   
VSECUGTSponsors Use "Podium Time" to Thank Hosts

What an amazing night VBSR members and friends had on July 30th! Thank you to the 50+ folks who came out for an evening of networking and education at VSECU's newest branch in Bennington! Attendees enjoyed meeting new people, sampling local food (VBSR member Gringo Jack's!), and learning about some important initiatives VSECU is engaged in, including student loan forgiveness, cutting edge renewable energy loans, and even hosting The Lightning Jar in an effort to support the burgeoning entrepreneurial economy in SOVT.

In a unique and inspiring twist, several of the event's sponsors used their podium time not to promote their businesses, but to thank VSECU for their continued good work in our communities. "I've been doing this for 3 years now, and I have never seen our sponsors use their time, time they paid for, to focus on and promote the good work of another business," noted VBSR Communication and Membership Manager Russ Elek. "It was a special thing to witness."

Thank you to our host, sponsors and guests for a great evening! Check out the photos here.
 
Thank you to our sponsors:
 Business Energy Action, Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC, Let's Grow Kids, LineSync Architecture, RGS Energy, & Vermont Renewable Fuels
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Intern Logo
Sold Out Young Professionals Meet-Up
VT Intern Program Teams Up with High Meadows 
 
On Wednesday, August 4, the Vermont Intern Program and VBSR partnered with the High Meadows Fund to host VBSR's first Young Professional Meet-Up. Registrations for the event sold out quickly, and the enthusiastic crowd that attended was grateful for the opportunity to learn tips for networking and practice in a safe environment, make connections with peers, and have conversations about the challenges and opportunities that characterize the journey of a young professional in Vermont. Each person had something unique and worthwhile to offer, and we are optimistic about the future of our great state with this next generation of Vermonters on the rise. If you would like to engage with these young professionals or other college students and recent graduates, contact Roxanne to learn more about the Vermont Intern Program and other ways to connect. www.internvt.org
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Gift Certificate Roundup!
VBSR Members are on the Marketplace 
  
One of the biggest questions we get when telling people about the Marketplace is "What can I buy?". The answer? A lot.

Some of the easiest items to purchase and use are gift certificates. To make purchases fast and easy, the Marketplace maintains an inventory of select gift certificates and fulfills orders.
If you're buying gift certificates, you can buy from multiple vendors and receive them all asap. If you're selling, we remove the administrative overhead of getting gift certificates into the hands of your new customers.

Check out this selection of VBSR member Gift Certificates Available Now:
Ready to make a purchase? Log in!

If you'd like to see your gift certificates listed here, Contact Us!

Ready to Learn More? Contact Marketplace Manager Amy Kirschner (amy@vbsrmarket.com) or click here to learn more about the Marketplace. 
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Member Events
Upcoming Member Events

September 1: Smokefree 10 Vermont (ACS/CAN, American Lung Association, UVM Medical Center)

  
Log-on to VBSR's website to post an event. Forgot your password? Send us an email! 
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Member Jobs
Recently Posted Member Jobs 
    •  
    • Log-on to VBSR's website to post a job. Forgot your password? Send us an email!

    Looking for an internship? Click here for our most recent listings. 
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    Member News  
    We want your news and press releases!! Submit or post a story on our Facebook page or send us 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.
     


    RETN Wins National Award
    Local community video producers Mark Cline Lucey and Susan Cline Lucey received top honors for their educational profile Yoga and Mindfulness Boost Learning at the Sustainability Academy in the annual competition recognizing the best community media independent producers across the nation.
    "Winning this national award really affirms the quality of the production, but also the strength of the work we're doing with students in Burlington," said Mark Cline Lucey, a teacher at Vermont Commons School and a community producer with RETN Channel 16. Susan Cline Lucey is a teacher at Burlington's Sustainability Academy and is a Yoga 4 ClassroomsŪ instructor. Congrats! Click here to learn more.
     
    NPI, a Technology Management company in South Burlington, is pleased to announce the completion of a technology project for YWCA of Vermont and Camp Hochelaga. The office in Essex Junction received an upgrade of their wireless capabilities as well as improvements in their network performance; the Camp's wireless was also upgraded. Thanks for your work NPI!


    We love to see members supporting each other! The Vermont Community Foundation has awarded Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity an $11,000 Innovations and Collaborations grant. The grant will support Vermont Partnership's development of the nearly three-year old Vermont African American Heritage Trail to be more accessible to Vermont school children and families. The Vermont African-American Heritage Trail includes nineteen sites of importance to black history in the state and brings visitors to Vermont museums and cultural sites where exhibits, tours, and personal explorations illuminate the lives of African Americans for whom the Green Mountain State was part of their identity. Learn more. 
     
    Rutland Accounting Firm Merges with Davis Hodgdon Associates CPAS
    Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs Rutland Accounting firm Siliski & Buzzell has merged with Williston-based CPA firm, Davis and Hodgdon Associates in a deal that closed on July 1. Operating under the banner of Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs, the firms' newly expanded team will continue to operate from their existing locations in Rutland and Chittenden counties. Robert E. Buzzell Jr., CPA, CVA will continue to manage the Rutland office which will be known as Siliski & Buzzell, a division of Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs.

    Congrats to our friends at Davis & Hodgdon! Learn more here.


    Champlain Community Services (CCS), a Colchester-based 
    developmental services agency, recently joined in a new collaboration agreement with five other Vermont nonprofits. The partnership creates areas of formal and informal collaboration among the agencies that promise operational efficiencies while strengthening pursuit of shared missions. CCS joins ARIS Solutions (the shared business office for the collaboration), Families First of Southern Vermont, Lincoln Street, Green Mountain Support Services (formerly Sterling Area Services), and Upper Valley Services in a collaboration specifically designed "to ensure that people with disabilities are included in the fabric of Vermont society." Learn more here. 

    CCS also recently won the Champlain Business Journal "Readers Choice Award" for best nonprofit... Nice work!
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    Thank you VBSR Champion Members for your ongoing support!

      

       Ben and Jerry'sGardener's Supply
    as of 12/17/12
    Marketing Partners New Chapter newRenewable NRG 8/2013

    S     VSECU
    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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    Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
    255 South Champlain Street, Suite 11
    Burlington, Vermont 05401
    (802) 862-8347