June 2016
Vermont Businesses for 
Social Responsibility
 
Just Good Business.
Dear Members and Friends:

Sharing . . . in our recent survey, you said VBSR is a great hub for sharing business practices.
 
Last week, for instance, someone asked about purchasing. 

Do you have a purchasing policy aligned with your company's mission? Does it encourage employees to buy local or organic food for meetings? Use building materials sourced from Vermont wood? Ask subcontractors if their wages meet Vermont's Basic Needs Budget?
 
If you have a policy or idea to contribute, please put it in your sharing folder (e.g., Dropbox), then post the link in the LinkedIn group for VBSR members, to help others align their purchases with their values. To start the conversation, Seventh Generation has kindly shared their policy (thanks Seventh Gen!), and we've also posted the link in the VBSR LinkedIn group. This is a great reminder to all of us ... our choices make a difference!

Sincerely,

Jane
 
Jane Campbell
Executive Director
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VBSR Welcomes and Thanks our Newest Members! 
Individual Members:
George Kusserow (Cranbury)
Tyler Ogden (Shelburne)
 
 *Also joined Local First Vermont! 
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This Edition of E-news Sponsored By:
Let's Grow Kids   
Round Up!
VBSR to Participate in City Market's Rally for Change Program 
  

With City Market's Rally for Change program, any time you check out, you can choose to "round up" your total to the nearest dollar. Each month, that spare change is donated to three great non-profits that align with the Co-op's mission. VBSR is pleased to announce that in July, our Research and Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, will receive 10% of those donations! If you're shopping in Burlington this July, please support both a fellow VBSR member and VBSR at the same time! Happy grilling season!

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100+ for Networking and Education
Hinesburg's Red Wagon Plants Played Host to VBSR Networking Get-Together 

On June 23rd, more than 100 business leaders flocked to Red Wagon Plants for an evening of networking and education.

Nestled in Hinesburg (with an amazing view of Camel's Hump!), Red Wagon Plants is a seasonal greenhouse and nursery; in two and a half weeks, they make 85% of their yearly revenue! The trick to being successful, owner Julie Rubaud explained from the podium, is to offer a great working environment that encourages seasonal employees to come back year after year. Rubaud also explained that the business is both for-profit and mission driven, working to change our local food systems and encourage people to grow more of what they eat. As such, Red Wagon Plants partners with as many as 13 different non-profit organizations each year.

Click here for a complete recap and photos.
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The Vermont Conversation Goes On Location 
  
There is a Vermont connection behind national brands of skin care products such as Estee Lauder, Burt's Bees, Neutrogena, and Whole Foods.  Twincraft Skincare makes soaps. lotions, sunscreen and other products from its manufacturing facilities in Essex and Winooski, Vermont. Twincraft has become a booming business with a special story: the numerous New Americans, many of them refugees who have been relocated to Vermont, who are part of the 200-person workforce. The Vermont Conversation, presented by VBSR, goes on location to company headquarters in Winooski to learn how Twincraft's commitment to employ a diverse workforce -- including senior citizens, non-English speakers, ex-convicts, and others -- has translated into success in business and changed lives.
 
 Click here to hear this and stories from other recent shows, including:  

June 15: The LGBTQ Struggle Continues
June 15: Migrant Justice: Human Rights & Food Justice 
June 1: Preserving Vermont and Fighting Sprawl
May 11: Impact Investing & Sustainability Issues with VBSR Spring Conference Keynoter Sonia Kowal

Thank you to our sponsors!
 
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Go Paperless!
VBSR Pleased to Move to Electronic Billing

One easy way to reduce your carbon footprint (and general office clutter!) is to sign up for paperless billing from VBSR.

If you're a member interested in going this route, simply click here and we'll get you set up.

Questions? Email Lucie or give her a call at (802) 862-8347. Thanks for doing your part!


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2016-17 Buy Local Book Will Include Six New Towns!
Explore Vermont Coming to a Town Near You

The 7th edition of Local First Vermont's Buy Local Resource Guide and Coupon Book, due out in September, will include a new section called "Explore Vermont." This section will encourage Vermonters who buy local and eat local to also explore local!
 
Traditionally, the Buy Local Book's 200+ discount coupons have focused on Addison, Chittenden and Washington counties. The new Explore Vermont section will feature six towns outside these counties, offering suggestions for "A Great Day" in each. This new section will also include 50+ coupons to help Vermonters save money while exploring some of the best locally-owned businesses and attractions each town has to offer.
 
We welcome these six regions to the new Explore Vermont section:
Brattleboro, The Champlain Islands, Manchester, Rutland, Stowe, Woodstock.

Local First Vermont Manager Wendy Wilson McArdle said, "We want to encourage Vermonters to discover what our own state has to offer. This will help strengthen local communities and Vermont's economy." Local First Vermont plans to grow this section to include more towns and more locally-owned businesses in the coming year.
 
Please contact Wendy if you have questions and/or suggestions.  Click here to learn more about Local First Vermont and the Buy Local Book!

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SunCommon Moves Into Net-Positive Building, Looks to Host VBSR Networking Get-Together
Join us in the New SunCommon HQ on July 28 

VBSR members and friends are invited to join us for an evening  of networking and education at SunCommon's newly built headquarters, Vermont's newest net-positive building. Designed by long-time VBSR member Bill Maclay of Maclay Architects and The Cushman Design Group, Inc., it's a showpiece of cost-saving renewable and efficient energy solutions.

Join us as we "Get-Together" to talk CSR, B-Corps, the importance of employee well-being, and the opportunity to run your business in a way that leaves the earth better off than when you started!

Click here to learn more and register for this great event! 



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Empty Seats In Your Workshop?
Fill It with the VBSR Marketplace 
  
Have you ever seen an empty chair in your workshop or seminar?

How much do you earn for each empty chair at your event?

Unfortunately, nothing.

You've invested time, money, resources, social capital, and energy to put on a great event! Using the Marketplace to get an extra participant in that empty chair at your great event is a smart way to do business in the new economy.

How can you fill that seat? EASY! If your event has a little extra space (1 or 2 seats)...you MIGHT sell out but you won't know until the day before, so...
  • You can wait list your event in the Marketplace. This means you post the event with 'Wait List" in the description. We'll collect the names of people who are interested in taking your class but don't have the cash in the budget for it. If you don't sell out, we'll send some new participants (at full registration price in Trade Dollars) your way!
OR
 Next Steps:

Quick Tip: 


 

Do you use EventBrite and want to keep registration easy? Create a custom 'free' ticket. Put the link in your Marketplace listing with Instructions to put "Paid in Marketplace Trade Dollars" in the extra notes field.  


 

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New Member-to-Member Offers
VBSR Members Working Together!

Did you know there are more than 70 members offering discounts to fellow members? Click here to check them all out! In the meantime, here is our newest offer:

Lee.Speak:  20% off the first three private coaching sessions. Contact Leora Dowling or visit www.leespeak.com.

Vital Assets Marketing: 
25% discount on first marketing project/service conducted with Vital Assets. Contact: Michelle Massa or visit http://vitalassetsmarketing.com  
 
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Member Events
Upcoming Member Events
 
July 30: Color Dash 5k Southern Vermont Arts Center)

August 5: 7th Annual Hank Schaefer Memorial Golf Tournament (Turning Point Center of Chittenden County)

September 15: Women's Leadership Circle of Windham County (Malboro College Graduate Center)

October 5: Professional Certificate in Healthcare Administration (University of Vermont)

October 7: UVM Project Management Certificate (University of  Vermont)

October 14: UVM Leadership and Management Certificate (University of Vermont)

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.
      

    People's United Community Foundation Awards $12,000 to Vermont Community Loan Fund

    The People's United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People's United Bank, announced today that it has awarded $12,000 to the Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) to support its Business Loan Program. 

    The goal of VCLF is assist small businesses in qualifying for traditional financing. VCLF's Business Loan Program provides access to capital for small and emerging businesses that cannot obtain sufficient credit from traditional lenders. VCLF targets loan capital to businesses that benefit lower-income residents, are women-owned, are located in a downtown area, or are related to agriculture. Learn More
     
    National Life Group Becomes Exclusive Sponsor of Anti-Bullying Campaign

    National Life Group has partnered with Bruce and Hobbes, a radio host and his dog, to end bullying in schools while also working to improve the lives of animals.

    Since 2009, Bruce Zeman and his dachshund, Hobbes, have used a podcast and personal appearance in schools to campaign against both bullying and animal abuse.

    Zeman wanted to expand his program outside Vermont as more schools expressed interest in having him and his dog visit to share the cause with students. He said the exclusive sponsorship by National Life will make that possible. Learn More

    Vermont to Host  Special Olympics USA World Games Training Camp 

    On June 13, Special Olympics USA announced Killington, Vermont as the site of its one and only team training camp, prior to when it will send a 210 member delegation to represent the United States at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games, being held March 18-25, 2017 in Austria.

    Included in the U.S. delegation will be 3 athletes and coaches from Vermont: Laura Buchanan from White River Junction competing in alpine skiing, Ethan Boragine from Fairlee competing in snowboarding, and Mike White from Dorset, assistant coach in cross country skiing. Learn More

    VSECU's Steven Post named Credit Union Hero of the Year

    Steven Post, whose 35-year credit union career included more than two decades as president/CEO of Vermont State Employees Credit Union (VSECU), has been voted Credit Union Magazine's 2016 Credit Union Hero of the Year. CUNA honored Post in a presentation at the Opening General Session of the America's Credit Union Conference Sunday night in Seattle.

    "In addition to being really surprised, I'm very honored to receive this recognition," Post says. "I have always felt there are many, many heroes at work in the credit union industry. And I'm honored to be counted as one of them." Learn More
     
    City Market Considers Expansion in Burlington's Old North End

    Burlington's community-owned food cooperative is considering expansion into the city's Old North End. For many years, Members have asked the Co-op to open a City Market in this area of town that's part of the Co-op's over 43-year history.

    The auto parts store located at 242-244 North Winooski Avenue (next to the Central Market and across from the McClure Multigenerational Center) closed several months back and the property is currently for lease. This spring, City Market worked with a consultant to forecast potential sales for a Co-op at this location and has been working closely with Redstone, who recently purchased the building Learn More


    OneCare Vermont and VITL Collaboration Aims to Improve Data Quality and Patient Care

    OneCare Vermont (OneCare), LLC and Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc. (VITL) announce a collaboration to provide OneCare Vermont with comprehensive population health data in a system designed to improve data collection and clinical analytics capabilities. To accomplish this, clinical data from the Vermont Health Infor
    mation Exchange (VHIE) - operated by VITL - will be filtered and transmitted into OneCare's enterprise informatics platforms. The VHIE collects and indexes clinical data from different electronic health record (EHR) systems across the state. This data is then analyzed by OneCare for the purposes of managing care and meeting its wellness and patient satisfaction objectives. OneCare Vermont is Vermont's largest accountable care organization and manages care for the more than 100,000 patients attributed to its Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial shared savings programs. Learn More

    Travel Smarter VT

    The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) recently launched a new campaign called Travel Smarter VT. The website (HTTP://WWW.TRAVELSMARTERVT.ORG) allows people to map their commute (any trip, really), and then compare the various impacts (time, cost, calories) of four modes: bus, biking, walking, driving (promoting carsharing/carpooling). Learn More
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    This Edition of E-news Sponsored By:
    The VBSR Marketplace 
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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