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 Dear Members and Friends:
Every now and then, it's important to take a step back and celebrate...What are we doing well? Who deserves recognition? What can we learn from our successes? I hope you'll join our VBSR community celebration of a businessperson who has worked for years to advance socially responsible principles in his business and community ⎯Paul Millman, co-founder of employee-owned Chroma Technology, who will receive our 15th annual Terry Ehrich Award (details below). This annual event gives important recognition to those who go the extra mile in promoting s.r. business practices. The evening is also inspiring...and fun! We hope to see you there, and also at our next Get-Together Hosted by Nathaniel Group. In the meantime, thank you for your support and for furthering the triple-bottom-line approach to business!
Thank you, Jane Campbell Executive Director
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VBSR Welcomes and Thanks our Newest Members!
NEWEST GOLD MEMBER
NEW SMALL AND LARGE BUSINESSES
Individual Members:
Collin B. Albury (Burlington)
Connor Fulton (Westford)
Bijay Koirala (Winooski)
Kelly Lamothe (South Burlington)
Cyrus Rothwell-Ferraris (Middletown, CT)
Peter Silverman (Burlington)
Zachary Zuk (Hinesburg)
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This Edition of E-news Sponsored By:
Let's Grow Kids
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Registration Open
15th Annual Terry Ehrich Award Ceremony & Dinner Expected to Sell Out
VBSR is pleased to honor Paul Millman, co-founder of Chroma Technology Corp., at the 15th Annual Terry Ehrich Award Ceremony & Dinner on September 21st. One of our largest and most festive events of the year, we're expecting a sellout crowd of over 140 VBSR members and friends.
In a nod to Paul's dedication to employee ownership and community, this year's celebration will be held at Barre's Old Labor Hall, a National Historical Landmark with a rich history of supporting workers' rights and community-supported businesses.
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Chroma Technology Corp, guests will have the chance to network and celebrate while enjoying a cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, a locally-sourced dinner (featuring many VBSR members) by The Fox Stand and dessert catered by King Arthur Flour.
Tickets are only $65 for members, $85 for nonmembers. Don't miss this unique gathering of entrepreneurial, mission-driven business professionals... registration is open!
Special thanks to our Luminary Sponsors Dunkiel Saunders and TruexCullins, and to our Supporting Sponsors Let's Grow Kids, Vermont Employee Ownership Center, and Vermont Rural Ventures. Complete event details available on our event page.
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500 Businesses Support a Carbon Pollution Tax
Help Vermont Combat Climate Change, Support a Greener Economy
VBSR believes that global warming is a threat to not only our environment, but our economy as well. Transportation and home-heating using fossil fuels are two of the state's largest contributors to pollution and climate change. Confronting this threat should be one of the top priorities of the state's next governor and the legislature.
Two years ago, VBSR joined Energy Independent Vermont (EIV), a coalition of businesses and environmental organizations that believe now is the time to get serious about reducing fossil fuel usage by placing an appropriate fee on the use of fossil fuels in Vermont. This carbon pollution tax would be levied on fuels brought into the state and isn't much different than the fee Vermonters pay routinely at the town dump for trash removal.
VBSR believes a carbon pollution tax can achieve three key outcomes. 1) Reduce fossil fuel emissions over the long-term to make Vermont more green. 2) Use the new revenue to reduce other taxes that Vermonters are paying, such as the sales tax. 3) Allow the state to create a new fund that would help businesses and individuals make investments in clean energy and energy efficiency, such as weatherizing a building or investing in electric vehicles.
This proposal will receive lots of attention when the Vermont Legislature starts a new session and we anticipate that there will be lots of noise (and a good deal of misinformation) attempting to sway Vermonters and Vermont businesses from supporting this plan. We encourage VBSR members interested in this issue to check out EIV's website and read about this proposal and the economic and environmental benefits that it would bring to the state, especially as we prepare for the emerging move away from fossil fuels as a power source.
More than 500 Vermont businesses have signed EIV's petition in support of the plan. Please take a look at the proposal and consider adding your business's name to the list.
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50+ Registered for Networking Get-Together at Nathaniel Group
Join us in Vergennes Sept 7
 VBSR members and friends are invited to join us for an evening of networking and education at long-time VBSR member Nathaniel Group in Vergennes.
Join us September 7th as we "Get-Together" to talk employee engagement, energy reduction, and long-term commitment to social responsibility. This event is free and open to the public; bring your business cards and colleagues... REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Thank you to our sponsors for making this free Networking Get-Together a reality: Go! Vermont's Way to Go Challenge, Johnson Law Group, Let's Grow Kids, Merritt and Merritt, SunCommon, Vermont Community Loan Fund, Vermont Trophy and Engraving, and Vermont Web Marketing Summit.
Agenda, directions, and complete details available on our event page.
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2016 Buy Local Book Launches September 17
Support Local Businesses, Get Second Book for $10
 Local First Vermont is hosting a special launch event for the 7th edition of the Buy Local Resource Guide & Coupon Book on Saturday, September 17. Staff will be on hand at City Market, Hunger Mountain Co-op, and Middlebury Natural Food Co-op
from 10AM - 2PM offering a special discount: Buy one book for $20, get a second book for just $10!
Two new features of the 2016 Buy Local Book include:
1) Explore Vermont- a new section featuring coupons at 50+ locally owned businesses in 6 new regions: Brattleboro, Manchester, Rutland, Stowe, Woodstock and the Champlain Islands. We hope Vermonters who like to eat local, drink local, and buy local will like to
explore local too!
2) Mobile App- a new way to access coupons using your smartphone or tablet, the Buy Local App is the same price as the book ($20) and is compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Never forget your coupons again!
The Buy Local Book makes a great gift for friends, relatives, teachers... just about anyone! So visit us on the 17th and stock up! (Limit one discounted book per customer.) More information on Local First and the Buy Local Book are available on VBSR's website. For questions about the event, the book, the app, or the local movement, contact Wendy Wilson, Local First Vermont program manager. ________________________________________________
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You're a Star
Getting Business at VBSR Networking Get-Togethers
The Marketplace is now available at Networking Get-Togethers and other VBSR events to help you:
- Find you New VBSR Customers
- Save Cash
- Grow Your Business
- Plan an Event
- Learn
How do you know who is set up and ready to do business in the Marketplace? Look for the STAR on their name tag. Doing (Triple-Bottom-Line) business with your fellow VBSR members just got a little easier!
The Fine Print: VBSR Marketplace LIVE events help VBSR members who have an activated account in the VBSR Marketplace increase their transactions with other VBSR members. All transactions are logged in the online Marketplace and are subject to all taxes and fees as usual. All sales need to be 100% or partial VBSR Trade Dollars payable. Questions? Contact Us.
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VBSR's Radio Show Enters 6th Season
The Vermont Conversation Airs Wednesdays at 1 PM
In 2011, VBSR's Board and Staff envisioned a way to spread the word about the organization and the many benefits of socially responsible business practices and policy. Five years later, we're thrilled announce that we have renewed The Vermont Conversation, with host David Goodman, for another season.
Over the past year, this show has covered topics like the fight for a $15 minimum wage, the opportunity for businesses to be environmentally motivated, the wage gap, renewable energy, and immigrant labor. Most recently, Goodman interviewed VBSR's 2016 Terry Ehrich Award Winner, Paul Millman of Chroma Technology Corp.
Click here to hear from our award winner or stream other recent shows.
We are grateful to our show underwriters for helping us continue this great community resource!
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160 Members and Friends Pack New SunCommon HQ
 Vermont's newest net-positive building received a visit from nearly 160 VBSR members and friends on July 28th, as SunCommon played host to VBSR's July Networking Get-Together at their new Waterbury headquarters designed by long-time members Maclay Architecture and Cushman Design Group.
"If we wanted to burn fossil fuels here, we'd have to pour them on the ground and light them on fire," SunCommon Co-Founder Duane Peterson half-joked to attendees.
Guests enjoyed tours of the new space, intentionally designed to be welcoming and safe for the organization's 60+ employees. They also sampled great food from VBSR member Stowe Street Cafe and engaged in a conversation around sustainability, energy independence and employee-being.
Sponsors of the event included Merritt & Merritt, OPEN Community Acupuncture, Bluestone Life, WrightJones PLC, Gordon's Window Decor, Vermont Community Loan Fund, and Maclay Architecture.
Special thanks to everyone who joined us for an evening of networking and education! We were thrilled to get so many great photos of guests enjoying the evening!
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VBSR Receives $1,300 in Small Donations
Thank You Round-Up-ers!!!
  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.
Last month, VBSR's Research and Education Foundation (our 501(c)(3) non-profit) received 10% of those donations, for a total of more than $1,300. We're grateful for the generosity of City Market and City Market patrons. Thank You!!!
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Member Events
Upcoming Member Events
*VBSR members receive discount*
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Member Jobs
Recently Posted Member Jobs
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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.
Merchants Bank Supports Shelburne Museum with $5,000 sponsorship
 Merchants Bank is sponsoring the Papering the Town: Circus posters in America exhibit at the Shelburne Museum. The $5,000 sponsorship shares circus posters from the 1800s and 1900s with guests through January 22, 2017. This is an exciting exhibit as some of these circus posters have not been displayed since becoming part of the Shelburne Museum's collection, due to their enormous size. Learn More. New Renewable Energy Business Listing Aims to Help Vermonters Save Money & Reduce Pollution
 Renewable Energy Vermont in partnership with the Renewable Energy Resource Center, a project of Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, have launched a new resource for Vermonters looking to install solar photovoltaic panels (PV), solar hot water systems, or modern wood pellet boilers. The Vermont Renewable Energy Business Listing (VREBL) located online at WWW.REVERMONT.ORG/VREBL/ offers a detailed, one stop listing of experts ready to help homeowners, farmers, and businesses affordably reduce climate pollution and save money with clean energy solutions. The project was made possible due to funding from the Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF). Go Green Today.
VITL and OhMD Partner to Deliver Secure Texting Service for Vermont Patients and Providers
 Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc. (VITL) and OhMD announce a partnership that will bring a secure, HIPAA compliant text messaging service to Vermont health care providers and their patients. Smartphone use is nearly universal, so secure text messaging in health care makes sense as a fast and easy communication option, and offers patients more opportunities to engage in their own care. Learn More.
Micro Business Development Program Helps Create Jobs in Central Vermont
 Capstone's Micro Business Development program helped 18 individuals launch new businesses this past year and provided established businesses with marketing and financial guidance about expanding their product or service lines. These businesses created 34 full-time equivalent jobs in Lamoille, Orange, and Washington Counties and accessed $841,300 in financing through local banks and credit unions. The latest business to launch is Morse Block Deli in Barre, with a grand opening iAugust 24. Learn More.Magic Hat to Release Limited Edition Belgo Sutra Quadrupel
The brewing team at Magic Hat is set to roll out a limited quantity of 22 oz bottles and kegs of Belgo Sutra, a Belgian-style Quadrupel brewed with figs and dates. Magic Hat is celebrating Belgo Sutra's return with two special release parties and a partnership with local non-profit Vermont CARES. The first party will take place at The Artifactory in South Burlington on Thursday, September 1st from 6-8:30 pm. Belgo Sutra will be served alongside a food pairing of local eats while burlesque dancers entertain guests. Head Brewer Chris Rockwood will tap the first keg and share his tasting notes. 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!
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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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   Contact Us
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
255 South Champlain Street, Suite 11
Burlington, Vermont 05401
(802) 862-8347
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