2008 Board of Directors First and foremost, the SiGBA board is fortunate enough to be working with three new members this year;  Hanni Schwiesow as Secretary, David Gemme as Sustainability Chair, and Meghan Bosher as SiGBA's 2008 Events Chair.  Continuing to represent the board are Eli Meyer as President, Beth Harris as Vice President, and Ian Waight as Treasurer.  Many thanks to those of you who participated in our election back in November.  Despite the lack of nail-biting unknown results, the election played a crucial role in the authenticity of our organization, and we appreciate your enthusiasm on the matter.    Strategic Plan Recently, SiGBA met to discuss the organization's Strategic Plan.  At this meeting, it was concluded that the organization would create additional positions on the board to act as Regional Representatives for the satellite communities of SiGBA.  This will allow SiGBA to better service communities outside of the Truckee/North Tahoe area.   At this meeting, we also changed our mission statement.  This mission statement really dials into what SiGBA is all about, and will ensure that we stay true to this statement in all that we do.   Our mission is to educate and promote effective environmental design and building practices in the Sierra Nevada communities.   To stay true to this mission, we'll continue to offer our educational Speaker Series, home tours, workshops, the Resource Guide, and information filled website.  This year, we hope to start working with kids in K-12 school programs, as well as at college campuses throughout the region.   EVENTS Events are underway, with the first being a Blower Door/Air Sealing Workshop!  "Air leakage can account for 30-50% of heating bills," so come see how blower door tests are performed, as well as learn about simple techniques in air sealing that you, the average homeowner, can start incorporating into your home today!  This workshop will be held on Saturday, March 15 from 9am-12pm.  The cost of this event is $25/members and $35/non-members.  Our workshop instructor, Ron Clark of Energywise, will tell you that spending money on replacing your windows is NOT where you need to start, and that the average home can be air sealed for less than $1,000!  So look forward to signing up on our website soon.  Space will be limited to 15, so sign up early!   Also in March, our 2008 Speaker Series is kicking off with an energetic talk by Scott Terrell on Tuesday March 25, at 6pm, at the Cedar House.  Scott will be discussing energy efficiency and water conservation.  Check our website calendar for more information on this event at http://www.sigba.org/calendar.   If you're interested in helping out with our events, please contact Meghan Bosher at 530-546-4967 or meghan@pastoreryan.com.    SiGBA Resource Guide SiGBA is in full swing putting together the 2008 Resource Guide, and could use your help!  If you or someone you know, would like to compile an article or case study to submit for possible publication in this year's guide, please send us a word document of your work.  If you've got questions or would like a list of topics, please contact Beth Harris, beth@gauntzimmerdesign.com.  All previous publications of the SiGBA Resource Guide can be found on our website at: http://www.sigba.org/resources/downloads .    If you're not interested in writing, but know of some specific topics you'd like covered, let us know those too.   Beth is also looking for volunteers to aid in the editing of the submitted materials, so if editing is your gig, contact her about that too.  Major deadlines for SiGBA Green Guide:                         Article and Case Study Submissions due: March 10                    Ad Sales Complete:  March 15     Volunteering Opportunities!   Really itching to help SiGBA out this year?  We're always looking for more volunteers.   MANY POSITIONS OPEN CONTACT US!   Whether your niche is marketing, membership management, website technicalities, or simply smiling in front of a booth, we could use your help!  Check out our website http://www.sigba.org/about/volunteer/ to see what's needed, and to sign up.   THANK YOU A special 'thanks' to our President, Eli Meyer, for continuing to push SiGBA as a community leader this year.  2008 proposes many challenges, but even more opportunities for SiGBA, and Eli is doing an amazing job leading the group through it all.       Also, of course, we thank all of our members for your constant support of this organization.   And last but not least, thank you to all of our major volunteers (you know who you are-and you know if it's not you, but you really want to be mentioned in a newsletter, see topic above), of course, we'd go no where without our volunteers!     Until next time.   Our online membership directory is in its final stages of development, and will be up on the website within the next few weeks.  Take a look, see that your information is correct, and if not, contact Rick Solinsky rick@sigba.org with changes necessary.  Keep watching our website for updates on events and happenings around the area.  Again, if you feel the need to get a hold of us, feel free!  We hope to see you soon!