greenUP! Winter Speaking Schedule
greenUP! announces its winter speaker lineup as part of SiGBA's live-green build-green speaker series. John Sagebiel, PH.D., UNR was the first speaker on Feb 4. He spoke to an enthusiastic crowd about building the Joe Crowley Student Union, and the new LEED Silver Academic Athletic Center. He addressed UNR sustainability efforts such as greenhouse gas inventory and the greening of UNR transportation, food and student life areas.
The next presentation will be given March 4 from 2:30 to 4:00pm at UNR Joe Crowley Student Union. For his talk, Mel will focus on two areas: (1) an overview of California's AB32 (Global Warming Solutions Act), and (2) what some local air districts in California are doing to address climate change at the local level.
On April 1, Lora Richards, Resource Planner, Truckee Meadows Water Authority will speak about the US EPA's "Water Sense Program," a program to implement water conseration technologieis in residential and commercial buildings. This will take place at the BANN facility in Reno.
On May 6, Tim Elan from Green Roofs, will discuss "Everything about Green Roofs." This is an interactive session with a tour of a green roof in Tim's back yard.
For more information, check the calendar section on SiGBA's website. |
The Resource Guide is Back!
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Back by popular demand, the 2010 Sierra Green Building Resource Guide is being produced with Moonshine Ink! We are so excited about this partnership, we feel this will be the best Resource Guide EVER! This year's guide is complete with the best marketing and advertising opportunity of the decade, cross branding and link exchanges, and a distribution plan that will place the Guide on news stands all over town and the Sierra Nevada community.
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SiGBA Video Helps Redevelopment of Kings Beach
Another early success this year was brought to us from Pastore Ryan Engineering and Design. Last year we took a leap of faith engagine a media team of volunteers to produce videos that are testimonials and representative of SiGBA within the community. Our very first pilot video "Re-inventing Main Street" was recorded with the intention of documenting the importance of walkable, parkable downtown areas and their impact on commerce in small towns across America.
News came last Monday that our video was instrumental in the TRPA vote to approve a redevelopment plan for the Kings Beach area. I have to say, I am STOKED that the time, effort and partnerships to produce this video played an instrumental roll. To me this is why we are here . . . to personally help these communities become vibrant and prosperous while conserving the natural resources that keep this area pristine. |
Your Ad Goes Here
Advertise in SiGBA Times
$50 per month
email: info@sigba.org |
SiGBA Seeking Volunteers & Interns
Looking to learn first hand about SiGBA and the green movement? What better way to learn than participate in the inner circle? SiGBA seeks interns and volunteers. The following positions are open:
Public Relations Specialist - donna@sigba.org
Join our sales team and receive commissions - rick@sigba.org
Be part of the world class marketing team - dave@sigba.org
Help out with our website - ian@sigba.org
Help organize ground breaking events - info@sigba.org |
Energy Management Certificate Program Offered by UNR
University certificate demonstrates knowledge of the latest energy, green building and sustainability technologies, cost-reduction strategies and money-saving energy management techniques
The new 10-session, 30-hour Energy Management Certificate offered by Extended Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno examines the essentials of building-energy management technologies, regulatory compliance issues and increasing efficiency and return on investment. Participants will investigate the latest energy cost-reduction strategies and energy resource management techniques while earning a recognizable educational credential from the University demonstrating mastery of key skills and concepts integral to success in the increasingly competitive energy management field. |
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RECENT SUCCESSES!
Hello my fellow SiGBA members. We have surpassed our first month of the New Year and we have shifted into gear. There are so many new happenings with this organization I can hardly contain myself. The greatest accomplishment already in 2010 is the complete rebranding of our logo, marketing material, and redesign of our website. Of course, we could not have completed it without the dedication of our creative, inventive and enthusiastic volunteers. I would like to personally thank all of them for their countless hours of time and energy. This organization would be nothing without them and I speak for everyone in the SiGBA community when I say "We Appreciate You!
Many have asked me "why was rebranding important?" The brand image is the first impression of the look and feel of this organization. It is the reason people choose to go deeper into our website driving future customers, members and patrons to you our valued base. The images, colors and designs were crafted after thorough research based off of focus groups, marketing surveys and more. And the new look and feel portrays an organization focused on evolving like the companies, technologies and the industries we represent.
This year as we go seeking strategic partnerships, old & new members and other supporters we want to represent them to the best of our ability complementing the time and effort they have put into supporting us, building their own companies, and prospecting new business. This is just the beginning . . . Get Ready! Check out the new site at www.SiGBA.org.
THE FUTURE:
Our membership drive is beginning. So expect a call from Rick Solinsky or one of our other qualified volunteers. While times are tough and funds are low we still have been accomplishing our goals. We need resources, volunteers and money to get them done and spread the mission of SiGBA across the Sierra and beyond. We have updated our membership packages this year to ADD VALUE to you our supporters. We tried to keep the basic membership packages the same, while creating others that enhance your education in business, green building and providing our business members the opportunity to excel and seize the many opportunities in this slow economy and stride ahead of their competition. We have compiled a year long marketing and recovery plan for our Business Members that compile education, marketing, basic business practices and events to get their Green Businesses and out in front of the competition, while still being true to their company's mission.
It kicks off March 3rd with a semester long business training program called SiGBA's BEST (Business Environment Strategies and Techniques), whose mission is to teach small and medium size businesses effective ways to efficiently market their products and services and gain a leading edge on the competition. With over 10 years of studying success theory and business, I plan on teaching this 10 week course to our members who are really looking to step it up not only in their business, but personally and professionally. Don't wait get your business thriving today!
A strong Community starts with "coming to unity". This year we are purposely seeking strategic partnerships that expand our influence and presence in the green and building world and unite those of us with similar missions under a common theme. We are outreaching to other non-profits, government, affiliates, and companies understanding that together we succeed and divided we fail. If you know of any organization that we should be affiliated with let us know and we will start a dialogue today.
EVENTS:
Our event calendar is filling up quickly. Leanna our Events director has been doing an awesome job over the year and is looking for a couple of interns to help her through out the year. If you or anyone you know would like to build their resume, meet incredibly bright individuals, and place themselves in a growing industry . . . Now is the Time! Contact Leanna Duncan at Leanna@SiGBA.Org. Here are other ways in which you can promote your industry, business or personal beliefs:
1. Business Mixer- host a business mixer and get your business full of people year round.
2. Work shops- we are continuing to educate the public and professionals in the area on technologies, energy conservation and much more.
3. SiGBA's B.E.S.T. Breakfast: Host the breakfast in your business and create an educational experience that keeps people coming back for more.
4. Tahoe greenFEST - OH YEAH - its back and in an even better location. This year July 10-11, 2010, Tahoe greenFEST is coming to the Kings Beach at the North Tahoe Conference Center. You thought the last one was good, wait till you see this year. Key note speakers, music, vendors and more. Call today to showcase and reserve your booth spot.
5. Fall Green Home tour: Last year's tour was our largest ever! This year we plan on making it even bigger! If you or someone you know wants to show case their home, please let us know.
As you can tell SiGBA is more focused than ever. Our intention is based in purpose, adding value to our members, and seeking to support you because you believe in us. It is an organization comprised of youthful exuberance and business savvy individuals who understand that the world is worth preserving for our children and the highest quality of living. I have had the great honor of serving on this board for over 2 years now and look forward to helping this organization grow in ways not thought possible.
I wish you wealth and abundance in the new year!
David Gemme VP- SiGBA |
| greater South Lake Article: Sustainable Food Initiatives Gaining Traction in Tahoe |
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By Garry Bowen
In the past year, the city of South Lake Tahoe has launched initiatives geared to taking the community in sustainable directions. First, they created a Sustainability Action Plan, followed by the creation of a Sustainability Commission, currently engaged in discussions about SLT's coming-of-age. There are 10 items in the sustainability action plan, and the Commission has deemed four of the 10 as worthy of prioritization as their first focus, and item No. 9 is my subject.
No. 9 covers Healthy Food Systems, as it can and will positively affect the overall health for most of South Shore's citizenry. Food and sustenance are subjects important to all residents, and anyone else who ventures into town as our guest, as our reputation for hospitality and vitality are at stake, whether dining at home or at one of our many restaurants, either outside or within casinos.
The Organic Trade Association, which introduced and has sponsored Organic Harvest Month since 1992, notes that "organic" stands for a commitment to an agricultural system that strives for a balance with nature, using methods and materials of low impact to the environment. Organic production systems are designed to replenish and maintain soil fertility, eliminate the use of toxic and persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and build a biologically diverse agriculture. Sounds like the issues we deal with all the time here, under agency domains.
Sustenance and sustainability are intricately tied together, as the current health care quagmire now almost 100 years old doesn't make very clear. Lost in the Washington stakes of high financial and political conversation are the simplest family values of taste, nourishment, and health. South Lake Tahoe can now regain what's lost by contributing to each other in neighborly ways, something which will play an important role as an emerging sustainable community. If we can think of sustenance as an essential building block of living sustainably, then the connection of healthy, fresh food to a vibrant community becomes more and more obvious especially here.
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