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DISCOUNTS ON GREEN BUILDING RESOURCES FOR VGBN CHAPTER MEMBERS!
Thinking about becoming a VGBN member but haven't yet? Now is the time! Click on the link below to learn about a new valuable benefit to VGBN members....
New VGBN member benefit
DEEP ENERGY RETROFIT WORKSHOP SERIES
Deep Energy Retrofit Workshop - 2nd opportunity - Montpelier, June 19th
Reduce your energy costs! Everyone will benefit from attending this full day workshop, presented by Marc Rosenbaum, P.E., to learn how to make their homes, or other building types, healthier and more energy efficient. For more information, and to register, click on the link below:
Deep Energy Retrofit workshop
New Website Resource!
VERMONT GREEN HOME ALLIANCE
The VGHA is a partnership endeavor which includes members from the following organizations:
Building for Social Responsibility
Home Builders & Remodelers Association
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Vermont Green Building Network
Vermont Housing Finance Agency
This new website resource is designed to help builders and consumers learn about residential rating systems and building green homes in Vermont. CHECK IT OUT!
www.vermontgreenhomealliance.org
Regional Environmnetal Incentives Incorporated into LEED 2009
For the first time as part of LEED, bonus credits are available for projects which respond to regional environmnetal issues. Read about this and other features of LEED 2009.
All about Regional Priority Credits and LEED 2009
Click below to download a draft report summarizing how LEED Regionaization applies to Vermont.
leedregionalizationinvermont.pdf
Upcoming Board Meetings
VGBN Board of Directors meetings are typically held the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30 - 7:30pm. Unless otherwise indicated, VGBN Board Meetings are open to the public. All VGBN members are encouraged to attend.
June Board Meeting
The June meeting of the VGBN Board of Directors will be held at the office of Breadloaf Architects and Planners, 1293 Rt. 7 S., Middlebury, VT. from 5:30 - 7:30pm. All are welcome.
July Board Meeting
The July meeting of the VGBN Board of Directors will be the Annual Summer Dinner on July 8, 2009. We are still working out the details, but this event is more social than business, and a good chance to connect with VGBN Board members. Stay tuned for location information.
August Board Meeting
The August meeting of the VGBN Board of Directors will be a full day training on August 5, 2009 in Dynamic Governance, offered through USGBC for Chapter leaders. There is limited space, but there may be an opportunity for a few non-board members to attend, so if you are interested please contact our Executive Director, Nancy Mears at
nancymears@vgbn.org
ADDITIONAL NEWS/RESOURCES
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) is looking for volunteers to beta test the upcoming LEED AP Building Design and Construction and LEED AP Interior Design and Construction exams in early June, 2009 – for FREE.
Please go to the "What's New" page for more information.
Visit these website resources from the USGBC
Consumer web site for building green homes
Green Home Guide
Consumer web site for building green schools
Build Green Schools
Guidelines for green home renovations
Provide input to new guidelines for green remodeling
Remodeling Guidelines
WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING
Upper Northeast Regional Leadership Summit
On May 8, 2009, VGBN Board and Advisory Board members, along with our Executive Director and several Committee Chairs, attended the Upper Northeast Regional Leadership Summit in Hartford, CT. It was a valuable opportunity to connect with regional partners from other USGBC Chapters to discuss ways in which we can share information and work together to advance common green building goals. The Upper Northeast Regional Council is looking forward to continuing this Leadership Summit as an annual event because of the positive feedback received.
February Board Meeting - VGBN's Annual Meeting Feb 11th
This year's Annual Meeting, which featured case study presentations on affordable green buildings, was attended by over 80 people! The amphitheater space at the Sheraton in Burlington was standing room only. Many attendees had enjoyed an educational day at the Better Buildings by Design Conference, and took advantage of the networking and reception time preceding the meeting. Thank you all for showing your support for VGBN and green building in Vermont! We look forward to working together in 2009!
VGBN Topical Meeting/Building Tour Oct 16th - 7th Generation
We had a great turnout for this networking event! Attendees were split into two groups to tour the 2nd phase of the Seventh Generation Building in Burlington, followed by a social gathering at the Skinny Pancake. Thank you to Bill Maclay architects and Business Interiors for providing the tour guides for this event.
VGBN Topical meeting/networking event - held Sept 9th
Ben Graham, owner of Natural Design/Build in Plainfield, VT, presented on "Natural Building in the Northeast", at Planet Hardwood in St. George, VT. It was an inspiring event with a great turnout!
LEED-NC workshop was held Aug 22
Thanks to everyone who helped to make this workshop a success, and to Pizzagalli Construction Company for their sponsorship.
Pizzagalli Construction Company
LEED-CI workshop was held May 16th
Thank you to the generous sponsors, Business Interiors and Steelcase, who helped make this possible.
THE LEED-NC TECHNICAL WORKSHOP WAS A BIG SUCCESS!
We had a sold out workshop in Burlington on Feb 15th
Our VGBN Annual Meeting last February focused on High Performance Schools
Follow the link below to find out about legislation that was introduced, and ways you can support school buildings that are more durable, less expensive to operate, and healthier to students and the environment.
H.718 and S.306: HIGH PERFORMANCE SCHOOL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
Ongoing Initiatives
VGBN has been busy with many new and ongoing initiatives including the following:
• VGBN maintains a Film Library .
• VGBN will be distributing our CD “Green Building In Vermont“ to public libraries.
• VGBN has a new Conference Booth to represent our members and the organization at several building related events and shows.
• The VGBN Green Pages continue to grow as a comprehensive source to both consumers and professionals seeking green building products and services available in Vermont. VGBN members may make multiple listings in the Green Pages.
• You may participate in providing information to consumers on what to look for in selecting green building products and services on our online Shopper's Guide to Green Building in Vermont.
• VGBN continues to network with our Online Member Directory; Email Lists; our online green building Events Calendar.
• VGBN is involved with several green building initiatives with which you may want to be aware or participate: School Construction Standards Green Building Initiative
Burlington Zoning Green Building Initiative
Federal Green Building Legislation
Provide feedback for updates to LEED through our local chapter
About The Vermont Green Building Network (VGBN):
The VGBN is a non-profit networking organization dedicated to expanding the market for "green building." The philosophy of green building promotes resource conservation, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation. Green buildings are designed to take into account environmental impacts and waste minimization. They create a healthy and comfortable indoor environment, reduce operation and maintenance costs, and address issues such as historical preservation, access to public transportation and other community infrastructure.
VGBN is proud to be a chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC)
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