Meetings
The West Michigan Sustanable Business Forum Has Moved!
The WMSBF’s separation from WMEAC is complete. If you wish to contact someone from the WMSBF, please email us at info@wmsbf.org.
Calls made to WMEAC will not be forwarded.
The new website is now at
WMSBF December Membership Meeting
Date: December 8, 2008 :: 12p-2p
Host: Steelcase Location: 901 44th Street, SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Maryellen Mika from Steelcase and Laura Rauwerda from MI-DEQ will be presenting on the Green Suppliers Network.
Manufacturers of all sizes are turning to lean manufacturing techniques to reduce waste and save money. In fact, you may already be practicing lean at your facility. But did you know you can save even more by expanding your efforts to be Lean and Clean?
The Green Suppliers Network works with large manufacturers to engage their suppliers in low-cost technical reviews to identify strategies for improving process lines and using materials more efficiently. T he Lean and Clean Advantage targets and eliminates the root causes of waste. The result—a stronger bottom line.
Green Suppliers Network reviews can help you:
- Find customized solutions to your manufacturing challenges
- Save money and increase capacity
- See immediate results through hands-on training on the shop floor
- Achieve additional savings and efficiencies beyond traditional lean techniques
- Improve supply chain relationships
Working in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Green Suppliers Network to help small and medium-sized manufacturers stay competitive and profitable while reducing their impact on the environment.
There is a program cost of $10.
Lunch will begin at 12pm.
The WMSBF Board of Directors will be meeting immediately following the general meeting.
WMSBF November Membership Meeting
Date: November 10, 2008 :: 12pm - 2pm
Host: Haworth Location: Haworth :: 1 Haworth Center Holland, MI 49423 Speaker: Ken Brandsen, Manager, Facilities Design & Mgmt. Opportunity, Objectives, & Results in our LEED Gold Headquarters: best practices in achieving GOLD LEED and maximizing workspace productivity and innovation. Afterward, they will provide a guided tour via 1st floor information stations of their new GOLD LEED Headquarters facility and work process layout.
Fritz Crabb, Director of Literacy at the Heart of Michigan United Way will also present on Schools of Hope, an in-school tutoring program for 1st through 3rd grade students in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. In the fall of 2009 it will be expanded to include a neighborhood based after school program.
Due to overwhelming response to this meeting, registration is now closed. If you are interested in being added to our waiting list, please write to wmsbf@wmeac.org and you will be contacted should space open up.
*** There will be a $10 charge ***
Download the meeting agenda here.
WMSBF October Membership Meeting
Date: October 13, 2008 :: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Host: The GreenLife Organization, LLC Location: Cascade Engineering :: 3400 Innovation Court SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512 Speaker: Mark LaCroix Mark LaCroix’s presentation will cover the following components:
- Market drivers for carbon management
- Critical elements of an effective and credible carbon management strategy (avoid, reduce, replace, offset)
- Internalizing the cost of carbon to drive greater efficiency and revenue
- Carbon offset types, qualities and standards
Additionally, Dave Rinard of Steelcase will lead a discussion on voluntary initiatives, programs, climate exchange, EPA climate leaders; cap & trade program; a run-down of current legislation in the works regionally, nationally, and elsewhere; and suggestions for further reading.
*** There will be a $10 charge ***
The agenda can be downloaded here.
Download the meeting minutes here.
Download Lisa Locke’s presentation on the WMSPC here.
WMSBF September Membership Meeting
Date: Monday, September 8 :: 12 p.m.-2 p.m.
Host: Light Corporation Location: Light Corporation 14800 172nd Ave Grand Haven, MI 49417 Speaker: Cindy Moe Cindy Moe of Light Corporation will be presenting information on energy-saving lights as well as Light’s recycling and employee initiative programs. A tour of their facility will also take place.
The best practices component will be presented by Earthtronics regarding going green and what we can do as individuals. Carbon footprint –what is it and what can we do individually to reduce our own carbon footprint.
Lunch will be provided at 12:00pm with the program commencing at 12:15pm (note change from usual 12:30pm).
If you plan on attending, please RSVP by Wednesday, September 3 to wmsbf@wmeac.org
Meeting minutes are available here.
Third Annual Go Green Golf Outing
Date: August 11, 2008, 8:00am
Host: Go Green Golf Outing - See News & Events for more details! Location: 8375 36th Street, Ada MI
WMSBF July Membership Meeting
Date: July 14, 2008
Host: Spurt Industries and Days Hotel Location: Days Hotel Speaker: Rick Menken and Craig Bilski Rick Menken of SPURT Industries will present an introduction to the SORT composition program by briefly explaining what SORT is, how it works, and the environmental impact of organic recycling. Craig Bilski of Days Hotel will present the best practices segment by showcasing their environmental initiatives and the steps they are currently taking to develop sustainability within the hospitality business sector.
See the minutes from this meeting here.
WMSBF June Membership Meeting
Date: June 9, 2008, 12pm - 2pm
Host: Rockford Construction Location: Rockford Construction Corporate Headquarters, 5540 Glenwood Hills Parkway SE, Grand Rapids MI 49512 Speaker: Deb Sypien & Dan Clappison Presentation: Rockford Construction will introduce their work to build the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the first LEED Certified, newly built Art Museum in the world.
Best Practice: The ReEntry Resource Center will present their intiative to collaborate with regional employers and social service agencies to support former offenders in their return to the workforce and a productive lifestyle.
See the minutes from this meeting here.
WMSBF May Membership Meeting
Date: Monday, May 12, 2008, 12pm - 2pm
Host: The Right Place, Inc. Location: GVSU Eberhard Center, 301 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids 49504 Speaker: EPI Concrete Products Presentation: Learn about Innovation Works! A new program of The Right Place that is working to accelerate the comercialization of products, processes and services in West Michigan.
Best Practice: EPI Concrete will introduce their innovative, post consumer concrete building product to demonstrate how innovation does work for West Michigan.
Lunch Fee Please note that members will be requested to purchase a lunch for $10.00.
See the minutes from this meeting here
Note: A WMSBF Board of Directors meeting will take place immediately following the member meeting.
April Meeting
Date: Monday, April 14, 2008, 12pm - 2pm
Host: Grand Rapids Community College Location: GRCC Tassell M-Tech Center, 622 Godfrey SW, Grand Rapids MI 49503 Speaker: GRCC Sustainability Team April’s meeting will be an important one to attend. Learn about the efforts to achieve sustainability at GRCC. Elect the 2008-2009 WMSBF Board of Directors. Finally, we’ll be announcing our 2008 WMSBF Scholarship winners! Please be sure to RSVP to wmsbf@wmeac.org.
WMSBF Membership Meeting
Date: Monday, March 10, 2008
Host: Cascade Engineering Location: 3400 Innovation Court SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512 Speaker: Michael Ford The presentation and best practice will be all about renewable energy. Our presenter will be Michael Ford, Founder and President of Choose Renewables LLC. The meeting will be from noon to 2 p.m. Details coming soon.
Click here for a map to the location.
January 14th Meeting
Date: January 14, 2008 12:00pm-2:00pm
Host: Nichols Paper Location: Prince Conference Center & Calvin College Featured Presentation: Green Transformation in the Cleaning Industry,
Stephen Ashkin, President of The Ashkin Group
Best Practice Presentation: Calvin College Environmental Stewardship
Committee Report, Sustainability Statement &Green Cleaning Program.
Presenter: Phil Beezhold, Director of Physical Plant Services, Calvin
College
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