Current Newsletter

USGBC Logo

 

U.S. Green Building Council
West Michigan Chapter News

August 2010

 

 

 NEWLY CERTIFIED PROJECTS  

Barnes and Thornburg LLP

    Barnes & Thornburg · Grand Rapids, MI
    LEED for Commercial Interiors 2.0 · Certified· April 2010

 

  

H4H 905 Crofton   

 

Habitat for Humanity/GRCC· Grand Rapids, MI
    LEED for Homes · Gold· July 2010

 

 

alt

 

alt

 

New LEED Project Certifications

 

The best way for us to know about new LEED Project Certifications is for anyone involved to send details to us at the link below.


Click here to submit New Project Certification information  

 

Please send the following information:  

 

  • Project Location 
  • Names of West Michigan firms with a role in ownership or occupancy, design, construction, and LEED administration.  
  • Photographs (please limit to three, sized less than 100KB each).
  • Outstanding or significant sustainability features 
  • LEED path, rating, and date of award.

 

alt

 

alt

 

News

Submit New LEED Certifications

Message from the Chair

Event Calendar

Green Building Showcase Update

Green Buildings of West Michigan Book

USGBC Named West Michigan Innovation Finalist

An Opportunity To Influence

Other Articles of Interest

Getting Involved

 

alt

 

alt

 

 

Building  

 

Message from the Chair

 

 

 

 

  

  

Wow, we are half way through 2010!  What a year we have had so far. 

 

Several months ago our Chapter made the decision to take a journey. We hoped that this journey would connect us with many building owners and managers of the more than 130 LEED buildings in West Michigan. We knew to be successful, we would need to engage with major sustainability partners in West Michigan. We found three amazing partners to go down this path with us: Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College and Kendall College of Art and Design. We needed to connect with passionate students in West Michigan. We hoped that this journey would allow us to talk about the benefits of LEED for existing buildings and to promote the benefits of on-going measurement and verification on newly constructed LEED buildings. We had a vision that this journey would allow us to connect more with our media sources and meet new ones. We had no idea that this journey would gain us recognition and an award: Business Review Innovations Award finalist. Lastly, we wanted the opportunity to raise awareness of our USGBC West Michigan Chapter and the benefits of green building in Michigan. We had a vision that has now become a reality:  Green Buildings of West Michigan! 

 

I cannot thank enough those who have participated along the way!  An amazing group of volunteers have pulled this off. Still to come are the showcase tours and book launch. Our work is not complete and will not be as we start to plan what's next with this project...... 

 

Those who have contributed to this project in the capacity of planning, organizing, coordinating, entering data, writing and editing are:

 

Mary McGraw-Bigelow LEED Green Associate - Contractors Building Supply, Inc.
Jesse Brimmer, Sustainability Student - Grand Valley State University
Gayle DeBruyn, Lake Affect Design Studio and Kendall College of Art and Design
Sean Fahey, Sustainable Business Student  - Aquinas College
Lisa Locke, Principal - Lisa Locke LLC
Jim McCarty LEED AP BD+C, Sustainable Programs Manager at FTC&H, Inc. and Member of Board of Directors, USGBC-West Michigan Chapter
Michael Merren, Director of Food Service / Sustainability Officer / Food Pantry Coordinator - Mel Trotter Ministries
Christine Morse, Principal - Avid Marketing Solutions, LLC
Chuck Otto, Principal - Corporate Sustainability Communications
Melissa Peraino, Educational Outreach Director - Grand Valley State University - Continuing Education
Sam Pobst  LEED AP, President / CEO - Eco Metrics LLC
Trisha Spaulding LEED AP, Public Relations Manager - Integrated Architecture
Debra Sypien LEED AP, Sustainability Coordinator - Rockford Construction
Victor Tvedten LEED AP

 

So join us in September to learn more about this journey and to see the magnificent work that has been accomplished in West Michigan.  Registration and book purchase are online for your convenience:  http://www.usgbcwm.org/green-buildings-of-west-michigan

 

Renae Hesselink, LEED AP, Chair
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

alt

 

alt

 

EVENTS CALENDAR

Opportunities to Learn and Network!

This Calendar includes quick links to all USGBC Chapter Events, and USGBC Regional and National Events, and other Community Events important to green building stakeholders. For more events, please visit our web site event page.



 

August 6

Board Nominations Due
Any member is eligible, and nominations are open to anyone with an interest in leading the chapter. Nick Carlson, Chapter Secretary, will receive nominations until August 6.
Send nominations to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

August 11
Board of Directors' Meeting

The WM Chapter Board of Directors meeting includes a representative from each Chapter Interest Circle in attendance. RSVPs are requested 24 hours in advance.
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Location:  Grand Rapids Community College, M-TEC,622 Godfrey Avenue, SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (map)

 

Spetember 15 

Board of Directors' Meeting
The WM Chapter Board of Directors meeting includes a representative from each Chapter Interest Circle in attendance. RSVPs are requested 24 hours in advance.
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Location:  Grand Rapids Community College, M-TEC,622 Godfrey Avenue, SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (map)


 

Click on an Interest Circle or Branch to view their page on the website and find information about their future meetings. (Homes, NC&CI, O&M, Schools,ND,Southwest Branch,  Heart of West Michigan Branch).   

 

alt

 

alt

 



Green Buildings of West Michigan Showcase Tour
September 10 and September 11

   

 

Register by August 15th for the early bird discount. Save the dates of September 10 and 11th! Future Cities: Climate Strategies for Sustainable Communities Summit presented by The City of Grand Rapids, U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan and GreenTown. 
 
We will feature commercial buildings and six homes on this tour.  Here is the scope of our project:  With over 130 LEED certified buildings in West Michigan (and growing!), we have the perfect opportunity to prove the benefits and showcase green building design as a region. Grand Rapids is a leader - fourth in the nation with the number of LEED-certified buildings - and yet we find very few building owners sharing that story in an organized way to attract tours, visitors and as an economic development tool for our region. We are assisting building owners to write their case studies to measure the results of their green building choices and then organizing tours of these buildings to highlight the features.

 

The goals of this project are to establish Grand Rapids as the preeminent home of sustainable buildings, honor the contributions of the furniture industry in advocating the sustainability ethic, raise the bar for building owners by helping them benchmark building performance of LEED Buildings and encourage them to pursue certification under LEED's Green Building Operations and Maintenance.

 


Click here to register for the tours
 
Click here to register for Greentown- Future Cities: Climate Strategies for Sustainable Communities
 
For more information contact Renae Hesselink or  Sam Pobst

 

Green Buildings Banner

 

 

alt

 

alt

 

Green Buildings of West Michigan Book... 

 now available for pre-order


  
Order by August 15th for the Discount!
 
To commemorate the tour and create a meaningful legacy, the Chapter is publishing a full-color, coffee-table quality book of case studies of LEED-certified buildings in West Michigan. It will include an overview of sustainability in the West Michigan region and Case Studies of each of the segments on the tour: commercial, education, health care, homes, non-profit, and office.

This is a great opportunity to promote the West Michigan Region as a leader in sustainable design... and the book makes a compelling marketing tool as a gift for your clients and prospects. 

Click here to order your copy of Green Buildings of West Michigan

Cost of Book:

$65.00 Pre-ordered with your tour registration by August 15th

$75.00 After August 15th

 

 

alt

 

alt

 

USGBC Named West Michigan Innovation Finalist
 

 

Business Review  named USGBC West Michigan as one of the 38 finalists for the 2010 Innovation Michigan statewide awards. 

Presenting largest number of finalists in the event's five-year history, Business Review selected the Innovation finalists based on uniqueness of the innovation, which could include a new product, process, business, line or service. Entries also were judged based on the outcome of the innovation to date, including its effect on revenue, employee morale, customers and company image.

The finalists represent a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, not-for-profit, technology, health care and education. 

 

 Read Full Article

 

alt

 

alt

 

An Opportunity To Influence
September 22 - 23
 
As part of USGBC's continuing efforts to build chapter advocacy capacity, it is providing fundamental and advanced resources necessary to leverage the efforts of our invaluable volunteers.  

Two responses to these efforts are significant: our Chapter plans to form an advocacy committee; and we are hosting, with the Detroit Regional Chapter, a two-day advocacy skills training session on September 22 & 23 in Lansing. 

 

Wednesday includes a full-day workshop with media training and a reception. On Thursday, participants will have a chance to use their new skills in meetings with legislators or key decision makers.

 

Participants must be able to commit to attending both days. Although there is no cost for the training and meals for both days, overnight lodging is at the expense of the participant.

 

To express an interest or for more details contact Renae Hesselink, LEED AP, Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (231) 799-2120 Ext 117
 

 

alt

alt

 

Other Articles of Interest

 

Check out these other articles that you might find interesting. Also, please visit our news page on the USGBC West Michigan web site, www.usgbcwm.org/news

LEED-EB More Than a Plaque

Four West Michigan Facilities Receive DNRE Neighborhood Environmental Partners Program Award

 

 

alt

 

alt

Getting Involved

 Visit us at usgbcwm.org 

  • Do an Interest Circle Hop to find your niche in your Chapter
  • Make a tax-deductable contribution to your Chapter. Go to our website for easy instructions on donating.
  • Support the Chapter with your continuing membership, so that we can support you.
  • Send newsletter content to the editor. Articles welcome!
  • Contact Michael Merren, our webmaster, for assistance with the website.
  • Contact Trisha Spaulding with articles for our monthly radio show. WGVU FM airs a 20-minute interview show the fourth Monday of each month titled Getting Green - Hosted by Shelly Irwin.  It's an opportunity to educate and communicate all things green. We are looking for ideas, topics and potential guests. You can call Trisha at 616-574-0220 or cell: 616-901-7316.

 

alt

 

alt

 

 Is this the Year You Go?

 

Greenbuild 2010

 

Greenbuild 2010 will be in Chicago. It's not too early to check your calendars to clear a few days and make plans to participate in USGBC's top international event. This year is promised to be the biggest ever, with inspiring speakers, practical educational sessions, and a trade show with vendors and services.

 

 

Registration is open now: www.greenbuildexpo.org

 

alt

USGBC Logo

 

U.S. Green Building Council
West Michigan Chapter News

August 2010

 

 

 NEWLY CERTIFIED PROJECTS  

Barnes and Thornburg LLP

    Barnes & Thornburg · Grand Rapids, MI
    LEED for Commercial Interiors 2.0 · Certified· April 2010

 

  

H4H 905 Crofton   

 

Habitat for Humanity/GRCC· Grand Rapids, MI
    LEED for Homes · Gold· July 2010

 

 

alt

 

alt

 

New LEED Project Certifications

 

The best way for us to know about new LEED Project Certifications is for anyone involved to send details to us at the link below.


Click here to submit New Project Certification information  

 

Please send the following information:  

 

  • Project Location 
  • Names of West Michigan firms with a role in ownership or occupancy, design, construction, and LEED administration.  
  • Photographs (please limit to three, sized less than 100KB each).
  • Outstanding or significant sustainability features 
  • LEED path, rating, and date of award.

 

alt

 

alt

 

News

Submit New LEED Certifications

Message from the Chair

Event Calendar

Green Building Showcase Update

Green Buildings of West Michigan Book

USGBC Named West Michigan Innovation Finalist

An Opportunity To Influence

Other Articles of Interest

Getting Involved

 

alt

 

alt

 

 

Building  

 

Message from the Chair

 

 

 

 

  

  

Wow, we are half way through 2010!  What a year we have had so far. 

 

Several months ago our Chapter made the decision to take a journey. We hoped that this journey would connect us with many building owners and managers of the more than 130 LEED buildings in West Michigan. We knew to be successful, we would need to engage with major sustainability partners in West Michigan. We found three amazing partners to go down this path with us: Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College and Kendall College of Art and Design. We needed to connect with passionate students in West Michigan. We hoped that this journey would allow us to talk about the benefits of LEED for existing buildings and to promote the benefits of on-going measurement and verification on newly constructed LEED buildings. We had a vision that this journey would allow us to connect more with our media sources and meet new ones. We had no idea that this journey would gain us recognition and an award: Business Review Innovations Award finalist. Lastly, we wanted the opportunity to raise awareness of our USGBC West Michigan Chapter and the benefits of green building in Michigan. We had a vision that has now become a reality:  Green Buildings of West Michigan! 

 

I cannot thank enough those who have participated along the way!  An amazing group of volunteers have pulled this off. Still to come are the showcase tours and book launch. Our work is not complete and will not be as we start to plan what's next with this project...... 

 

Those who have contributed to this project in the capacity of planning, organizing, coordinating, entering data, writing and editing are:

 

Mary McGraw-Bigelow LEED Green Associate - Contractors Building Supply, Inc.
Jesse Brimmer, Sustainability Student - Grand Valley State University
Gayle DeBruyn, Lake Affect Design Studio and Kendall College of Art and Design
Sean Fahey, Sustainable Business Student  - Aquinas College
Lisa Locke, Principal - Lisa Locke LLC
Jim McCarty LEED AP BD+C, Sustainable Programs Manager at FTC&H, Inc. and Member of Board of Directors, USGBC-West Michigan Chapter
Michael Merren, Director of Food Service / Sustainability Officer / Food Pantry Coordinator - Mel Trotter Ministries
Christine Morse, Principal - Avid Marketing Solutions, LLC
Chuck Otto, Principal - Corporate Sustainability Communications
Melissa Peraino, Educational Outreach Director - Grand Valley State University - Continuing Education
Sam Pobst  LEED AP, President / CEO - Eco Metrics LLC
Trisha Spaulding LEED AP, Public Relations Manager - Integrated Architecture
Debra Sypien LEED AP, Sustainability Coordinator - Rockford Construction
Victor Tvedten LEED AP

 

So join us in September to learn more about this journey and to see the magnificent work that has been accomplished in West Michigan.  Registration and book purchase are online for your convenience:  http://www.usgbcwm.org/green-buildings-of-west-michigan

 

Renae Hesselink, LEED AP, Chair
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

alt

 

alt

 

EVENTS CALENDAR

Opportunities to Learn and Network!

This Calendar includes quick links to all USGBC Chapter Events, and USGBC Regional and National Events, and other Community Events important to green building stakeholders. For more events, please visit our web site event page.



 

August 6

Board Nominations Due
Any member is eligible, and nominations are open to anyone with an interest in leading the chapter. Nick Carlson, Chapter Secretary, will receive nominations until August 6.
Send nominations to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

August 11
Board of Directors' Meeting

The WM Chapter Board of Directors meeting includes a representative from each Chapter Interest Circle in attendance. RSVPs are requested 24 hours in advance.
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Location:  Grand Rapids Community College, M-TEC,622 Godfrey Avenue, SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (map)

 

Spetember 15 

Board of Directors' Meeting
The WM Chapter Board of Directors meeting includes a representative from each Chapter Interest Circle in attendance. RSVPs are requested 24 hours in advance.
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Location:  Grand Rapids Community College, M-TEC,622 Godfrey Avenue, SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (map)


 

Click on an Interest Circle or Branch to view their page on the website and find information about their future meetings. (Homes, NC&CI, O&M, Schools,ND,Southwest Branch,  Heart of West Michigan Branch).   

 

alt

 

alt

 



Green Buildings of West Michigan Showcase Tour
September 10 and September 11

   

 

Register by August 15th for the early bird discount. Save the dates of September 10 and 11th! Future Cities: Climate Strategies for Sustainable Communities Summit presented by The City of Grand Rapids, U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan and GreenTown. 
 
We will feature commercial buildings and six homes on this tour.  Here is the scope of our project:  With over 130 LEED certified buildings in West Michigan (and growing!), we have the perfect opportunity to prove the benefits and showcase green building design as a region. Grand Rapids is a leader - fourth in the nation with the number of LEED-certified buildings - and yet we find very few building owners sharing that story in an organized way to attract tours, visitors and as an economic development tool for our region. We are assisting building owners to write their case studies to measure the results of their green building choices and then organizing tours of these buildings to highlight the features.

 

The goals of this project are to establish Grand Rapids as the preeminent home of sustainable buildings, honor the contributions of the furniture industry in advocating the sustainability ethic, raise the bar for building owners by helping them benchmark building performance of LEED Buildings and encourage them to pursue certification under LEED's Green Building Operations and Maintenance.

 


Click here to register for the tours
 
Click here to register for Greentown- Future Cities: Climate Strategies for Sustainable Communities
 
For more information contact Renae Hesselink or  Sam Pobst

 

Green Buildings Banner

 

 

alt

 

alt

 

Green Buildings of West Michigan Book... 

 now available for pre-order


  
Order by August 15th for the Discount!
 
To commemorate the tour and create a meaningful legacy, the Chapter is publishing a full-color, coffee-table quality book of case studies of LEED-certified buildings in West Michigan. It will include an overview of sustainability in the West Michigan region and Case Studies of each of the segments on the tour: commercial, education, health care, homes, non-profit, and office.

This is a great opportunity to promote the West Michigan Region as a leader in sustainable design... and the book makes a compelling marketing tool as a gift for your clients and prospects. 

Click here to order your copy of Green Buildings of West Michigan

Cost of Book:

$65.00 Pre-ordered with your tour registration by August 15th

$75.00 After August 15th

 

 

alt

 

alt

 

USGBC Named West Michigan Innovation Finalist
 

 

Business Review  named USGBC West Michigan as one of the 38 finalists for the 2010 Innovation Michigan statewide awards. 

Presenting largest number of finalists in the event's five-year history, Business Review selected the Innovation finalists based on uniqueness of the innovation, which could include a new product, process, business, line or service. Entries also were judged based on the outcome of the innovation to date, including its effect on revenue, employee morale, customers and company image.

The finalists represent a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, not-for-profit, technology, health care and education. 

 

 Read Full Article

 

alt

 

alt

 

An Opportunity To Influence
September 22 - 23
 
As part of USGBC's continuing efforts to build chapter advocacy capacity, it is providing fundamental and advanced resources necessary to leverage the efforts of our invaluable volunteers.  

Two responses to these efforts are significant: our Chapter plans to form an advocacy committee; and we are hosting, with the Detroit Regional Chapter, a two-day advocacy skills training session on September 22 & 23 in Lansing. 

 

Wednesday includes a full-day workshop with media training and a reception. On Thursday, participants will have a chance to use their new skills in meetings with legislators or key decision makers.

 

Participants must be able to commit to attending both days. Although there is no cost for the training and meals for both days, overnight lodging is at the expense of the participant.

 

To express an interest or for more details contact Renae Hesselink, LEED AP, Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (231) 799-2120 Ext 117
 

 

alt

alt

 

Other Articles of Interest

 

Check out these other articles that you might find interesting. Also, please visit our news page on the USGBC West Michigan web site, www.usgbcwm.org/news

LEED-EB More Than a Plaque

Four West Michigan Facilities Receive DNRE Neighborhood Environmental Partners Program Award

 

 

alt

 

alt

Getting Involved

 Visit us at usgbcwm.org 

  • Do an Interest Circle Hop to find your niche in your Chapter
  • Make a tax-deductable contribution to your Chapter. Go to our website for easy instructions on donating.
  • Support the Chapter with your continuing membership, so that we can support you.
  • Send newsletter content to the editor. Articles welcome!
  • Contact Michael Merren, our webmaster, for assistance with the website.
  • Contact Trisha Spaulding with articles for our monthly radio show. WGVU FM airs a 20-minute interview show the fourth Monday of each month titled Getting Green - Hosted by Shelly Irwin.  It's an opportunity to educate and communicate all things green. We are looking for ideas, topics and potential guests. You can call Trisha at 616-574-0220 or cell: 616-901-7316.

 

alt

 

alt

 

 Is this the Year You Go?

 

Greenbuild 2010

 

Greenbuild 2010 will be in Chicago. It's not too early to check your calendars to clear a few days and make plans to participate in USGBC's top international event. This year is promised to be the biggest ever, with inspiring speakers, practical educational sessions, and a trade show with vendors and services.

 

 

Registration is open now: www.greenbuildexpo.org

 

alt

Mission: To provide and develop leadership for environmental sustainability in green building and community development through strategic affiliations
and comprehensive proactive educational opportunities at all levels.