San Rafael Chamber of Commerce Green Committee Minutes - Approved Wednesday, April 8, 2015 – 9:30-11:00 am San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, 817 Mission Street, San Rafael Attendees / Introductions
Madeleine Austin – Smart Receivables Nancy Benjamin – GreenUP! + Communications Beau Blanchard – California Film Institute / Chamber Board Member, Education Committee Cory Bytof – City of San Rafael Volunteer and Sustainability Program Coordinator / MSEL Vision in Action Award Honoree Ben Choi – Marin Clean Energy Patrick Costello – Green River Financial Services Jennifer Grenier Selvig – Marin Sanitary Service / Produces Chamber Showcase Bob Herbst – San Rafael Airport / Chamber Board Lindsay Knaebel – PG&E David Kunhardt – SOL Ed Benefit Corp / Co-Founder of CALM (Coalition of Livable Marin) Polina Osipova – City of San Rafael - Resilient Neighborhoods + Zero Waste Brendan Pipkin – SEI / MarinSEL (internship programs) Chris Yalonis – Communique Partners / Green Committee Chair
Ask & Offer / Upcoming Events Chris - Save the Dates for Green Briefs: Getting Green Done! Announcement of 2015 Expert Sessions: June 17 – Making the Business Case for Sustainability: Getting Approvals and Funding for Sustainable Initiatives – co-sponsored by Sustainable San Rafael August – Waste Minimization and Management October – Making the Most of Green Certifications December – Energy + Optimal Buildings: Lessons from the North Bay’s Top Performers (Events forwarded to Evan for Website) April 19 Marin Sanitary Customer Appreciation Day! April 30 to May 3 | Tenth Annual Sustainable Enterprise Conference at Sonoma Mountain Village http://sustainableenterpriseconference.com/ This year’s theme is “Capital for a Sustainable Future,” a topic which highlights the region’s wealth of financial, social and natural capital and explores funding and investing trends that build social capital.
iHub Enterprise Accelerator (Chris will be speaking on this day) Fri, May 1 (learn more and register) The iHub Enterprise Accelerator has been added as a 2nd day event, providing learning opportunities for organizations aspiring to embody sustainable principles in company culture and processes. Take part in small, hands-on workshops with investors, consultants and organizational advisers. Future Makers Sustainable North Bay Youth Summit Sat, May 2 (learn more & register) Designed for young and innovative people who want to create a better future, discover the possibilities and best practices to engage for sustainable living. The youth summit will offer information about sustainable organizations in the North Bay and featured representatives will be on site to answer questions about their inspirations and work. Network with the existing green community and create entrepreneurial opportunities. Chow Down Community Commons Celebration Sun, May 3 Focused mainly on our local food scene, this will be a golden opportunity to expand our community. Enjoy exhibits and the best of the previous three days to Sally Tomatoes for a social event designed to showcase the North Bay as the Epicenter of Sustainability. Tues, May 12 | Marin Green Drinks Venture Greenhouse Re-Launch Matt Gaulding will talk about VG1.0 and 2.0 and what’s ahead in 2015! 5:30 - 7:30pm @ Lotus Cuisine of India Restaurant 704 4th Street Phone: 415 456-5808 Bike to Work Day is Thurs, May 14 City will have an “Energizer Station” on the Plaza. Look for the giant Gorilla! Cory is looking for a group th to host a table on the 5 Avenue side of the Plaza. Table, snacks, etc., will be handled, but need 3-4 volunteers to handle the shifts from 6:30 am to 9:00 am. Here is the web site (with last year’s info): http://www.marinbike.org/Events/BTWD/Index.shtml Beau – celebrate green businesses / MV Film Festival Oct 8-18 / hosting space – presentations, etc., during the day / rentals + partnerships Cory – water conservation challenge through end of April MMWD – liked program done w/congregations Coordinated effort to address sea level rise / City government to work with County Marin Climate Energy Partnership – working on this + every area needs their climate action plan updated (required from FEMA) Updated BCDC + ABAG Emergency Services Coordinator
Polina – collaborating w/Marin Sanitary – Waste Wise Spotlight in meeting City and County highlighted in March, West Brooklyn Pizza Company. Push PR out to Polina. Bob – business showcase set for Weds, Sept 9. Jennifer looking for co-clerk. GreenUP! / Communications Discussed Green Briefs: Getting Green Done! 5-Session Series Discussed set-up for April 8 event See flyer announcing series and detailing upcoming events Green Business Realities: Triple Bottom Line Best Practices Weds, June 17 from 6:00-8:00 pm San Rafael Corporate Center Conference Room 750 Lindaro Street, San Rafael Send events to mailto:
[email protected] May Issue of GreenUP! Highlight ALL 2015 Green Business of the Year Nominees + testimonials from previous years’ winners: Agricultural Institute of Marin Batteries Plus Bulbs San Rafael City of San Rafael Department of Cultural and Visitor Services: Marin County Fair EO Products Green River Financial Services Lotus Cuisine of India Marin Clean Energy* St. Vincent de Paul Society Smart Receivables SolEd Benefit Corporation *Winner announced at State of the City / Taste of San Rafael Dinner on March 19
Overcoming Resource constraints – How do we get this done? Financial incentives / funding Getting “unstuck” Best advice = success stories! 5 Ws – waste, water, wellness (work/life balance + pre-tax programs around health), watts, wheels
Bob – State of the City Dinner – 450 attendees (want to increase by 50 next year) Meeting Adjourned Next Meeting - Wednesday, May 13 – 9:30-11:00 am
