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Sustainable Design Program ...is Building
Volume 2, Issue 2
-Facilitated the development of a local LEED(Leadership in Energy & EnvironmentalDesign) training series in July for twelve localarchitects, engineers and other industryprofessionals. By August we expect the number ofLEED accredited professionals in Whatcom County toincrease from just four to sixteen or more!
-A successful second annualImagine This! Home &Landscape Tour on July10th and 11th. 450fabulous people attendedthe tour of ten homes andlandscapes demonstratinginnovative, cost effective,healthy, attractiveapproaches to eco-friendlyliving. Many thanks to oursponsors: Puget SoundEnergy, The City of Bellingham, Whatcom County,Bellingham Weekly, Environmental Home Center, andthe RE Store.
With the support of thePuget Sound Action Team,Bullitt Foundation, RussellFamily Foundation, andthe City of Bellingham,the Sustainable DesignProgram is developingstrongly!
The purpose of the program is to promote thedesign, construction and operation of buildings andlandscapes in NW Washington that areenvironmentally responsible, profitable and healthyplaces to live, work and play. Here are a few ofthe accomplishments during just sixmonths of activity:
-Development of an engaging booth withinformational resources for the March Home Showin Lynden. We held over 250 conversations withattendees and received over 100 surveys, whichinformed us that there is a great deal of interestlocally in energy conservation, rainwater collection &use, wildlife friendly landscapes, and native plant,organic landscaping.
-Three industry workshops in June, each attendedby an average of thirty professionals. The workshopsfocused on Low Impact Development -StreetEdge Alternatives, Integrated Design, andMarket Based Approaches to SustainableDesign. Additional workshops begin inSeptember. If you are interested in participatingbut have not been receiving notices, please callDerek Long at 647-7093 or [email protected]
-Presentation to Bellingham City Council aboutthe financial and environmental benefits offollowing the LEED (Leadership in Energy &Environmental Design) standards for public andcommercial buildings. Response was positive,preparing the way for a LEED resolution proposal,which we plan to introduce in the Fall.
119 N Commercial St.
Suite 350
Bellingham, WA 98225
Tel: 360 647-7093
www.Sconnect.org
Buy Local First
Collaborate
MinimizeEnvironmentalImpact
MaximizeCommunityBenefit
The Main Street JournalNewsletter of NW Washington's Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
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Volume 2, Issue 2, Summer and Fall 2004
“I am only one,But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everythingI will not refuse to do
The something that I can do."~ Edward Everett Hale
As we hope you saw, we dubbed 4th of July week“Independents Week” and emphasized ourcommunity’s long history of “celebrating itsindependents” with this 1910 photo on our materials(below). The poster on the wall in the photo says,“We are for Bellingham - for goods made inBellingham, for brands owned in Bellingham, forgoods sold in Bellingham, for produce grown inWhatcom County – Are you for Bellingham?”
Get involved! Our 2nd annual Buy Local Day isNovember 13th! Participating businesses willreceive new materials, games and stickers, and willbe included in local advertising. Contribute yourideas for the campaign through the planningcommittee or send ideas to [email protected]
If you know a local, independently owned businessthat isn’t yet participating, encourage them to signup! The best way to educate our friends andneighbors about the importance ofThinking Local is for them to see themessage everywhere they turn. The greaterthe number of participants, the more successful weall will be!
Main St. Journal Page 2
Participation in the year-long(April-April) campaign is just $50for Sustainable Connectionsmembers and $100 for non-member local, independentbusinesses.
Our successful Think Local –Buy Local – Be Localcampaign, launched fall 2003, and continues to grow!
Businesses participating in the 2004 campaign aregiven a CD-Rom full of ready-to-printmarketing materials for every month of theyear, including seasonal imagery and messages forLabor Day, Fall Harvest, Election Day, Buy Local Day,end of the year holidays, Valentine’s, St. Patrick’s Day,Earth Day, Mother’s Day, Ski to Sea, and IndependentsWeek. Whew! In addition, participating businessesare featured in three highly promoted events, listedat www.thinklocal.org, and benefit from ongoingpromotion and public service announcements throughthe Cascade Radio Group, KVOS, the Weekly, theWhatcom Independent, NW Events, Organic Press,and the Echo.
You may have seen the “Everyone’s awinner when they think localfirst!” prize-wheel at the SustainableConnections info booth during recentcommunity events. Visitors to the boothname a local, independently ownedbusiness then spin the wheel! Everyonewins something - from a sticker orbumper sticker to a cool blue water bottleor t-shirt, all with the Think Local logo!Each visitor also receives a flyer listing allThink Local campaign participants andSustainable Connections businessmembers.
Thinking Local First!
BALLE National Conference
Michelle and Derek Long, Cathy Lehman, and KenBothman, co-owner of La Fiamma Wood Fired Pizza,all attended the inspirational annual Business Alliancefor Local Living Economies conference, May 20-22nd inPhiladelphia, PA. Sustainable Connections waspresented as a national model and receivedsignificant attention and praise. ManySustainable Connectors will be able to attend nextyear’s conference, as it will just be across the borderin Vancouver, BC!
The Farm Fund’s Food to Bank On program createspartnerships between new farmers, experiencedgrowers, and area food banks to provide fresh,locally grown produce to the community. Acollaborative project between the Community FoodCoop and Sustainable Connections, 6 new farmersare being mentored and paid to growproduce and make weekly deliveries to 5area food banks and the Sean HumphreyHouse.
Food to Bank On's Second Year
PROGRAM REPORTS:
Independents
Day
Post
er up a
t G
reenhouse
Mayor Mark and NooksackSalmon EnhancementAssociation's Sammy the Fish atthe "Everyone's a Winner" wheel
Vol. 2, Issue 2, Page 3
What better reason to ‘think local first’ than the fact that ownersof local, independent businesses are autonomous to make decisionsabout their business practices to positively impact ourcommunity, local economy, environment andworkplaces. That is just what has been happening through theSustainable Practices program!
Created with the support of the Russell Family Foundation, thepurpose of the program is to assist our business members increating practical action steps to accelerate their businesses to agreater level of sustainability.
The “Sustainable Practices Workshops” are informal, fun, and abenefit of SC business membership. Designed to helpmembers think more broadly about what sustainabilityin practice means, the workshops consist of small groupdiscussions facilitated by Sustainable Connections staff, with thesupport of an extensive workbook filled with local examples andresources.
Responses from members who participated in the initial batch ofworkshops include: “It catalyzed me into action!”, “What anexcellent packet of resources!”, and “This really got me thinking.Thank you!”
The action steps created are personal and meaningful, withmembers creating goals such as: “Place my pension in socially and
What happens when you bring entrepreneurial leadership,successful entrepreneurs, and motivated aspiring entrepreneurs intoa shared space for a day? During our first ever Entrepreneurship anda Local Living Economy Conference we found that extraordinarythings can happen!
Our fabulous speakers included:-Gifford and Libba Pinchot, entrepreneurs, best-sellingauthors, consultants to some of the world’s leading companies, andfounders of the Bainbridge Graduate Institute - the first MBAprogram focused on social responsibility and entrepreneurship-Laurie Demerit, president of the Hartman Group, a nationallyrenowned marketing and research firm focused on the ‘ConsciousConsumer’-Many nationally and regionally recognized socially responsibleentrepreneurs!
environmentally responsible funds”, “Look at the long-term andplan my exit strategy”, “I will strive for more personal/down-time”,“We will reduce our consumption of new materials and products”,“Improve communication within my organization with monthlynewsletters that include the vision and goals for the followingmonth”, and “Bring on a WWU intern to research environmentallypreferable products”.
The commitments made by all our businessmembers through these workshops are alsowhat differentiate us in this community. Localcitizens want to support SC membersbecause they know our member localbusinesses care about the impacts of theirbusiness AND actively work for improvement.
Creating sustainability goals is essential tothe quality of life in our community, because asmuch as people talk about being sustainable,sustainability is a process consistingof the actions and choices that wemake each and every day. As AnnieDillard eloquently states, “How we spend our days is, of course, howwe spend our lives.”
If you haven’t joined us for a workshop yet, please [email protected] or call 647-7093 to sign up for one ofthe upcoming dates: August 11 10am-noon, August 17 noon-2pm, August 26 10am-noon
What we experienced:-You appreciate one another! Highlights of the day forattendees included: “Being in the presence of great people – whatpotential!”, “Meeting so many progressive minded entrepreneurs”,“Stimulation that came from being around so many great businesspeople!”, and “The all day camaraderie!”-You appreciate excellent food! Ciao Thyme Catering receivedroaring applause at the end of the day, inciting such remarks as“Super, amazing, awesome, tremendous energy, fabulous speakers,networking was awesome, and Ciao Thyme rocks!”-You are hungry for more! The average score for the overallexperience of the conference was 90%! When asked “Would youattend another Sustainable Connections conference?” there was nota single “no”! With remarks such as “I loved it all!” and “The wholething was enlightening,” we are encouraged and excited to plan fornext year! So, SAVE the date for the next entrepreneurshipconference, April 22nd. It will be another great event.
Sustainable Practices Program:
Applied Sustainability
On June 2nd Sustainable Connections hosted a ScenarioPlanning Work Session for 50 invited community leaders alongwith our partners: Whatcom Council of Governments, Bellingham/Whatcom Economic Development Council, Bellingham/WhatcomChamber of Commerce and Industry, and the WWU Center forEconomic and Business Research.
The project’s original purpose was to “Develop a communitydiscussion tool about sustainable development,grounded in the realities and opportunities ofWhatcom County in order to stimulate greaterawareness, dialogue and adoption of practices thatshape the local economy while supporting communitygoals.” The invited community leaders were representatives fromlocal government and a wide diversity of business and the non-profit sectors, the majority of whom had read an initial draft versionof “One Scenario for a Sustainable Whatcom” and had beeninterviewed for input.
At the Work Session Michael Kinsley, guest facilitator from theRocky Mountain Institute, presented key concepts of sustainablecommunity development, led the group through an “assets andneeds” exercise, and finally a process to address four key issues thatarose from the interviews:1) Setting aside altruism, what would motivate business andcommunity members to act sustainably (including incentives)?2) Next steps: marketing, community input, tools for ongoingcommunication.3) How can we improve land use policies, permitting and zoning tosupport community goals?4) What sustainable projects, programs or actions could beimplemented in Whatcom County?
Sustainable Connections Board Member Mauri Ingram isleading the next phase in this process, which will includeadditional interviews and small sector roundtables through thesummer, a new Scenario Plan document to be completed inSeptember, and an autumn public launch.
Scenario Planning: In the Works
PROGRAM REPORTS:
Entrepreneurship and a Local Living
Economy Conference
Vol. 2, Issue 2, Page 4
SustainableSustainableSustainableSustainableSustainable
NEWS
New Coupon Book,
in Time for the HolidaysAttention! Sign up by September 8thto be in our new coupon book! Last year’sFourth Corner Connector sold more than2,000 copies and we heard from many ofyou that your coupon was some of the best,most targeted advertising you have done.Sustainable Connections business membersmay include one coupon, free! An $85 value.Contact [email protected]
New Printed Directory
this FallA new directory will beprinted in Octoberincluding over 300members! We hear fromyou all the time withquestions about “Is therea member who does this,or offers that, yet?” Youwant to support eachother and the directory is your wayto be in touch… andandandandand to advertise!Community members increasingly want tosupport you because you’re local andcommitted to quality of life in thiscommunity. So be sure to send yourupdated information and advertisements [email protected] by September15…. AND sign up the businesses andorganizations you wish were members!!
Cost: Your listing in the directory isan SC member benefit. A businesscard sized advertisement (up to 3.5" x 2.25")is $40. A larger ad (up to 3.5" x 3.5") is $55.
New Office SpaceSustainable Connections found a new homein February when we moved into theBellingham Towers building, 119 NCommercial St, Suite 350. You’re welcometo visit us in our little abode! And pleasemake note of our new office phone number,360 647-7093.
New Look for
SC Member, Shew Design, has created anew look for Sustainable Connections!What’s different?-A consistent color palette and set of fontsto help to tie our programs together, manyof which have their own logos and titles-Changing the layout of our name to betteremphasize ‘connections’-A new logo image that represents ourthree-pronged focus on community,economy, and environment-An eye-catching and professional NewBusiness Member Decal!
Thank you Shew Design for creating acohesive look that we can grow with foryears to come! www.shew-design.com
Contact [email protected] for anupdated SC logo for your own promotions.
New Program: "Board
Sessions" to Happen Every
Other MonthWe’re introducing an every other month‘Board Session’, launching on Sept 14th(Brown Bag Lunch, Community Food Co-op'sHealthy Connections Bldg, 12:30 pm - 2pm.) We had our first session at the springconference and it was so popular that we’remaking it a regularly scheduled program.During a Board Session a business ownerfirst speaks for 10-15 about their businessmodel, business plan and key challengesthat they are currently facing. They then areable to answer a few clarifying questions -before imaginary tape is placed over theirmouth! The “Board,” made up of other localbusiness owners with expertise inmarketing, management, operations andfinance, discuss what they've heard andpresent advice. You, as members, are alsoinvited to observe and to discuss amongstyourselves to generate advice. No matterwhat kind of business you own,these sessions are a great way toexpand your business skills and tolearn how to approach someinteresting challenges! For moreinformation or to participate, [email protected]
New Staff
MemberCathy Lehman, hiredJuly 1st as Events andProgram Manager, hasbeen working withSustainable Connectionsas a contractor sinceFebruary, assisting on our work with thenational organization Business Alliance forLocal Living Economies. In short time shewas also pulling together our first everEntrepreneurship and a Local LivingEconomy conference, coordinatingvolunteers for the fundraiser at CascadeCuts, creating the Think Local booth at “ItAll Ends in Fairhaven,” AND attending theNational BALLE conference – all happeningduring the intense month of May! She hasdefinitely proven herself under fire, andwe’re happy to have her join the team.
New Name for
Old Staff
MemberYou’ve known her asHeather Johnson, but it’sofficial: our Member andOffice Manager is nowHeather SNAPP!Married on June 19 and back from a two-week excursion to Sri Lanka, she’s happy tobe home and to be a beloved wife!
And… One More New
Team Member!Hadley Marie (akaLulu) Long! Michelleand Derek will be out ofthe office Augustthrough earlySeptember, taking timeout to spend with theirlittle one. Then Lulu willbe around the officeoften… we’re not sure which projects she’llbe taking on, it will depend upon heraptitudes and interests, but we’ll let youknow!!
Heath
er, O
n the h
appy
day!
NEWS: (LITERALLY, WHAT'S NEW!)
Cath
y, a
t Bellingham
Tow
ers
Win
ter-Sum
mer 2004 D
irect
ory
Last
year's
Foru
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ConnectionsConnectionsConnectionsConnectionsConnectionsVol. 2, Issue 2, Page 5
CALENDAR:Film Showings:
(tentatively) September 12th, after theHarvest Dinner in the Village Green:“Broken Limbs”"Broken Limbs explores... hopeful stirringswithin agriculture and outlines ways inwhich any individual can play a role insaving America's farmers."
October 15-17: The Better World FilmFestival will take place at the Whatcom FilmAssociation’s ‘Dream Space’ at 1318 BayStreet. Join us Friday evening to see“Talking to the Wall,” a film portrayingone community’s efforts to support localbusinesses and stop the development of anew Wal-Mart. A short video about SC willalso be presented. Cost: sugg. donation $5
Take it Easy Gatherings
(TIEs):
Members are making TIES at ourTake it Easy events! One partdiscussion about a Local Living Economytopic, one part exploring a memberbusiness, and one part buildingconnections with like-minded businessowners, TIEs are 100% casual, and 1000%enjoyable. Join us!
September 29, 6:30pm: ‘NeighborhoodBirth Watch!’ Come join Gentle HandsMidwifery for a first-hand glimpse intonatural childbirth and water birth at thenew Birth Center in Bellingham. We’llalso learn about how the owners ChristineGibbs and Catriona Munro rallied supportfrom the neighborhood to create thisunique location at the corner of Alabamaand Cornwall. www.ghmidwifery.comSnacks provided.To help us plan for refreshments and space,please RSVP by 5pm, Sept 26 by calling647-7093 or emailing [email protected]
Special Events and
Fundraisers
September 18, Sustainable Connections ispartnering with Opportunity Council for thelaunch of the Bellingham Flea Market!The OC's Flea Market (at 1111 Cornwall -just down hill from the Farmer’s Market)will be a regular Saturday event! You canhelp this launch be a hit! Be avendor and rent a space! orvolunteer to help! A benefit to thecommunity and a different partnering non-profit each week, the Flea Market is a greataddition to Saturdays in Bellingham.Contact [email protected]
All Members Meeting
Mark your calendars for the evening ofOctober 29! The spring conference and thefall All Members Meeting are THE must-attend events of the year! Last year we hada packed house at the Cruise Terminal withgreat food, great fellow members, andgreat fun. Save the date, because you won’twant to miss it!
Program Events:
Sustainable Practices Workshops(see description on page 3)RSVP [email protected],Cost: SC business member benefitAugust 11 10am – noon orAugust 17 noon – 2pm orAugust 26 10am – noon
Inaugural “Board Session”(see description on page 4)RSVP [email protected]: SC business member benefitSeptember 14, Brown Bag Lunch,Community Food Co-op's HealthyConnections Bldg, 12:30 pm - 2 pm
Sustainable Design ProgramWorkshops(See description on front page)Contact [email protected] for moreinformation
Buy Local Day!(See description on page 2)November 13, 2004Sign up for the Think-Buy-Be Localcampaign at ThinkLocal.orgBe a Local and Think Local on Buy Local Day!
Entrepreneurship and a Local LivingEconomy Conference(See description on page 3)Save the date! April 22, 2005
Important Deadlines:
Coupon Book:(see description on page 4)By September 8: submit your couponrequest and information [email protected]: One coupon free for SC businessmembers (Two for sponsoring members!),$85 for each additional coupon.
Printed Directory:(see description on page 4)By September 15: Submit your updatedbusiness information and advertisments [email protected]: Your listing is an SC member benefit.Business card sized ad (up to 3.5" x 2.25") is$40, larger ad (up to 3.5" x 3.5") is $55
KUDOS:Sustainable Connections is built of anincredible group of members andvolunteers, giving countless hours anddoing astounding work. Thank you ALLfor being who you are and doingwhat you do.
Thank you City of Bellingham, BullittFoundation, The Russell FamilyFoundation, and Puget Sound ActionTeam, whose support of our work isallowing us to take it to new levels.
The Fundraiser held for us by CascadeCuts on May 15 raised over $2,000 inneeded funds! Thank you100 (thank you tothe hundredth power!) Paul and Alison forthe tremendous amount of work that youand your staff put into the event!!
To the “Imagine This Home andLandscape Tour” committee, KathyWilson, Scott Mauermann, Alexandrea Todd,Caroline Kinsman, Dean Fearing, AlistairJackson, Sarah Romine, Nick Hartrich, ANDthe 65 volunteers for the actual day of thetour (too many to name here!!) THANK YOU!The event is a huge production and youpulled it off beautifully!
To the “Think Local First” committee,Ken Bothman of La Fiamma, Chris Foss ofGreenhouse, Chuck Robinson of VillageBooks, Stephen Rogski of FarihavenRUnners, Mauri Ingram of Calumet, JudithSult of Here’s How Marketing & Research,Jack Kimmes of Kulshan Cycles, ChuckBeebe of Brown & Cole: Cost Cutter & FoodPavilion, and Jim MacFarlane of Louis AutoGlass… Thank you for all your work on“Independents Week!”
To our TIE hosts of the first half of 2004,thanks for helping us stay ‘connected!’Steve Roguski of Fairhaven Runners, Jenniferand Bill Marratt of Blue Mountain Farm - aRetreat Center, and Janet Ott of Ott &Associates
Thank you to Rick Staeb and theCascade Radio Group for the ‘ThinkLocal First’ Public Service Announcements!
Thank you to the Bellingham Weekly forthe regular Sustainable Connections adsand for your work to support and promotebusiness members!
Thank you to Eric and Becca Shew ofShew Design, creators of our wonderfulnew look!
Last, and very FAR from least, thank you toour priceless interns and volunteers, BenHart, Nick Hartrich, Krista Hunter,Holly Johnston, Scott Pelton, SarahRomine, and Tara Zuluaga
Sustainable Connections:A Northwest Washington business network
establishing and supporting alocal living economy that sustains itself,
our community, and a healthy environment.
Our work would not be
possible without our
sponsoring members
and underwriters.
Thank you for your
extraordinary support of
Sustainable Connections!
Michelle Long, ExecutiveDirector
Derek Long, Programand DevelopmentDirector
Heather Snapp, Memberand Office Manager
Cathy Lehman, Eventsand Program Manager
Sustainable Connections' industrious, and industriously fun,Board of Directors:
Fred Berman, Owner, Pastázza restaurantRick Dubrow, Owner, A-1 BuildersDean Fearing, Manager, The RE StoreMauri Ingram, Owner, Calumet restaurantDuane Jager, Executive Director, ReUse WorksLeanne Kramer, Bayport Financial ServicesCindi Landreth, Owner, Cindi Landreth Home DesignScott Mauermann, Owner, Laurel LandscapingSteve Roguski, Owner, Fairhaven RunnersTeresa Roles-Meier, with Bellingham HeraldChuck Robinson, Owner, Village Books and Paper DreamsKathie Wilson, Owner, Childlife Montessori Schools
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
EXCITED TO DIG IN?:All of Sustainable Connections' accomplishments are dependent on theinvolvement of many motivated people! Do any of the following call outto you "me, me, pick me!!"?-Volunteering for the Sept 18 Flea Market-Selling the awesome upcoming coupon book at your business-Spreading the word about SC by giving out brochures and directories-Participating on a fabulously fun program commitee-Sharing your ideas for, or hosting, a stellar Take It EasyMany more possibilities exist! Give us a call to talk about your interests!360 647-7093 or [email protected]
119 N Commercial St.
Suite 350
Bellingham, WA 98225
Tel: 360 647-7093
www.Sconnect.org
