Networking/Events

The Mayor's Bold Steps program honors Eugene businesses that make decisions based on the concept of the triple bottom line, which includes taking extra care in how they treat people and the planet, while supporting economic prosperity. The program is a collaborative effort between a number of community volunteers, Cumulus media group and Mayor Kitty Piercy. Learn from a panel of businesses that have received this award about their bold step - how they pursued it and lessons learned.  Then, discuss with fellow GreenLaners at your table what bold steps your organization might take.

More about Bold Steps:
All Eugene businesses are eligible for the Bold Steps award. Previous winners include: Hummingbird Wholesale, Mountain Rose Herbs, SeQuential Biofuels, Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Bike Friday, Organically Grown, Isler CPA, EuroAsian Automotive/AutoHaus, and the Oregon Country Fair. Cumulus publicizes the winner (worth thousands in advertising value) and runs a series of PSAs about sustainability on Cumulus stations.   Nominations may be submitted at any time, and all nominations are kept on file for future consideration.  Nominations are accepted www.sustaineugene.com The steering committee selects a winning application every 2 months.

Educational Spotlight: Center for Appropriate Transport, “Trips for Kids and Pedaler’s Express, our human powered delivery and courier service”

If you haven’t heard about all the cool cat things CAT (Center for Appropriate Transport) is doing for the Eugene Community, then you’ve got to come to the next GreenLane luncheon. Joel Newman is going to share how CAT is really one non-profit supporting a number of other non-profits -- all under one figurative umbrella. Eugene Rack Works brings in youth to help make the bicycle racks that you’d lock your bike to around town.  Human Powered Machines builds cargo bikes, recumbent bikes. You can find their bikes at CAT's retail shop, Eugene Bicycle Works. Pedalers Express delivers your goods all over town. Can’t forget all their education and youth programs complete with GED programs and a 5 month live in apprenticeship program to support more of the CAT community efforts.
 

Member Spotlight: Employer Incentives for Growing Your Workforce

Are you considering expanding your workforce?  Are you on the fence because of the uncertain economy?  Would you like to help someone learn and grow in a green career?  On the Job Training might be the answer. Kate Parker, Business and Employment Specialist for The Lane Workforce Partnership, will share information about this new business service and how it could benefit you, the job applicant, and our community as a whole.

Kate Parker has over 14 years experience in the employment and training field, including 12 years at Lane Workforce (www.laneworkforce.org) where she is currently a Business and Employment Specialist.  The Lane Workforce Partnership is a business driven workforce development organization dedicated to investing in the workforce, creating workforce solutions, and partnering with businesses and community organizations.

Kate’s previous employment background includes residential solar, sales, marketing, and customer service. She is the lead for WorkSource Lane’s new On the Job Training program which offers employers a financial incentive for hiring and training qualified employees. Kate is currently the owner of a communication training company.

Member Presentation -- Newt Loken and Jim Wilcox of Solar Assist
MAKE THE SUN WORK FOR YOU

Basic types of solar energy systems and available credits that reduce installation to a fraction of the initial cost.

Educational Presentation -- Katie Wilson-Hamaker, Co-founder of The Hive Group
COMMUNICATING THE NEED FOR CLIMATE ACTION

Leaders from The Climate Leadership Initiative  (CLI) under a program called the Socal Capital Project, wrote a guide in 2010 to climate communications and behavior change. This guide focuses on how to frame messages and connect with mulitple audiences. Utilizing CLI's guide in as well as research from The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), Katie has identified the key points essential to GreenLane members and will deliver her talk on how to communicate with your client(s) about climate issues.

How to use this information:

• As part of your marketing strategy -- discover compelling marketing strategies for selling green products and services.
• As part of your funding strategy -- learn communication tactics for engaging donors to help fund your organization.
• As part of your strategy for creating a cleaner future -- find out how to motivate your neighbors, friends and peers about the need for climate action.

If you are interested in understanding how to convey the pressing needs around climate issues, are responsible for communications in a for profit or non-profit setting, this talk is directed specifically for you.

Member Spotlight: Tom Scott
Come hear from Tom Scott with The Green Store. Find out about the alternative products they carry to support a more sustainable planet and the same time, learn more about what you can do to reduce your carbon foot print.

The member spotlight is our way of helping GreenLane members meet like-minded peers in the business community as well as foster the growth of local supply chains and local services.

Educational Program: Adam Bernstein
"Sustainability: An Affordable Business Practice"

Adam Bernstein, owner of Adam's Sustainable Table, will share about his history and personal challenge of becoming the greenest restaurant in the nation. Find out what he's learned about the inherent efficiencies in running a green business as well as some of the challenges with certification, competitive marketplace, and green washing. Based on his experiences, Adam will share his perspective of the future and the potential for a carbon-free future.

The educational program is intended to showcase real examples of business owners successfully reducing carbon in the workplace.

Member Spotlight      

(The Member Spotlight is our way of helping GreenLane members meet the business community and support the sourcing of local products and services thereby improving the sustainable economy of Lane County.)

GreenLane member Diane Warnock was hired by Sanipac in 2007 to help educate and share best recycling practices with the community. She speaks with businesses, associations, community members on Sanipac's commingled recycling system in an effort to help educate, reduce waste, and increase re-use in Lane County. Diane is a graduate of the Master Recycler program.

Educational Program

(The Educational Program is our way of increasing the knowledge base around sustainability and best business practices within Lane County.

Carolyn Stein is the Program Director for BRING's new education program called Re:think. Re:think is a free, hands- on assistance program for businesses that want to learn how to waste less and earn more. Carolyn will be sharing case studies and examples of local businesses that are conserving resources, saving money and reducing their environmental impact.

Our Speaker will be Co-founder of Ninkasi Brewery, Nikos Ridge. His presentation will cover how Ninkasi partners with our community and how the brewery has grown in a down economy. He will also share some of the local programs  they have used to expand their operations including city loan funds. You will also get to hear a brief overview of the company history.