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How To Become a Benefit Corporation on Dec 7

Green Chamber of Commerce — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:39:39 +0000

San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce Presents
“How To Become a Benefit Corporation” on Dec 7
Co-hosted by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (author of AB 361: California Benefit Corporations), and Law Firms Hanson Bridgett, Montgomery & Hansen, and Wendel, Rosen, Black, & Dean

SAN FRANCISCO (November 29, 2011) – The San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce will be co-hosting a special event on December 7, 2011 with Assemblymember Jared Huffman, author of AB 361: California’s Benefit Corporation legislation, and the three attorneys who led the effort to develop it – Donald Simon of Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean, John Montgomery of Montgomery & Hansen and Jonathan Storper of Hanson Bridgett. This event will offer business leaders a chance to learn more from the writers of the law about how to become and operate as a Benefit Corporation.

Benefit Corporation laws have passed in six states and counting across the US with California being the most recent addition to this list. California business leaders have an opportunity to encourage the adoption of Benefit Corporation certification for all businesses throughout the state to show that this new form of socially and environmentally responsible business is a necessary and effective tool for changing the way business can be done.

The event will be held from 8:30-10:00 a.m. at the Oakland law offices of Wendel, Rosen, Black, & Dean LLP located at 1111 Broadway, 19th Floor, Conference Room, Oakland, CA, 94607. This is a one-time event that will be FREE for all to attend.

Speakers:

Marin County Assemblymember Jared Huffman, a well known environmental advocate and author of AB 361 will provide information on the development and passage of AB 361.

Donald Simon, an attorney, green business leader and partner at Wendel, Rosen, Black, & Dean, will explain everything aspiring Benefit Corporations need to know. Simon co-chaired the Benefit Corporation Legal Working Group to draft and spearhead the passage of AB 361 with Jonathan Storper of Hanson Bridgett and John Montgomery of Montgomery & Hansen.

Click here to RSVP for free to this event>>>

Click here for more information about the San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce>>>

About the Green Chamber of Commerce
The Green Chamber of Commerce is a growing and diverse business network dedicated to: promoting the success of our members, supporting the development of sustainable business practices, and advocating for green public policy. The Green Chamber provides its members with promotional opportunities, discounts, educational events, a voice in national and local policy, and tools to become more environmentally and socially responsible.

Contact:
Risa De Ferrari, Advocacy Co-Chair, Board of Directors
SF Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce
415.839.9280
Risa@greenchamberofcommerce.net

Call for Applications: Acterra’s 2012 Business Environmental Awards

Green Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:54:42 +0000

Applications for Acterra’s 2012 Business Environmental Awards are now available at www.acterra.org/bea. This year’s categories are: Environmental Project, Environmental Innovation, Sustainable Built Environment and the Acterra Award for Sustainability.

Business and organizations in the following counties are eligible to apply: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz County. (New: we have extended our eligibility area to Contra Costa county.)

Download the Application at www.acterra.org/bea. The early-bird deadline is November 15, 2011 and all applications are due on Friday, December 9, 2011.

For more information, please contact awards@acterra.org.

JustMeans Becomes Green Chamber Media Partner

Green Chamber of Commerce — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:36:17 +0000

The Justmeans community is the premier source of information for staying updated on the people, ideas and companies that are shaping a positive future. That is why Justmeans had over 2.1 million visitors last year and is now that largest community of people focused on doing business better.

Learn more about JustMeans by visiting their website: www.JustMeans.com

Company Table Discount: Sustainable Industries Forum Oct. 20 in San Francisco

Green Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:44:24 +0000

Company tables of 10 discounted $200 until Tuesday Sept. 20!
Just enter the code 10TOP at checkout to receive your discount.

This event will sell out, so reserve your table or seat today!

Date: Oct, 20, 2011

Time: 8:00am – 11:30am

Fee: $95

Location: The St. Regis, San Francisco, CA

Business Academy Supporting Green Entrepreneurs in the Bay Area

Green Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:15:14 +0000

Hosted by Green for All and the University of Phoenix

Date: Thursday September 29^th and Friday September 30^th

Where: San Jose, CA

Location:
University of Phoenix – San Jose Learning Center
3590 N. First Street San Jose, CA 95134

Time: 10:00am-4:00pm

Attention Green Business Entrepreneurs: Do you want to learn what it takes to succeed in the Bay Area’s green market? Do you want to know what resources are available specifically for green start-ups? Our two-day business academy will convene green business leaders, business support organizations, and capital providers to help you grow your business. You will also have the opportunity to meet with lawyers at our Business Law Clinic and sign up on our website to practice your elevator pitch at the event.

This FREE event will bring together the Bay Area’s top green business experts to share their insights on how to help triple bottom line companies thrive in today’s economy.

Panels and Workshops include:

Funding for Green Companies
Your local resources for Green Business Success
Start-up Tips from Green Entrepreneurs
Elevator Pitch Practice Session
Business Law Clinic
Networking Opportunities

Registration: This event is FREE but advanced registration is required. You can apply online by visiting: www.greenforall.org/bizacademy

Green Chamber Member Feature: Solar Mosaic

Green Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:37:52 +0000

According to a recent survey by ImagePower, over 60% of consumers consider sustainability to be a key purchasing factor. Despite the growth and profit potential of the green economy, it has often been difficult for businesses to break into the industry.That is, until now.

Solar Mosaic, an innovative solar finance company, just launched its first project in Oakland, CA to connect those who want to invest in solar with community organizations who can benefit from solar. Often people can’t go solar because of the high upfront costs or because their roofs aren’t suited for it. By allowing individuals and businesses to invest in “Tiles,” $100 shares of a solar project in their community, Solar Mosaic is making the benefits of solar accessible to more people.

Oakland Solar Mosaic will create over 140 kW of solar (enough to power 28 homes) on the roofs of organizations across Oakland that serve low-income communities. In addition, the projects will create jobs, help valuable community organizations save an estimated $350,000 on their utility bills and repay all investors. Through our online platform, Solar Mosaic has already raised more than half the funds needed for their first solar project on the Asian Resource Center, a thriving non-profit center in the heart of Oakland’s Chinatown.

This project presents an incredible opportunity for businesses in the Bay Area to support community solar in Oakland and reap the benefits of the green economy. In addition to recouping all your initial investment over the duration of the solar payback period (typically 8 years), you will receive marketing support in the form of Solar Mosaic’s Solar Business Pack and Rewards Program to drive more eco-minded customers to your business.

To find out more about how your business can get involved with Solar Mosaic’s first project please visit www.solarmosaic.com or email ankur(at)solarmosaic(dot)com

Together we all go solar. from Solar Mosaic on Vimeo.

Interview with Green Chamber Member Jack Jacobs of Cleantech Law Partners

Green Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:21:38 +0000

GCC: What would you like people to know about your clean tech law firm?

Jack: Cleantech Law Partners is a specialty law firm that is focused on helping renewable project developers and cleantech companies with their legal and policy needs. We have an impressive team of 25 lawyers who have experience working with solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels, electric vehicles, and smart grid companies, as well project developers that are working to implement those technologies.

GCC: Tell us about how you decided to take your training in law and combine it with sustainability?

Jack: My studies have always been centered on environmental issues. My bachelor’s degree is in environmental science, and my law and masters degrees are in environmental law. So that was the path I was on for a long time. Then one day, I started to realize that traditional environmental law could become obsolete if cleantech products saturated the marketplace. I mean, if we had cars, factories, and power stations that didn’t emit toxins in the first place, then, at least theoretically, we wouldn’t really need environmental law. This was a huge turning point in my career, and so CLP was created solely for the purpose of supporting the complicated legal and policy needs of renewable energy project developers and clean technology companies that are working hard to create products and devices that are cleaner and green than their predecessors.

GCC: Who would be a potential client of Cleantech Law Partners?

Jack: We serve 3 main types of clients: First, renewable energy project developers that are building solar, wind, geothermal, and tidal projects. We help them every step of the way, with everything from acquiring land and purchasing the renewable energy system to applying for grants and selling the power to the local utility. Second, we serve as general counsel for lots of cleantech companies. In this role, we help our clients with all of the legal issues that they encounter on a daily basis, like with contracts, IP, corporate management, etc. The third category of clients that we work with is organizations and governments, where we are helping them understand the impact that policy and legislation, writing white papers, drafting new laws and policies, and even helping them to use the legislative process to achieve their ultimate goals of encouraging environmental protection and encouraging the growth of renewable energy.

GCC: CLP has grown a lot over the last couple of years. You guys seem to be everywhere. So if we can bridge a bit, we have noticed that today there is much less green washing than there was a few years ago. This may be due to the fact that everyone has reduced their overall marketing budgets, and generally spending less on green washing campaigns. So, do you think that the recession has help the environmental movement by reducing green washing?

Jack: Maybe, but I still see plenty of ridiculous campaigns by oil and gas companies who are boasting about their “green” initiatives while simultaneously dumping, spilling or spewing terrible toxins into the world. But if in fact green washing has decreased, as you say, then I’d give half the credit for that accomplishment to smart consumers who are finally beginning see past the sensationalism in advertising and demanding genuinely green products and services. And I’d give the other half credit to the FTC (US Federal Trade Commission) that recently released a long-awaited guidance on green claims, seals and certifications. So now companies are thinking twice before making false statements about then greenness. With time, consume education, and stronger legislation, we will hopefully rid ourselves of “green-plated” products once and for all.

GCC: Tell us about the most memorable cleantech clients you have had at CLP?

Jack: There are a lot, actually. On the policy side of our practice, we recently helped a solar advocacy organization keep their incentive program in place, and helped another group of renewable energy companies plan out their strategy for enacting a statewide feed-in-tariff law. On the corporate side, we work with lots of exciting and interesting cleantech companies that are developing innovative new technologies that can literally revolutionize the way we live, and are actually shaping the future of the cleantech industry. And then there are the project developers that are implementing all of those ideas and creating all that clean energy that is desperately needed. I think our entire team feels really honored to work with such an impressive group of clients who are each committed to developing cleaner and greener world.

GCC: What would you say is the biggest roadblock that your clients are facing today?

Jack: A lack of money and a lack of consistent government policies are the biggest roadblocks for the renewable energy industry in the US today. Even if a developer has a perfect location for a wind farm or solar array, with 365 days of perfect sunshine, they can’t build a solar energy project until they secure lots of funding to purchase the system, lease the land, and connect to the grid. So the project could remain on the drawing board indefinitely until they can’t find a bank or investor to help finance the project. And we have lots of clients in exactly this situation. Banks are nervous to loan money and investors are apprehensive to invest because the laws and polices here in the US just don’t go far enough to minimize investment risk. In Germany, for example, it’s much easier to get a loan or investor for a renewable project because the feed-in-tariff structure that’s in place, which creates a very stable and predictable environment for the financial community. Some policies have been enacted, like the 1603 grant, which have had a hugely positive impact on the renewable energy industry, but that program is expiring at the end of the year. It seems that every time we take a leap forward, the policies end, and the industry retracts. While I believe that the industry will continue to move forward even in the absence of sound long-term policies that favor clean energy, it will be a much smoother process if we didn’t have to always wonder what will happen next year…

GCC: What needs to change for cleantech and renewable energy to finally take off in this country?

Jack: I don’t know if there is one single change, but I’d suggest at least three: First, we should enact a federal renewable portfolio standard that requires the entire country (not just a few states) to produce at least 30% of their electricity from renewable sources of energy. Second, we should also enact a feed-in tariff to ensure a strong market for clean energy, and help the investment community feel more comfortable supporting renewable projects. And third, and perhaps most importantly, I think that we have to remove the subsidies given to the oil and gas industry. It’s one the most profitable industries ever, yet they somehow receive tens of billions of tax dollars every year. So I think that once a few simple, fundamental changes are made, the playing field will be leveled, market forces will kick in and entrepreneurship will do the rest.

Green Venture Forum: From Community Idea to Global Impact

Green Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:15:46 +0000

Date:
Tuesday September 20th

Time:
6:30 pm

Location:
Guzman Lecture Hall, Dominican University of CA
50 Acacia Avenue
San Rafael, CA 9490

Save the date! The Green Frog from Silicon Valley and The Venture Greenhouse of Dominican University of California are pleased to co-produce “From Community Idea to Global Impact”, a forum on social and environmental and entrepreneurship. Top-tier panelists will discuss real life challenges faced by social and environmental entrepreneurs, and share best practices to successfully scale up your initiatives from community projects to a global reach.

This event is a unique opportunity to interact among entrepreneurs, investors, and students and discuss how to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. The panel discussion will be followed by a break-out session with food and drinks provided by sustainable sponsors, where founders and CEOs will lead table discussions.

Panel:
“From Community Idea to Global Impact” moderated by Olivier Jerphagnon, Editor at The Green Frog from Silicon Valley

· Elliott Brown, CEO of Clearly Next

· Claude Dorais, President of Unite to Light

· Sandra Ann Harris, Founder of ECOlunchboxes.com

· Ps. Ryan Jones, Co-founder of DoGoodLab

Keynote:
“Saving the oceans by transforming the sea-food industry” by Cheryl Dahle, Principal at Future of Fish

San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber Accepting Resumes for Board President Position

Green Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:06:52 +0000

The San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Board President. This is a perfect opportunity for someone who is looking to help build a diverse green business network. We invite you to join us in overseeing the success and growth of the organization.

Resumes will be accepted through Sept 20. If interested please send a cover letter and resume to stacie(at)greenchamberofcommerce(dot)net.

Role: President of San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

Terms: 2 years, volunteer position

Qualifications

Must live in the San Francisco Bay Area
Must be able to attend in person monthly board meetings in San Francisco
Must be able to attend monthly Green Chamber events, Annual Event and other SF Bay area green and sustainability events throughout the year
Minimum of 5-10 hours commitment per week
Prior experience in green business, finance, business development a plus
Prior experience with non-profits, membership based organizations and fundraising a plus
Prior experience as a board president a plus

Responsibilities

Ensure that the Board of Directors and its members: are aware of and fulfill their governance responsibilities; comply with applicable laws and bylaws; conduct board business effectively and efficiently; are accountable for their performance.
Preside over board meetings
Propose policies and practices
Sits on various committees
Monitors the performance of Directors and Officers
Submits various reports to the board, to funders, and to other “stakeholders”
Proposes the creation of committees
Appoints members to such committees
Performs other duties as the need arises and/or as defined in the bylaws

Accountability

The President is accountable to the Board of Directors or Members as specified in the bylaws. The President may delegate specific duties to the Executive Director, Board members and/or committees as appropriate; however, the accountability for them remains with the President.

Specific Duties

Meetings

The President ensures that an agenda is planned for board meetings. This may involve periodic meetings with committee chairpersons and the Executive Director to draft annual and meeting agendas and reporting schedules.

The President presides over meetings of the Board of Directors. In this capacity, the President:

chairs meetings according to accepted rules of order for the purposes of encouraging all members to participate in discussion; arriving at decisions in an orderly, timely and democratic manner;
votes as prescribed in the bylaws.

Board Committees

The President serves as an ex-officio member of board committees specified in the bylaws. In this capacity, the President’s role is

to serve as a voting member of the committee as specified in the bylaws;
to negotiate reporting schedules;
to identify problems and assist the committee chairperson to resolve them, and if necessary, to bring them to the attention of the Board of Directors.

Board-Staff Relations

The President is the primary liaison between the Board and the Executive Director. In this capacity, the President:

meets periodically with the Executive Director;
ensures that periodic performance reviews of the Executive Director are conducted;
participates in the hiring and evaluation of the Executive Director.

Community Relations

The President ensures that the organization maintains positive and productive relationships with media, funders, donors, and other organizations. In this capacity, the President serves as primary spokesperson for the organization. Duties may include:

representing the organization to the media;
representing the organization on governmental or nongovernmental organizations and committees;
representing the organization at Green Chamber events throughout the year and the Annual Event
representing the organization at other Green and Sustainability events around the SF Bay Area
timely and appropriate reporting of Board decisions and actions to members and/or funders and/or donors.

Signing Officer

The President is designated by the Board of Directors and/or bylaws as one of the signing officers for certain documents. In this capacity, the President may be authorized or required to sign or countersign checks, correspondence, applications, reports, contracts or other documents on behalf of organization.

Board Development

The President ensures that structures and procedures are in place for effective recruitment, training, and evaluation of board members.

Fundraising

The President ensures that structures and procedures are in place for securing the resources required by the organization. This may require the President to play a leadership role in fundraising campaigns.

Delegation

The President may establish or propose the establishment of committees of the Board, and may assign tasks and delegate responsibilities to board committees and/or directors.

Become a certified Sustainability/CSR Practitioner this September in San Francisco

Green Chamber of Commerce — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 03:24:10 +0000

Take advantage of early registration discount!

The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence is conducting an IEMA-certified CSR training workshop on September 21-22 in San Francisco, CA. Upon completion of the course, participants are able to effectively develop Sustainability strategies, implement CSR programs, and communicate performances through Sustainability/CSR Reports.

CSE has certified more than 200 CSR Practitioners from 5 continents and 25 countries!

For more info and to register, visit: http://sustainability-practitionersanfrancisco.eventbrite.com/

Use code GCOC15 for a 15% discount!

Contact sustainability@cse-net.com with questions, comments.