The Green Chamber of Commerce Partners with B Corporation
Celebrate the Synergy September 8 in San Francisco

San Francisco — August 26, 2010 – Businesses that are searching for the best way to “go green” now have two easy ways to do it. A diverse group of Bay Area businesses are working with the Green Chamber of Commerce and B Corporation to help build sustainability into their business practices. They will share their experiences at an event on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 from 6:30-8:30 pm at Hub Soma located at 925 Mission Street in San Francisco, CA. 

Speakers at the event will include members from both organizations:  Brian Back (Sustainable Industries), Alexia Marcous (Dharma Merchant Services), Matt Bauer (BetterWorld Telecom), and Vince Siciliano (New Resource Bank).  

Organic and local light fare will be provided by Organic Chef Catering with beer donations provided by Social Kitchen & Brewery and wine by Parducci Wine Cellars and Paul Dolan Vineyards.  Tickets are: $10 for Green Chamber & B Corps members, $15 for non-members if they pre-register. $20 at the door (non-registered).

“We are thrilled to offer our B Corporation Impact Rating Systemto help the Green Chamber to promote corporate accountability and transparency within their membership base, as they expand nationally. The B Impact Rating System is a great tool for a rapidly growing sustainable business membership organization, such as the Green Chamber of Commerce, to measure potential members’ sustainability practices across all aspects of their business, because it provides a comprehensive evaluation of a company’s social and environmental impact on all of its stakeholders,” says Deborah Hirsh, director of B Lab’s San Francisco office. 

About the Green Chamber of Commerce
The Green Chamber of Commerce was created to strengthen a growing business movement that supports sustainable business practices, promote the success of its members, and advocate a green public policy. The Green Chamber provides its members with promotional opportunities, discounts, hosted events, a voice in national policy, and tools to become more environmentally and socially responsible. Some of the leading sponsors of the San Francisco Chapter include: Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP, Green Dentistry, and Dharma Merchant Services.

For more information about The Green Chamber of Commerce visit: http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/

For information about the event and to register visit:  http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/2010/08/12/celebrating-the-synergy/

Contact:
Janet Pomeroy
President
Green Chamber of Commerce
415.971.5460
Janet@greenchamberofcommerce.net 

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San Francisco — August 19, 2010 — The Green Chamber of Commerce has announced the start of its national expansion with the launch of a second chapter in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The first chapter was started in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2007 and has over 300 active members ranging from architects to banks and law firms. These businesses want to move the economy toward cleaner energy, less dependence on fossil fuel, and help prevent the economic and social disruptions associated with climate change. The American Sustainable Business Council, ( http://www.asbcouncil.org ) which represents over 50,000 businesses; California Business Alliance for a Green Economy, ( http://ca-greenbusinessalliance.com ) and B-Corp ( http://www.bcorporation.net ) have partnered with The Green Chamber to advance these concerns in national and regional policies.

“A number of people have said to me that they assumed we would begin our expansion in Seattle, Washington or Portland, Oregon – cities with exemplary commitments to sustainability. They’ve been quite surprised that Las Vegas is our first new chapter. I think it makes perfect sense; we’re supporting a growing community of socially and environmentally responsible businesses. The fact that Las Vegas is ready for a Green Chamber of Commerce is evidence that the commitment to green business is moving beyond the obvious early adopters and is on its way to being commonplace throughout the United States,” said Melinda Cheel, Executive Director, Green Chamber of Commerce.

About the Green Chamber of Commerce
The Green Chamber of Commerce was created to strengthen a growing business movement that supports sustainable business practices, promote the success of its members, and advocate a green public policy. The Green Chamber provides its members with promotional opportunities, discounts, hosted events, a voice in national policy, and tools to become more environmentally and socially responsible. Some of the leading sponsors of the San Francisco Chapter include: Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP, Green Dentistry, and Dharma Merchant Services.

The Green Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting requests to start chapters in other US regions. Visit: http://greenchamberofcommerce.net

Las Vegas Green Chamber of Commerce: http://lasvegas.greenchamberofcommerce.net

Contact:

Janet Pomeroy
President
Green Chamber of Commerce
415.971.5460
Janet@greenchamberofcommerce.net

Stories from Green Chamber Members/Certified B Corporations:
Brian Back, Sustainable Industries
Alexia Marcous, Dharma Merchant Services
Matt Bauer, BetterWorld Telecom
Vince Siciliano, New Resource Bank

Reasons to attend:
1. You’re a B Corp and want to learn more about the Green Chamber
2. You’re a Green Chamber member and want to learn more about B Corp
3. You know nothing about either organization
4. Fresh popped organic popcorn with caramel, peanuts & sea salt
5. You haven’t checked out Hub SoMa yet
6. You’re a Hub member and want to expand your network with more fantastic people & businesses
7. Beer tastes good after work
8. …so does wine
9. You take pleasure in surrounding yourself with innovative and inspiring people
10. You love to have fun

Organic & local light fare from Organic Chef Catering.

Beer donations from Social Kitchen & Brewery. Wine from Parducci Wine Cellars.

Where: Hub SoMa, 925 Mission Street, SF
When: 6:30-8:30PM
Cost: $10 Green Chamber members & B Corps, $15 non-members; $5 more at the door
This event may sell out. Pre-registration is recommended!

Topic: Marketing to Baby Boomers
How one small concept called “The Forever Home” has ignited Harrell Remodeling’s Marketing Program and turned the tables on traditional marketing and advertising models.

Baby Boomers are turning 50 at an astonishing rate of 1 every 10 seconds. That’s more than 12,000 each day and over 4 million a year for each year of the next decade! Baby boomers are here and ready to spend. Is your business ready for them?

About the speaker: Iris Harrell, CEO of Harrell Remodeling, speaks from her heart and with emotional intelligence born from 25+ years of business acumen about how every industry will benefit from understanding how to marketing their business, services and products to this relevant generation.

Where: Harrell Remodeling, 1954 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View
When: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Cost: $10 Green Chamber members, $15 non-members; $5 more at the door.

Please note that this is a re-schedule of the July 27th event at Temple.

Be a part of the green jobs conversation. Join us  for an informational session on TrainGreenSF:

• Learn about the benefits of TrainGreenSF and federal incentives available to employers
• Discuss green business topics relevant to your company
• Gain useful information for your growing business
• Participate in a facilitate networking session
• Enjoy some good food & libations!

TrainGreenSF is San Francisco’s newest green jobs training program. TrainGreen is a collaborative funded by the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development to provide job readiness training, vocational training and job search assistance to hundreds of job seekers. TrainGreenSF is offering vocational training in energy efficiency, recycling, green transit, and green business administrative support. The collaborative includes Goodwill of San Francisco, San Mateo & Marin Counties, City College of San Francisco, Global Exchange, Clean City Coalition, and Jewish Vocational Services.

Where: Sandbox Suites, 123 10th Street, San Francisco
When: Wednesday, August 25th, 6:30-8:00PM
Cost: $5 before, $10 at the door.

Pre-registration is now closed. You may pay by cash, check or charge at the door. Join us!

Sponsored by:

This fall, join the Sustainable Industries Economic Forum series featuring Cameron Sinclair, eternal optimist and visionary social entrepreneur who co-founded Architecture for Humanity. Known for his tireless tenacity, Sinclair addresses the challenges and opportunities in rethinking design for accelerating social and environmental enterprise in today’s economy. Drawing upon international experience, Sinclair brings the message home to local business leaders, creating a dynamic discussion, along with high-caliber networking, at this year’s Sustainable Industries Economic Forum series.

When: 8:00 – 11:30AM
Where: St. Regis Hotel, 125 3rd Street, San Fransisco
More info & registration: here

Robert Brown, Community Development Director for the City of San Rafael and Jeff Jungsten, Vice President of Caletti-Jungsten Construction will talk about the new mandatory green building ordinances. Architects, designers, builders, subcontractors and homeowners are invited to join us for an educational evening hosted by Mahoney Architects & Interiors and Green by Design in Mill Valley. This is an exclusive event and can only accommodate 40 people.

Arrive and network from 5:00 to 5:30. Bob Brown and Jeff Jungsten will discuss the outcome of the BERST collaborative, the Green Point Rating system and LEED, and the impact the new ordinances will have on all building in Marin County from 5:30 – 6:15 with Q & A until 6:45 PM.

Where: Mahoney Architects & Interiors and Green by Design, 1058 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley
When: 5:00-7:00PM
Register: Dana or Gail at 415/389-1058, or dana@greenbydesign.us

The Green America Exchange (GAEx) is a B2B marketplace and accompanying complementary currency exclusively for Green Business Network™ members. It’s a simple concept, with a big impact. Through GAEx, you will be able to use the resources your business alreadyhas to purchase what you need without spending cash-like a barter system, but much better and much more flexible.

Green Chamber members: A membership benefit, you receive a Green America Associate Membership for free. Make sure to take advantage of these great opportunities! Contact Green America at (202) 872-5330 or email them for info.

Where: Temple – Shrine Room, 540 Howard Street, San Francisco
When: Tuesday, August 10th, 7PM
Cost: Free but please RSVP. Email keaty@greenamericatoday.org

Sept 30 – Oct 2, 2010 | Fort Mason Center | San Francisco

West Coast Green is the preeminent symposium on green innovation.

A three-day conference, expo, and forum, where the most valuable ideas meet visionary thinkers at the drawing board for a cleaner, brighter future.

It’s all connected. Be here.

• 200+ exhibits – Explore, engage and interact with valuable, viable, world-changing concepts, businesses and technologies.
• 125+ speakers – Hear the inspiring visions and tangible strategies of the most influential voices of the green revolution, including Bill McDonough, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Panama Bartholomy, Michelle Kaufmann, Eric Corey Freed, Dan Kammen, Andrew Tang, Arianna Huffington and more!
• Innovation Pipeline – Witness new technologies at their unveiling, from breakthrough 3D home design systems to next-gen solar roofing tiles, it’s a peek into the future.
• Entrepreneurship Series – Collaborate and strategize directly with industry experts through one-on-one consultations focused on taking your concept to the next level.
• Smart Grid Chat – Help shape the future of clean energy distribution by joining the industry’s key players in exploring the new age of smart grids and their endless opportunity.
• More – Take a spin around the Green Auto Innovation Pipeline, tour the Self-sustaining Show Home, check out the Hanging Storm Water Gardens, then relax for a while at the Organic Beer & Wine Garden because there’s much more to see and do.

Visit the website to see more highlights and register!

The survey is short. Promise. And if you complete it we’ll enter your email address into a drawing for $50. Use it to support one of your favorite local restaurants, for a fine bottle of biodynamic wine or give it your favorite charity.

Take the survey now.