CCNet Lunch, Thursday 10/18: Green Business Trends

Upcoming Champaign County Sustainability Network lunch (CCNet)

Green Business: Local and National Trends

Thursday, October 18
Noon, 101 Natural Resource Building
607 E. Peabody, Champaign
Guest: Tim Montague

The sustainable business movement is now in its third decade. Going green is going mainstream. So just how do green businesses differentiate themselves from the pack? What are some of the pros and cons of different approaches (Natural Step vs. Checklist vs. Performance Based). How are companies using credible, measurable and practical green business practices to create an economy that doesn’t borrow from the wellbeing of future generations? Is this possible? What are current trends in standards and certification and will they minimize green washing? Is green business a viable counter-movement to business as usual? And finally, what are the challenges, opportunities and pitfalls of going green? Dive in and share your perspectives with green business advocate Tim Montague, board member of the Illinois Green Business Association and President of Montague Brands Marketing & Fundraising for Nonprofits.

Green Drinks tomorrow at Big Grove Tavern

IGBA (Illinois Green Business Association) has teamed up with Green Drinks Champaign County and CCNet to host monthly green networking events and better get out the word and attract more people to Green Drinks!

Mark your calendars -- 
on Wednesday (10/17)  at 5:30 we will be at Big Grove Tavern (1 East Main Street in Champaign). **Note the day change from Tues. to Wed. this month to accomodate other peoples' schedules**

There will be complimentary bar snacks featuring local goat cheeses from Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery in Urbana. Wes Jarrell and Leslie Cooperband will also be joining us to talk a bit about the Farm.

If you haven't been to these green networking events before, they are informal and fun -- and there's always free food! It's a great way to meet and chat with others who are interested in making Champaign County (and beyond) more sustainable.

Light the Night - Bike Light Giveaway - Tomorrow (Thursday, 9/13) from 4-8pm

Here’s the info on the bike light giveaway:

Light the Night 2012
Free Bike Light Giveaway
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

• Location 1: Alma Mater (SE corner of Green St. and Wright, Urbana, IL)
• Location 2: Corner of Illinois St. and Lincoln Ave. (near Illinois Street Residence Hall) Urbana, IL

You have to bring your bike with you, and you’re only eligible if you don’t already have lights on your bike. PDF poster is here:  http://thebikeproject.wikispaces.com/file/view/light-the-night-2012-poster.pdf. If you want to volunteer, fill out form here:  http://thebikeproject.wikispaces.com/light-the-night-2012.

Happy Hour Tonight

Happy hours commence!

6 p.m... ish
Quality
110 North Neil Street, Champaign, 61820

Call if you need directions, or in the words of Tucan Sam, follow your nose.

Rebecca
(314) 341-0853

need help in Room 227 TBH Friday morning

Hey, all.  We are doing a little interior design in Room 227 prior to school starting, to increase its usability as both a classroom as well as an individual and group work area. We could use some help this Friday morning/early afternoon between 9:30am and 1pm. Lunch will be provided if you let me know by Thursday at noon; however, latecomers will be welcomed with open arms. Please email me at ricci2@illinois.edu if you can help.

Thanx,

Marcus

creating list of Community Sustainability Initiatives

I am working on putting together a list of community sustainability resources for the incoming (and current) students, as well as planning a workshop/panel or a driving tour for the new students' orientation in August. Does anyone have a "community sustainability initiatives" they would like to suggest we let the students know about or show them, or resources they might use?

Examples:  the  etc.? It could be vegetarian/vegan restaurants or markets, transportation-related, energy-related, food-related, recreation, etc. If you have a short description and contact/location information, that'd be invaluable. I'll plan to make a map and a handout for them'all and us'all.

Throw what you have at me at ricci2@illinois.edu and I'll see what seems to work best.



Submissions to date:


Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC)
UI Arboretum
Student Sustainable Farm
Arboretum
CCNet
Campus Bike Project (or the ones in Champaign or Urbana
Randolph Street Community Garden
Student Sustainability Farm
Lincoln Square Farmers' Markets
Idea Store
Habitat for Humanity ReStore

I will be using the website from the Office of Sustainability as my base, so check here if your items are already listed:  http://sustainability.illinois.edu/resources.html


Thanks for any info you can provide.



Cheers,
Marcus

Social justice opportunity for recent grad

Hi MUPs,

A good social justice opportunity is available in St. Louis. The position comes with room & board, health insurance, and monthly stipend and lasts 10.5 months. You'd be working with a friend of mine who works on health reform, economic justice, environment, and TCH projects. She'd be a great mentor and is extremely involved in these issues at the city, state, and federal level. You can find out more about the position here: http://www.lorettovolunteers.org/


If interested I can put you in touch with her or try to get answers to any questions.


Cheers,


Jess
henry25@illinois.edu