B Corp Month arrives, sign up for brand activism guide interviews, and more...
34th Annual VBSR Conference:
Early Bird Tickets Now On Sale! Thursday, May 9 @ Hula, Burlington
The future of Vermont and our businesses is IN OUR HANDS. This year we'll be holding the realities of the global business environment with solidarity, creativity, and action here at home.
Get your tickets at the Early Bird rate until April 9th for one of Vermont's largest and most anticipated business events of the year.
This full-day conference will bring together thought leaders and changemakers from throughout the state for provocative conversations inspired by a keynote address, facilitated dialogues, panel discussions, interactive sessions focused on the leading-edge of social and environmental impact, and unique, values-aligned experiences.
As leaders, visionaries, and inspired individuals, we can draw upon Vermont’s long history of business innovation and policy leadership to create the future we want in the present.
We can relearn what it means to be human with the transformative power of nature and technology. And, as global citizens, we can mobilize our local community for joyful resilience and action here at home.
Woven throughout the day will be ample opportunities for networking and meeting our exhibitors in Hula's beautiful and inspiring space!
Scenes from the 33rd Annual VBSR Conference, May 11, 2023, at Hula in Burlington. (Photos by Ben M. Collins)
Are you interested in sponsoring VBSR's largest event of the year? If so, please contact Jeremy Gerber at jeremyg@vbsr.org for details.
VBSR Networking Get-Together
at Encore Renewable Energy Thursday, March 28 @ Hula, Burlington
Join us in celebrating B Corp Month by connecting with friends and colleagues at Encore Renewable Energy at Hula in Burlington!
Join us for an evening of finger foods, networking, and drinks on Thursday, March 28th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues, make new connections, gain new ideas and inspiration, and have some fun. This event is open to everyone interested in working toward a just, thriving, and transformative economy that works for all people and the planet.
We look forward to celebrating in Encore’s beautiful new office space in Building 44 at Hula where we'll recognize Vermont’s Certified B Corporations (the most per capita in the nation) and share highlights from the 2024 B Corp Champion’s Retreat. We’ll also be joined by a special, surprise guest!
Our hosts will provide free finger foods for attendees from Sugarsnap Catering, including gluten free and vegan options. You will also have plenty of beverage options including beer, wine, and other non-alcoholic options.
VBSR Networking Get-Together at Encore Renewable Energy When: Thursday, March 28, 2024, 5:00-7:00 pm Location: Building 44, Hula, 50 Lakeside Avenue, Burlington Cost: VBSR members free; nonmembers $25
Special thanks to our host, Encore Renewable Energy, and our sponsors, Bee the Change, Copperleaf Financial, Flexible Capital Fund, Open Approach, and Phoenix Books.
Interested in sponsoring this programming? Contact Jeremy Gerber at jeremyg@vbsr.org.
Questions? Please reach out to VBSR Education & Events Manager, Molly Rand, mollyr@vbsr.org.
Impact Circles are Back for 2024!
VBSR Impact Circles are back for 2024! Connect, learn, gain inspiration, and add your voice to the conversation during these monthly peer-to-peer networking and discussion groups.
Groups will meet virtually each month with alternating discussion topics decided by the group members.
Specifically, this group focuses on topics most relevant to professionals that work in Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI) and People & Culture, including human resource leaders interested in the creation and evolution of people-centered workplaces and strong workplace culture.
Ericka Weik and Michael Zebrowski of Up End This with one of their micro-home modules. (Photo by Erica Houskeeper courtesy of Flexible Capital Fund)
Up End This, Flexible Capital Fund, and VSJF: In a recent feature from the Flexible Capital Fund, the twists and turns of the Up End This story are revealed. Through COVID, flooding, and more, the sustainable housing and micro-home manufacturer has persevered, learning some crucial business lessons along the way. Fellow VBSR members Flexible Capital Fund and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) played a part in those lessons, offering support and guidance. Driving it all through the ups and downs? A desire “to make a dent in the innovation that can make housing affordable.” Learn more here.
Hula and Champlain College: Last week, Burlington’s mayor and landowners in Burlington’s South End unveiled their proposed pre-development agreement for the South End Innovation District. Under it, developers would aim to create around 1,100 housing units, 20% of which would be termed affordable. The agreement among the city, Gold Member Champlain College and Ride Your Bike LLC – the developers behind Champion Member Hula’s site – would establish an overarching framework for the eventual development of about 13 acres of land. The agreement shows a commitment of the three parties developing the land with an eye toward walkability and sustainability. Learn more here.
UVM SI-MBA: Couldn’t make it out to February's UVM SI-MBA/VBSR panel event on the campus of Gold Member UVM? Haven’t read our recap in the February 14 Newsletter? That’s OK! The team at UVM SI-MBA put together their own recap complete with photos. Among other topics, the “2024 Forecast: What Can We Expect for Purpose-Driven Businesses?” panel discussed a broad range of topics including what companies were facing as socially responsibly businesses operating in a very unpredictable social and business environment. Learn more here.
Lawson's Finest Liquids and The Alchemist: Like so many other VBSR members, Champion Member Lawson’s Finest Liquids is celebrating B Corp Month right now by reflecting on the progress they’ve made – and by recommitting to improvements that can yet be made on their B Corp journey. They are one of only 18 B Corp breweries in the United States – and one of only two in Vermont (the other being fellow VBSR Champion Member The Alchemist)! Learn more here.
DeltaClimeVT and VSJF: The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) has announced the selection of the Energy 2024 cohort of their DeltaClimeVT climate economy business accelerator. Eight early-stage energy companies from across the U.S. and Canada – from California to New York, Quebec to Florida – will work directly with Vermont utilities to contribute to Vermont’s 90% renewable by 2050 and Burlington’s Net Zero by 2030 goals over three months of intensive work sessions. Learn more here.
UVM Summer Intern Housing
Have you got interns coming to (or staying in) the Burlington area this summer?
If so, UVM has affordable, accessible housing for them!
With residence halls located minutes from downtown Burlington and easy access to local attractions and transportation, your visiting interns can make the most of their experience. Learn morehere.
Are you a member with values-led news to share?
Has your organization accomplished something recently that is part of creating a just, thriving, and transformative economy that works for all people and the planet?
If so, we want to hear about it! Members are encouraged to post valued-led news at https://vbsr.org/post-news or share it directly with VBSR Communications Manager, Talley Summerlin, at talleys@vbsr.org.
State House Updates at a Glance
We hope everyone got out last week and engaged in Town Meeting Day!
Because of the legislative winter recess/Town Meeting Day break last week, there isn't much that's necessarily fresh to report – but here's what you need to know about the State House right now overall...
Crossover: The key context of the week is this – Most bills must meet the crossover deadline...which is this Friday, March 15. After that date, if a bill has not passed one chamber and "crossed over" to the other, it will likely be shelved for the year. With crossover looming, lawmakers are working to advance their committee bills to meet the deadline.
Contrast: The tenor of the session proceeds as it began...tensions continue between the Administration and the two Democratically-led chambers. The Administration continues to deliver a message of living within budgetary realities. In parallel and contrast, Democratic leadership focuses on improvements in social services as an investment that pays future dividends. Watch this space...
Congratulations: Katie Trautz, Executive Director of Montpelier Alive, is one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. Katie recently partnered with us (and VBSR member VOBA) to make sure legislators BACK THE FRAP. Congratulations, Katie!
VBSR Partners with Middlebury College Cohort
to Develop Brand Activism Guide
A Middlebury College student research cohort (pictured here) is partnering with VBSR to interview members and develop a guide that will support businesses who want to play a more active role in shaping public policy and/or pursuing brand activism.
Are you seeking new and effective ways for your brand to join the global movement to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative one? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject!
VBSR is working with Middlebury College students to develop a guide supporting businesses who want to play a more active role in shaping public policy or pursue brand activism toward a Just Transition.
Our student partners will be interviewing business leaders to develop a deeper understanding of:
the benefits of brand activism,
overcoming consumer criticism on taking a public position, and
best practices for educating employees on climate issues and engaging them in action on behalf of the business (including businesses with a small staff or diverse political ideologies within their workforce).
If you are interested in being interviewed, please email Kristin Warner, Public Policy Manager at VBSR (KristinW@vbsr.org). The students will schedule an interview with you based on your availability. All participants will receive a copy of the student’s final report and guide.
Thank you for helping us shape this important resource!
