SRCC GreenUp


Keen to go Green!


San Rafael Leadership Institute Graduating Class
Issue Highlights
 


Pack a "green bag" lunch and join us at the Chamber from 12:00 - 1:30 pm Aug. 24th.  Learn about Socially Responsible Investing from Patrick Costello of Green River Financial Services, and Stephanie Olson of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, moderated by Chris Yalonis of Communique Partners. If we want to effect change at scale, investors need to enlist the capital markets by injecting intention and purpose into every financial decision. This hot topic is designed for individuals, business owners, solo-preneurs, and wealth advisors who want to have a positive impact with their investments.  
 
Get more information here. Free and all are welcome!
 
On Wednesday, November 2, the GreenBrief topic is - Making the Most of Green Business and Product Certifications. Are you interested in being a guest speaker or wish to propose a topic? Contact Chris Yalonis.


Marin County Supervisor Damon Connolly, SRLI student Rob Schaaf, Downtown Streets Team Member Denise, and Chamber 2016 Board Chair Bob Herbst
For nearly 30 years, Marin County professionals have looked to the San Rafael Leadership Institute (SRLI), a leadership and team-building program designed to address current issues that impact Marin County.  The Institute brings together many of Marin's policy makers and provides participants the chance to build relationships with key stakeholders in the County.
 
Classes meet once a month from October through June. Each full-day, monthly session is held at a different location in and around Marin, exposing participants to local business, community centers and government facilities.

Each year's class conceives of and carries out a Class Project, an integral component of the SRLI experience. The most recent project worked on dispelling myths about Homelessness.

Learn more about SRLI and apply for the 2016-17 class here.
 


Master Class 40 hiking in West Marin

Each day we experience the effects of climate change and environmental issues from drought-infused forest fires to plastic polluted highways to threatened plant and animal species.
 
While the beauty of Marin County can sometimes mask the visibility of these threats, the changes are real. Each of us has a role to play in preserving our world and promoting environmental stewardship. This responsibility started over forty years ago when a small group of environmentalists stepped in to protect our open space and stop massive over-development, preserving areas like Rodeo Beach and West Marin.
 
Knowing that an informed populace would be the best protectors, these individuals created the Environmental Forum of Marin to offer hands-on education to deepen the understanding of Marin's natural world and the human impact affecting it. 
 
The Forum's signature Master Class program is a series of classes and field trip sessions, alongside high-level advocacy training. Master Class participants gain first-hand knowledge of the issues facing our County and the tools to do something about it. Not only does one gain a comprehensive understanding of the global    
issues of climate change and how they affect our communities, but also a keen awareness of the human impact on Marin's ecosystems. Interact  with scientists, policy makers, environmental advocates and community leaders.   
 
Ideal for business owners and employees who want to learn, this year's Master Class begins in late August and runs one day a week for ten sessions.  Act Now : applications are being accepted now at Environmental Forum of Marin Master Class Application .
 
Interested in learning more?  Email questions to  MasterClass@MarinEFM.org . A preview session will be held on Saturday, August 13, from 10 to noon at Marin Nonprofit Resource Center, 555 Northgate Drive in San Rafael. Check out the
The Clean Bin Project - "Pick One Thing to Start!" CleanBin

On Wednesday, June 15, the City of San Rafael, San Rafael Green Initiatives, and Resilient Neighborhoods sponsored a screening of The Clean Bin Project at the First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael. Marin Sanitary Service and Zero Waste Marin were on hand to answer questions and facilitate a group discussion following the screening. We can all work towards minimizing the amount of waste we produce: attendees were encouraged to make at least one pledge.
 
Top 5 actions that were pledged at the event:
  •          To use cloth produce bags instead of plastic ones
  •          To avoid packaging when shopping
  •          To use reusable coffee mugs instead of disposable coffee cups
  •          To buy in the bulk section of your grocery store (and as an extra bonus, some pledged to bring their             own reusable bulk containers!)
  •          To bring your own containers for takeaway food
Resilient Neighborhoods
If you are interested in learning more about additional actions you can take, please check out the Resilient Neighborhoods program. In this program, you will learn about and take actions to reduce your carbon footprint and make your household and community safer and more resilient. To date, Resilient Neighborhoods has reduced over 2.7 million pounds of CO2! If you are interested in joining a team or learning more, please email the Resilient Neighborhoods team by clicking here.
 
Keep In Touch
If you are interested in staying up-to-date about San Rafael's sustainability work, please contact Cory Bytof to be added to the San Rafael Green Initiatives list-serve.
 
The Film
For more information about the film and how to obtain a screening license, please visit the film's website.
Need Help Fixing Leaks? City of San Rafael Pilot Program for HomeownersCityFixLeak
Did you know that around 35% of homes in Marin have an undetected leak? Many of these are silent but simple to fix, like toilet leaks, which can waste up to 200 gallons a day! Take this very short 2 question survey, and they'll help you by providing a kit to help you easily find and fix toilet leaks in your home. Hurry! This is a pilot program being conducted by the City of San Rafael and they have limited supplies. Only homeowners with San Rafael addresses are eligible.  

Learn More About the Green Business Committee LearnMoreGBC

The Green Committee's purpose is to provide useful news and tips on green business practices and promote the Chambers' green businesses. Learn more at  SRChamber.com .
 
Monthly meetings - join us in the Chamber conference room, second Wednesdays from 9:30 -11:00 am. Contact Committee Chair Jennifer Grenier Selvig  to be added to the Committee Email List or with any questions.  
    
Sponsor an issue of  GreenUP!  You can reach more than 1,800 Chamber members and influential local business people for as low as $95 per ad.  We have a limited number of sponsorship slots, so reserve your space in the next issue here.
 
Come visit the Green Business Committee booth to learn how the Chamber can support your business by going green in a lean, sustainable way.
Click here for a full listing of Green Events & Resources! greenevents 

THIRD Weds of Every Month, 9:30 - 11:00 am
SR Chamber Board Room
RSVP @ 415-454-4163

Climate Change Action Plan Update
Thurs Jul 21, 7:00-9:00 pm
City Hall, 3rd Floor 
Quarterly Climate Change Action Plan Community Forum.  Meet the new Public Works Director.  
  
Sustainable Fairfax Film Night: "Abundance on a Dry Land" 
Fri Jul 22 - 7:30 pm 46 Park Road, Fairfax 
Film features agriculture and permaculture methods showing how intentional design can benefit both humans and nature    
 
Marin Conservation League's 2016
Picnic on the Patio
Sat Jul 23 - 12:00 - 3:00 pm 
175 North Redwood Drive, Suite #135, SR 
Bring your family, friends & your appetite! 
FREE to MCL Members & Families. $10 Donation for Non-Members.
Please RSVP by Monday, July 18.
Members may RSVP by phone: 415.485.6257.
 
Resilient Neighborhoods Sign-Up
Mon Aug 8
San Rafael Community Center  
Enroll in the next round of classes or sign up anytime to form a team in your own neighborhood. fun, free way to reduce your household carbon footprint and build community resilience.
     
Sustainable San Rafael Annual Summer Members Party!
Sun August 14 - 2:00-4:30 pm
Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission Avenue 
 
National Park Service 100th Birthday!
Thurs Aug 25

Sat Sept 17 


Business Showcase at Peacock Gap 
Thurs Sept 22

Sat Sept 10 - SunSept 18 
check website for events near you
 
2nd Tues of Every Month, 5:30-7:30 pm 

August 9, 2016
Real Estate Advice from a Green Certified Realtor 
Jody Ceniceros, Broker Associate, GREEN, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
 
September 13, 2016  
Online Marketing Advice for Green Business
Alex Kahl, Kahl Small Business Consultants
 
October 11, 2016
 
November 8, 2016 
Hip Green Investments 
Yelena Danziger, BVC Fund
December 13, 2016 
Holiday Party with Organic Wine and Beer Tasting
  
 
(check website for further details)