Making Sustainability Standard Practice
Vol. 11       No. 12      December 2017 
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In This Issue
Quick Links
ISSP Events in November
TopFrom the President's Desk
Support and Connect With One Another
By Rob Andrejewski, ISSP-SA, Director of Sustainability, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA
As the calendar page flips to December, reflection becomes a consistent companion. Inevitably we look back on the year, taking stock of where we are, pausing for a moment before the promise of a new year sends us hurtling forward once again.
 
A highlight of the year was a well-received ISSP presentation at Greenbuild 2017 to announce our new partnership with GBCI. Panelists shared how ISSP sustainability credentials have allowed them not only to show competency in the field, but also to demonstrate to employers that they had the knowledge and skills needed to advance sustainability. It was a wonderful conversation that left us excited for what is to come.
 
That trip and other experiences also reinforced our need to support and connect with one another. We are a community of change makers, educators, advocates, and innovators. That's what we do as sustainability professionals, and that's who we are as an organization. ISSP remains committed to taking care of the people who take care of the planet by connecting members, providing best practice resources, offering courses and webinars, and promoting professionalization of sustainability through credentialing.
 
We invite you to do this critical work with us. We have opportunities on the Board and on our Resource Committee, and gifts to ISSP are always appreciated.
 
As always, thank you for what you do to promote sustainability and provide hope for a better way forward.

Profile: Tanis Marquette, ISSP-CSP
Our final credential holder profile of 2017 will introduce you to Tanis Marquette, Global Sustainability Leader at Hexion, Inc.

When asked how sustainability applies in her day-to-day life, Tanis made her pride in personal responsibility for resource consumption clear:

"At home, I am known as the "water police." Any time anyone is brushing their teeth or shaving and the water runs more than mere seconds, I am in the room shutting off the water. But given how critical water is, I am happy to wear that badge!"

Tanis also has an important message for her peers in the sustainability field looking to collaborate in networks like ISSP: "Don't ever limit yourself and your opportunities by not participating."

Read the full profile on our ISSP Member Profiles page, and be sure check out our directory of all ISSP credential holders.


Host a Panel of ISSP Credential Holders
Do you belong to an association, organization, or industry sector whose members would benefit from learning about ISSP's Credentials? Would you be willing to host an in-person or online session featuring credential holders telling their personal stories?

ISSP is putting together panels of speakers who can talk about the value of the ISSP credentials, from personal, professional, and industry viewpoints. We recently hosted a panel presentation about the credentials to sustainability professionals and LEED credential holders at this year's Greenbuild expo. In the coming months we'll be doing the same with virtual panels aimed at sustainability professionals in higher education and professionals working in local government.

Let us know if you would like to schedule a online or in-person panel on the benefits of getting an ISSP credential. If you're a credential holder, you could be a member of this panel and tell your own story. If the session is online, ISSP can provide other panelists as well as a moderator, sample presentations, and talking points.

Send us an email at [email protected] if you'd like to be a part of this effort to boost the value of the ISSP credentials for the sustainability profession!


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Looking for Great
Sustainability Professionals
Nominations Open for ISSP Board of Directors
If you are a sustainability professional interested in setting the standard of excellence for the field, expanding professional development and networking opportunities for all sustainability professionals, and helping to move the needle on sustainable practices around the world, then we want you on the ISSP Board of Directors!   

Board members serve a two-year term and actively participate in ISSP programs and committees . For more information on what is involved and the application process, see the ISSP Board Manual . To be considered for a Board position, email a statement of interest including:
  1. A brief description of your experience and which of the key elements of ISSP's mission you are most interested in working on.
  2. A brief bio and link to your LinkedIn profile,
  3. A letter of recommendation, preferably from an ISSP member.  
You must be an ISSP member to be considered and prior participation in ISSP committee activities is a plus. Emails and questions should be sent to [email protected]. Applications are being accepted through December 15th.


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A Unique Opportunity Awaits You!
ISSP's Research and Resources Committee is looking for ISSP members interested in volunteering about 6 hours of their time a month. Members of this committee are expected to contribute not only their knowledge but also their ideas and dedication to creating a global sustainability repository.

Committee members activities include: researching the latest trends and ideas in sustainability; creating original content and curating contributions from other sources; starting and moderating discussions with other sustainability professionals; and identifying and sharing novel and proven sustainability tools. Through this work, we bring the sustainability community closer together and contribute directly to the betterment of sustainability professionals around the world.

To get involved, fill out our Volunteer Interest Form or contact us at [email protected].  You can also check out our other volunteer opportunities.  

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Webinar: A Practical Guide to Navigating Sustainability Frameworks and Tools
December 12th at 11:00am PT / 2:00pm ET
Is your sustainability team missing out on opportunities to save money and time, opportunities that would boost the effectiveness of its initiatives? ISSP's December webinar provides a practical guide to some of the most proven sustainability frameworks and tools out there designed to improve the day-to-day operations of sustainability professionals in a corporate setting.

Saman Baghestani
Join Saman Baghestani, Project Manager of SHIFT - the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative's online platform of curated tools and frameworks - for a workshop designed to sort through sustainability's "wild west" of best practices. Participants will discover improved methods of performing common and necessary tasks such as LCA analyses, benchmarking, preparing for specific reporting formats, and a range of valuation and ROI analyses.

Webinars are free for members, and all registrants will receive a recording of the live event.  Sign up today!

Upcoming ISSP Chapter &
Regional Learning Network Events
ISSP Chapters and Regional learning Networks bring together local communities of practice to network, share resources, and provide professional support. Get involved in your local ISSP community with these upcoming events.

12/12 10:00-10:45am PT (US) - ISSP Member Info meeting - Join Maureen Hart, ISSP Executive Director and other ISSP members at the monthly orientation session.

12/14 12:00pm-1:00pm - Greater Chicago Regional Learning Network - Join other sustainability professionals in the Chicago region for their 2nd virtual lunch to network, share ideas and resources. Free for ISSP members.

12/18 5:30pm-8:00pm -  NYC Chapter Holiday party - Come celebrate our year of collective work in sustainability! The party will take place at PS Kitchen, where all restaurant profits are donated to charity. 

Coming soon - the following regional events are in the planning stages. Fill out our interest form to be notified when the dates are set, or keep an eye on our Calendar of Events.

January:
  •  NYC Chapter eventCorporate Citizenship: How the private sector is advancing sustainable development. January 8; details TBA
  • Greater Chicago Chapter in-person meeting. Attend the 12/14 Regional Learning Network session to learn more.
  • European Regional Learning Network meeting
February:
  • Asia-Pacific Regional Learning Network meeting
  • Eastern Canada Regional Learning Network meeting
If you are interested in having a RLN meeting in your region, fill out the survey form and consider volunteering to be an ISSP Ambassador.

ISSP Out and About
ISSP board members and associates can be found sharing their kno wledge, sharpening their skills and networking at sustainability gatherings around the world. Reach out and introduce yourself to the ISSP members listed below if you too are planning to travel to one of the many sustainability conferences going on this winter.  Let us know where you're headed by dropping a note to  execdir@sustainabilityprofessionals.org .

Jan. 8-12 The Conscious Business World Summit  virtual event.  Board Vice President Rosalinda Sanquiche presenting.

January 30-31 Sustainable Foods Summit, San Francisco, CA. Board Past President Jeff Yorzyk attending.

March 14-16 GLOBE Forum Leadership Summit for Sustainable Business, Vancouver, Canada. ISSP Board Member Jacqueline Drumheller presenting.

April 4-7 National Academy of Inventors 2018 conference, Washington, D.C. Board Secretary and ISSP co-founder Marsha Willard participating in the panel, Inventing Green: Making Environmental Responsibility More Accessible to Current and Future Inventors
The International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) is the world's leading professional association for sustainability professionals. ISSP is a member-driven association committed to moving the profession of sustainability forward through building strong networks and communities of practice.