Making Sustainability Standard Practice
Vol. 12       No. 13      January 2019 
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In This Issue:

Quick Links:
Conferences 
Not to Miss: 

ECONOMIST GROUP SUSTY SUMMIT
3/21/19

ETHICAL CORP.
RBS NY 3/18-19

For more info, download their brochure at:


CvCC EUROPE 
10/19


Education Events:


Ongoing 
Self-Study:

TopFrom the President's Desk
How We Plan to Earn Your Engagement in 2019
By Jeff Yorzyk, ISSP-CSP

I hope this note finds you all relaxed after a breather with loved ones around the holidays, and settling back into your work/life routines a little more rested than before. While I was fortunate to spend the days leading up to the New Year doing just that, I also found myself thinking about what the ISSP community needs in 2019 and that's strong engagement . The team and I want to earn that engagement, and to deliver on the requests many of you made in the 2018 member survey. We'll do this by continuing to improve and refine ISSP's ability to deliver on our mission to support and empower sustainability professionals. I'm really excited about what we have lined up programmatically and am confident that it supports these ends. So I'd like to share the following preview of what you can expect from us this year! As always, please don't hesitate be in touch with any questions or suggestions ( jeffyorzyk@hotmail.com ). (Con't.)


Our First Class of Nearly 500 Credential Holders Embarks on Recertification 
We're excited to announce the launch of ISSP's new credential renewal system! The two-step renewal process consists of paying a fee on our website and then uploading a completed  CEU Tracking Sheet in our Learning Center.

You can find out more about renewal policies on our  website and in the  Credential Maintenance Guidebook. You can also send us questions about your credential's expiration date or anything else at  certification@sustainabilityprofessionals.org. Finally, you can attend one of two tutorial webinars ( 1/15 & 1/22).

We're so thankful for your continued commitment to moving the sustainability field forward!  

WEBINAR: Decoding Mainstream Customers
January 23rd @ 10am PT / 1pm ET
If you only look at the raw data, driving increased sales of sustainable products should be as simple as incorporating environmental or social messages into your branding and marketing campaigns. After all, more than 71% of consumers "think green" when making a buying decision, and nearly three out of four Millennials are willing to pay more for sustainable brands.

But on the contrary, the vast majority of sustainable brands fail to realize the full potential of their revenue growth beyond the 19% of the population that buy sustainable, green, and/or socially-focused products no matter what.

The problem is that many sustainable brands approach the mainstream consumer the same as they do the green consumer - or worse, they try to commingle two different messages together, creating a marketing mash-up mess. Either way, the end result is lost opportunity: less impact in the world and less revenue on the balance sheet.

This session will be taught by Carolyn Parrs, a leading expert in helping sustainable companies increase market share.

ISSP credential holders will earn 0.5 CEUs for attending. W ebinars are free for members and $25 for non-members. Afterwards, non-members will receive a discount code worth $25 off a new ISSP membership.  Register !

WEBINAR:  8 Attributes of Successful Sustainability Leaders
February 12th @ 10am PT / 1pm ET

Based on his book, "The Battle To Do Good: Inside McDonald's Sustainability Journey," Bob Langert, who led McDonald's CSR efforts for 25 years, will discuss McDonald's fascinating and turbulent journey to try to be a responsible company over the three decades, often facing battles with the likes of PETA and Greenpeace, and facing controversial issues such as obesity, deforestation and animal treatment. 

He'll provide an unfiltered and unsullied inside view of McDonald's failures and successes. Most importantly, he'll share examples and stories about the 8 attributes of leadership that he found in common with those that forged meaningful change.

ISSP credential holders will earn 0.5 CEUs for attending this webinar; the webinar will be free to attend ($25 for non-members).  Reserve your spot!

COURSE:  Stakeholder Engagement
Starts February 20th @ 11am PT / 2pm ET

Stakeholder Engagement is an essential component of risk reduction and opportunity optimization for organizations. In addition, it is a requirement of sustainability reporting under frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). 

The Sustainability Learning Centre's Kathryn Cooper, ISSP-SA, will cover community and stakeholder engagement, to provide the sustainability professional, at any level, insights into a proven systematic process for engaging priority stakeholders and identifying material issues for action.   Signup!

ISSP is Hosting an Informal Happy Hour in Conjunction with GreenBiz19 in Phoenix!
Invitees will include not only ISSP members and other conference attendees, but also any sustainability professionals in the area.
 
This will be an evening get-together on Tuesday (2/26) at a location convenient to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge conference center.
 
Register now (no charge!) to get on our mailing list and we will let you know when the plans are finalized.
 
Hosted by: ISSP Board Members - Jeff Yorzyk, ISSP-CSP (President) and Sarah Lewis, ISSP-SA (Member-At-Large).

See you in Phoenix in February! Still have q uestions? Contact Gina MacIlwraith at  info@sustainabilityprofessionals.org.
 
There is no charge for the event; pre-registration is requested to ensure you get the final event details ( click here to register).
 
Please share this event information with colleagues and friends.
ISSP Out & 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 spring through fall. Let us know where you're headed by dropping a note to  execdir@sustainabilityprofessionals.org .

2/26-28  , Phoenix. ISSP Governing BOD Member Sarah Elaine Lewis is attending.

5/7-9  , Chicago. ISSP Governing BOD Member Sarah Elaine Lewis is attending.

2/6 edie Sustainability Leaders Awards. London, UK. ISSP Governing BOD Member Beth Knight is judging. 

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.