Making Sustainability Standard Practice
Vol. 12       No. 11      November 2018 
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TopFrom the President's Desk
Vote for Sustainability!
By Jeff Yorzyk, ISSP-CSP, Associate Director of Sustainability, HelloFresh

Forgive the U.S. focus of my note this month, but it's election week here, and the need for strong American leadership on the issues at stake is critical. While sustainability is a global issue, what this country does in terms of managing natural resources affects the rest of the world.

As we keep hearing, democracy requires each of us to show up and be counted, and midterm elections typically suffer from lower voter turnout. So our participation is more important than ever. Personally, I mailed in my ballot last week, and I simply cannot encourage each of you in the U.S. enough to place your vote in this round of elections (and to participate in your governmental systems). And when you do, be sure to vote for pro-sustainability candidates!

As an organization that serves professionals, what's been inspiring us is the overwhelming number of leading companies (150+)--from Walmart to Lyft-- plus, the numerous small businesses around the country, that are out there supporting the nonpartisan "Time to Vote" campaign.   (Con't.) 


ISSP Year-End Membership Drive
 
Like any non-profit organization, membership is the lifeblood of ISSP. Not because dues sustain us financially (they do), but because the experiences and needs of those we serve give us purpose. 

Each year, our members push us to do more and we strive to meet those demands, whenever possible, because our members are inspiring. By day, they're working on the frontlines of the sustainability transformation in diverse industries across the globe. And in their spare time, many participate in or even run our local chapters and RLNs. They're determined to make an impact.

To say thanks, now through December 31, 2018, we'll be running a year-end membership drive with a few exciting offerings. (Con't.)


Back to top 
Profile:  Nathan Stinnette , ISSP-CSP
This month, we profiled ISSP Certified Sustainability Professional (ISSP-CSP) Nathan Stinnette, who works as an Environment & Sustainability Specialist for facilities and infrastructure consulting firm RS&H, Inc.

Nathan's interest in sustainability has its roots in his experience as an undergrad studying geography, and he took it to the next level with a Master's program in Sweden. Since then, he's done consulting projects with NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Defense Commissary Agency, and many other clients

"GHG Inventories have become a specialty of mine," he told us. "My zero waste experience has had high and low points, sometimes involving climbing through dumpsters to conduct waste audits!"

Read more about Nathan's story on our  ISSP Member Profiles page . For more information on the professionals who hold an ISSP credential, be sure check out our credential holder directory .

Course: Leadership Skills for Change Agents
On Mondays, November 5, 12, 19 & 26 @ 4pm PT / 7pm ET

Connect the dots between timeless leadership practices and how to transform an organization to a sustainable enterprise. The "Leadership Skills for Change Agents" course prepares sustainability professionals at any level in the organizational hierarchy, and external consultants / advisors, to design business models for success in the 21st century. It helps sustainability professionals apply timeless leadership practices to ensure successful sustainability initiatives. At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Use a proven seven-step sustainability change process to lead the integration of sustainability into an organization's culture.
  • Build an effective, relevant, comprehensive business case to earn the necessary support from senior management for sustainability initiatives.
  • Apply seven effective change leadership practices during the sustainability change process, capitalize on seven change paradoxes, and avoid seven potential derailers of their initiatives.
  • Help the company assess and report on its progress toward aspirational, science-based environmental and social goals of a truly sustainable enterprise.
Watch the trailer or register now (it's not too late as all sessions will be recorded!). 



Free Webinar:  Engaging Environmental Organizations--A Conversation with DuPont
November 7th @ 10am PT / 1pm ET

Join us for a conversation with Dawn Rittenhouse, Director of Sustainability for DuPont, as she shares her wealth of experience from working with environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) and other stakeholder groups.

Seeing that DuPont has been one of the world's largest chemical companies since the 1980s, sustainability may not immediately come to mind.  But they have actually been helping their various businesses integrate sustainability into operations for the past two decades.

Like so many corporations, DuPont's foray into formally engaging with NGOs was driven by crisis, one after the other.  In the beginning, they were admittedly most interested in appeasing environmental campaigners to resolve the challenge du jour and to get out of the headlines.  Over time though, as they built trusting relationships, DuPont's leadership came to see these organizations as partners who could not only help them get ahead of potential issues, but also grow.

Employees like Dawn have been at the forefront of this transition, recognizing how much of an impact DuPont can make given its market share.  This webinar will be FREE, so  register now!  

NOTE: The first 100 people to join this meeting will gain access to the live discussion. Don't worry if the room fills up before you get there - we'll send you a recording as soon as it's available.


Webinar:  Corporate Sustainability Practitioners--Roles Have Changed. Has Your Job Description?
November 15th @ 11am PT / 2pm ET

Sustainability/CSR jobs are evolving, and along with this evolution, the role of the sustainability practitioner is changing in important and fundamental ways. The role shifts, job descriptions evolve, and skills change as organizations transition from an operational to a strategic sustainability focus. This is driven by the internal and external maturation of corporate responsibility and sustainability, the growing recognition of the business case, and the realization that future business prosperity requires external partnerships to succeed. 

To secure the business and societal benefits, and future-proof the organization, the emerging corporate responsibility practitioner role becomes more strategic, enterprise wide, and external. This webinar provides insights into how the jobs, roles and departments of Sustainability/CSR and sustainability practitioners are adjusting to meet the new imperatives. It will provide insights into the results of a recently conducted survey of Next Generation CSR/Sustainability Competencies of 160 sustainability leaders and practitioners. One example will be provided of how a sustainability leader at a global financial institution transitioned her role for greater impact and results.   Register today!

NOTE: A recording of the session will be available to all registrants.

Upcoming ISSP Chapter &
Regional Learning Network (RLN) Events
ISSP  Chapters & RLNs b ring together local communities of practice to network, share resources, and provide professional support. Get involved in your community with these upcoming events. Don't forget - we also host a monthly Member Info Session - another opportunity to connect with your fellow ISSP members around the globe! Find it on the Member Events Calendar here .

11/7 12pm AEDT -  Australia & New Zealand* RLN Meeting  - 
We will hear from AJ Moore who is currently in the depths of a new startup venture,  Availery,  embedding sustainability directly into technology for not only for service providers but also for clients.   Mark your calendars - this RLN generally meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday at noon AET .  * Even though we are calling it the Aus/NZ RLN for now, everyone in the Asia-Pacific region is invited! It'll be f ree for ISSP members.

You are cordially invited to join transportation experts and sustainability leaders for a lively discussion about our city's transportation crisis, above and below ground.  Discount for ISSP members.

11/19 12pm ET - New England RLN: Let's Rethink Organizational Performance - Join fellow ISSP members as we explore an approach to integrating performance management systems that help your organization measure and report progress toward sustainability. Plus, the opportunity to discover valuable connections within our group. Free for ISSP members.

RLNs are growing - don't miss the opportunity to connect with other ISSP members in your area! If you're interested in having a RLN meeting in your region, fill out the survey and consider volunteering to co-lead RLN connections.

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  [email protected] .

11/28-29 Companies vs. Climate Change. BOD Member Rosalinda Sanquiche is attending. 

2/6 edie Sustainability Leaders Awards. London, UK. 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.