"American Flatbread gains from our VBSR membership far above the traditional peer to peer business networking so valuable in membership organizations. It further offers the social responsibility tools of businesses within Vermont, and access to nationally recognized socially responsible business leaders such as Patagonia, Organic Valley, and Newman's Own.  Because of VBSR's focus these successful national brands and others come to Vermont for VBSR events.  That focus also helps bring national events like Business Alliance for Local Living Economies to Vermont.  This higher level of functioning helps all of the members raise the bar on social responsibility commitments as well as business success." 

Vermont is a breathtakingly beautiful place to either visit or live, yet there are social needs in our rural communities.  Being aware of those needs, Bien Fait became one of Vermont’s, and the nation’s, first L3C corporations.  This special designation allows us to operate as a “low profit” business to support a socially beneficial purpose.  Today, Bien Fait gives 100 percent of its profits to Wonder & Wisdom, a local non-profit devoted to supporting children and elders in our community.  VBSR membership gives us the opportunity to join with other maverick companies that are stepping forward and inventing business models that create public benefits and deliver economic returns. In doing so, we believe the L3C designation and other forms of social enterprise will gain greater recognition for its potential to address social needs in all corners of the state.

The Brattleboro Savings and Loan’s mantra is ‘community banking…community people…for all the right reasons’.  The Brattleboro Savings and Loan, its employees and directors believe in and have a commitment to the bank’s philosophy of doing things for all the right reasons.  While not always the most economically advantageous, this philosophy has always been the bank’s number one priority.  That’s why we belong to VBSR.  The organization and its member believe in the same values. 

Curve Trends Marketing has been a member of VBSR since I launched this company. At Curve Trends, our goal is to serve businesses who are primarily making inroads in having a more viable & responsible business model in shifting to web based operations. We strive to wean businesses away from unproductive and challenging media in order to achieve the triple bottom-line: People, Planet and Profit. Our goals and objectives dovetail seamlessly with those of VBSR. Additionally, VBSR makes countless and invaluable resources available to small business owners like us. We also continue to leverage the tremendous amount of networking opportunities offered by VBSR. This is an extremely viable and effective partnership for us.

"Being socially responsible is a constant process of learning and improving.  Our firm has long seen itself as a socially responsible business but until a few years ago we didn’t know how to describe or measure our CSR.  We led a VBSR circle group for businesses with products or services that aren’t inherently socially responsible, to learn from the experiences of other VBSR members.  The circle group created the SR Journey, a self-assessment and educational tool to evaluate social responsibility, identify areas for improvement and track progress. We completed the SR Journey in 2009, which helped us identify areas for improvement and provided tools to track our progress. Since then we’ve made significant improvements in reducing our energy use, increasing our composting and recycling, making socially responsible choices for sourcing and transportation, and supporting volunteerism.  Our active membership in VBSR will continue to inform and energize our SR efforts.” 

Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, PC is a Sustaining Member of VBSR

"What's so wonderful and different about VBSR is that they are both a business organization that helps its members be more successful today and equally they understand and advance the central win-win and proactive role business must play in improving our society and environment long term."

Gardener's Supply is a Sustaining Member of VBSR 

Membership provides me the opportunity, as a small business owner, to be a part of something bigger - the movement to change the world through business.  VBSR has helped Vermont businesses lead the way in sustainable practices by providing a place for those of us with shared values to connect with and learn from each other. I appreciate knowing that my membership dollars fund statehouse lobbying for social, environmental, and fiscal policies I support. I have connected with people from a wide range of businesses (and walks of life!) at VBSR events.  The one thing that ties us all together? The desire to make a difference, to find meaning in our work. I am so grateful VBSR is around and love being a part of it!

VBSR values the same things Green Mountain College values--using the power of business to create a more just and sustainable world. As we prepare students to be leaders in the emerging green economy, we are interested in forming partnerships with other socially responsible business leaders in the state. VBSR has played an extremely important role in bringing the sustainable business community together.

GVH Studio produces graphic displays for corporate, retail, cultural, and charity organizations. For all to succeed, we need sound long term goals and practices. The cooperative efforts of the VBSR and it’s members creates that kind of community. We are excited to be part of that mission.

"High Mowing Organic Seeds is honored to be a new member of such an innovative organization.  VBSR is a tremendous resource for local businesses."