VBSR Event

VBSR 2008 Fall Conference

Date: Thursday Oct 30th, 2008

Time: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Location: Latchis Theatre

Address: 50 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT

Cost: Pre-registration--VBSR Members: $75; Non-members: $90; Day of conference--VBSR Members: $100; Non-members: $115

To Register: Online registration is NOW available. Click on the green "Conference Registration" tab above.

For More Info: Call 802-862-8347 or e-mail

Event Description

If you would like to print the following information, download the pdf version of the
Fall Conference brochure (772k)

The Power of Choice: How Responsible Business Decisions Leverage Change

7:30 - 8:30
VBSR Southeast Public Policy Forum
Please join us prior to the conference to hear about VBSR public policy direction and input your ideas. Member input is critical to ensuring thoughtful and effective programs and policies.

8:30 - 9:00
Registration
Light breakfast provided by Brattleboro Food Co-op
Coffee provided by Mocha Joe's Roasting Co.

9:00 - 9:30
Opening Remarks

9:30 - 11:00
VBSR Public Policy in Action
Mike Burak, Burak, Anderson, & Melloni, PLC
Don Mayer, Small Dog Electronics
George Schenk, American Flatbread
moderator: Rob Michalak, Ben & Jerry’s

VBSR is committed to providing our members with a bold public policy voice that offers forward thinking alternatives that will improve our state's economy—sustainably. VBSR was the only business association in the state that testified to the legislature in support of the Vermont Yankee decommissioning fund bill. VBSR was the only business group that actively supported the current use, groundwater protection, and energy bills passed last session. We were the only business group to advocate for de-coupling healthcare from employment, and to finance health care based on one's ability to pay. The Chairs of our current Public Policy “Action Teams” will present emerging action plans relating to 1) economic sustainability through development of local food production and local energy generation, and 2) Vermont's future energy supply: the role of nuclear energy and Vermont Yankee. Your input and ideas are invited for incorporation into our action plans.

11:20 - 11:30
VBSR will give special recognition to these legislators for their leadership in 2008
Senator Richard McCormack, D-Windsor County, for his work towards innovative and sustainable energy policies and practices
Representative Topper McFaun, R-Barre Town, for his leadership and vision towards true health care reform
Representative Michele Kupersmith, D-South Burlington, for her dedication in ensuring effective workforce development programs

11:30 - 12:00
VBSR 2008 Annual Meeting

12:00 - 1:15
Networking Lunch

1:15 - 2:15
Keynote Speech
Mary Powell, President and CEO, Green Mountain Power

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In her early years with Green Mountain Power, Mary Powell, a self-described “accidental executive,” spearheaded huge changes within the company. While she was still VP of Human Resources, she initiated and developed a major restructuring program, creating a dramatic corporate culture shift. Extensive changes in building design and workspaces have created a flexible, transparent, employee-driven culture, and according to Mary, an “energy and life” that can be felt by employees, visitors, and customers.
Now CEO of the company, Mary continues her innovative leadership with a new 25-year vision for the company’s power mix, and a continued commitment to review success metrics regularly to ensure continuous improvement in its three core business values: safe, fast and effective service; environmental responsibility; and profitability. Join us to hear Mary talk about how Green Mountain Power is creating positive change through business decisions that balance the needs of all stakeholders.

2:45 - 4:00
Concurrent Workshops

A. Where is the power in your company’s money practices?
Will Belongia, Vermont Community Loan Fund
Richard French, Bagel Works
Arne Hammarlund, Chittenden Bank
moderator: Liz Schlegel, Found Line
When business people think about socially responsible financial practices, we tend to think first about larger issues—socially responsible investing, local currency, or capital for financing growth, for example. We don't always recognize that there is as much power in the ways we use money in our daily business life. How do we pay for services, choose vendors, communicate about money with employees, or do our banking? Bring your questions and experiences to this roundtable discussion about leveraging your financial decisions for positive impact on your bottom line and your community.

B. Where is the power in your company’s community and civic engagement?
Todd Bailey, Vermont Alliance of Conservation Voters
Bill Carris, Carris Reels
Representative Sarah Edwards, Brattleboro
Dori Wolfe, groSolar
moderator: Judy Warriner Walke, Collaboration & Planning Consultant
Business people are finding many avenues for making company resources available to support their local communities. They are discovering that great value is found especially in the people-centered activities that contribute to the vibrancy of civic life—connection with community-building events, participation in local governance, or involvement on boards and committees. The desire for this type of engagement also creates hard questions around being effective without straining resources. Where are companies finding success in making a difference, and what can we learn from each other about positive and productive civic involvement? Join us to hear ideas and share your stories.

C. Where is the power in your company’s use of resources?
Joshua Levy, The Phantom Laboratory
Jerelyn Wilson, BuildingGreen, Inc.
Dan Yates, Brattleboro Savings & Loan
moderator: Julie Lineberger, LineSync Architecture
In a resource-constrained world, businesses are beginning to review every aspect of their environmental profile to find ways to have less of an impact and remain financially viable. How can you change your office protocols to reduce consumption? What are the most practical ways to help your employees live nearby or find options for transportation? Which operations could you change to increase efficiency and productivity? Join us to discuss many ideas for adapting to an age where resources will be more expensive or unavailable. Share your experiences, and come away with practical solutions.

D. Where is the power in how leadership is distributed in your organization?
Gregg Gossens, Gossens Bachman Architects
Paul Millman, Chroma Technology
moderator: Merryn Rutledge, ReVisions LLC
Top-down organizations can be a model that feels wrong in a collaborative organization. But how do you effectively shift power and decision-making authority within the organization without losing focus and energy? The answer is leadership. What kinds of leadership styles are effective in organizations seeking to build energy, enthusiasm and responsibility from the bottom up? What are the challenges you face in delegating and sharing responsibility with your fellow team members? How do you effectively give up responsibility - and make sure the goals get met? Join us in a discussion about how to think differently about leadership, management, power and decision-making.

4:00 - 4:15
Closing remarks

4:15 - 5:00
Reception hosted by Marlboro College Graduate Center

Directions to Event

Interstate 91 to Vermont Exit 2
Turn LEFT at end of the exit ramp
Follow Rt 9 East 1.1 mi towards downtown and Main Street
Turn RIGHT onto Main Street
At the 2nd set of lights, the Latchis will be on the corner of Main and Flat Streets
Turn RIGHT and see parking options below.

Parking

Free parking for hotel guests in the parking lot at the end of the Latchis building
Brattleboro pay-and-display parking garage across from the hotel
A variety of other local pay-and-display parking lots

Lodging

Stay at the beautiful Latchis Hotel (adjacent to the theater) the night before the conference, October 29, or the night of the conference, October 30, and receive a special room rate:

$70 for two twin beds
$80 for one double bed
$90 for two double beds or a queen bed
$95 for a mini-suite, or
$125 for a full suite

Please make your reservations no later than Thursday, October 16, to receive the special rate. Call the Latchis at (800) 798-6301. Please note that during this time the original elevator from the 1930s is going to be updated and will not be functioning.

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