Apply Now for a Greenbuild Scholarship!

By USGBCMA Communications, More Green Buildings!

Greenbuild is the world's largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. It provides a forum for the green building community to unite, change lives, revolutionize business, and address our world’s most pressing problems. The three-day event, which will be held in Los Angeles Convention Center from Oct. 5-7, 2016, will feature high profile celebrities, activists and political figures working together to promote the ideals and interests of the green building movement.

Learn more about the event here.

USGBC is excited to provide scholarship opportunities to attend Greenbuild 2016: Iconic Green. Scholarships close on June 23rd, so apply soon!

Scholarships increase access to Greenbuild and serve as a point of entry for people who are new to the green movement. Scholarships are competitive, and preference is given to individuals from underrepresented audiences and who demonstrate a need. These scholarships allow USGBC to invest in individuals who share our vision and want to be champions for the movement. Hear from several Greenbuild 2015 scholarship recipients to get an insider's look on how you can benefit from a scholarship!

Four types of scholarships are available:

  1. Communities and Affordable Homes Summit Scholarship includes Communities and Affordable Homes Summit registration. This scholarship is specifically reserved for minority professionals working in community development. Travel arrangements and hotel lodging are not included.
     
  2. Greenbuild + Communities and Affordable Homes Summit Scholarship includes Greenbuild full conference registration plus Communities and Affordable Homes Summit registration plus a one-year subscription with unlimited access to Education @USGBC. Travel arrangements and hotel lodging are not included.
     
  3. Greenbuild + Communities and Affordable Homes Summit + Travel and Lodging Scholarship includes Greenbuild full conference registration plus a one-year subscription with unlimited access to Education @USGBC plus travel arrangements (up to $500) plus four nights shared hotel lodging (Monday, Oct. 3–Friday, Oct. 7).
     
  4. International Scholarship includes Greenbuild full conference registration plus Communities and Affordable Homes Summit registration plus a one-year subscription with unlimited access to Education @USGBC plus travel arrangements (up to $1,500) plus five nights shared hotel lodging (Sunday, Oct. 2–Friday, Oct. 7). This scholarship is specifically for individuals from developing nations in the following five regions. Preference will be given to female applicants from:
    Africa
    Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
    Americas (Central America, South America, Canada and Mexico)
    Asia/Pacific
    Europe

To learn about eligibility requirements and to apply for a scholarship, click here.

Please share this opportunity with anyone you believe would be interested in attending Greenbuild!

Clock's Ticking! Register for WELL Exam Prep Today!

By USGBCMA Communications, More Green Buildings!

The WELL Building Standard was recently created to help design buildings that are better for human health. In order to become a WELL Accredited Professional, professionals must take the WELL Exam. 

We are offering WELL Exam Prep! If you are interested in becoming a WELL Accredited Professional, join us for an in-depth course to prepare for the exam.

On Thursday, June 16th, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, we will cover the WELL Building Standard ideology, structure, and certification process. A light breakfast, full lunch, and snacks will be provided throughout the day, and a hard-copy exam study guide will be provided to all students.

You may also be interested in our Introduction to the WELL Building Standard. It will be on Tuesday, June 28 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. A concise introduction to the building standard will be followed by a roundtable discussion.

Important Dates and Deadlines:

June 16: WELL Exam Prep Course (Register here or below)

June 28: Introduction to WELL (Register here)

June 30: WELL Exam Fees Increase (Register for the exam here)

 

USGBC-LA's Green Janitors Program Empowers Employees

By USGBCMA Communications, More Green Buildings!

Originally published in the May-June 2016 issue of USGBC+ (by Kiley Jacques)

The Los Angeles Chapter of USGBC has been working on the Green Janitors Program, which stemmed from the realization that janitors, supervisors, and operations managers have a significant effect on a building’s functionality. USGBC-LA teamed up with Building Skills Partnership (BSP), Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to develop the program.

During the initial development process of the program, the group took cues from the Green Professional Building Skills Training program (otherwise known as GPRO), a national training and certificate program designed by USGBC’s New York City chapter, Urban Green, which trains electricians, construction managers, and the like. “We looked at their model [in terms of] how to create trainings, testing, and certification,” explains Dominique Hargreaves, executive director of USGBC-LA.

The Green Janitors Program mission is to promote operations and maintenance practices that enable buildings to meet green performance standards, with special emphasis on energy efficiency and building health. “It’s really critical that the janitors understand their role in building management and operations maintenance. It’s the kind of thing that can be taught and it can be cultivated,” says Hargreaves, adding that all of the work those employees perform on a daily basis shows up in utility bills, water bills, etc. “They have a large impact on the building.”

This program aids corporate responsibility goals like energy conservation and LEED certification. Buildings whose janitorial workers have completed the Green Janitors certificate program are able to apply for the LEED pilot credit IPpc81 for operators and service workers.

In terms of training, janitors receive 30 hours of instruction, during which time they learn hands-on energy management and green cleaning techniques. Because the training occurs at their place of employment, participants are among their coworkers. It is taught in Spanish, though it can be taught in English as well. They take two multiple-choice exams, a midterm and a final. Once they pass both, they have a graduation ceremony that includes a keynote speaker, and they receive a certificate and a pin, meant to be worn while at work.The program fosters teamwork and gives people, many of whom have not received higher education, the opportunity to graduate.

Judging from surveys taken from building management staff, as well as the janitors themselves, it is clear their level of engagement and confidence in their skills have been greatly enhanced. Prior to this program, janitors did not necessarily understand why certain sustainable procedures or materials were required, or the kind of impact they could have on energy reduction and water consumption—and ultimately, human health—through their work.

But beyond having expanded their knowledge, vocabulary, and skill set, they also absorbed what they learned on a personal level. Many of them now recycle at home and use green cleaning products, and they are more cognizant of energy and water usage in their homes. In short, the program helped them expand their concept of green cleaning to green living.

Lesbia Chinchilla, an employee in the Oppenheimer Towers and a graduate of the Green Janitor certificate program, notes, “Being part of the [program] has really opened my eyes as a janitor and as a consumer. I was aware of topics like the three R’s and water conservation but not to the extent that we learned in the class and how it applies to my work.”

In its totality, the program is also an example of social equality, whereby everyone participates in the management and maintenance of a building. Janitors, alongside building owners and managers, are empowered to actively engage in the goals of the LEED rating system. As Hargreaves notes, “This program is empowering them to join the conversation.”

Now in its third year, the Green Janitors’ reach has spread from Los Angeles County to Orange County and San Diego. Expansion goals include statewide trainings. Furthermore, the team has pledged to train 800 janitorial workers by 2017 as part of the city of Los Angeles’ Sustainable City pLAn, which was released in April 2015. “The state of California is next,” says Hargreaves with conviction. The five-year plan sees the Green Janitors Program available across the country—they have already begun discussions with partners in Chicago and New York.

The vitality of their mission is clear, and summarized in Hargreaves’s own words: “You can design, build, and engineer the most efficient building but, when it comes down to it, it’s all about operations and how people use the building…it’s people that make buildings efficient.”

Hopefully we'll be able so see some similar initiatives in Boston soon!

Read the full article here: http://plus.usgbc.org/at-the-table/

Learn more about the Green Janitor Program here: http://usgbc-la.org/programs/greenjanitor/

How can Building Projects be more Resilient? Find out at our Panel!

By USGBCMA Communications, More Green Buildings!

Resilience is quickly becoming a top priority when it comes to designing buildings and systems, with studies showing the dangers of sea level rise, increased storm intensity and other issues connected to resilience.

We are all hearing about the importance of resilience, but how do we actually get it done? What are the practical things we can do as developers, designers, implementers, and users of buildings and building systems?

Learn from our expert panel to explore the topic and the tools we can use, right now, on every building project.

Click here or scroll down to register.

Sponsor Spotlight: F.D. Sterritt Lumber Co.

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


F.D. Sterritt Lumber Co. is a bronze-level partner of ours with a distinguished commitment to sustainability and responsible building practices. The company has such a rich history that they are proud of- founded in 1841 it is one of the oldest retail lumber companies in the United States. Their long history includes supplying lumber to some of the most historic buildings built in Boston during the industrial revolution, to now supplying FSC lumber some of the most environmentally friendly LEED certified buildings in the world.

Just last year, they supplied with Bison Innovative Products with lumber for one of their rooftop pool designs.

The tradition of supplying quality product and great service continues. Clients that turn to Sterritt Lumber for their building materials needs will not be dissapointed by the company's quality, service, and competitive pricing.

F.D. Steritt provides the following products to its clients:

  • Building Materials
  • Decking and Railing
  • Engineered Lumber
  • Fire Rated Lumber and Plywood
  • Framing Lumber and Plywood
  • Hardwoods
  • Innovative Rain Screen
  • Mouldings
  • Pressure Treated Lumber and Plywood
  • Siding and Trim
  • Softwoods

As well as the following services: 

  • Deck Design Services
  • Delivery Services
  • Engineered Floor Layouts
  • Millwork Services
  • Roof and Floor Truss Design
  • Wall Panelization Systems


F.D. Steritt has shown its commitment to sustainability by providing FSC certified lumber products.  It is also the Largest Distributor of FSC wood products on the East Coast of the USA. With thousands of LEED, Green Globes, and Living Building Challege jobs under their belt, they can help clients achieve projects goals and build sustainably. 

Tour TWO Green Buildings this Saturday!

By Molly Cox

Are you interested in seeing real-life examples of Green Buildings? USGBCMA's Residential Green Building Committee has organized a building tour of TWO houses in the area!

We will be meeting at the first house and driving to the second house. Make sure to plan transportation accordingly. We recommend carpooling with some friends (whom you should definitely invite to this event)!

Register here.

Meet at House #1:

33 Riverdale Rd, Concord, MA
Saturday, June 4th at 11:00am

Drive together to House #2:

122 Shornecliffe Road, Newton, MA 
12:30pm

 

Click here to learn more and to register!

Special thanks to Pioneer Construction and LDa Architects for helping coordinate the tour and for supporting the event. They both had critical roles in the designs you will see this weekend. 

WELL Exam Prep in 2 Weeks!

By USGBCMA Communications, More Green Buildings!

Thursday, June 16th, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
50 Milk Street, 17th Floor, “Milky Way”

Register here.

The WELL Building Standard was recently created to help design buildings that are better for human health. In order to become a WELL Accredited Professional, professionals must take the WELL Exam. 

For more information about the WELL Exam, including exam fees, visit the website of the International WELL Building Institute.

We are offering WELL Exam Prep! If you are interested in becoming a WELL Accredited Professional, join us for an in-depth course to prepare for the exam.

On Thursday, June 16th, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, we will cover the WELL Building Standard ideology, structure, and certification process. A light breakfast, full lunch, and snacks will be provided throughout the day, and a hard-copy exam study guide will be provided to all students.

Reserve your spot for the Exam Prep course now!

You may also be interested in our Introduction to the WELL Building Standard. It will be on Tuesday, June 28 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. A concise introduction to the building standard will be followed by a roundtable discussion.

 

Important Dates and Deadlines:

June 16: WELL Exam Prep Course (Register here)

June 28: Introduction to WELL (Register here)

June 30: WELL Exam Fees Increase (Register for the exam here)

 

Greenbuild Registration Now Open!

By USGBCMA Communications, More Green Buildings!

Greenbuild is the world's largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. It provides a forum for the green building community to unite, change lives, revolutionize business, and address our world’s most pressing problems. The three-day event, which will be held in Los Angeles Convention Center from Oct. 5-7, 2016, will feature high profile celebrities, activists and political figures working together to promote the ideals and interests of the green building movement.

Learn more about the event here.

Greenbuild offers several conference packages to help you maximize your time onsite at the show. Register before the Early Bird deadline (August 1) to save money! USGBC Members also get discounted tickets.

Register now!

 

USGBC is excited to provide scholarship opportunities to attend Greenbuild 2016: Iconic Green.

Scholarships increase access to Greenbuild and serve as a point of entry for people who are new to the green movement. Scholarships are competitive, and preference is given to individuals from underrepresented audiences and who demonstrate a need. These scholarships allow USGBC to invest in individuals who share our vision and want to be champions for the movement. Hear from several Greenbuild 2015 scholarship recipients to get an insider's look on how you can benefit from a scholarship!

To learn about eligibility requirements and to apply for a scholarship, click here.

Please share this opportunity with anyone you believe would be interested in attending Greenbuild!