Archive for October, 2009

USGBC-STL Board Nominations Now Open!

Like clockwork, it’s that time of year again. While local and national elections aren’t nearly as hot as last year, we hope you’ll still pay attention to the Chapter elections!

USGBC-STL is seeking nominations for six (6) Board Members and one (1) Heartland Regional Council at-large representative. Nominations are due by midnight, Sunday, November 8. Elections will be held on-line November 17 – 25.

See Election Guidelines, Nomination Form and Job Descriptions at the bottom of this post.

As some of you may know, USGBC-STL has transitioned to a Dynamic Governance Structure this year. Dynamic Governance is an organizational management process that <!–[endif]–>puts power in the group of people who interact regularly around a common aim. We hope it will encourage more and equal participation, improve productivity and increase opportunities for members to participate in the Chapter.

The transition to Dynamic Governance means a lot of things, but important to nominations and elections, it means that we’ll be doing things a little differently this year. For one, we are accepting nominations and holding elections only for general board positions (rather than officers). Once elected board members will select officers through dynamic elections.

Secondly, we will not be accepting nominations for committee chairs. In the Dynamic Governance transition, we’ve split the board from the committee chairs. The Board of Directors will focus on strategic policy for the Chapter, while the new Leadership Circle – made up of committee chairs and one additional representative from each committee – will focus on Chapter operations. Committee chairs will be nominated by each committee and approved by the Leadership Circle. Check out our new structure - with lots of opportunity for participation! If you’re interested in serving on the Leadership Circle, get involved in a Chapter committee.

We’ll be discussing elections and our new organizational structure during a webinar on Tuesday, October 20 at noon. Keep your eyes and ears open for details on how to participate! Or contact Chapter Chair, Pat Justis for more information.

Election Guidelines

Nomination Form (MS Word Form)

Job Descriptions:

- Submitted by Emily Andrews, Executive Director




Crossroads College Prep Pursues LEED Platinum

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend an open house at Crossroads College Prep’s new Science Wing. I’ll tell you what, those kids are lucky to attend school in such a lovely space. Skylights and tall windows grace the addition – I’m pretty sure these students may even enjoy going to school!

I was lucky enough to attend both grade school and high school in buildings with significant daylighting and views to the outside since old and historic buildings often provide both. My classrooms, however, were so hot in January that we had to crack the windows. Probably not the most energy efficient solution! And indoor air quality and green cleaning products were not on too many radar screens.

Signage in the lobby of Crossroad's new science wing explaining LEED.

Signage in the lobby of Crossroads

Since students were involved in the planning of the new space, it includes a lot of great “hanging out” space. The new Library features lots of comfy seating as well as tall windows that reduce glare and have high insulating value. The labs are not only state of the art, roomy and open, but also feature solar hot water heating. And the garden outside does double duty – it looks beautiful, featuring plants native to Missouri and helps reduce stormwater run off.

The open house featured remarks from school officials, parents and students and it is quite clear from the remarks and from the conversations at the open house that everyone is very proud of the new space!

Learn more about Crossroads College Prep’s green efforts. And get a peek of the space for yourself at our No Cost Ways to Green Your Schools program on October 28!

- Submitted by Emily Andrews, USGBC-STL Executive Director