This year, the Chapter Steering Committee (CSC) said goodbye to four long-serving members: Kathy Zarsky, Paul Poirier, Amy Wortman and Alessandra Carreon. The CSC is an integrated group of chapter community leaders who provide USGBC with relevant expertise, stakeholder perspectives, market intelligence, best practices and vision. The CSC works towards our collective vision by strengthening and empowering USGBC’s chapter community. “Chapter issues are about growing their communities, keeping...

What's your name and title at USGBC?Megan Ritchie Saffitz, Director of LEED SupportHow long have you been at USGBC? I joined in October 2010.How do you get to work?I walk the 10 steps from my bedroom to my home office in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, WA. I can get so much more work done since I don't have to commute!Where's your hometown?Seattle - I'm a fourth generation Washingtonian!Complete this sentence: "We are _______________."We are you. My team all has project and...

With territories ranked in the top-10 nationally for LEED-certified buildings, USGBC's National Capital Region and Maryland Chapters recently sought to accelerate their impact in schools, where nationally $542 billion will be required over the next 10 years to modernize pre-K through 12th grade infrastructure. 

 The chapters collaboratively conceived of a forum for building professionals, policymakers, educators and parents to engage with one another about the needs and opportunities of...

In the green building movement, there has long been consensus that to effect real change in how we address the built environment, a unilateral approach by any one party simply will not do. Instead, the movement must be built around a consortium of partners in the private, public and nonprofit sectors working together to most effectively advance buildings that are better for the environment and for the people who use them every day. Fore Property Co., a national real estate firm specializing in...

This is a transformational time for the U.S. Green Building Council as we celebrate USGBC’s 20th anniversary and the anticipated launch of LEED v4. Take part in shaping USGBC’s strategic direction and nominate yourself for the 2014 Board of Directors. Learn more. The self-nomination period will be open from July 1-30, 2013. Hear from members of our board to learn more about being on the USGBC Board of Directors. There are six open seats on the Board to fill by member election. The...

Go ahead. Brag a little. We know how hard you’ve worked to get the right materials, master the credentialing process and collaborate with architects, engineers and everyone in between to get your building LEED certified. You deserve some spotlight. Join @USGBC on Instagram and show off your LEED registered or certified building at whatever stage in the process you’re in. Just beginning the initial plans for it? We want to see the blueprints. Mid-construction? Show us the progress....

The USGBC Board of Directors convened at USGBC Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 19-20, 2013. The following is a summary of relevant highlights from the meetings rather than an official record of the proceedings. Official meeting minutes will be available on usgbc.org after they have been approved by the Board of Directors in April. View approved USGBC Board meeting minutes through January 17, 2013. Board Meeting Highlights Leadership Discussed the 2014 Board election Strategic...

Are you passionate about a sustainable future? Do you want to make a difference and impact real change in the built environment? USGBC is seeking four volunteer Emerging Professionals National Committee Strategic Initiatives (SI) Chairs to help revitalize the Emerging Professionals (EP) program and nationwide sustainability movement, including the development and implementation of prescribed annual initiatives that connect EPs across the Chapter network to execute impactful programming at the...

On Memorial Day, we salute our servicemen and women for their heroic work to protect the values of this country that we all hold so dear. To return the favor, the USGBC South Carolina Chapter has teamed up with the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs to develop the Energy Efficient Homes for Heroes program.  Through past grant support from Wells Fargo and the USGBC Chapters Impact Grant program, the Energy Efficient Homes for Heroes Program boosts energy efficiency, reduces...

It's Volunteer Appreciation Week at USGBC, when we recognize the wonderful volunteers who have made invaluable contributions to the green building movement. In 2012 alone, over 530,000 volunteer hours were given across the USGBC community by a diverse group of people who, like you, are dedicated to green buildings and communities for all within a generation. This includes nearly 280,000 hours of local volunteer service offered by 5,600 volunteers through the USGBC chapter network. It also...

The St. Louis region provides a unique local advocacy challenge as it is divided into 193 local governments – the largest in the nation (2010 US Census Data) . Taking on this challenge, the USGBC Missouri Gateway Chapter set out to increase collaboration among organizations that provide sustainability resources to local governments, and assist local governments with their sustainability efforts.

 To achieve this goal, the chapter used funds from a 2012 USGBC Chapters Advocacy Grant to develop...

After more than a dozen years as an active, passionate member of the green building community and USGBC, I’d like to tell you that energy efficiency is easy. The ‘Nega-Watt’ is a beautiful fuel source, but unlocking its full potential has kept me up many sleepless nights. Scaling its potential is a critical pathway to a regenerative future. If financial markets are to be convinced to invest in large energy efficiency loan portfolios, they need to know if the electrons really can be mined...