The Palm Beach Branch of the USGBC South Florida Chapter has an enviable track record of hosting outstanding educational programs and tours, and this month's program is certainly no exception!
To register and learn more and to register click here.
Sponsor Our Branch Programs
There are many outstanding marketing benefits that accrue to sponsors of our Palm Beach Branch's educational programs. To learn more about sponsor benefits
click here. To discuss a specific Broward Branch program, contact
Robin Blakeman or
Linda Smithe.
Volunteers of the Month
Our Palm Beach Branch started giving these shout-outs to the best of the best of our volunteers last year. All of our volunteers shine, but the folks listed below have received special attaboys and attagirls in 2013. If you know these dedicated volunteers, please drop them a THANKS note. If you would like to nominate a Palm Beach Branch volunteer for this special recognition, contact
Robin Blakeman.
January 2013 -- Linda Smithe
February 2013 -- Judith Bradley
March 2013 -- Mark Stempler
April 2013 -- Debbie Light
History of the Palm Beach Branch
The Palm Beach Branch has a special place not only in local green-building history, but with USGBC National as well. The former Treasure Coast / Palm Beach Branch was, with the Broward and Miami-Dade Branches, the first USGBC Branches in the USA.
The first organizing meeting of the group took place in April 2007 with 22 attendees. In October of that year, it became an official Branch. By February 2008, Branch volunteers hosted their first LEED workshop, which drew a whopping 96 attendees ... and the rest is an admirable history of educational programs and tours that continues to this day. The growth of volunteers and interest in green building in the Treasure Coast region allowed the Chapter to break the TC and PB Branch into two separate entities in 2010.
Palm Beach Branch Past Chairs
Anyone who has served in the chief executive officer role of a business or volunteer organization appreciates the commitment of time that is put in to figuratively steer the ship safely into port. To that end, it's with thanks that we note the outstanding contributions of the past Chairs of the Palm Beach Branch:
Kyle Abney -- 2007-2008
Robert Cannellos -- 2008-2009
John Szerdi -- 2009-2010
Missy Strauss -- 2010-2011
Jonathan Burgess -- 2011-2012
Green Tip of the Month
Green Cleaning!
Spring is upon us! Flowers blooming, birds chirping and the sun shining are all reasons to celebrate this wonderful season. It's also a time for us to open the windows, open the doors and let some fresh air back into our homes or offices. T ypically, this weather shift also starts a tradition that most of us call Spring cleaning.
Spring cleaning comes with an unlimited amount of choices for cleaning products, vacuums, dusters and more. Unfortunately, harsh chemicals and inefficient tools can sneak their way into our home or office and cause an uproar of allergic reactions and other harmful symptoms. Here are presented some tips that can provide a more efficient cleaning and keep your home or office green.
One sure way to keep your home or office green is to ensure that the products you use are certified as non-toxic and environmentally friendly. You can do this by checking the seal. Commercial cleaning products can be certified by organizations such as Green Seal, EcoLogo, DfE, and/or GREENGUARD. Non-commercial cleaning products that you find in the store can be a little harder to identify. Fortunately, the Green Good Housekeeping seal is a great certification that verifies the product you choose matches a set of strict standards for environmentally conscious consumers.
Along with using environmentally friendly cleaning products, utilizing microfiber tools that are designed to capture and attract 99% of dirt, dust, bacteria and other pathogens can prevent allergy sufferers from having symptoms typically caused by an uplift of dust. Did you know that traditional cotton fibered cloths are designed to pick up only 33% of dust and other particles?
This article is compliments of Arbel Martin, Director of Marketing for SparkleTeam, a longtime supporter of the Chapter.
24 May 2013 8:30 AM • Trane Miramar Office, 2884 Corporate Way, Miramar, FL 33025 (see Directions in copy)
06 Jun 2013 6:30 PM • Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, FL 33134
12 Jun 2013 5:30 PM • UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science- 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, FL 33149
12 Jun 2013 6:30 PM • PNC Bank, 1153 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL
13 Jun 2013 5:30 PM • Mayer Residence, 223 Ridge Road, Jupiter, FL 33477
13 Jun 2013 5:30 PM • Vine & Barley, 2951 Martins Down Boulevard, Palm City, FL
Palm Beach Branch's 2013 Past Programs
Palm Beach Branch's March Program
Ex. Bldgs, Operations & Maintenance with Missy StraussMissy Strauss, President of TangibleGreen, gave an awesome presentation on EBOM at the beautiful LEED Gold certified Wellington Municipal Community Complex. If you have not had the opportunity to hear Missy speak, we highly recommend it in the future!
Special thanks for a wonderful event brought to us by:
Robin Blakeman - Chair of the Palm Beach Branch Governing Council, Missy Strauss - Guest Speaker and President of TangibleGreen, and Joshua Atlas - Palm Beach Branch Advocacy Chair and our April event Sponsor with
Arnstein & Lehr LLP
Thank you for the great location for our March event at the LEED Gold certified Wellington Municipal Community Complex
Program -- Tour of Galaxy Elementary Palm Beach Branch's February 21
For February's Branch program, attendees enjoyed a guided informational tour of the Galaxy Elementary School building, on target to achieve LEED Platinum Certification.
Sustainable features will include native landscaping; 5-acre conservation area / gopher tortoise preserve; hydroponic / organic teaching gardens; solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for significant power contribution; demonstration use of wind power - helical wind turbines; optimal use of natural daylight to reduce lighting loads; high-efficiency lighting fixtures and lighting controls; rainwater harvesting to large cisterns for irrigation and green roof areas / white reflective roofs ... and more!
