The Chapter of the Year awards are given annually to the most outstanding chapters of the over 200 in the Net Impact network. Chapters were evaluated on their management, chapter activities, support of their membership, impact on their school and community, and their support of the broader Net Impact network. Submissions were reviewed by Net Impact staff and guest judges.

According to Net Impact, “the Bluegrass Professional Chapter made great strides this year to improve offerings to their members and expand the chapter’s impact. They created a model for delivering Net Impact’s Impact at Work program at the local level, empowering individuals to implement workplace change initiatives, and developed a community campaign to engage individuals and businesses in sustainability.”

In addition, Net Impact Bluegrass leadership team member, Katie Greene, was recognized with a Leadership Award during the Conference. Net Impact annually recognizes members who have gone above and beyond to grow the Net Impact network and increase the impact of the Net Impact movement.

Greene, who is the Corporate Responsibility Specialist at LG&E and KU Energy, had been instrumental in launching and developing the Bluegrass Professional Chapter. She has been responsible for numerous chapter-building activities, including a newsletter and CSR luncheon series. In addition, she is a leader in encouraging others to have an impact at work.  [Congrats Katie and thanks!]

· Libby Reder, Head of Environmental Initiatives, Global Citizenship at eBay
· Jason McBriarty, Community Affairs & Levi Strauss Foundation, Levi Strauss & Co.
· Michael Sadowski, Director, Client Services, SustainAbility, a global consulting firm that has published research on social intrapreneurship (http://j.mp/W7OlY)
· The panel will be moderated by Net Impact co-founder and Board Chair Jim Schorr, currently Clinical Professor and Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Business & Society.

Please click here for additional details on how to register for this conference call: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/niblueworkshopreg2

This workshop was the first of three that will take place this spring to educate and support local professionals who are interested in joining the Impact at Work Challenge and conducting projects such as forming a green team, implementing a recycling program, or greening a building.

Panelists at the March 26 Lunch & Learn workshop included:

• Gary Heine, co-founder of Heine Brothers’ Coffee, representing the small business perspective
• Jeff Moneypenny of Luckett & Farley Architects, focusing on energy efficiency projects
• Ted Hathaway of Frost Brown Todd, leader of the law firm’s “green committee”
• Stephanie Warren of Kindred Healthcare, who is developing their sustainability master plan
• The panel was moderated by Claude Stephens of Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest.

Attendees walked away with a deeper understanding of how to create social and environmental change in their workplace. Specifically, panelists and attendees discussed ways to brainstorm projects, choose a project, make a business case, and engage stakeholders.

The second Impact at Work seminar will be a conference call on April 13 from
10:00 am – 11:00 am with a virtual panel of national Impact at Work experts, including: Libby Reder, Head of Environmental Initiatives, Global Citizenship at eBay and several others from major corporations. The panel will be moderated by Net Impact co-founder Jim Schorr, currently Clinical Professor and Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Business & Society.

Please click here for additional details on how to register for this conference call: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/niblueworkshopreg2

Visit www.netimpactbluegrass.org to enroll in the competition. Over the course of the Impact at Work Challenge, participants must conceive, enact, and measure the results of a 90-day workplace change initiative. Possible entries could include something as simple as double-sided printing or eliminating bottled water in the office to instituting single-stream recycling or conducting a carbon footprint analysis.

At the end of the competition in October 2010, a panel of workplace change experts will evaluate each project and declare a series of winners. Challenge winners will be eligible to win incredible prizes, including:

• • A home wind turbine donated and installed by WindStream Technologies
  • Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Debrief (value of $415) delivered by Sarah Morris McCauley, ELI-MP—the mission specialist, leadership coach
  • VIP passes to Forecastle Festival
  • Rain barrel (donated by Amazing Green Planet)
  • and Much More!

The workshop will begin with a panel moderated by Claude Stephens from Bernheim Arboretum and Generation 14.  Following the panel will be breakout sessions hosted by each panelist in which they are joined by a member of Net Impact Bluegrass’ leadership team.

Speakers include:
· Moderator:  Claude Stephens, Education Director at Bernheim Arboretum
· Stephanie Warren, Facilities Manager at Kindred Healthcare
· Jeff Moneypenny, Architect, LEED AP, Luckett & Farley
· Ted Hathaway, Senior Associate at Frost Brown Todd
· Gary Heine, Heine Brothers Coffee

Please note that the event location has changed and now will be held in the Burke Room at the Office Environment Company (12th and Market) on Friday, March 26 from Noon – 1:30 pm.

There is ample free parking.

RSVP for this event via Facebook, LinkedIn, or email netimpactbluegrass@gmail.com.  Checkout Net Impact Bluegrass on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Sign up to conduct a workplace change project at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NIBImpactatWorkreg.

The Impact at Work Challenge provides incentives, resources, and support to inspire and empower social “intrapreneurs” – individuals working within organizations who find ways to integrate sustainability into their day jobs – to create positive social and environmental change in their workplaces.

Louisville is full of individuals passionate about making our city a better, greener place to work and live.  But that goal can often seem too big for one person to overcome.  The Impact at Work Challenge provides each of us with the opportunity, tools, and motivation to help enact small changes in our own lives.  Our chapter is excited to see the big impact we can realize together.

How it works:

Fill out this brief survey to enroll in the competition:

Click here to sign-up to conduct a project!

Over the course of the program, participants must conceive, enact, and measure the results of a 90-day workplace change initiative. Possible entries could include something as simple as double-sided printing or eliminating bottled water in the office to instituting single-stream recycling or conducting a carbon footprint analysis.

Net Impact Bluegrass will provide support through a series of seminars in March, April and May to help establish business objectives, build a team, gather data, develop strategies, engage and educate stakeholders, and secure resources needed.

At the end of the competition in October 2010, a panel of workplace change experts will evaluate each project and declare a series of winners. Prizes are currently being collected and will be disclosed over the course of the program.

When: The Challenge begins Thursday, January 14, 2010 and enrollments for the competition will be open until May 30, 2010. Early registration is encouraged. Participants who sign up before March 15 will be entered to win prizes including gift certificates to local restaurants and area businesses. The winners will be announced in October 2010.

Follow Net Impact Bluegrass on Facebook and Twitter.

At Meet the Members Happy Hour, both current and prospective Net Impact members will gather to network, socialize and discuss issues surrounding Net Impact’s mission: to inspire, educate, and equip individuals to use the power of business to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable world.

Participants will have an opportunity to learn more about Net Impact and how they can get involved.

Learn more about Net Impact Bluegrass.

Check out local foods featured at the White Oak

Kristin Espeland Gourlay, environmental reporter for NPR in the Ohio Valley region, interviewed Jim and facilitated the question and answer portion of the event which engaged members of the audience in the conversation. The event was well-attended by nearly 70 members of the community, representing over 25 different companies and businesses, underscoring the role that Net Impact plays in connecting like-minded individuals for networking and idea sharing, with the goal of supporting initiatives that promote sustainability, social responsibility and community engagement.

The launch event created energy and enthusiasm for participation in Net Impact Bluegrass, and we invite you to find out more about upcoming events and membership opportunities through upcoming newsletters and emails.