Moving toward chapterhood
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2009
Building Green in Central Ohio
Columbus, Ohio - A national movement to conserve energy and resources has come to Central Ohio with the formation of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Central Ohio Chapter. The announcement was made today at the Green Building Expo and Get Green Business Conference by Sam Pobst, Chair of the USGBC - Heartland Regional Council.
“A dedicated group of designers, contractors, product representatives and building owners has worked tirelessly for well over a year to bring this chapter into existence,” Pobst said. “Central Ohio’s leadership in green building education and advocacy, made possible by the Columbus Green Building Forum over the last six years, will be significantly expanded with the new chapter. I anticipate great things yet to come for Columbus and Central Ohio.”
The chapter represents significant opportunities to connect with the national organization and advocate sustainable and regenerative design, construction and building operation principles in Central and Southeastern Ohio. Its education committee, together with the chapters in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo, is planning a series of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) workshops and other educational and networking events over the coming months. Chapter representatives will also participate in a meeting of the Heartland Regional Council at the Greening the Heartland 2009 Conference and Exhibition in Detroit at the end of May.
The chapter was approved by the Heartland Regional Council in December 2008 and the USGBC Chapter Steering Committee in late April. Its articles of incorporation were accepted by the Secretary of State on May 13, 2009. The incorporators appointed an initial board of 14 directors, who will elect officers later this month. Formal chapter elections will be held at the end of 2009.
Parties interested in learning more, are encouraged to visit the chapter Web site at
www.usgbc-coh.org. Individuals interested in joining the new chapter should log in to the USGBC national Web site at
www.usgbc.org, click on “Join a Chapter” and select “Central Ohio Chapter.”
About USGBC
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP), USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010. The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.
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