New EGB Program
Marc Costa
Just wanted to start a discussion on the direction of EGB and how it
will fit into the new structure of USGBC Student Groups. I'm sure it
will be a topic tomorrow. How are you all planning on integrating
students, young professionals, and your USGBC Chapter as a whole?
Also, any thoughts on the future of the NTDC?
Hope to hear from you, even before tomorrow!
Marc Costa
EGB-Los Angeles Co-Chair
Co Chair NCR EGB
I personally disagree with National's decision to do away with EGB as a dues member category. It appears that they want to blend the young professional EGB'ers into their respective regional chapters, and make the university-level EGB'ers into USGBC Student Groups - which seem to have no integration with the young professionals and main chapter. Every area has a different inherent situation, and therefore a more flexible structure should be allowed depending on those situations. From the local leaders calls, it seems as if in some areas the EGB groups are the driving forces of the regional chapter, and in other areas it seems the main chapter is more established and the EGB group is just getting going. In my area, the National Capital Region (DC Metro area), the main chapter is well established with people with strong backgrounds in sustainability and the AEC industry. It is difficult for a younger member just out of school to find a place to contribute and gain leadership. The EGB committee is the perfect venue for those just getting started to grow and learn while surrounded with peers with similar backgrounds and experience levels. This allows them to take on leadership roles to enrich their knowledge and gain experience, and eventually progress into the main chapter as a committee or board member. Having the University EGB groups as a vehicle to engage and cultivate students will provide the Chapter-level EGB group with eager recruits upon graduation. It just seems to be a natural flow to me. Each level of the structure should be tailored to that group's unique and specific level of knowledge and interests.
In my opinion, what National has done will disrupt that natural flow. I worry that the energy and excitement of EGB will lose its vitality, and many members who may have joined, contributed, and progressed through the ranks of USGBC will feel stifled and lose interest.
Jamie Brady
Co-Chair, USGBC-NCR emerging green builders
Marc Costa
I hope that there can be a system as follows (which is I think similar to Jamie's)
A continuous spectrum exists from USGBC-Student Group to EGB-City-x to USGBC-City-x.
Student groups are at the University Level.
arbitrary line for working students and grad students
EGB members (who are USGBC Chapter Members
USGBC-Chapter
Students focus on Campus sustainability and participate in NTDC, EGB events and USGBC events
EGB anchors the multiple Universities and in fact reserves a seat on the EGB steering committee for a rep. from each school
EGB also hosts the NTDC, and brings all universities together
USGBC anchors all groups and functions like it always has, with the added liability of student groups. EGB has representation on the USGBC Chapter level
A possible event would be a type of matriculation ceremony/mixer where Students become EGBers, and EGBers become USGBC-LA professionals. This will ensure connectivity, as well as establish a steady influx of membership starting with students and continuing through a steadily grwoing group of professionals.
This could work for Los Angeles, and possibly not work for others. The main idea is to integrate all aspects of membership, and especially to effectively empower the youth through education, resources, involvement and opportunity.
--Marc, EGB-LA Co-Chair
Rob Stenson
I see a strong need for both focuses. The term change is the unfortunate part of this
I have not seen enough soport documents to comment much more on one groups focus compared to another.
Rob Stenson
Vice President, Arizona
Vangard Concept Offices
623.466.4069 Cell
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emily....@gmail.com
I also want you all to know that the national committee is working on updating the tool kit which will be for both EGB committees and chapters to help guide these structures and foster these relationships as well as mimicking the work we have been doing at the national level.
Again please keep these conversations going so we can take your concerns and ideas to national.
Can't wait for a great call!
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From: Marc Costa
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:50:47 -0700
To: Co Chair NCR EGB<ncr.egb...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: New EGB Program
Jeremy Knoll
This is an organization of too many acronyms, what is NTDC? While the EGB and Student split is unfortunate, it is done, and is ours to turn into a success. There is nothing stopping members of student groups from being a part of the local chapter EGB, participating as members, and/or holding office within the EGB - I think Marc's thoughts on making a fun ceremony out of this is a great one. I believe the dues issue remains a Chapter-determined issue (besides Greenbuild) for the most part, and I encourage everyone here to join the leadership of their local Chapters to ensure the EGB voice is considered within this discussion.
In Kansas City, we have struggled for 4 years with how to deal with our young-pros and student groups, as we have a lot of young-pros in the city center, but 3 large schools all around us (UMKC-in the city, KU-45 minutes out of town, and KSU-90 minutes out of town). Before the split, we already had pretty self-sufficient student EGB groups, which our Chapter-integrated (young-pro) EGB group communicated with regularly and provided resources (Chapter purchased reference guides and lecturers primarily), leadership opportunities (providing lecturers and resources for student-run events which were open to the Chapter – not to mention the design competition), and regular access to Chapter members (through a 3-on-1 dinner for connecting professionals and students). Through my involvement last year as a member of our Board, I was able to secure funding for KU’s Studio 804 group (their work was covered heavily on Discovery’s Planet Green Chanel – “Greensburg Kansas”) to cover the certification and registration fees for their annual design-build project. They achieved LEED Platinum certification, so this funding was returned to their Studio, which was used for this year’s project in turn! When students had questions about LEED certification processes or strategies, a small group of Chapter members (young pros and pros) were available to answer and provide feedback. This has led the other schools to begin seeking the creation of similar revolving programs. This seems like it can become a component a nationally replicable EGB/Student model, especially as students are now pretty much excluded from access to becoming an Accredited Professional without first working on a built-project as a team member.
In some ways, having students be supported by National will take a load off of Chapters for answering questions, setting a group up, and maintaining the group over time. It does, however, put the impetus back on the local EGB groups to become the direct link to these students. It will be USGBC National’s responsibility to encourage student groups to seek out this link, and our job to provide and maintain it. Perhaps creating an ambassador system is in order, where each school sends one or two representatives to EGB planning meetings and to be in charge of maintaining two-way communication with the Chapter/EGB. The EGB young-pros will need to make sure they are including these ambassadors on all communications and invitations so the information can be passed on. Also, it seems like student groups should continue to be included as Local Leaders, and encouraged to participate in the calls. One last thought before I stop filling the screen here, the real strength of this group is the size of our network and our ability (unlike any other generation) to network electronically. A current weakness we may be able to turn into a strength is the fact that we move around so much – locations and jobs! When students graduate from universities and colleges, the local EGB groups could make an effort to connect them to the network of EGB young-pros in the cities they move to, thereby maintaining the people we hope become our replacements as we “graduate” into our professional careers over time.
Jeremy Knoll - LEED® AP
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