1. March 24, 2010 Norman Christopher Executive Director Sustainable Community Development Initiative Grand Valley State University Corky Overmyer Community Sustainability Manager United Water Environmental Services, Contract Segment Quincy, Illinois Regional Partnership for Sustainability

2. We face many challenges but what are the solutions? How do communities rally support? How do we foster public, private, academic and service sector working relationships? How should our community development efforts be organized? How should we function and operate? How can we communicate more effectively and improve understanding? How do we receive feedback, comments, and new ideas? What are Community Sustainability Partnerships, e.g. “CSP’s”? Where do we start and focus? What Lies Ahead for Our Communities

3. Consumption Durable Goods Recycled Products Local Food Minimum Packaging Conservation Natural Resources Energy & Water Efficiency Education Attainment Higher Degrees of Education Professional Training Purchasing Green Certified Products Renewable Energy Alternative Fuels Locally Produced Goods Waste Reuse Recycle Eliminate Minimization Stakeholders Volunteerism Reinvestment Democratic Process Community Health and Wellness Exercise and Nutrition Balanced Lifestyle Disease Prevention Building Design Restoration Green LEED Certification We have all put extreme stresses on this world and we all have to find a way to work together to fix it! Why Focus on “Community”… Grass-Root Change! Example Activities

4. Sustainable communities are places where people want to live, learn, work, and play. They meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life. Sustainable communities embrace the principles of sustainable development by being: active, inclusive, and safe well run environmentally sensitive well designed and built well connected thriving well served fair for everyone Source: www.communities.gov.uk What are Sustainable Communities?

5. A Vibrant Economy Local, regional economic viability Opportunities for employment Reduction in the gap between rich and poor Innovation and creativity Advanced technologies and economics Long-term view, not short term gains Access to facilities, services, and goods New business development Source: Adapted 5E’s Unlimited A Healthy Environment Living within ecological limits Protection and preservation of natural resources Responsible consumption patterns; re-use and recycling Limitations on pollution Design for natural built environment Sustainable Communities Have…

6. Source: Adapted 5E’s Unlimited Connection to place Inclusiveness Cooperation and communication Education: life long learning Accessible mass transportation systems Health & wellness Link jobs to housing and communities Intra/inter-generational equity Honor culture and diversity Compassion Safety and security Access to full range available services A High Quality of Life Sustainable Communities Have…

7. 5 founding Members Over 190 Endorsing Stakeholder Partners Today and Growing Measure and Report Triple Bottom Line Activities and Progress ~10+ Formal and Informal Workgroups Student Service Learning Sustainable Development Best Practices National/Global Recognition Creation of the Community Sustainability Partnership—Grand Rapids, MI, August 2005 The Community Sustainability Partnership (CSP) www.grpartners.org How We Began…

8. Mission The economic, social, and environmental systems are balanced and create and sustain a positive equality of life now and for future generations. Identity The Community Sustainability Partnership is a diverse network of community organizations in West Michigan who embrace and support sustainability principles in their planning and operations and are striving to make a positive impact in our community. Members of the Partnership are committed to work together to restore environmental integrity, improve economic prosperity, and achieve social equity. Purpose Through multi-stakeholder collaboration, sharing of experiences and common aspirations, and mobilizing local resources, help transform the greater Grand Rapids area through the development of sustainable neighborhoods and communities by: Restoring and preserving environmental integrity Increasing economic prosperity Advancing and achieving social equity Improving the quality of life Elevating the value of education Community Sustainability Partnership www.grpartners.org

9. ethical behavior excellence in work stewardship responsiveness inclusiveness life long learning relationships integrity transparency Values sustainability best practices service orientation ownership mutual accountability innovation Guiding Principles Community Sustainability Partnership

10. “Community” Media Customers/Clients/ Consumers Competitors Suppliers/ Partners Employees/Labor Unions Shareholders/ Private Investors Investment Community Local Neighborhoods Insurance Companies City and Municipal Government Schools, Colleges, Universities Regulatory Agency Banks NGO’s First Nations Credit Rating Agencies Institutional/ Pension Fund Managers Trade/ Professional Organizations Hospitals and Healthcare Providers Community Asset… Stakeholders

11. People/Equity Human Capital Social Capital Community Capital Cultural Capital Knowledge Capital Political Capital Planet/Environment Natural Capital Profit/Economy Financial Capital Asset Capital Shared Capital Sustainable Development Capital Formation

12. Sustainability Awareness “Pioneers” Understanding of Sustainability Guiding Principles (“Champions”) Sustainable Development Application Areas (“Stakeholders”) Transitional Progress Transformational Change Formation of the CSP Development of CSP Website (www.grpartners.org) Establishment of Sustainability Guiding Principles Around the “Triple Bottom Line” (TBL) Sustainability Terms and Buzzwords CSP “Triple Bottom Line” Summit Meetings Sharing of Sustainability Best Practices Public, Private, Academic Service Sectors Importance of Sustainability Assessments West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum LEED Building and Design US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement UNU Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) in Education for Sustainable Development Clean Cities Initiative Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (www.BIFMA.org) CSP Workgroup Areas Sustainability Reporting e.g. City of Grand Rapids, GVSU, Cascade Engineering, West Michigan Strategic Alliance, Suez Environnement New City of Grand Rapids Sustainability Website (www.sustainablegr.com) Rapid Growth Media Daily E-News (www.rapidgrowthmedia.com) West Michigan Sustainable Purchasing Consortium (www.wmspc.org) Our Community Sustainability Regional Sustainable Development Leadership Education for Sustainable Development Regional Centers of Expertise

13. Grand Rapids Community Sustainability Partnership www.grpartners.org Renewable Energy Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Green and LEED Buildings Water Conservation Climate Mitigation Energy Conservation Waste Minimization/ Recycling Health and Wellness Sustainable Business Best Practices Education for Sustainable Development Sustainable Purchasing Consortium City of Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Clean Cities initiative West MI USGBC Chapter GVSU WM Habitat for Humanity City of Grand Rapids Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative City of Grand Rapids Progressive AE GVSU Sustainable Research Group City of Grand Rapids Cascade Engineering GVSU Aquinas College Calvin College www.wmspc.org GVSU GRCC City of Grand Rapids VAI Steelcase Delta Institute Calvin College GVSU Aquinas College WMU GRCC GRPS Economicology UNU RCE Designation www.wmsbf.org www.bifma.org MSU Extension Muskegon Farm to School David Hunting YMCA Spectrum Health Metro Health City of Grand Rapids CompRenew Valley City Environmental Services Waste Management Sustainable Community Development Activities

14. City Renewable Energy—20% Purchased/100% Goal by 2020 LEED Buildings— Rank 4 th Nationally UN University Recognition—(UNU RCE Grand Rapids) Alternative Fuels—WM Clean Cities Initiative Energy Efficiency—Midwest Cities Grant/EECBG Grant Waste—Free Residential Recycling/Regional Biosolids Facility City Zoning Code—LEED ND Framework Lighting—LED Traffic/Street Lights Water—Great Lake St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Climate—Michigan Climate Action Council; US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement Green Space – Green Grand Rapids Sustainability Plan and Indicator Report Partners GVSU—Top 25 “Green Schools” BIFMA—Furniture Sustainability Manufacturing Assessment Standards Kent County Waste To Energy – Renewable Energy Technologies Regional CSP Leadership – 5 CSP’s in West Michigan West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (www.wmsbf.org) Education for Sustainable Development – GVSU, GRPS, Aquinas, Calvin, GRCC and Others Sustainable Purchasing (www.wmspc.org) Healthy Homes Coalition – Get the Lead Out! Michigan “Clean Corporate Citizens” – 9 in Grand Rapids West Michigan USGBC – 114 LEED Certified Buildings in West Michigan Seeds of Promise™ (www.seedsofpromise.net) Metro Health Complex Greater Grand Rapids What “CSP’s” Can Accomplish… Examples

15. Think Globally Build Regionally Act Locally Globalization Trends De-Globalization Trends Sustainable Grand Rapids and West Michigan Neighborhoods Communities Townships The Future of Regional Sustainability… Leadership

16. Infrastructure: Michigan DNRE Grand Valley Metro Council Michigan Municipal League West Michigan Strategic Alliance Muskegon Sustainability Coalition Holland/ Zeeland 3E’s Sustainability Initiative Northwest Ottawa County Sustainability Initiative (Spring Lake/ Grand Haven) Portage/ Kalamazoo/ Battle Creek Sustainability Covenant Grand Rapids Community Sustainability Partnership ( www.grpartners.com) ( www.cffmc.org/sustainabilitycoalition.php) Cities Quincy, IL Houghton, MI Hancock, MI Fair Haven, AL West Michigan Regional Sustainability “Triple Bottom Line” (TBL) Initiatives Cities Chicago, IL Toledo, OH Detroit, MI Oak Park, IL

17. What Has Our CSP Learned? Listen to the voices – everyone matters! “Seek first to understand then to be understood” – Covey principle The systemic issues are complex Engagement of critical stakeholders is an imperative Silos don’t work Local champions are a necessity Focus on the low hanging fruit! A well balanced “TBL” approach is foundational Need to develop and monitor key performance measurements for progress Celebrate success Leadership is courage Communications to the community and public requires a broad social media outreach It is all about change and lifelong learning Stay on the course! Stay connected

18. What is our Community Role? Be efficient and effective Be fair and inclusive “Get to root causes” through critical and systems thinking Seek first to understand! Support collaborations and partnerships Be responsible and accountable Support civic engagement activities Network and develop relationships “Connect the dots” and leverage assets Show courage Be willing to change Commit to life-long life-wide learning Share your learning experiences

19. FAMILIES: Hands of Hope Sustainability Circles of Connectedness Quincy, Illinois

20. Center of commerce, manufacturing, and agricultural production Historic architecture High standards, quality development, and planned growth Tourism Arts Natural setting “All-American” town “Gem” City “Tree City, USA” Culture and recreation Strong educational base e.g. Quincy University, John Wood Community College, Vatterott College, Quincy Public School System Quincy, Illinois - Good Roots

21. Recycling Initiatives City wide clean-ups Water Quality Programs Hydropower project Combined sewer overflows Green ways, walks and bike trails (Quincy Bikes) Energy Efficiency Loans Business Development Neighborhood Stabilization Program Bridge the Gap to Health Study Circles e.g. Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation Environmental Economic Social Quincy, Illinois – A Great Start!

22. City of Quincy, Illinois Municipal Government Quincy University, John Wood Community College, and other higher education academic institutions Blessing Hospital Quincy Public School System Quincy Medical Group, Quincy Family Medicine Residency Quincy Chamber of Commerce Retail and Manufacturing Companies (Corporate Headquarters) Gardner Denver Inc. Blue Cross Blue Shield Knapheide Manufacturing Methode Electronics Niemann Foods Inc. Titan International Quincy, Illinois Examples of “Corporate Citizens”

23. Green Manifesto Strong environmental values Limits and constraints Organic food Government action Obligation and responsibility Hope for the planet Stop the madness Survival for our children’s sake Efficiency Blue Manifesto Strong social, economic, environmental and cultural values Possibilities and outcomes Sustainable food systems Government, market, community collaboration Passion and empowerment Faith in people Changing our behaviors Act now and do something good for today and tomorrow Shared, knowledge and community capital Source: Adapted Strategy for Sustainability by Adam Werbach Living Tomorrow Today

24. “This generation… Connected its community with the environment, maximizing commerce and nature; Responded to the challenge of globalization by becoming more diverse and flexible; Developed a city that was productive with a style that led the State and Country back to prosperity; Demanded neighborhoods where neighbors and children were safe; Supported schools that recognized each child’s potential and its value for future economic gain; Truly created a community of sustained life” (Mayor George K. Heartwell) “The time is always right to do what is right” Martin Luther King What Will Our 7 th Generation Say?

25. www.grpartners.org Corky Overmyer Community Sustainability Manager United Water Environmental Services 5555 Glenwood Hills Parkway SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512 616-940-2430 cortland.overmyer@unitedwater.com www.gvsu.edu/sustainability Norman Christopher Director of Sustainable Community Development Initiative Grand Valley State University 1 Campus Drive, 224 LOH Allendale, MI 49401 616-331-7461 chrisfn@gvsu.edu www.gvsu.edu/sustainability www.unitedwater.com Contact Information