Marin Group

Connecting the green-business community with Sierra Club membership

Benefits businesses, community, and the environment

For our 2007 Annual Awards Dinner, the Sierra Club Marin Group reached out to Marin County's green businesses. Our goal was to connect them to our membership, to support green business practices, and to encourage businesses that are committed to the environment.

The Group contacted over 200 Marin green businesses inviting them to co-sponsor our Annual Awards Dinner. Their enthusiasm was incredible. The response generated new opportunities for future partnerships on numerous projects as well as sponsors for our fundraiser. We even added a silent auction just because of the generosity of our new green-business partners!

Green businesses are ready partners for the Sierra Club. We encourage you to go to www.greenbiz.ca.gov/ShopGreen.html and check out the list of green businesses in your area (there are many projects in all Bay Chapter counties).

For readers with your own businesses, the Green Business Program is a great opportunity to join a growing community of environmentally friendly and committed business owners - and further strengthen the connections between the environmental and green-business communities.

The Green Business Program of Marin County is a local section of the Bay Area Regional Green Business Program, which certifies businesses meeting strict environmental criteria. The program was developed by Bay Area local governments in collaboration with the state and federal Environmental Protection Agencies, the state Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the business community. The Association of Bay Area Governments coordinates the program, which is implemented by Green Business Coordinators in nine participating counties. The regional and local programs are funded by their partners, including local and regional government agencies, utilities, special districts, and non-profit organizations that promote environmental compliance, pollution prevention and resource conservation. Some funding also comes from government and grants from non-profit foundations.

Elena Belsky, annual-dinner chair, Marin Group

Fantastic fundraiser in Marin!

Sierra Club Marin Group's Ninth Annual Awards Dinner was a rousing success, with tickets sold out over a week before the Oct. 5 date.

Attending the event and sponsoring tables at the Champion level ($1000) were Sen. Carole Migden and Assemblymember Mark Leno; they also presented certificates of appreciation to our awardees, Barbara Salzman and Katie Crecelius. Also presenting certificates were Assemblymember Jared Huffman; Tom Roth, chief aide for Rep. Lynn Woolsey; and Karen Nygren for Sen. Barbara Boxer.

The crowd also included members of the Board of Supervisors, city councilmembers from numerous Marin cities, mayors, and water-board and other elected officials, along with a healthy showing of people running for public office.

Special thanks goes to our new partners in the Green Business Program of Marin and their generous donations that took our fundraising to a new level: Inn Marin (sponsor and silent auction donor), Tamalpais Bank, Green Builders of Marin, Hurricane Hauling, The Marne Law Group, Villa Marin Homeowners Association, Equinox Landscape, Farallone Pacific Insurance, Fernwood Cemetery, Good Earth Natural Foods (sponsor and silent auction donor), Illuminata Lighting Design, and SPG Solar Inc. Trader Joe's in San Rafael provided a huge, well-stocked 40-pound gift basket for our silent auction.

As usual, the Spinnaker Restaurant delivered a terrific meal, with Manager Jeff Scharosh and staff providing exceptional service. A favorite with the dinner crowd was the Petit Sweet Trio from Whole Foods Market, which donated, delivered, and plated 150 incredible desserts!

A final "thank you!" to our individual sponsors, local elected officials, candidates, Marin Group ExComm, and all dinner attendees for a fabulous evening of camaraderie, networking, and fundraising!

Elena Belsky, annual-dinner chair, Marin Group