eBulletin February 2008
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Kate's Message
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 Grow Me The Money launches new partnership opportunities
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Following the 2007 Federal Election win for Labor, 2008 is set to be a big year for everyone involved in business sustainability including Grow Me The Money. Australia is now set to become a full member of the Kyoto Protocol by the end of March 2008 and the National Emissions Trading Scheme is set to be implemented by 2010.
Grow Me The Money will be launching new website tools and resources, hosting more networking events, providing more mentoring and fostering increased online discussion.
In 2008 Grow Me The Money will be extending the range of partnerships available. Grow Me The Money invites all interested organisations and individuals to promote this FREE program to your network of business colleagues. By promoting the program, you will be helping them improve their competitiveness, profitability and community engagement with better materials and resource efficiency. Existing Grow Me The Money participants and mentors are welcome to sign up as partners as well as new members.
There are several partnership options available as outlined at growmethemoney.com.au
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Kate Nicolazzo
Program Director
Grow Me The Money
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Featured Articles
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First Platinum Club members awarded at Grow Me The Money festive celebration
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On Wednesday 12 December 2007 Grow Me The Money celebrated its first year with an event to acknowledge the achievements of participants and the program’s growing success.
Grow Me The Money participants Vega Press and Fishprint were honoured for achieving Platinum Club membership in the program. Platinum Club members must show leadership and long-term commitment to sustainability through their business operations. Both companies have implemented several sustainability strategies for example, Fishprint are now 100 per cent carbon neutral in their operations. Case studies on both company’s will be available shortly on the Grow Me The Money website.
Speaking at the event were Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chairman Mick Bourke, Grow Me The Money Program Director Kate Nicolazzo and VECCI Regional Manager Matthew Gould. Catering was provided by Slow Food Central Victoria, using organic local produce. Gypsy musicians and tap-dancers kept guests amused during the event.
Find out more about Grow Me The Money’s Platinum Club and Recognition Program at growmethemoney.com.au
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VECCI walks the talk with Grow Me the Money
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Every floor within VECCI’s head office, including the ground floor where the Grow Me The Money office is located, has recently signed up as a separate participant in the Grow Me The Money program. Two volunteers have been selected from each floor to lead their colleagues through the web-based activities and create an action plan to reduce resource use. VECCI working through the program will help Grow Me The Money gain a greater understanding of the challenges encountered by other participants.
Grow Me The Money helpdesk support officer Bob Fynan will help this group of volunteers, the VECCI Visionaries, work through the activities in order to educate and involve staff in the creation of individual action plans for each floor.
A number of great suggestions have already been put forward including:
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- removing the non-recyclable paper towels in the toilets and just using the electric hand dryers
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- using both sides of the paper before putting it in the recycling bin.
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Grow Me The Money hope to have these action plans submitted by mid-April and look forward to sharing the results and experiences with you after they are re-assessed in October this year.
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Exciting new phase of Grow Me The Money Recognition Program launched this month!
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The Grow Me The Money Recognition Program has been revamped with exciting new benefits at every club level including:
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- marketing and publicity assistance
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The higher the club level your business obtains, the more valuable these benefits become.
In 2008 all Grow Me The Money club events will be ticketed. Registration is essential.
During the second week of February, participants will receive an information pack which will include:
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- a brochure outlining the benefits you will receive as you progress through the Grow Me The Money clubs
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- two complimentary tickets to an event of your choice within your club
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- a registration form for club and mentoring events.
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Regardless of what club you are currently a member of, you will receive recognition for your efforts and achievements.
The Grow Me The Money team look forward to networking with you at your next club event.
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Program News
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First Grow Me The Money free introductory Workshop Participants “officially pumped”!
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The inaugural Grow Me The Money Introductory Workshops, held 22 January 2008, were a great success for both metropolitan and regional Participants.
At the workshop businesses from a range of industries found inspiration, motivation and practical advice on how Grow Me The Money’s tools and activities can help them reduce resource use and save money.
These first workshops, which will be held monthly until June, took place at Grow MeThe Money’s Albert Street metropolitan office and via conference call for regional Participants.
During the workshop helpdesk officers walked participants through the program, focussing on its web-based tools and activities.
This included discussions about:
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- the important steps of measuring to establish a resource-use baseline
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- developing and implementing an action plan
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- reassessing a company’s progress.
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Overall, the workshops got people thinking about the problems they face in their own businesses. As Kellie Black from Lonely Planet said, “We have a bit of work to do, but I’m officially pumped!”
If you are interested in participating in a FREE metropolitan workshop or regional conference visit the Grow Me The Money Events Centre to view upcoming dates. You can RSVP to helpdesk@growmethemoney.com.au or call Grow Me The Money on ph: 1800 309 650.
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Grow Me The Money workplace assessment for waste launched!
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This month Grow Me The Money launched a new tool to help businesses effectively measure their waste outputs. The Workplace Assessment – Waste is designed to create a comprehensive snapshot of your waste production and disposal during one month, creating a baseline to measure sustainability improvements in the future. The Workplace Assessment – Waste tool can be downloaded by participants from their HQ Activities Centre on the website.
The tool will help you determine:
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- the different waste streams your business produces (e.g. waste to landfill, paper recycling)
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- the quantities of those wastes
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- approximate costs incurred by their disposal
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As every situation is different, the process is quick and easy to complete. The first stage of the Waste Assessment is a simple three question activity that takes only ten to fifteen minutes to complete.
Once you have submitted this activity to the Grow Me The Money helpdesk, you will receive an individually tailored waste visual assessment tool which will prevent you from looking through material that isn’t relevant to your business.
Grow Me The Money encourages participants to complete the Workplace Assessment – Waste to prepare for completing their action plan. If you would like to access this tool join Grow Me The Money for free by registering here.
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Club News
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Minute with a Mentor
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Name: Peter Young
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Business: Primaform Pty Ltd – Sustainability Consultants
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Position: Director
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How long have you been involved in business sustainability?
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Three years in business sustainability based on twenty years in Property and Building ESD (Environment Sustainable Development) programs.
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What do you consider your sustainability specialty?
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My specialty is achieving better business value and performance for clients through practical sustainability and innovation support, primarily with business sustainability audits and developing customised business sustainability action plans.
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Why do you think businesses should work towards greater sustainability?
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Greater sustainability drives business value higher and faster and gives you a competitive edge in a rapidly changing and highly competitive world.
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What’s your top sustainability tip?
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If you haven’t started, start now, even in small ways to gain knowledge and skills in business sustainability actions. Make business and sustainability decisions based on achievable and measurable solutions – use a Business Sustainability Action Plan as a key element of your Business Strategic Plan.
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Platinum Club applications opening soon!
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Grow Me The Money Platinum Club applications open 25 February 2008 so this is the time for your business to shine.
Becoming a Platinum Club member offers some impressive benefits including substantial training discounts, tailored media opportunities for your business that highlight your efforts and achievements, and tickets to our exclusive Platinum Club event! This will be an intimate style VIP event, set at one of Melbourne’s finest restaurants, providing you with a rare one-on-one opportunity to bend the ear of select business and government leaders.
Grow Me The Money participants from any club level may apply for entry and must address a set criteria regarding their resource savings, including supporting documentation where necessary. Applications are judged by our Recognition Club Panel, which includes business sustainability experts from the EPA.
The panel will be looking for program participants who have:
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- integrated business sustainability into all areas of their business
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- demonstrated outstanding quantifiable environmental savings in a range of areas
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- shown leadership on sustainability issues in their sector
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- benefited the wider community with their sustainability actions.
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Further application details will be available from 25 February 2008 and will be announced on the Grow Me The Money website. If you would like assistance preparing your application or would like to know whether your business will be eligible, please contact the Grow Me The Money helpdesk.
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New Grow Me The Money helpdesk hours 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday
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The Grow Me The Money helpdesk hours have changed. Helpdesk team members are now available for 8am - 6pm instead of 8am - 8pm. Remember, as a participant you have 24 hour access to your My HQ, as well as advice through the Grow Me The Money Forum
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Program Events
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In 2008 Grow Me The Money have lined up a variety of Bronze Club luncheons, Silver Club cocktail parties, mentor recognition luncheons and the new speed mentoring sessions.
Club events will now be ticketed as part of our new and improved Grow Me The Money Recognition Program for more information on these developments visit growmethemoney.com.au.
The famous MCG will be our events arena until June and events will include MCG tours and entry to the new National Sports Museum due to open at the MCG on 13 March 2008. Read on for upcoming events or visit the Grow Me The Money Events Centre for the full 2008 calendar.
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Bronze Club luncheon
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Start the year exchanging ideas with like-minded business people interested in making their business sustainable. Bronze Club luncheons are designed to provide a forum for Participants to meet the Grow Me The Money team, gain a more thorough understand of the benefits of the program and broaden networks in the business sustainability community.
The first luncheon of the year includes a tour of the new MCG National Sports Museum due to open on the 13 March 2008.
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Date: Friday 14 March 2008
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Time: 12.30-2.30pm
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Location: MCG – HCA Harrison Room
Entry via Gate 1
(Car parking on site)
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RSVP: 29 February 2008. Please wait until you receive your complimentary tickets in the mail before you RSVP.
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Mentor’s luncheon
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To all our mentors, please join the Grow Me The Money team and guests at this special occasion to acknowledge your valued involvement in the program. Hear about exciting new developments for Grow Me The Money mentoring and how you can get involved.
At the conclusion of lunch you are invited on a private tour of the MCG grounds and club rooms.
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Date: Friday 28 March 2008
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Time: 12.30-2.30pm
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Location: MCG – HCA Harrison Room
Entry via Gate 1
(Car parking on site)
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RSVP: 7 March 2008
This is an un-ticketed event. Please email events@growmethemoney.com.au or call the helpdesk on ph: 1800 309 650 to RSVP.
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Speed mentoring afternoon tea
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High tea, expert advice, all this and more at Grow Me The Money’s mentoring speed networking session. This session is open to participants from all club levels and at only $50 per ticket this event is a convenient and inexpensive opportunity to have all your sustainability questions answered and get suggestions for your action plan. If you are a Silver Club member you can register for free.
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Date: Friday 18 April 2008
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Time: 2–4pm
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Location: MCG – HCA Harrison Room
Entry via Gate 1
(Car parking on site)
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RSVP: 28 March 2008 - Tickets will be available for purchase from the Grow Me The Money Events Centre from the 11 February 2008.
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Industry Events
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Business Clean Up Day – 26 February 2008
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Business Clean Up Day is an opportunity for businesses to implement environmentally sustainable initiatives and for employees to work together and make a difference in their local community. Visit www.cleanup.com.au for more details.
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VECCI Events
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Heads Up - BOAV 2008
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The Backpacking and Adventure Travel Industry Networking night is here again. The Backpacker Operators Alliance of Victoria (BOAV) is pleased to invite one and all to meet and greet friends and colleagues from the industry, right before the backpacking and adventure travel expo kicks off.
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When: Thursday 21 February 2008, 6–8pm
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Where: It's a secret! To be revealed at a later date - though we will tell you it's in the Melbourne CBD
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How much: $33 for members and affiliates (including other national backpacking associations), $66 for non members
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More information call 03 8662 5145 or email info@boav.com.au.
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VECCI in the City - Women’s Network
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Come and network in style at VECCI’s premier Women’s Networking event. With fantastic food and wine, inspiring speakers, great door prizes and the opportunity to make valuable business contacts.
Guest speakers: Lisa Boston - Cracked Pepper Communications
Sharon Pearson – The Coaching Institute
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Date: 27 February 2008
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Location: ZINC At Federation Square
Corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets Melbourne VIC 3000
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Cost: $66 Members and Service Subscribers $88 Non Members
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Bookings: Book online at www.vecci.org.au. Alternatively, you can download a registration form or contact Caroline Potter on ph: 03 8662 5144 email: cpotter@vecci.org.au for more information.
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