SarahR
A native of Maine, Sarah Reidy graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Psychology and from Boston University with a Master's in Social Work. Before Sarah had children, she worked as a Social Worker in a public elementary school as well as for several non-profit organizations. Now Sarah wears several hats as an associate broker with Sage Hill Real Estate in Portland, freelance writer and full-time mom to two kids. Sarah recently received Efficiency Maine certification. You can read Sarah's green business blog every other Wednesday at MaineBusiness.com. Sarah, her husband and kids live in Gorham.
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A Green Membership Club
Nov 2, 2009 12:21 PM
Bringing Green Buyers and Sellers Together
A few years ago, Sarah Brown, then a stay-at-home mom with a solid background in journalism, had an idea that she hoped would get small businesses involved with “going green.” As a result, Sarah formed the Green Alliance, or GA, in Kittery, whose mission is to raise the profiles of businesses that have the least impact on the environment. The GA, which Sarah founded a year-and-a-half ago, looks to achieve this goal in two ways: One, small businesses can choose to become GA “partners” by paying a yearly membership fee. In return, these business partners receive publicity on the GA website, as well as consultation from the GA staff on how to increase their green and sustainable business practices. Secondly, consumers may pay to become Green Card holders, which entitle them to exclusive discounts with the 60 (and counting) businesses that are now GA partners.
When a business signs up to become a GA business partner, there is a two-month “sustainability evaluation” and consultation process that are required. During this period, each business is rated on a sustainability report card, which can later be accessed by the public on the GA website. A GA business partner can be given one of three ratings: A Sprout (a beginner in terms of green practices), a Bud (the business has made significant strides in terms of sustainability), or a Blossom (a leader in sustainability and a true green champion). According to Sarah Brown, businesses are rated both in terms of how green their products are as well as their business practices, saying, “We work with them to look at both areas.” A consumer can then look at this report card as well as the associated “Green Story” of each business, and can discover how each company handles issues such as energy usage, recycling, use of resources, etc. Sarah says, “Our ultimate goal is to get individuals to choose businesses that have made greener choices.”
Sarah says that the GA website can become a valuable networking tool both for GA business partners and for consumers who are looking for goods or services. Sarah also says that the GA website provides specialized marketing to smaller companies that might not be able to afford it otherwise. “Some of the larger businesses hire their own sustainability coordinators,” she says. "This model is designed for small businesses. The Green Alliance can fulfill this piece.”
On the consumer side, Green Card holders make up a “consumer co-op” and for a $35.00 yearly membership fee, can save hundreds of dollars on goods and services provided by one of the GA business partners. As the Green Alliance is based in Kittery, many of these business partners are based in the Seacoast area of Kittery, York and Portsmouth. Sarah says this is changing as the word gets out. She reports that the GA website is receiving 2,000 visits per month and their online newsletter has 10,400 subscribers currently. Of the 60 GA business partners, four are based out of Greater Portland and Sarah hopes to see continued expansion in this area.
As far as the GA's own business practices, Sarah admits that they have yet to give themselves a GA report card rating. That does not mean that they are not doing their part, however, as the GA office gets by without air conditioning and recycles all paper. The GA vehicle is a Volvo Diesel, while the Assistant Director bikes to work. Before June 1, their office was based out of Sarah's home. Their new office space in Kittery contains all recycled furniture and equipment. The only new item that was purchased is the office computer, and it has an Energy Star rating.
Sarah reports that before she started the Green Alliance, she was very politically active in her community, and still is. She has served on the Kittery Town Council, Zoning Board and Energy Committee. Herself a mother of three, Sarah is committed to environmental issues and advocacy, but says, “You don't have to be an activist to make greener choices.”
The Green Alliance
9 Walker St.
Kittery Maine 03904
www.greenalliance.biz
A few years ago, Sarah Brown, then a stay-at-home mom with a solid background in journalism, had an idea that she hoped would get small businesses involved with “going green.” As a result, Sarah formed the Green Alliance, or GA, in Kittery, whose mission is to raise the profiles of businesses that have the least impact on the environment. The GA, which Sarah founded a year-and-a-half ago, looks to achieve this goal in two ways: One, small businesses can choose to become GA “partners” by paying a yearly membership fee. In return, these business partners receive publicity on the GA website, as well as consultation from the GA staff on how to increase their green and sustainable business practices. Secondly, consumers may pay to become Green Card holders, which entitle them to exclusive discounts with the 60 (and counting) businesses that are now GA partners.
When a business signs up to become a GA business partner, there is a two-month “sustainability evaluation” and consultation process that are required. During this period, each business is rated on a sustainability report card, which can later be accessed by the public on the GA website. A GA business partner can be given one of three ratings: A Sprout (a beginner in terms of green practices), a Bud (the business has made significant strides in terms of sustainability), or a Blossom (a leader in sustainability and a true green champion). According to Sarah Brown, businesses are rated both in terms of how green their products are as well as their business practices, saying, “We work with them to look at both areas.” A consumer can then look at this report card as well as the associated “Green Story” of each business, and can discover how each company handles issues such as energy usage, recycling, use of resources, etc. Sarah says, “Our ultimate goal is to get individuals to choose businesses that have made greener choices.”
Sarah says that the GA website can become a valuable networking tool both for GA business partners and for consumers who are looking for goods or services. Sarah also says that the GA website provides specialized marketing to smaller companies that might not be able to afford it otherwise. “Some of the larger businesses hire their own sustainability coordinators,” she says. "This model is designed for small businesses. The Green Alliance can fulfill this piece.”
On the consumer side, Green Card holders make up a “consumer co-op” and for a $35.00 yearly membership fee, can save hundreds of dollars on goods and services provided by one of the GA business partners. As the Green Alliance is based in Kittery, many of these business partners are based in the Seacoast area of Kittery, York and Portsmouth. Sarah says this is changing as the word gets out. She reports that the GA website is receiving 2,000 visits per month and their online newsletter has 10,400 subscribers currently. Of the 60 GA business partners, four are based out of Greater Portland and Sarah hopes to see continued expansion in this area.
As far as the GA's own business practices, Sarah admits that they have yet to give themselves a GA report card rating. That does not mean that they are not doing their part, however, as the GA office gets by without air conditioning and recycles all paper. The GA vehicle is a Volvo Diesel, while the Assistant Director bikes to work. Before June 1, their office was based out of Sarah's home. Their new office space in Kittery contains all recycled furniture and equipment. The only new item that was purchased is the office computer, and it has an Energy Star rating.
Sarah reports that before she started the Green Alliance, she was very politically active in her community, and still is. She has served on the Kittery Town Council, Zoning Board and Energy Committee. Herself a mother of three, Sarah is committed to environmental issues and advocacy, but says, “You don't have to be an activist to make greener choices.”
The Green Alliance
9 Walker St.
Kittery Maine 03904
www.greenalliance.biz
Girl Talk says,
I think the GA is a great concept, my sister has a small, home-based direct marketing business and just recently became a member of the Green Alliance.
Nov 2, 2009 07:59 PM
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