Southwest Michigan Branch

Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Southwest branch was created in 2009 as an extension of the West Michigan Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.  With a shared mission, we intend to spread awareness of the benefits of green building practices and LEED certified buildings.  Our goal is to provide local support and resources to promote sustainable design and construction through education and collaboration. 

For further information please contact us via email,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Upcoming Events: 

MARCH 12, 2013

Green Building Tour:  Bronson Advanced Radiology Services (BARS) - LEED Certified NC 2.2.  Learn about the journey to LEED Certification and tour the final product!  

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Speakers and Tour Guides:

Jon Mulder, PE, LEED AP, Diekema Hamann
Steve VandenBussche, AIA, LEED AP, Diekema Hamann
Dan Haney, Project Manager, CSM
Tara Eaton, Property Coordinator, Bronson Properties Corporation
Josh Scheller,Director of Diagnostics, Bronson Advanced Radiology Services
Donna Ellis, Diagnostic Manager, Bronson Advanced Radiology Service

WHEN: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 5PM - 7PM

WHERE: Presentation at Diekema Hamann followed by Tour at BARS
Diekema Hamann, 612 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI  49007
BARS, 524 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI  49007 (across the street)


COST: FREE

Light appetizers and spirits provided! 

REGISTER


Thank you to our Sponsors!

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SEPTEMBER 20, 2013 

SAVE THE DATE! 12th Annual CEU/CE Marathon Day, hosted by the Southwest Michigan Chapter/American Institute of Architects and the USGBC Southwest Michigan Branch.  Once again, the CEU Marathon will have 16 courses and each hour you will be able to choose which course you would like to attend.  Each presentation will be given only once and they are totally independent from each other.  You may choose to register for the sessions in the morning, afternoon, or the full event.  This one day event is a cost-effective and efficient opportunity for you to earn up to 8 GBCI and/or AIA credits/units.

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Kalamazoo's Green Drinks - Hosted by the Southwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum every 4th Tuesday of each month, Green Drinks provides a networking opportunity with a goal of creating an ongoing community dialogue about local sustainability issues.  For more information about Green Drinks, please visit www.greendrinks.org   

Sunset Coast Green Drinks - Hosted by Great Lakes Cleaning, Inc., the Sunset Coast Green Drinks occurs every 3rdWednesday of each month in the Berrien County area.  For more information, please contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or visitwww.greendrinks.org.

Interest Circles:

Interest Circles are volunteer-driven groups that meet to exchange ideas, resources and information related to each Circle's designated focus:  Advocacy, Education, and Networking-Communications.  These meetings provide you the opportunity to brainstorm and set goals and initiatives with people who share your desire to promote sustainable development within our community.  Each Interest Circle includes one appointed and one elected volunteer who reports to the Southwest Michigan Branch Steering Committee, where activities are coordinated for communication to other members.  Anyone is welcome to participate in Interest Circles.  

  • ADVOCACY CIRCLE - Occurs the fourth Monday of every 1 month from 5:15PM until 6:30PM.  If you would like to participate in the movement to incentivise sustainable design, construction, and building practices, or for more information please contact Jack Michael via email at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

  • EDUCATION CIRCLE - The Education Circle is under development and seeking members.  This circle is responsible for bringing to our area events that offer continuing education for GBCI CEUs, general knowledge about sustainable building practices, LEED workshops, and green building tours.  For more information, please contact Steve Hassevoort via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  • NETWORKING/COMMUNICATIONS CIRCLE - The Networking/Communications Circle is under development and seeking members. If you are interested in keeping track of contacts and coordinating fun networking events, please contact Stephanie Hinman at (269) 488-3645 or via email at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

What You Can Do Immediately:  

  • Volunteer.  See events above for volunteer opportunities or contact us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

  • Explore the U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan Chapter website for updates

  • Share your interests in what you would like to see concerning LEED/Sustainable buildings in the Kalamazoo area at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  • Become a member of USGBC National or your local chapter.

  • Contribute a tax-deductible donation

  • Sponsor an event 

 

In the News: 

April 25, 2012 - "Southwest Michigan USGBC Branch Hosts AIA Accredited Course" by Lisa Naugle, Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal 

July 12, 2011 - "Southwest Michigan USGBC aims to build its presence" by Olivia Pulsinelli, Business Review West Michigan

June 2, 2009 -  "Kalamazoo aims to start USGBC branch" by Michigan Business Review. 


Contact Us:

Please feel free to contact us with any questions,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Branch Steering Committee

Stephanie Hinman LEED AP BD+C, The Hinman Company » Chair

Jack Michael LEED AP BD+C, AVB Construction » Vice Chair 

Steve Hassevoort AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, InForm Architecture » Treasurer, West Michigan Chapter Board Member and Liaison 

Shawn Parshall AIA, CDT, LEED AP, Tower Pinkster »  Secretary

Darcy Nelles-Serba, Stryker Medical

Steve Rypma, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP

Jon Rumohr EIT, LEED AP, BD+C, Tower Pinkster

Perry Hausman PE, NCEES, LEED AP, Tower Pinkster


Last Updated 2/7/2013 

 

 

Mission: To transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, in a way that improves the quality of life in West Michigan.