Rebranding Update

Remember! Maryland Energy and Sustainability Coop will be launching its rebranding campaign under its new name Green Savings Coop in the very near future. Look forward to a new and improved website (greensavings.coop) and changes on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin!

Though the name is changing to collect a larger member base and emphasize the economic benefits of making sustainable choices, our mission remains the same. Our focus is on creating a community around making choices that are good for the planet and the local economy; we promote only the highest quality, environmentally responsible vendors in the area.

We hope to continue to grow and reach out to a wider range of individuals, helping us to get our message and mission spread across the area. Blog written by Rebecca Hyde, Director of Social Media at Maryland Energy and Sustianability Coop

 

Blog is written by Rebecca Hyde, Director of Social Media at Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op

Maryland Energy & Sustainability Goes to Congress!

On Thursday, June 16, Executive Director Mike Kennedy and Director of Research and Outreach, Josh Kurtz, attended a Congressional Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Expo.  As a growing local co-op, Maryland Energy and Sustainability was unique among the large scale alternative energy suppliers that mostly populated the expo, and earned positive attention and responses for the goals and mission of the organization.

Along with gaining recognition from big-name energy producers, Mike and Josh got the opportunity to network with influential political figures.  The two had a chance to talk with Roscoe Bartlett, the Representative from the 6th district of Maryland, who has been a big part of bringing to attention the issue of “peak oil” (see his message on the issue here http://bartlett.house.gov/Issues/Issue/?IssueID=2057) .

The day was a great success for Maryland Energy and Sustainability, as the co-op gained major positive recognition for its unique vision and inspiring goals.

Blog written by Rebecca Hyde, Director of Social Media at Maryland Energy and Sustainability

Upcoming Events

This Thursday, June 16, Executive Director Mike Kennedy and one of our interns will be attending the Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Expo and Forum.   This will be a great opportunity for exposure and making important contacts; we hope to earn the attention of political figures and others involved in the environmental industry while learning about other businesses with similar goals.

Shortly after, on Saturday, June 18, Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op will be hosting the Summer Solstice Fair with the Takoma Park Silver Spring Food Co-op.  This will be a great chance for individual members to come out and meet our supplier members, learn about sustainable goods and services, and get more involved with the Co-op.  The event will be takign place from 9am to 4pm at 201 Ethan Allen Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather, and we hope to see you next weekend at the Summer Solstice Fair.

 

Blog written by Rebecca Hyde, Director of Social Media at Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op

Summer off to a Great Start

With a new team of interns coming in for the summer, there are many changes in store for the Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op.  Goals for the season include improving outreach, increasing individual memberships, and gaining some great new Supplier Members.  MESC is hoping to both simplify the process of getting great discounts on local, sustainable good and grow the Co-op so that members can use these connections to their benefit.  Keep in touch by checking out Facebook, Twitter, and the newsletter!

 

Blog written by Rebecca Hyde, Director of Social Media at Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op

Co-op Continues to Grow

The Co-op continues to gain recognition as well as Members.  In the past week alone the Co-op has been accepted into Green America’s Green Business Network.  This distinction recognizes that the Co-op is “among 2011′s progressive business leaders who are solving today’s tough social and environmental problems”.

Our listing will appear soon at Greenpages.org and in the 2012 National Green Pages which is due out in the fall of 2011.

Another moment to celebrate came last week when Marriott Hotels became our newest Organization Member.  We came to an agreement and they signed up last week and to celebrate Earth Day as well as the new partnership we will be going to their headquarters on Wednesday from 11-2pm.  The co-op will have an informational table to introduce the over 1,500 Marriott employees to the Co-op and its benefits as well as present our new informational exhibit.

Co-op Gains Recognition

The Co-op will be honored by being featured in the next edition of the Cooperative Business Journal of the National Cooperative Business Association.  In addition to this distinctive honor we have also been asked to write a Green column for LiveGreen magazine.

 

Blog written by Rebecca Hyde, Director of Social Media at Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op.

Co-op Bringing in Requested Supplier Members

The Co-op had a great week last week and in response to our Member’s requests that we include Supplier Members that provide goods and services they purchase and use on a daily basis we are adding some fresh faces to the Co-op.  We have 3 commitments from new supplier members:  Evans Landscaping, Tacoma Bicycle, and the energy efficient window and door supplier Home Right Windows.  We are actively soliciting organic and green restaurants to join our organization and if our Members have any ideas or suggestions please let us know.

To submit a request for additional Supplier Members, here is the contact information for Mike Kennedy (nrgcoop@gmail.com).

 

Blog written by Rebecca Hyde, Director of Social Media at Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op.

NEW SPECIAL DISCOUNTS

The “Co-op” is offering a $50 payment to any current Member who recommends a new Supplier Member who is subsequently accepted into the Coop and $30 to any Member who is able to get a friend or other person to become a new individual coop member.

Additionally, we recently signed up two new individual Members under this deal at the event at the Mindfulness Center.

Upcoming Events and Directions for the Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op (The “Co-op”)

The past few months have seen a rapid development and expansion in the mission and vision of  Bethesda Green.  Their physical premises have expanded and the group has continued to mature, as have the individual incubator groups.  The Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op’s new goals include partnering with a community sustainable agriculture (“CSA”) program and with more suppliers of everyday goods and services that Members have expressed a need for.

Upcoming Events

1. Co-op Community Energy Fair- Saturday Mar 19 (10:30am- 2:30pm at St John’s Episcopal in Bethesda)   As part of our outreach effort to other community organizations, Maryland Energy & Sustainability is having an Energy Fair.  It’s being held in concert with Kenwood Forest HOA and sponsored by all of the Co-op suppliers, who will be exhibiting their products and services and answering questions regarding sustainability and energy.

New Direction For Maryland Energy and Sustainability CO-OP (the “Co-op”)

1. In response to its Consumer Members, the Co-op is being driven to incorporate new suppliers.  The new suppliers will represent categories and services that members purchase more often, such as food, electricians, plumbers, laundry and nutritional supplies.  Some of our new suppliers include the Mindfulness Center which offers exercise and mediation classes, Sugarloaf Mountain Winery and ZipCar. If you have any suggestions for suppliers of green goods and services, please give us a call.

Past Events for Maryland Energy and Sustainability (The “Co-op”)

While we have been out of the “blogosphere” for the past couple of months we have been busy in the real world.  Here are two of the many events that The Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op have been involved with most recently.

1. Bethesda Green Event – (Feb 12, 2011) Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op has been a tenant with Bethesda Green since its inception and are growing along with the rest of the incubator groups involved.  This was an open house event to showcase the new space generously donated by Capital One Bank, which has given Bethesda Green enough additional space to add four or five new full-time offices.  The open house was also held to demonstrate the impressive variety of its incubator businesses.
2. “Changing the way we eat” Tedx Event – (Sat Feb 12) Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op were active participants and volunteers because promoting the sustainable food movement and shifting our food system from an industrial-based system to a sustainable, healthy one which makes healthy nutritious food available to all is an aspect of our mission and what we are trying to accomplish.  It is a new direction for us and we are actively searching for a CSA supplier.                                                                                       http://www.tedxmanhattan.org/