Emerging Green Builders setting strong foundation for success

In fall 2009, a handful of college students and young professionals focused on the sustainability of the built environment, decided to put down sketchbooks and measuring tapes, and connect more with each other and established professionals. Called Emerging Green Builders, the group’s goal has been to integrate students and new professionals into the green building movement through networking, support, and knowledge transfer opportunities. “Anyone involved in the preservation of land, development of land, urban planning, construction, interior design…there are no limits as to who can be a member, so it appeals to a lot of people,” said Sarah McGovern, past co-chair and owner of Milieu Sustainable Interior Design,. Groups of the same name had formed earlier at Washington State University and the University of Idaho; however neither had seemed to show very much continuity over time. This one is based in Spokane. “The Interdisciplinary Design Institute was moving a lot of courses here, so we thought this would be a good chance to get a more consistent group going,” said McGovern. The group makes plans in the spring for an end-of-summer Member Barbeque in August, and will start regular meetings in the fall. After deciding to come together regularly, a small group of motivated, like-minded emerging professionals threw a kick-off party in January 2010. The turnout was better than expected, and drew students from Eastern Washington, Gonzaga University and WSU. Since then, the group has grown to about 35 members, typically half students and half professionals. Members pay a $20 annual fee which grants entrance to all EGB events, plus discounted or free entrance into events by other professional groups, like the Inland Northwest branch of Cascadia Green Building Council, whom they are affiliated with, and the EcoBuilding Guild, whom EGB has been co-hosting a “GreenWashing” series of lectures. Each month a new product representative is invited to the Greenwashing series to discuss their product in terms of its life cycle. Stacy Shewell, board chair since September 2010, and currently an intern with the City of Spokane, said these lectures benefit everyone. “They are meant to instigate lively discussion rather than promote a product. We want to give people the background and the tools to say, ‘Do I really think this is green? Is this really contributing to a greener planet?’” she said. Past presenters have talked about office furniture, CFL lightbulbs, movable wall systems, rammed earth construction and insulation in sustainable structures. Held at the Saranac Building and recently at Sun People Dry Goods, the lectures draw about 10-20 attendees, including non-members who pay $5, said Shewell. A light lunch is provided for attendees who register in advance. Fundraising for the EGB over the past 2 ½ years has primarily been filled with “The Boards” display at Spokane City Hall. The “very sustainable” display uses no toxic glues and consists of a movable wall system with space for six firms to sponsor in the form of a 30-by-30 self-promoting poster. The cost of a $150 for 12 months of exposure to “anyone who needs a building permit” has made the “The Boards” a popular advertising opportunity for anyone in the green building field. Events such as the Greenwashing Series, involvement with the Habitat for Humanity Building Blitz, co-hosting an annual lecture with Cascadia (in October or November, this lecture will feature presenter Diana Washington regarding on-site water treatment), and helping to promote the upcoming Biomimicry lecture during Sustainable September, have helped keep EGB in the spotlight. “I grew up in Seattle, but I want to stay here. Spokane can tend to push its young people away, which is so unfortunate,” said Shewell. “I think it’s gotten better over the past couple of years and I like to think EGB has played a role in that, at least in regards to the green building field. There’s a lot happening here to keep me engaged, it’s just finding the right opportunity.” Shewell received her master’s degree in architecture from WSU in 2008 and is hoping when her internship ends in October that the connections she’s made through her position and EGB will help her to “stay local.” McGovern, also a past WSU graduate, has owned and operated her interior design business for seven years, and says EGB has played a big role in her success. “Being a part of that group has introduced me to a whole host of people…I didn’t just get a job, I secured multiple, individual jobs with so many of the people that I connected with through EGB.”