Green Guru Network

The Green Team Spirit Gives Back program is in full swing at YWCA-Yonkers! As the grand prize contest winner, YWCA-Yonkers won a $2,500 package of consulting services and information products from Green Team Spirit.  Here's what we've done so far:

- Held a leadership consultation with senior staff.
- Arranged a free, professional energy audit.
- Performed a 2-year baseline sustainability assessment.
- Held an exciting Green Team kick-off event where great ideas were shared and 40+ people signed up for the Green Team!

Green Team members represent the entire YWCA-Yonkers community including staff, residents, parents, young children, young adults, as well as members of the Yonkers City Council and neighboring community organization, Greyston. They are enthusiastic and ready to work together to make their YWCA as green as could be. Green Team meetings and module trainings are scheduled for January 2013.

Many thanks to our contest sponsor ECOBAGS for their support and generous donation of reusable bags to Green Team members.

Westchester Green Business Challenge helps local businesses develop green strategies saving money, energy and reducing ecological footprint. The program is non competitive and scores are kept confidential. The goal is to give businesses a check list of actions that will lead to more sustainable operations.

Each year the WGBC awards outstanding groups for their progress and participation. This year's awards were held at The Edith Macy Center in Briarcliff Manor. Winners include 

Renee Brown of C.W. Brown was presented with the first annual Sustainability Award. This new annual award has been set up in the memory of the company's founder, Charlie Brown. 

Other top award winners:

• Platinum Sponsor Award - Con Edison
• Bronze Sponsor Award - Reckson
• Bronze Sponsor & 2012 Greatest Progress Award - Pernod Ricard
• Outstanding Achievement in Outreach Category - Regeneron
• Outstanding Achievement in Energy Category - Jacob Burns Film Center
• Outstanding Achievement in Waste Management & Green Products Category - Dragonfly Hair Studio
• Outstanding Achievement in Transportation Category - SUNY Purchase
• Outstanding Achievement in Land Use Category - Edith Macy Conference Center
• Outstanding Achievement in Water Resources Category - New York Presbyterian Hospital

County Executive Robert Astorino and Business Council of Westchester President and CEO Marsha Gordon were both on hand for the 2nd annual recognition event.

See the Video

What did this event look like? Check out the Photo Gallery.

Who's the team developing this program? Dani Glaser of Green Team Spirit, Neil Cutler of Synergis, and Scott Fernqvist of Westchester County.