The Green Building Professionals Guilds (GBPGs) are a venue for building professionals to receive green building education and training and share their first-hand experiences with green products and practices. 

The Guild meetings can also help Certified Green Building Professionals (CGBPs), who have completed a green building certification course through Build It Green, receive continuing education units (CEUs) for recertification. 

Upcoming Meetings and Registration: 

• South Bay
• East Bay
• North Bay
• San Francisco

Benefits of Participation

• Learn about cutting edge green building practices, products & technologies
• Share your experiences with other building professionals
• Network with fellow green building professionals
• Earn CEUs for CGBP recertification

Requirements for becoming an Affiliate

Participation in the Guild is available to anyone who works in the building industry or another industry that helps support the market for green building. Build It Green Company Membership is encouraged but not required.

--> Apply online to become a Build It Green Member

Chapter and Meeting Information

Build It Green currently supports four Guilds in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Each chapter meets monthly, and affiliates are welcome to attend meetings in any region regardless of their place of work.

Green Building Professionals Guilds are administered and implemented by Build It Green, and rely on available funding and staff resources.

We are currently only able to support four regional Guilds. If you are interested in having a Guild in other regions in California, you are welcome to contact Michele@BuildItGreen.org to begin a dialogue. We will, however, not be able to organize a new Guild chapter until new funding and staff resources come available. Build It Green cannot support, or sanction with the Build It Green name, independently organized guilds, though you may apply for independent meetings to qualify for Certified Green Building Professional CEUs. 

Upcoming Guild Meetings and Registration:

SOUTH BAY

Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Topic: GreenPoint Rated Existing Homes: An Up-Close and Personal Presentation

Description:  In this presentation, you will hear about the GreenPoint Rated Existing Homes Program from three perspectives: Program Administrator, GreenPoint Rater as well as the Builder.  Learn more about this unique third-party rating system for existing homes, as well as the process for going through the rating.  Both GreenPoint Rater and the Builder will share their experiences, lessons learned, benefits, opportunities and challenges on a Palo Alto retrofit project.

Speakers:  Tenaya Asan, Build It Green; Mark Walter, Peter Lyon General Contractor,Inc.; Kevin Beck, Building Performance Services

Tenaya Asan brings 30 years of experience in the residential construction industry to her position as the Program Manager of the GreenPoint Rated program.  She uses her construction knowledge, management capabilities and collaborative abilities to direct this rapidly expanding program.  Tenaya has been a key strategist and manager in the development of the GreenPoint Rated Existing Home rating system, the first of its kind in the nation.  She is responsible for overseeing rater training and certification; quality assurance for rated projects; providing education and support to builders, raters, designers and others; and developing program protocols and procedures.  

Mark Walter is the Production Manager in charge of all construction activities for Peter Lyon General Contractor, Inc., which specializes in custom residential remodeling and is a certified green contractor. He joined the firm 6 years ago as a Field Superintendent and oversaw award winning projects leading to the NARI Contractor of the Year Region 7 for 2006.  He has been involved in many areas of the construction industry -- from being a supervisor for a commercial interiors construction company in Toronto, Canada to running his own cabinet shop in Morgan Hill, CA which evolved into a full time career in residential remodeling. Mark enrolled in the Construction Management program at San Jose State University School of Professional Development and after finishing the management program, he pursued his career by joining with Peter Lyon and his vision of a better world through green building which has brought him back to his roots as an activist student during the 60’s      

Kevin Beck is a third generation home builder with over twenty five years of residential construction experience.  Kevin’s company, Building Performance Services, is a leading Green Building and Home Performance Consulting firm here in the Bay area dedicated to helping architects, builders, and homeowners make homes more comfortable, healthier, safer, durable, and more energy efficient.  Kevin is proud to be a member of NARI, Build it Green, CABEC, and RESNET.  He is a Home Performance with Energy Star Consultant, a BPI certified Building Analyst/Heating/ and Shell specialist,  a GreenPoint Rater for new and existing homes, a HERS Rater, a LEED Rater, and a Certified Energy Plans Examiner.

Presentation Team:  Michele Brown, Build It Green

Certified Green Building Professional CEU Value:
1.5 - Subject Area: General

Time:
5:00-5:15 Sign In
5:15-5:30 Networking Exercise
5:30-6:30 Topic Presentation
6:30-7:00 Open Discussion

Place: Harrell Remodeling, 1954 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View (Google Map) - Cross Street: Rengstorff.

Cost:
$15 /Build It Green Members
$20 /Non-Members
The admission includes a light meal; those choosing not to eat still are required to pay the meeting fee.

Registration:  Pre-registration is required to guarantee a seat. REGISTER NOW ONLINE or call 510-845-0472 ext. 105 by noon on Friday, July 3, 2009.

Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be given for cancellations or no-shows due to our limited venue capacity. Registered attendees can transfer their credit to another colleague (i.e. go in their place) for the same Guild Meeting - not for another Guild Meeting.

For further information: please see the South Bay Guild webpage on the Build It Green website.

THANKS TO OUR SOUTH BAY GUILD SPONSORS:

  

      

 

EAST BAY

Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Topic:  The Flame Retardant Dilemma: Keeping Buildings Safe without Toxic Chemicals

Description: Halogenated Flame Retardants are used in hundreds of building products. Many of these flame retardants are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic—some having health effects similar to PCBs and PBBs which were banned in the 1970s. While manufacturers recently phased out two of these chemicals, many others continue to be incorporated into building products including foam insulation, electronics housings, upholstery foam and textiles.   

In this presentation, we will present our current understanding of the extent of halogenated flame retardants use in building products and the environmental and health impacts of these chemicals. We will also discuss the history of halogenated flame retardant use in building products and the fire codes and economics driving their use.

Following this presentation, we will lead a “questions and answers” looking for safer ways to meet fire safety needs.    

Speakers: Cate Leger, Leger Wanaselja Architecture; Jennifer Roberts, author;  Alex Madonik, PhD chemist and Green Science Policy Institute Consultant; and Brendon Levitt, Loisos + Ubbelohde 

Cate has focused on green architecture since she began her graduate work at U.C. Berkeley. While at Berkeley, she was awarded several fellowships including ones from the American Institute of Architects and the American Association of University Women. She also taught undergraduate design as a teaching assistant. She worked at William McDonough Architects and Sim Van Der Ryn Architects, leaders in ecological design, before joining Wanaselja Architecture. She received a Master of Architecture degree from U.C. Berkeley in 1994 and her California Architecture License in 1999. She received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Tufts University. She lectures regularly in the Bay Area on the firm's work and ecological design. Prior to graduate school, Cate spent five years in Washington, D.C. as an environmental advocate working for nonprofits, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Congress. Her expertise was in pollution prevention and water quality protection.

Jennifer is the author of Good Green Kitchens, Redux and Good Green Homes. She is a writer, lecturer and consultant specializing in ways in which we can improve our environment and enrich our lives by building better buildings. Her writings about green buildings and green living have appeared in dozens of publications including Dwell, The Financial Times, San Francisco Business Times, Professional Builder, Martha Stewart Omnimedia’s Body + Soul and This Old House.

Dr. Alex Madonik did doctoral and post-doctoral research on organometallic chemistry before working for over twenty years in the life sciences / medical device industry, where he helped to develop, launch, and manufacture reagent kits for automated genetic analysis.  His experience includes risk assessment, mitigation, and the preparation of safety labeling for chemical products used in the life sciences.  He currently serves as a consultant to the Green Science Policy Institute.

Brendon is a licensed architect and LEED Accredited Professional with Loisos + Ubbelohde.  As a firm, Loisos + Ubbelohde combines significant experience in high-performance international commercial and institutional projects with climate-responsive residential design in California.  The firm's expertise in software development and advanced computer simulations enables their work on ultra low-energy building systems, lighting, and occupant comfort.
Mr. Levitt writes and lectures on sustainable design and the synthesis of contemporary culture, human comfort, and new technology.  He teaches design studios and lectures on construction technology at the California College of the Arts.

Presentation Team: Cate Leger, Leger Wanaselja Architecture; Jennifer Roberts, author

Certified Green Building Professional CEU Value:
1.5 - Subject Area: IAQ/Materials

Time:
5:30-5:45 Sign In & Networking
5:45-6:00 Networking Exercise
6:00-7:30 Topic Presentation
7:30-8:00 Open Discussion

Place: Truitt & White Conference Room, 1817 Second St., Berkeley (Google Map) - Cross Street: Hearst.

Cost:
$15 /Build It Green Members
$20 /Non-Members
The admission includes a light meal; those choosing not to eat still are required to pay the meeting fee.

Registration:  Pre-registration is required to guarantee a seat. REGISTER NOW ONLINE or call 510-845-0472 ext. 105 by noon on Monday, June 29, 2009.

Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be given for cancellations
or no-shows due to our limited venue capacity. Registered attendees can
transfer their credit to another colleague (i.e. go in their place) for
the same Guild Meeting - not for another Guild Meeting.

For further information: please see the East Bay Guild webpage on the Build It Green website.

THANKS TO OUR EAST BAY GUILD SPONSORS:

  

 

NORTH BAY

Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Topic: Deconstruction

Description:  This presentation will feature Ted Reiff, the founder of The ReUse People (TRP) with an introduction by Jon Mitguard.  Jon will talk about specific experience he has reusing lumber accompanied with photographs, touching on the some realities good and bad of the process. He has used purchased lumber from salvage operations and salvaged lumber from his home for reuse.

Ted will go over the role of TRP in deconstruction and describe its’ four integrated programs: 1) actively salvaging and recycling building materials obtained through deconstruction, 2) training contractors around the country in deconstruction methods, 3) selling and distributing reusable materials at TRP warehouses and other outlets, and 4) providing consulting and project-management services to federal, state and local governments as well as developers and contractors of large-scale projects.

Speakers: Ted Reiff, The Reuse People; Jon Mitguard, Aurora Building Performance

The ReUse People of America (TRP) is a nonprofit environmental agency whose mission is to reduce the solid waste stream and change the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and providing them for reuse.  Prior to founding TRP in 1993, Ted was managing partner with an investment banking firm that provided financial services to young technology companies. Now, in addition to guiding TRP’s national expansion program, he consults with private companies and government bodies on a variety of demolition and waste diversion projects. A graduate of Ohio State University and a licensed demolition contractor, Ted served three terms as board president of I Love a Clean San Diego and is an advisor to Urban Habitat Chicago.

Jon Mitguard founded Aurora Building Performance in San Rafael to provide GreenPoint and Hers Rating, Energy consulting and home performance analysis. This new company is rooted in his long term quest to provide guidance to a sustainable future. Receiving a degree in environmental studies emphasizing energy design and management Sonoma State university in 1991, Jon went on to work in Title 24 energy consulting  and wind resource analysis. Prior and concurrent to these career paths Mitguard is also recognized as a journeyman cabinet and furniture maker, and was on the quest for sustainable lumber well before there was an FSC.  

Presentation Team: Jon Mitguard, Aurora Building Performance; Eric Rogers, Wagstaff Architects

Certified Green Building Professional CEU Value:
1.5 - Subject Area: IAQ/Materials

Time:
5:00-5:15 Sign In & Networking
5:15-5:30 Networking Exercise
5:30-6:30 Topic Presentation
6:30-7:00 Open Discussion

Place:  Marin Builders Association, 660 Las Galinas Ave., San Rafael (Google Map)   

Cost:
$15 /Build It Green Members
$20 /Non-Members
The admission includes a light meal; those choosing not to eat still are required to pay the meeting fee. 

Registration:  Pre-registration is required to guarantee a seat. REGISTER NOW ONLINE or call 510-845-0472 ext. 105 by noon on Monday, July 6, 2009.

Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be given for cancellations
or no-shows due to our limited venue capacity. Registered attendees can
transfer their credit to another colleague (i.e. go in their place) for
the same Guild Meeting - not for another Guild Meeting.

For further information: please see the North Bay Guild webpage on the Build It Green website.

THANKS TO OUR NORTH BAY GUILD SPONSORS:

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO 

Date:  Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Topic:  Does Going Green Get You Green?  Understanding Valuation and Appraisal

Description: Green residential construction is on the rise and everyone wants to know what kind of advantage a green home has on the marketplace. Due to economies of scale, the data indicating higher rental and sale premiums for commercial green buildings is easier to come by, but there is mounting evidence in the residential sector indicating the definitive advantage of a green home. What are the trends in residential green building and how does that affect the sale price of a green home? What's the return on investment for green upgrades and certifications? These questions and more will be addressed as we examine the value of green in a struggling housing market.

Callista's real estate specialty is in the area of green design/build for remodel and new-build, and keeping track of market conditions and innovations to advise existing homeowners, prospective sellers and buyers to make the most of their real estate investments.  She is a REALTOR®, and certified EcoBroker, Green Building Professional, NAR Green Designee, and EcoGreen Marin trained professional.  Since early childhood, she has been getting an education in the planning, design and build industries as several generations up both sides of the family tree have made their living in the Building sector and Real Estate profession across the U.S.  Callista has good instincts for gaining valuable and relevant, current market information to inform the process of purchasing or selling a property, and this helps clients to make smart decisions.  

Tiffany spent two and a half years working for Green Key Real Estate studying the various trends in the green building market place. As a student working towards a degree Human Ecology at College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, Tiffany worked with the San Francisco Department of the Environment in the Residential and Commercial Green Building Program. She aided in compiling the research that enabled San Francisco to launch the first permit expediting program for LEED Gold New Construction projects.  Tiffany has also studied the impacts of development and various building practices in rural and urban communities all over the world and is deeply committed to increasing the number of environmentally sound buildings available to residents in across the country. She was a member of Build It Green's Real Estate Council and Steering Committee and spearheaded the initiative that resulted in adding green building amenities and rating systems such as GreenPoint Rated and LEED onto the Multiple Listing Service in San Francisco.  She is currently finishing her degree and is seeking out other employment prospects. 

Presentation Team:  Michele Brown, Build It Green

Certified Green Building Professional CEU Value:
1.5 - Subject Area: General

Time:
5:30-5:45 Sign In & Networking
5:45-6:00 Networking Exercise
6:00-7:00 Topic Presentation
7:00-7:30 Open Discussion

Place:  SF Environment, 11 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA  (Google Map) 

Cost:
$15 /Build It Green Members
$20 /Non-Members
The admission includes a light meal; those choosing not to eat still are required to pay the meeting fee. 

Registration:  Pre-registration is required to guarantee a seat. REGISTER NOW ONLINE or call 510-845-0472 ext. 105 by noon on Monday, July 13, 2009.

Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be given for cancellations
or no-shows due to our limited venue capacity. Registered attendees can
transfer their credit to another colleague (i.e. go in their place) for
the same Guild Meeting - not for another Guild Meeting.

For further information: please see the San Francisco Guild webpage on the Build It Green website.

THANKS TO OUR SAN FRANCISCO GUILD SPONSORS: