So my very first Blog was a complete failure. However I did learn alot and I'll try and try again.
There are so many programs at Region Five that I could go on for days, so I'll try to be specific, informative and personal.
Below is an event flier for a summit being hosted by Region Five and many other groups witin the region. So I've been told a "conference" is a one day event and a "Summit" is a two day event. Thus....we're holding a Summit.
It's actually turning out to be a wonderful agenda that we are all very excited about. Some additional interesting news is that townships may have an opportunity to receive $2,500. from the Initiative Foundation to attend this Summit and other educational workshops.
This short message outlines the Initiatve Foundation opportunity:
From the Initiative Foundation:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Rural Community Development Initiative has small grants available to rural low-income communities seeking to build the capacity of elected & appointed officials and community staff . Most cities and townships in Morrison, Todd, Crow Wing, Cass and Wadena Counties would qualify for this support, which is administered by the Initiative Foundation. If you are interested in these funds -- which could be used to help cover scholarships to this conference as well as to implement any ideas your community chooses to adopt -- please contact Don Hickman (dhickman@ifound.org) or Dan Frank (dfrank@ifound.org) by April 1, 2008 so that they may assist you in processing the appropriate paperwork. Communities could send teams including planning commission/board of adjustment members, planning department staff (if applicable), City/township clerks, economic development professionals, or other volunteers, but teams must include at least one elected official. Qualifying communities may be eligible for up to $2,500 upon completion of a three-hour program orientation to be scheduled at the Initiative Foundation sometime in mid-April.
BUILD SMART SUMMIT
Focusing on central MN counties of
Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena.
When and Where:
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008, & Thursday, May 1, 2008
Madden’s on Gull Lake, Brainerd MN.
Who Should Attend:
Ø County, City and Township board and staff members.
Ø Municipality Administrators
Ø Municipality Planners & Zoning departments.
Ø Local Policy makers, local elected officials.
Ø Developers, Builders, Contractors.
Ø Architects, Engineers.
Ø Lenders
Ø Appraisers
Ø Real Estate Brokers & Sales Persons
Ø Interested general public
Architects, Engineers and other professionals who could benefit from Professional Development Hours (PDH’s) or Continuing Educational Units (CEU’s) will be given a Continuing Education Certificate upon request.
Thursday, May 1,2008: 7 hours of approved continuing education course instruction from the Department of Commerce for Realtor credit and the Department of Labor for contractor credit pending.
Why Attend:
Day 1: DISCOVERING OPPORTUNITIES IN BUILDING CONSERVATION DESIGNED COMMUNITIES WILL BE EXPLORED.
Community Development is changing at a rapid pace. Speakers will discuss why conservation development is needed, why it benefits communities and how local units of government can implement conservation design strategies. The presentation will include case studies and issues effecting water quality, downtown and residential development.
Day 2: GAIN INSIGHT OF HOW TO APPLY CONSERVATION DESIGNED CONCEPTS TO SPECIFIC PROJECTS.
With energy costs rising, consumers are seeking energy-efficient designs, materials and methods in construction of their homes and businesses. Learn more about the latest techniques for high performance design and construction, find out more about sustainable, “green” building and energy efficient design. Review local commercial low impact development project challenges and successes.
Presenters:
Nationally recognized lecturers: Randall Arendt, Patrick O’Malley, and Ed VonThoma.
State known and respected speakers: Dr. John Gulliver UMN, Don Burger MPCA
Local expert presenters: Dann Siems, Tim Ramerth, Janelle Riley, Phil Hunsicker.
Exhibitors and Give-aways:
Visit over 40 Exhibitors offering conservation related products and services including heating and cooling systems and innovative lending packages designed for “green’ building projects. In addition to other prizes, Build Smart Summit sponsors will be giving away several Building Better Homes series disc sets, featuring 6 hours of building science material valued at $295 to attendees.
Registration:
This summit is being offered for a $89.00 registration fee for both days (includes morning break and lunch) register online at http://www.regionfive.org/ or call 218.894.3233 to request mailed registration forms. Register by April 15th to reserve your space. Contact; Maddens on Gull Lake 1.800.247.1040 for lodging rates and reservations. (lodging not included in registration fee)
BUILD SMART SUMMIT Agenda:
DAY 1: Wednesday April 30th, 2008
7:30 AM – 8 AM REGISTRATION/SIGN IN
8 AM – 9 AM Continental Breakfast – visit exhibitors
9 AM – 10 AM "Going with the flow (regime): enhancing water quality by naturalizing run-off"–
10 AM – Noon Community Conservation Design Approaches– Randall Arendt
Noon – 12:45 PM Lunch and visits to exhibitors
12:45 PM – 1:45PM LID PerformanceAssessment -Dr. John Gulliver -UMN
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM Case Studies – Don Burger MPCA, City of Hanover (to be determined)
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM BLACC - Sensitive Lands Mapping - Phil Hunsicker
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Break, visit exhibitors
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM Commercial/Downtown Redevelopment – Randall Arendt
Thursday, May 1,2008: 7 hours of approved continuing education course instruction from the Department of Commerce for Realtor credit and the Department of Labor for contractor credit pending. (No energy/building, code, lead abatement, fair housing or agency law courses are offered at this event) Credit is not earned for allocated breaks
DAY 2: Thursday, May 1, 2008
9 AM – 3 PM High Performance Green Construction Overview- Parts I, II & III.
Ed VanThoma and Pat O’Mally, Building Knowledge Inc.
8 AM – 9 AM Continental Breakfast – visit exhibitors
9 am – Noon High Performance Green Construction Overview- Part I
· Introduction
· Define today’s construction industry
· What is a “Better Built, Green Construction”
· 5 min. definition of “LEED”
· Basic Building Science
Noon – 1 PM Lunch and visits to exhibitors
1 PM – 2 PM High Performance Green Construction Overview- Part II
· Issues affecting green building
· High performance building techniques
· How to conduct a structural energy audit
2 PM – 3 PM High Performance Green Construction Overview- Part III
· How to sell Green
· Developing your communication process
· Closing comments
3 PM – 3:30 PM Break, visit exhibitors
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Strategies for Low Impact Development – Tim Ramerth, Westwood
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Fairview Office Park Case Study: Costs and Benefits of sustainable Development – Janelle Riley, Syvantis Technologies
