Tomorrow's SAL call

I was part of the brainstorming session with Nicole, so I'll get the ball rolling... - Why did you join the network? I am a member of several organizations and professional networks and what appeals to me most about this group is the shared passion for improving the built environment and the safe, collaborative space created by the principles that BG established, which allows us to share more openly than in other spaces. - What do you see as the strength(s) of the SAL network?I see both the primary strength and one of the biggest challenges of this group in the wide diversity of our firm sizes and service offerings. I think that breadth gives us opportunities to discuss many topics but also proves challenging to find similar ground across firms with very different needs. This is where I would love to see the group focus discussion and leverage our differences as a strength. - What do you want to get out of membership in the network? I would love to see our monthly meetings evolve into engaging and useful discussions/debates/sometimes also venting, around specific topics that we all grapple with. Issues around the day to day of consulting practice but also the significant challenges we also all grapple with in working to transform the building industry rapidly. I can see this particular network having even more value and intimacy than the other green building/passive house/living building/decarbonization, etc conversations we have elsewhere. - What can you contribute to the network (skills, experience)? One of the strengths I can bring is my experience and work in research and policy-advising. I believe that is where we can make the most impactful change. I love taking on research projects to move practice forward. I am also an outgoing extrovert who thrives on social interaction, misses in-person everything, and am committed to making this SAL group fun and valuable and to fill a need I have in our still-virtual reality to "see" more people! *Michelle Lambert* LEED AP BD+C / Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) / Envision SP michelle@lambertsustainability.com www.lambertsustainability.com/ 781-801-0233

Thanks for posting this - we did have this conversation once a while ago (?) can't remember when, but it would be great to see the answers folks had then (especially to see if anything has shifted, changed, evolved!) Here are my 2 cents:

1. Why did you join the network?

Because I love this community and want to be a part of it - and want also like to do anything that I can to support BG as well. My work tends to be in a different "lane" than many/most (?) of the SAL members (I do zero project-specific work, just organizational/management consulting) so I wasn't particularly expecting to get my work-specific needs met as the prime reason (although I never miss an opportunity to learn from everyone!). For me, it's mostly about community and connecting with the people I most respect and admire!

1. What do you see as the strength(s) of the SAL network?

I think the sharing of lessons learned, how to be more effective in all that we do by learning from each other, venting (group therapy!) are probably the prime strengths generally - for me, it's again, all about connecting to people in the 'choir'

1. What do you want to get out of membership in the network?

The bigger conversations/events/summits and guru list serve are really valuable to me - hearing what people are grappling with, how people are solving different problems, etc. The bigger value I get is from the network at large (related to work topics) and the SAL is my 'way in' (and again, the people!!)

1. What can you contribute to the network (skills, experience)?

Enthusiasum?! JK ...maybe what I can contribute is more related to change management and strategic approaches? Policy work, supply chain/product related info...not sure about this one but I hope I can contribute something - as relates to building projects, since I no longer touch that scale, maybe only the bigger picture firm operations and management that influences how projects are done (but not clear that this is a directly useful thing to anyone in SAL!) I sadly might have to miss tomorrow's conversation because of a project kick off - but it's not out of lack of interest! 

Hello all, Barbra, Michelle, thanks for sharing your answers to the questions. I will send my answers around too but won’t be done by end of day today. It is my goal to reengage in these meetings so you’ll see me soon, but not today unfortunately. Allison Allison Zuchman, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Amb., RA Senior Sustainability Consultant The Green Engineer | Sustainable Design Consulting D: 978.341.5464 | O: 978.369.8978 Fro

1. Why did you join the network? - FOMO.  Always was jealous of the SDL. Seems like the place where the cool kids hang out.  
2. What do you see as the strength(s) of the SAL network? - diverse bunch in terms of skills and experience
3. What do you want to get out of membership in the network? - not sure. I'm not super interested in new technical info from this group. I think we can learn about professional practice from each other and work together for advocacy.   
4. What can you contribute to the network (skills, experience)? - 1) insight into running a small business trying to be sustainable and do sustainability 2) in the weeds on standard development (LEED/ASHRAE) and can share news and info.

I'll add that the calls have conflicted with my teaching schedule this fall. I hope to be back on the calls in January. (I need to post a new picture - that one is 8 years old)

1. Why did you join the network? Being a solo practitioner, it's easy to feel isolated. This is a true network of my peers, unlike larger organizations or those with a particular slant, such as USGBC, etc.
2. What do you see as the strength(s) of the SAL network? Access to a wider view of sustainability, other than the ones in my projects. Ability to interact with leaders in the field.
3. What do you want to get out of membership in the network? Have some fun, connect with the broader community, find out trends in the field. Be in a safe space with others who are speaking truthfully. Speaking of truth, the chance to vent is a good reason too.
4. What can you contribute to the network (skills, experience)? Give a perspective of someone who works with the poorest of the poor.

Hi all, I've been quiet on this forum but I appreciate the facilitation and engagement from you all, whom I admire! I have a conflict with the call this afternoon and can't make it but appreciate the outreach. Do you mind if I go a little "meta" on the questions, I guess mostly in response to #2, and ask a "safe space" question? I looked back through the forum and didn't see this addressed. The SAL forum is unique among BG's groups in that BG both facilitates it and itself does work in this area, i.e., consulting. I'd love to get out in the open how we all (including BG) feel about this and what the intentions are. BG has earned a lot of trust to have this dual position. In my experience working at BG in the past, there was a clear role in other groups like SDL, where BG often reported on and amplified the work of that group, and used insights to develop consulting services that SDL could patronize if they chose to. I would love to increase the trust by talking about how is this the same and/or different for SAL? Thanks!

OK team, Here is my shot. (Unfortunately, can’t make the call today…) I’ve been involved with SDL in various forms for quite a while, and was excited that a group formed specifically for consultants like me. Tons of great experience and a necessarily wide view. Also, because of the range of work types, this crew touches a very wide range of projects. I totally agree about having fun. Also, connection to the cross-group activities in the larger group. And finally, it just nice to share experiences with folks who work in a similar way. I have a lot of experience with deeply regenerative project definition, and I am just up for working together. peace jim Jim Newman | Principal Linnean Solutions Cambridge, MA | Portland, ME www.linneansolutions.com (617) 699-7323

1. Why did you join the network? Connecting with likeminded professionals, an opportunity to continue the conversation and inspiration year round, as opposed to once-a-year at Greenbuild. 
2. What do you see as the strength(s) of the SAL network? The people who make up the network are its strength. I do think there is benefit to more inter-network collaboration and conversation, SAL, SDL, SCL. 
3. What do you want to get out of membership in the network? Insights and inspiration, candid conversations around topics important to sustainable advising leaders, network building and (did somebody else mention) fun!

I totally agree with everything others have said!  Adding a few additional thoughts here:

1. Why did you join the network? A mentor and colleague invited me to  join the SDL networkand after attending the summer summit I was hooked for life!!! When I changed from a medium-sized to a small architecture firm three months ago I shifted into the SAL network.
2. What do you see as the strength of the SAL network? The network of intelligent, likeminded people working toward the same goals.  The architecture profession can be very competitive and it’s so refreshing to be part of a community that is so willing to share knowledge and expertise.
3. What do you want to get out of the membership in the network? In addition to learning and having fun, this is a platform for collective action. For example, the working groups, political activism, and speaking opportunities that arise from this group inspire and motivate me every day.
4. What can you contribute to the network? Maybe some perspective on the early design role as that has been my focus for most of my career until now.

Looking forward to upcoming conversations on this topic! Rushyan

1. Why did you join the network?  To learn from others and help advance the industry quicker and better and build relationships while doing it.
2. What do you see as the strength(s) of the SAL network?  Hearing from others from different scale firms
3. What do you want to get out of membership in the network? learn how we can all do our work more effectively. 10 year sprint on solving climate change.
4. What can you contribute to the network (skills, experience)?  I have many years as a consultant, but I have amazing staff too doing great work that are not part of the network...and I like the idea of bringing some key colleagues in... for knowledge sharing and knowledge gaining..

In case anyone else was curious about this, I asked @Nadav about the "safe space" question I asked above as far as BuildingGreen competing with SAL organizations. He replied: "We don’t have a clearly formulated policy on that. I try to maintain some awareness of when we might have a conflict of interest with our facilitator role, and be transparent about it when it comes up." thanks Nadav!