Open networking time via Zoom

Nadav - I love this idea. I've got a conflict tomorrow, but if you do it again in the future I'll definitely join in. 

Hi Nadav – looking forward to the call this afternoon. One of the questions, my firm is wondering about is intern programs for the summer. I’m hoping anyone joining the call can share what their firms are doing vis a vis moving forward with them this summer. Talk to you this afternoon. Lois Fro

Hi Everyone, A friendly reminder that this Open Networking Call is happening today at 3:30pm ET (12:30pm PT)!   Topic: Peer Networks - Connection in the Virtual World Time: Mar 19, 2020 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/659989043  Meeting ID: 659 989 043 One tap mobile +19292056099,,659989043# US (New York) +13126266799,,659989043# US (Chicago) Dial by your location         +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)         +1 301 715 8592 US         +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)         +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)         +1 253 215 8782 US Meeting ID: 659 989 043 Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aHIFStH25   

Nadav volunteered me to share my notes on today’s call since I asked specifically for people to share their firms’ perspective on hiring interns this summer. So here they are. I am certain I missed some comments that I hope those of you on the call with add in. No firms or names are referenced to maintain our continued safe space. Tipping my virtual hat to you all. Lois My Notes. Please excuse a few moments of humor I added in italics. Thanks to you all for sharing. It’s privilege to share time with you, even if it’s only virtually. What are our colleagues’ firms doing about intern programs for 2020? In response to worries over interns not being able to be mentored/supervised in person in this time of virtual workplaces, it was suggested to think differently about the assignments given to interns. We all say we don’t have enough time for research. This may be the time to build research resources with interns. One firm has cancelled all new interviews and are not currently hiring any new staff including interns. With university classes cancelled, interns are approaching firms to start internships early. If a firm is providing shared housing for interns and bringing them together, is it responsible given the shelter in place orders to bring them together? A few firms expressed concern over new employees with H1B visas. When new employees are on the list of first to be let go and they hold these visas, they lose not only their incomes, but also their right to stay in the country. One firm had four Chinese citizens go home to China for the New Year’s Festivities. Two of the four who went didn’t make it back to the States and are stranded in China. The firm’s lawyers are working to reinstate their visas at the firm’s cost, but there is no certainty they will be successful. On another note, the firm, located in Boston, deactivated everyone’s key fobs to force their employees to stay home after a WFH order had been issued. (way to make a statement about staying home!) One of the SCL firms stated their company won’t bring on any interns in light of the current situation. They are also worried about jobsites shutting down. The sub-contracted are immediately laying off employees so they can get unemployment benefits. Their worry is that it will take some time to re-mobilize when the time comes, with a disbanded workforce. An MEP firm located in the Midwest, is watching what’s happening on the coasts. They have year long interns, so their program is still up and running. To date, about 70% of their personnel is still reporting to the office. One firm that has offices around the world also has 3 offices in China where they are slowly coming back to work while the rest of the offices around the world hunker down. (Maybe there’s lessons to learn on the backside of the curve that can be shared in future?) One firm made an estimate that since WFH is 20 to 30% less productive than working in the office. Hoping to improve. Also recommended, REHVA.eu for a guide on how to design and operate buildings to mitigate the spread of airborne viruses. Another firm had to double their VPN licenses when their San Francisco office joined their Seattle office in the need to WFH. Fortunately, the downtime during expansion was reported as only a short blip and they are now up and running. Those firms with interiors practices have a greater need to be in the office to be close to physical samples during material selection. Perhaps the most challenged participant in WFH, is one member who lives in a 450 square foot apartment with his wife, two children AND 2 dogs – all of whom are now sheltering in place. (This person needs a round of applause Or a vacant apartment down the block?) For this person’s firm, interns are an important part of their hiring practices. He liked the suggestion another SL member offered of rehiring interns who have previous experience with the firm. How are firms coping with bringing together virtual communities? 5 minute virtual check ins, in the morning. Virtual happy hour. Lunch via zoom where everybody watches everyone else eat lunch. More frequent one on one check ins. From: Nadav Malin

Thanks for the summation, Lois, and Nadav for setting up. I appreciate being part of the network and hearing how you all are responding to this rapidly changing situation. I had a client yesterday ask about how HVAC systems design may be changing as a response to dealing with virus spread, so there will certainly be more discussion and guidance coming from industry organizations in the future. I thought this document from the REHVA link Luke mentioned was interesting. Essentially summarizing:

• Minimal HVAC recirculation and energy recovery, more exhaust and outside air ventilation.
• Noting that humidification and duct cleaning don't have significant effects on this particular family of infectious diseases. 
• Increased change-outs of outdoor air filters isn't required or effective.
• Room air cleaners with HEPA filter efficiency are somewhat effective, though unfortunately, most attractively priced room air cleaners are not effective enough. Devices that use electrostatic filtration principles often work quite well too.
• Flush toilets with closed lids (always good advice anyway).

I'd love to hear anyone's feedback on air cleaner capabilities as a response to this coronavirus or other airborne viruses also. We utilize UV-C lamps and are also testing several Aerus Scrubbers in our building. Other manufacturers who have contacted me recently include AtmosAir and Airius. Probably something we should take up in future LEED EQ TAG discussions... 

  Hi all, Nadav (and co) thank you for setting this up, and Lois thanks for the helpful notes. Sorry I had to miss (needed to get my four year old outside to burn off some sillies)...but looking forward to joining future sessions. A few thoughts: 1. Sarah - I can't speak to air cleaner capabilities but a good person to talk to might be Dr Stephanie Taylor (Harvard-trained physician who returned to do an M.Arch to better understand health impacts of the built environment; and now consults at the intersection of architectural design, indoor air management, the microbiome of the built environment and occupant health) - contact info here.   I caught a presentation of hers at INTEGRAL last month and she noted that for most pathogens 40%RH was the sweet-spot (i.e. best for humans worst for pathogens). According to the REHVA article, it sounds like SARS-CoV-2 virus is different...but something to consider for future - both re: optimal ranges and integrating understanding of these systemic relationships into our collective best practices (where not already).   2. While focusing on immediate containment and triage is..and needs to be front of mind, revaluation of the importance of health and the agency of design (in relation) also presents a significant opportunity for shifting paradigms in both practice and pedagogy.  I'm curious as to thoughts re most effective ways to leverage opportunities to catalyze these transformations. Some thoughts for collective upgrading:

• Codes: cataloging recommended code upgrades re designing for human health, planetary health, resilience ->regeneration, to prepare (rebrand) attempts at critical policy reforms.May get more traction in new light 

 

• ConEd: I recently learned that (in Canada) our provincial regulators (at least in BC) can unilaterally mandate specific content areas and hrs allocations for ConEd. I.e. could require ALL registered architects in their jurisdiction to complete certain % of hours (50...80%...+) be on designing for planetary health / regeneration. I was told the barrier to doing this tomorrow was available content. Poppycock! Eager to share notes re tapping into existing available course / content...and to capture the exponential increase in great digital content going on now. If a living clearing house doesn't already exist, great to create one!
• Ed: great to do the same for post secondary curricula content. I recall someone had started a googlesheet for a related effort but I forget the specific focus (sustainability broadly?) If this is already working, great to amplify!

 

• Research: with more time for it, great to leverage both our diversity and our unique super powers as a community to do it in a coordinated way. Maybe this is already happenings via AIA's research agenda or other informal mechanisms (?) but flagging as it is not happening in Canada. If its working in the US, love to hear how. If not yet, would be great to have a research workshop jam with this group to help focus / amplify collective efforts...?

• Mindsets: a big Donealla Meadows' fan, I use her leverage points for systemic change as a go-to filter for prioritizing efforts. The above touch on 4 of her top 5 (or 5 of her top 6). Most powerful lever though is mindsets. Implicitly this is addressed - for our community of practice - via shifts in eduction, but how can we do this for the public more broadly?  Another go-to filter I've been using lately is one from James Clear's Atomic Habits (small changes with big impacts); in it he describes 4 laws of behaviour change: make it obvious, make it easy, make it attractive, make it meaningful.  I feel like another key area of 'downtime' focus is how we help the broader public connect the dots - i.e. making it obvious, easy, beautiful and inspiring to:

a) understand the interdependence between our individual and collective actions, health of living systems that sustain us, and health of the relationships between them and the critical agency of the design of our environments in 'hurting or healing' them; and b) to do the same for empowering inclusive and equitable (J.E.D.I) participation in shaping them. Some friends and I are working on interwoven Design for Future storying campaigns:

• Goodnight Stories for Rebels (inspiring stories of transformative changes made / in progress)
• Love Letters for / from Turtle Island (to tap back into the magic and wonder of our natural places and equitably integrate indigenous ways of knowing and being)
• Future Tales for Mother Earth (speculative imaginings believing that to realize a different future we must first imagine it...and then design it...together, so it works for us all) 

I could imagine cross referencing  with AIA's Design for ____ FFDE categories.  Any / all ideas valued!  

• Living Wage: with many (especially those living with sharper margins) on the verge of lack of work, income, I've been musing about launching a transdiciplinary Design for Future challenge - explicitly on designing for planetary health (ie human + ecological). I run a small non profit and we have some (very small) funds we could kick in...but with more support from additional sources (i.e. AIA, RAIC, Architecture Centres, Design Foundations, large firms with thicker margins, etc) we could grow the pot. Instead of a winners-takes-all prize model, ideally structuring it in a way that is more equitable - still rewarding standout proposals, but investments structured to support broader capacity-building. I.e. maybe each school / AIA Chapter involved has a 'highest potential' project (shifted language from 'winner') - or one in each category; and funding goes to advance that /those projects. These could then be managed / creative-directed by the authoring team, but all who submitted proposals could apply to work on them for living wage.  

...Ok LOTS of kinks that would need to be worked out, but I think there is huge value in using this 'down time' to invest in collaborative innovation - an investment in hope, community capacity-building, and the value of design and design leadership to play a pivotal role in the future we want to see, with potential to shift mindsets and shared futures.  Thoughts?   Looking forward to next convos and wishing you all health and resilience in the interim! warmly, J   jennifer cutbill, architect AIBC FRAIC LEED GA | she / her _{principal | lateral agency c 604.368.1980 | www.lateralagency.ca #ArchitectsDeclare  |  #StandwithGreta  |   #StandwithWetsuweten  |  #DesignforFuture The lands on which I live, work and play are the unceded (i.e. stolen) indigenous territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and  sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh) peoples. With an open heart I seek to listen, to learn, and to do good work so we can, together, restore right relations and regenerate our capabilities to be ever better stewards of all that is local - now and for future generations.}        

Regarding REHVA publication, note they mentioned below 30% RH is not good, also from Jennifer, the recommended RH is 40-60% (originated from Sterling's paper 1985!!).  The claim from REHVA paper that Europe will rise above 30% RH because of spring is a bit generic.  In reality, it varies pending on horizontal location and vertical elevation. AERUS and ATMOSAIR have ionization, which may create ozone, interesting that AERUS has an option with no ozone.  We also look at AIROCIDE (https://airocide.com/pages/technology#owl-quote-2), they claimed no ozone will be generated, but unlike AERUS which has a chart, not sure how long and how much it will clean the air. Moving from MERV 8 (common in office building) to MERV 13 helps, but cannot eliminate all C19.  See attached, if interested in how much it helps.  

Hello Green Gurus! We have a next Peer Networks connection call on the calendar for this Wednesday March 25th, 3pm ET (Noon PT). I updated the Zoom logistics so hopefully it can remain the same call details each time, here are the links you'll need for this Wednesday. See you online! Topic: PN Community Call
Time: Wed. March 25th 3pm ET (Noon PT) Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/435517305 Meeting ID: 435 517 305 One tap mobile
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+13126266799,,435517305# US (Chicago) Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
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        +1 253 215 8782 US
        +1 301 715 8592 US
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 435 517 305
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aHIFStH25   

I have a SDLS tomorrow at 1pm, is that not happening or moved to this Wednesday meeting?

There is indeed our regular monthly SDL for Small Firms (SDLS) call tomorrow at 1pm. The call on Wednesday is a cross-network convening of all peer network members who would like to connect in this time of current challenges posed by COVID-19. Jerelyn

We talked yesterday with Dr. Stephanie Taylor, the tireless proponent of 40-60%RH and who sits on ASHRAE committees, and she says that today or tomorrow ASHRAE committee is meeting and will be changing its position, and will issue statement and say 40-60%RH!

Tirelessness prevails (with a dash of pandemic-induced active listening). Thanks for sharing Donald.

Hello Green Gurus! Tomorrow, Thurs. April 2nd, 3pm ET (12pm PT) will be the next open networking call. Going forward, we have set this up to be a weekly call happening each Thursday at this time. That way we can all have it on our calendars and pop-in when time allows. Looking forward to seeing you on the calls!  Here are the Zoom call details: BuildingGreen Team is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: ALL PN Networking Call
Time: Apr 2, 2020 3PM ET (12pm PT)
        Every week on Thur., here's the next handful of dates:
        Apr 2, 2020 03:00 PM
        Apr 9, 2020 03:00 PM
        Apr 16, 2020 03:00 PM
        Apr 23, 2020 03:00 PM
        Apr 30, 2020 03:00 PM
        May 7, 2020 03:00 PM
        May 14, 2020 03:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/435517305 Meeting ID: 435 517 305 One tap mobile
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+13126266799,,435517305# US (Chicago) Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
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        +1 253 215 8782 US
        +1 301 715 8592 US
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 435 517 305
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aHIFStH25   

We just posted the below blog talking about how climate-responsive analysis combined with careful HVAC RH control to 40-60% can help reduce contagion, while also helping patients fight lung congestion.  We are hoping the research that is out there helps ASHRAE move the needle on tighter indoor hospital space criteria while also putting pressure on building envelopes to perform better across climate zones.  https://www.smithgroup.com/perspectives/2020/climate-informed-hvac-increases-in-relative-humidity-may-fight-pandemic-viruses

Hello Green Gurus! Tomorrow, Thurs. April 9th, 3pm ET (12pm PT) will be the next open networking call.  Here are the Zoom call details: BuildingGreen Team is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: ALL PN Networking Call
Time: Apr 9, 2020 3PM ET (12pm PT)         Every week on Thur., here's the next handful of dates:
        Apr 9, 2020 03:00 PM
        Apr 16, 2020 03:00 PM
        Apr 23, 2020 03:00 PM
        Apr 30, 2020 03:00 PM
        May 7, 2020 03:00 PM
        May 14, 2020 03:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/435517305 Meeting ID: 435 517 305 One tap mobile
+19292056099,,435517305# US (New York)
+13126266799,,435517305# US (Chicago) Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US
        +1 301 715 8592 US
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 435 517 305
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aHIFStH25 

I’m so sorry I missed the session today! This is great. I’ve been playing with Mindmeister, and we are using it for our virtual Earth day. I’m curious how the session went for people using the tool for the first time? Some of our folks needed more hand-holding at the beginning than I had hoped, but possibly because we were trying to add images, videos etc. Heather DeGrella AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador, EAC-PS, | sustainable design director, senior associate | she / her / hers | opsis architecture LLP | o:503.525.9511 d:503.943.6228 | www.opsisarch.com Opsis remains committed to our clients and projects and will continue working throughout the COVID-19 emergency through remote locations and tools. Due to our office closure, please use cell phones or email as the primary contact and note that we will conduct meetings online wherever possible. Updates to our office status or policies will be posted here. From:

Hello Green Gurus! Here's a reminer for today's open networking call at 3pm ET (12pm PT). Here are the Zoom call details: BuildingGreen Team is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: ALL PN Networking Call
Time: Apr 16, 2020 3PM ET (12pm PT) Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/435517305 Meeting ID: 435 517 305 One tap mobile
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+13126266799,,435517305# US (Chicago) Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US
        +1 301 715 8592 US
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 435 517 305
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aHIFStH25 

Hello Green Gurus! Here's a reminer for today's open networking call at 3pm ET (12pm PT). --- Stay tuned to the forum after today's call for an update on the schedule of these calls! We're going to try making these calls happen alterinating Tuesdays and Thursdays to allow more options for jumping on for folks! --- Here are the Zoom call details for today: BuildingGreen Team is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: ALL PN Networking Call
Time: Apr 30, 2020 3PM ET (12pm PT) Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/435517305 Meeting ID: 435 517 305 One tap mobile
+19292056099,,435517305# US (New York)
+13126266799,,435517305# US (Chicago) Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US
        +1 301 715 8592 US
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 435 517 305
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aHIFStH25 

Hello Green Gurus! As mentioned earlier, we are going to try alternating the weekly networking calls between two days and times, hoping to allow for more people to attend who were not able to each Thursday. The schedule will alternate between Tuesdays 11AM ET (8AM PT) and Thursdays 3PM ET (12pm PT). Next week will be a Tuesday week! - May 5th! You can also regularly find details for upcoming calls' dates and times in the Calendar page of the new Peer Networks Hub!   Here are the call details for Tuesday, May 5th: Topic: Tuesday - ALL PN Networking Call
Time: May 5, 2020 11AM ET (8AM PT) Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86080238891 Meeting ID: 860 8023 8891

One tap mobile
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+19292056099,,86080238891# US (New York) Dial by your location
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
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        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 860 8023 8891
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbgTPwscZ

Good morning Green Gurus! Here is a friendly reminder: Happening in an hour, the Green Gurus Networking call for this week is happening TODAY, May 5th at 11AM ET (8AM PT)!! Going forward, the schedule will alternate between Tuesdays 11AM ET (8AM PT) and Thursdays 3PM ET (12pm PT). I welcome you to also look for upcoming calls' dates and times in the Calendar page of the new Peer Networks Hub! Here are the call details for Tuesday, May 5th: Topic: Tuesday - ALL PN Networking Call
Time: May 5, 2020 11AM ET (8AM PT) Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86080238891 Meeting ID: 860 8023 8891 One tap mobile
+13126266799,,86080238891# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,86080238891# US (New York) Dial by your location
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 860 8023 8891
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbgTPwscZ

Good morning Green Gurus! Here is a friendly reminder: Happening in an hour, the Green Gurus Networking call for this week is happening TODAY, May 19th at 11AM ET (8AM PT)!! This schedule now alternates between Tuesdays 11AM ET (8AM PT) and Thursdays 3PM ET (12pm PT). If you are looking for the next calls' dates and times, they can be found in the Calendar page of the new Peer Networks Hub! Here are the call details for Tuesday, May 19th: Topic: Tuesday - ALL PN Networking Call
Time: May 19, 2020 11AM ET (8AM PT) Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86080238891 Meeting ID: 860 8023 8891 One tap mobile
+13126266799,,86080238891# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,86080238891# US (New York) Dial by your location
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 860 8023 8891
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbgTPwscZ

Hello Green Gurus, Here is an update for the Networking calls: We’re going to try moving these to an every other week format during the Thursday 3pm ET slot. The next call will be Thurs. May 28th, 3pm ET. Consider adding this to your calendar if you would like calendar reminders for when you are able to drop in! The past couple of weeks we’ve seen the participation numbers dropping, therefore we’ll try this bi-weekly schedule and see where it goes from there! As always, we welcome any feedback you may have, feel free to be in touch with Jen or RoseAnn directly, jennifer@buildinggreen.com or roseann@buildinggreen.com. -RoseAnn for Jen and the rest of the BuildingGreen team.

Hello Green Gurus, Here is a friendly reminder for today's Green Gurus Networking Call happening at 3PM ET (12pm PT).   Call Details Topic: ALL PN Networking Call
Time: May 28, 2020 3PM ET (12pm PT) Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/435517305 Meeting ID: 435 517 305
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,435517305# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,435517305# US (Chicago) Dial by your location
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 435 517 305
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcKzVtg3XE As mentioned before, we’ve moved these to a bi-weekly schedule and we will see where it goes from there! Be in touch with any questions! -RoseAnn for the BuildingGreen team.

Hello Green Gurus, Here is a friendly reminder for today's Green Gurus Networking Call happening at 3PM ET (12pm PT).   Call Details Topic: ALL PN Networking Call
Time: June 11, 2020 3PM ET (12pm PT) Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/435517305 Meeting ID: 435 517 305
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,435517305# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,435517305# US (Chicago) Dial by your location
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 435 517 305
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcKzVtg3XE As mentioned before, we’ve moved these to a bi-weekly schedule and we will see where it goes from there! Be in touch with any questions! -RoseAnn for the BuildingGreen team.

I cant believe I missed it again… F