From: LaserBlast@... <LaserBlast@...>
Subject: [Creative-SSLunchBunch] GreenWashing lunch summary
To: Creative-SSLunchBunch@yahoogroups.com
Cc: ebuie@..., lourdesbarden@..., harristakoma@..., wendy.hudgins@...
Date: Friday, June 19, 2009, 4:14 PM

Today's discussin topic as "greenwashing" i.e. the practice of making your business appear green by various dishonest means.

- We all worried that our own businesses were not green enough and that there is more we could be doing and asked input for suggestions on things varying from printer inks to long commutes to clients.
- Some of us have had a backlash, from trying to be green but not towing the "party line." For example, if we point out that all native plants are not good, there is instant criticism and you are painted as "the bad guy." There is no tolerance for discussion of ideas outside of what is the current liberal/left doctrine. Is there only one "right way" to be green?
- We discussed big corporations like WalMart and Disney that are bringing in new green practices that have a bigger impact than 1000s of us small business banding together could ever hope to achieve, but the corporations get accused of "greenwashing. " Is this fair? When do we give them a "pass" or do the "deserve" one?

Recommended viewing: Food Inc and No Impact Man.

A yahoo list you may all want to join to discuss green issues indepth is DCMetroSimplifiers. Current discussions center on what type of roofing material is best and is the Prius really green or does it just make us "feel better" to own one.

Please post your take on this and any additional thoughts.

On a side note:
There was 5 of us today for lun ch. I had called in a reservation a few days ago for 10 based on the early RSVP #s. 
Apparently, this upset the Golden Flame management today and they let us know it :-(.
I'm not sure what lesson to take from this except that restaurants like the Golden Flame are hurting for business, accurate RSVPs are important, and that is probably the last time any of the 5 of us will return there.


Here is the rest of our 2009 schedule with lunch locations and discussion topics:

(always 1-2:30pm)

Jul 17
Mayorga Coffee Factory at 8040 Georgia Ave
Topic: Maintaining Your Career Passion and Energy

Aug 21
Thai Derm at 939 Bonifant St
Topic: Generating Leads

Sept 18
Da Marco Ristorante Italiano at 8662 Colesville Rd
Topic: How to Close that Sale

Oct 16
Lebanese Taverna Café at 933 Ellsworth Dr
Topic: Time to Redesign? Web Site Critique

Nov 20
Vicino Ristorante Italiano at 959 Sligo Ave
Topic: Great Business Books

NO December meeting

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Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill.