Education Committee

The purpose of the Education Committee is to provide information about sustainable building practices and to learn more about saving energy and resources.

The committee organizes many events throughout the year and works to the following principles:

1. Nobody has time to waste. The event must offer timesaving information.
2. Offer different formats for different types of information:
1. Large educational meeting with established topic and program. These are scheduled in a comfortable venue (conference center) and a half-day or full-day format. The programs are developed by USGBC National and knowledgeable experts are invited from a national list. These events require registration and the fees charged must cover the expenses of running the workshop. USGBC Volunteers are needed to host the program. (see Workshops tab for current schedule)
2. Local program developed based on membership concern for a topic. Currently, a Daylighting Workshop is planned in collaboration with UNM School of Architecture and Planning. These events require registration and the fees are limited due to cooperation between the School of A&P, faculty and USGBC volunteers. Volunteers are needed to host the program.
3. Salon: A one-hour meeting the last Wednesday of each month. Discuss topics that require shared knowledge. Participants will save time by sharing information about green building, materials, LEED strategies. These events are free. Volunteers are needed to host the program. (see Salons tab for current schedule of Salons)
3. Develop educational programs for children. Ideas include “green science fair project” booklet, and assisting teachers write grant applications. This year we helped Los Ranchos Elementary School with a BP A+ for Energy Grant.
4. Volunteers are always needed to help choose which programs to offer and to staff the event. Volunteering at an event is a way to attend at no cost!

Emerging Green Builders

The New Mexico Emerging Green Builders are a collective of students, professionals 5 years post-graduation, and individuals interested in sustainability. We actively bring sustainable design information to our community through networking, community action, and support.  Click here to go to their website.

Sustainablity Week

The Sustainability Week Committee oversees all the events for the Chapter's Annual Sustainability Week which includes:

1. Green Central
2. Green Living Lecture Series
3. Green Built Tour
• Residential
• Guided Commercial
4. Workshops

Green Schools Committee

To Promote an awareness of LEED^® for Schools in every K–12 School District within the State of New Mexico – "Green Schools within a Generation"

Marketing & Publicity Committee

The Marketing and Publicity Committee is USGBCNMʼs bridge between its programmatic mission of leading the transformation of the built environment in New Mexico and its outreach and advocacy message about the critical importance of green building in today ' s resource-challenged world.

In addition to leading the New Mexicoʼ Chapterʼs communication effort; a reshaped voice in the New Mexico marketplace, the challenge is developing, expanding and maintaining the organizations local chapter network through awareness and communication. Part of the challenge is providing content for a dynamic Web site that will be used to raise consumer awareness about green building and achieving LEED certification in New Mexico .

The Marketing and Publicity Committee will work closely with the USGBC NM Board and industry stakeholders and partners, including public agencies, homebuilding organizations, media outlets, and research groups.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is charged with fulfilling the Chapter Membership growth objectives as set forth by both USGBC National and the leadership of the New Mexico Chapter.

Fulfilling these goals includes;

• Help prospective members to join the Chapter
• Encourage member retention by sharing the benefits of Chapter resources
• Promote participation in Chapter Committee’s and Chapter Events
• Support other Chapter Committee’s goals

The Membership Committee is interested in your feedback.  The Chapter relies on the strength and participation of its members.  Please do not hesitate to contact us through membership@usgbcnm.org.

Program Committee

The program committee organizes monthly luncheon programs that focus on sharing information about green building topics. The monthly luncheons are our main interface with current and potential members, and main venue for sharing knowledge, raising questions, and promoting our other programs and projects.

Our goal is to organize at least 10 luncheon programs per year, as well as organize and host the Green Tie event each December. Luncheon topics should be of interest to our members, relevant to USGBC’s mission, able to be covered in 45-55 minutes, and focused on education or information sharing (not sales). Luncheons are held the first Wed. of the month at the MCM Elegante Hotel. This location is working well, both logistically and financially, but may need to be re-evaluated at some time in the future.

Advocacy Committee

The purpose of the Advocacy Committee is to maintain contact and participate with all government agencies at the State, County and City level to monitor any proposed bills or regulations that may affect green building and in particular the adoption of LEED standards.

Members of this committee will:

• Attend agency meetings as required to maintain a presence for USGBC
• Maintain contacts with agency heads and political leaders
• Maintain close ties with allied organization’s legislative committees
• Working with the USGBC Board develop and initiate legislative proposals to advance green building
• Write newsletter update articles to keep membership informed as to what is going on.

Residential Committee

This committee promotes residential Green Building and Sustainability Practices though LEED for Homes and other Green Building Programs.

• Help with facilitating the green building process for getting certification and tax credits
• Influence Legislation to promote Green Building
• Coordinate definition of Green Building
• Get Designers Involved
• Sustainability Week Committee: help recruit homes for the annual Green Built Tour
• Helps the Education Committee determine educational opportunities that promote residential green building
• Partners with other residential green building groups