About > Committees

USGBC-Missouri Gateway Committees

Promoting, collaborating, recruiting, educating…working committees are the lifeblood of the Missouri Gateway Chapter. Vital to our mission and our success in transforming the region’s built environment to a brighter shade of green.

To get involved or learn more, contact Chapter Staff or a committee chair.

Committee members are required to:

  • Maintain current USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Membership
  • Attend 9 out of 12 committee meetings during a one-year period
  • Take an active role in the work of the committee, which may involve time outside of committee meetings
  • Review the Chapter Conflict of Interest Policy and sign the Conflict of Interest Acknowledgement Form
  • Note that meeting dates and times may change. During the pandemic, committees have been meeting virtually via Zoom.

Advocacy

Chair: Natalie Meyer, Siemens
Aim: Promote & advocate green building practices, policies, and LEED training and certification to various organizations, government entities, market segments, and the general public. Act as a resource for green building information, and help others overcome barriers and deal with issues related to implementation of green building. Work to increase general awareness and acceptance of green building.

Advocacy Committee activities include the development of the Better Buildings Through Benchmarking Campaign, supporting the local governments to implement sustainability initiatives, supporting non-profits and community groups green their building operations, maintaining the partnership with Missouri Interfaith Power & Light, and managing the Speakers Bureau.
Meets: 1st Wednesday, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm at USGBC-Missouri Gateway office.

Education

Chair: Currently Open – please contact Fredericka Brandt
Aim: Develop opportunities for Chapter and community members to expand their knowledge of green building principles and practices.

The Education Committee is responsible for establishing the yearly program schedule including monthly evening programs, in-depth seminars, tech talks and the new Continuing Education Blitz.

Meets: 1st Tuesday, 5:30 – 7:00 pm at USGBC-Missouri Gateway office

Green Schools Quest (K-12) Committee

Chair: Traci Jansen, Kirkwood School District
Aim: Green Schools for all within this generation.

The Green Schools Quest Committee encourages, educates and provides tools to local schools and school districts to adopt green practices within their physical place (buildings and grounds), educational programming, and organizational culture aimed at reducing environmental impact and costs, improving health and wellness of students and staff, and increasing environmental and sustainability literacy. Committee tasks include outreach to schools and mentors, managing the Green Schools Quest, coordinating the Annual Green Schools Event, and developing related resources.

Meets: 4th Thursday, 4:00-5:30 pm. Virtual meeting via Zoom.

Emerging Professionals

Our Emerging Professionals welcome students, young professionals and individuals new to the green building field into our green building community through happy hours, community services events, and the opportunity to network with seasoned green professionals. Subscribe to EP emails here.
EP Happy Hours: 1st Thursday, 4:30 – 6:00 pm at various Green Dining Alliance patios. Visit the Chapter Calendar for details or contact Fredericka Brandt.

International Living Future Institute (ILFI) – St. Louis Collaborative

Co-chairs: Madeline Smith, Clayco / Lamar Johnson Collaborative and Patrick Ladendecker, HOK
The International Living Future Institute is the creator of a number of forward-thinking certifications and initiatives related to the built environment – including the Living Building Challenge, Declare Label, and JUST program.  All of these programs are rooted in ILFI’s mission to lead the transformation toward a civilization that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative. USGBC-MGC is excited to house the ILFI-St. Louis Region Collaborative.
Meets: Meeting dates/times vary. Contact chairs to get involved.

Engagement & Marketing

Chair: Lisa Reed, Envision Lighting Design
Aim: Develop strategies to enhance communication with and among Chapter members.

The Marketing and Membership Committee tasks include the development and implementation of member recruitment, member retention, and brand awareness strategies, organizing biannual new member welcome events, implementing marketing projects, and managing the Green Building Experts Program.
Meets: 3rd Tuesday, 8:00 – 9:00 am. Contact chair to confirm location.

Missouri Green Schools Committee

Chair: Hannah Carter, Parkway School District
Aim: All Missouri schools are places that promote equitable and sustainable environments that ensure the overall health and wellbeing of their community.

The Missouri Green Schools committee supports the development and expansion of Missouri Green Schools, a free support and recognition program whose mission is to support all Missouri schools in taking a systems-based approach to identify and advance practices throughout their campuses, educational programming, and school culture that reduce environmental impact, improve health and wellness, and provide place-based education. Missouri Green Schools is a joint program of USGBC-Missouri Gateway and the Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA).
Meets: 1st Thursday, 4:30 – 6:00 pm. Virtual meeting via Zoom.

To join a committee or for more information, please contact the committee chair or Fredericka Brandt (314) 577-0884.