Being honored as a Green Business Pioneer a reason to do more
Friday was a really cool day.
Not cool in terms of temperature. South Carolina, along with most of the Southeast is broiling right now, and I can't believe the stores are featuring long pants in their school uniform sales. The kids won't be wearing those for months.
Friday was cool because it was the Charleston Green Fair, held at an auditorium downtown and featuring local businesses that provide green products, services and technologies in its "Best in Green and Local Expo." It was really great to see folks from so many great businesses like Fisher Recycling, Lowcountry Local First and Vapor Apparel.
I was there checking out all the new offerings by companies who really care about the environment and the community. It was a true bonus to run into so many friends and neighbors who are involved in our local green efforts so supported by the City of Charleston and Charleston County Council.
I was also there to accept an award being presented to Blackbaud. When I learned we were being given this incredible honor -- of being a Green Business Pioneer stewarding and protecting "Charleston's environment and resources through achievable business practices" -- I was both pleased and surprised. As I said in my remarks on Friday, at Blackbaud, we're so focused on what's still left to do when it comes to being more green...not what we've already done.
Receiving the award was very cool, though. The award itself was made from reclaimed materials from a building in South Carolina. The "certificate" is a metal ceiling tile with a painted message on it. And the frame, although from material some might consider scrap, is simply beautiful. It's the perfect example of recycling, making something new out of something old.
And I have to admit that it was good to have the chance to reflect on the things Blackbaud has done -- both as a company and through employee action -- to steward our environment. To remember the days when Chris Fisher was just starting Fisher Recycling and he would drive his truck out to Blackbaud for pick ups. To share the story of how we cut power usage in half in our data center earlier this year all while increasing capacity to serve our customers. To tell everyone about our newest employee-led venture called Sprouts, a community garden being planted behind our headquarters building. And, of course, to stand on stage next to Andrew Bell, president of our philanthropy partner the Charleston Battery, which was also being honored for its incredible leadership and work in preserving the environment.
As I mentioned at the event, though, what's most exciting is what's ahead. Friday also marked the launch of the Charleston Green Business Challenge. The list of questions provided by the City's Office of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability helped us both understand what we were doing well and to identify what else we could and should do. That's the coolest part of all...being involved in an effort supported by the county, the city and the community, and collectively doing something good. Stay tuned!