About the Commerical Sustainability Network

 

What is C3SN?

The Central Coast Commercial Sustainability Network (C3SN) was founded by three individuals* in mid-2001 to "facilitate and accelerate the development of businesses with sustainability at their core."

Based on a principle of nature, the group operates like a "mature ecosystem" -- that is, it self-organizes to determine its agenda and scope.

Founders: Ruth Rominger (Vice President of the respected non-profit advisory and think tank organization, The Natural Step USA, www.naturalstep.org), Daniel Robin (managing director of Integrated Investments Int'l, or In3, a sustainable technology venture catalyst firm; www.in3inc.com), and angel investor Steve Knaub, now based in Santa Barbara, CA.

The founders wanted to build a forum to bring together diverse professionals to co-learn and network with the theme of sustainable development.

Meetings: C3SN has met the first Monday of every other month since February 2002. An average of 32 people have attended each meeting, with representatives from all sectors -- government, media, venture capital, non-profit organizations, private sector businesses as well as entrepreneurs, students, "sustainability professionals" from various industry, and faculty from CSUMB, MIIS, and UC Santa Cruz.

Topics: We have addressed a range of topics such as "Cradle to Cradle," "Your role as a change agent," "Models of Sustainability," presentations about Hayward Lumber, recaps of the Johannesburg Earth Summit and Bioneers and Green Business Conferences, sustainability projects at the Ft. Ord "campus," renewable energy, biofuels, bio-based materials, water and more.

Definition of “Sustainability” -- During the first few meetings, the group agreed to use the classic 1987 definition from the Brundtland Commission: "Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This is from the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development (UNCED). A more sucinct definition may be "securing quality of life within the means of nature."

Sponsors -- Meetings were initially co-sponsored by the Marina Small Business Incubator (MSBI), the City of Marina, Integrated Investments Int'l, Inc (In3) and Ecology Action of Santa Cruz. Meetings are open to the public; there is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is required for each meeting (join the mailing list to be notified of future events).

Special Interest Networks

The group formed six Special Interest Networks, or SINs -- electronic mailing lists ("E-lists") for discussing topics or sharing information and ideas focused around themes. The SIN themes are

Sustainable Agriculture	Urban Planning	Eco-Entrepreneuring	Sustainability Education	Renewable Energy	Green Building

More about SINs | Guidelines for SIN Elist Use | Join a SIN

The Next C3SN Meeting

To celebrate our four year anniversary, our February 2006 meeting was on the topic of "biofuels -- biodiesel and ethanol inching toward the mainstream." The meeting was again at the Elkhorn Slough Sanctuary Research Reserve visitor center, near Moss Landing. Meeting details will be provided via email when you join our list or call for further information (to join list).

Note the time change: we now gather around 6pm for networking; sessions starts at 6:30.

Topic and location details for each meeting will be available online at c3sn.meetings.html and sent as a reminder via email to all registered members and list subscribers.

If there are questions, suggestions, or to register to attend an upcoming meeting, please contact Daniel Robin at drobin@in3inc.com or by calling (831) 761-0700.

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With Sustainable Regard,

The Central Coast Commercial Sustainability Network (C3SN).

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