In honor of our Fall Membership Campaign, I’d like to shine a spotlight on some of our members and share their various perspectives. If you’re wondering whether or not GBA membership is right for YOU, reading about the experiences of our current members might help you decide!
So, without further ado, please meet Indigo Raffel (Conservation Consultants, Inc.), Chris Pinelli and Gabby Bogan (11 Stanwix, LLC), and Carla Mitchell (3R Building Sustainability) and learn about their impressions of GBA!
Indigo Raffel: Education Coordinator, Conservation Consultants, Inc.
Non-Profit Member
Why did you decide to become a GBA member?
I have been working with GBA’s Green & Healthy Schools Academy for the past two years and would attend many events for free based on my advisory position with that program. But recently I proposed to my director that our organization should become a non-profit member.
What do you find is the most valuable thing about your GBA membership?
It’s hard for me to pick just one thing. I value the premiere educational programming that usually matches what I currently want to learn and I also enjoy the networking components of GBA’s events…they are fun and delicious!
What has been your favorite event so far?
So far, my favorite events have been the members-only Google tour and the Frick Environmental Center hard hat tour.
If you were to tell your friends/family/colleagues about GBA, what would you share with them?
If you’re interested in sustainability and networking with green building leaders, GBA is the place to learn more.
Carla Mitchell, Sustainability Product Manager, 3R Building Sustainability
Corporate Member
Why did you decide to become a GBA member?
GBA is our local USGBC chapter and our company feels that maintaining a membership at the local level, along with the national level, is crucial to staying current with the green building and sustainability issues that affect Pittsburgh and the clients we work with in our local area. We feel that supporting the activities and local green building community in Pittsburgh is important and contributes to the greater good for which we are all striving.
What do you find is the most valuable thing about your GBA membership?
There are many valuable things that come along with our membership. The educational sessions are varied and extremely thorough. We keep our team up-to-date on current info by attending these events (for example, the LEED v4 update sessions). The events are also very well-planned. There are always networking opportunities and new things to learn, along with fun and the opportunity to sometimes get behind-the-scenes at places where you wouldn’t normally be able to. The Pittsburgh Google office tour was a great example of all of those things. Most importantly, the staff at GBA is an incredible group of people with great knowledge of and passion for sustainability, along with a desire to help the City of Pittsburgh and those involved in the green building community. The staff members are always an excellent resource when you have a question or need some help.
What has been your favorite event so far?
The Google tour was my favorite event until I attended the first lecture of the 2014-2015 Inspire Speakers Series and heard Grant Ervin from the City of Pittsburgh and Dr. Antwi Akom speak about livable and truly sustainable communities. That event was very inspiring for me personally and also presented much valuable information on how we can design and change our communities to be better and more sustainable in all aspects, not just at the building level. This session drove home the importance of maintaining the people and culture of our existing communities and improving them through the use of sustainable strategies. I am officially hooked on the Inspire Speakers Series!
If you were to tell your friends/family/colleagues about GBA, what would you share with them?
A GBA membership is something that I would not only recommend for all of my professional colleagues, but also for any of my friends and family who would like to become more involved with events around Pittsburgh and learn more about sustainability. GBA has offerings that can appeal to everyone, even those who are not directly involved in the green building industry. Keep up the good work, GBA!
Chris Pinelli and Gabby Bogan – 11 Stanwix, LLC
Corporate Member and Pittsburgh 2030 District Partner
Why did you decide to become a GBA member?
We wanted to serve as leaders for sustainability efforts in Downtown Pittsburgh and being a member of GBA has assisted us in that goal.
What do you find is the most valuable thing about your GBA membership?
The educational programming and networking opportunities.
What has been your favorite event so far?
The annual Emerald Evening events have been wonderful. We also enjoy the educational panels that have been hosted at 11 Stanwix.
If you were to tell your friends/family/colleagues about GBA, what would you share with them?
If you want to be part of a quality organization that is leading the curve in making Pittsburgh a green and sustainable city, then you should join GBA.