What is the USGBC?

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USGBC PowerPoints:
About USGBC
About LEED
Why Build Green
Green Schools
Green Homes

• The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.
• Founded in 1993, USGBC’s mission is a sustainable built environment within a generation.  The Council encourages green building practices through a variety of educational offerings; extensive member and chapter networks; its annual Greenbuild Conference, and LEED, the foremost green building certification system for the design, construction and operation of green buildings.
• With a community comprising 78 local chapters and branches, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010. 
• The USGBC leads a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, teachers and students.
• USGBC is transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life for everyone.
• In 2009, 82% of corporate America is expected to be greening at least 16% of their real estate portfolios. USGBC envisions buildings and communities that will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life for future generations.
• With buildings accounting for over 60% of all electricity consumed in America, it is necessary to address more efficient building practices. Reducing consumption is the cornerstone of energy efficiency, which is fundamental to the USGBC mission.

What is the USGBC CT-B?

About the Chapter Power Point
Map of Texas Chapter areas
Map of Central Texas Chapter

• Founded in 2003, the Central Texas - Balcones Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc-centraltexas.org) is a 501c3 non-profit organization comprising building and associated industry professionals from Austin, San Antonio and 55 counties along the Balcones Escarpment.
• The Chapter, which has over 700 members, is committed to accelerating growth in sustainable building and land development practices through innovation, advocacy and partnerships. 
• There are more than 1000 LEED Accredited Professionals; over 50 LEED certified buildings, and 400 registered LEED projects in the Central Texas region.
• The Chapter hosts LEED Green Building Rating System™ workshops and offers other educational sessions and networking events for the region’s green-building professionals.
• The Central Texas - Balcones Chapter offers members a variety of volunteer opportunities, including serving on committees such as advocacy, communications, development and membership.

• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings in both commercial and residential fields.
• The preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings, LEED was created by the U.S. Green Building Council. There are currently 35,000 projects participating in the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries.  The program is now administered by Green Building Certification Institute (www.gbci.org)
• LEED encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria for new and existing buildings.
• By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
• LEED Certified Buildings in our Chapter include in San Antonio: the Zachry Construction Corp. HQ (Gold), Employment and Conference Center (Gold), and Trane Regional Headquarters (Silver); in Austin: Dell Children’s Hospital (Platinum), The Ronald McDonald House (Platinum) and Austin City Hall (Gold), and in Waco Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary (Certified).
• To see more information about LEED in Central Texas CLICK HERE.

• National Membership – for companies and organizations looking to become USGBC members, find out about national membership at www.usgbc.org.
  
  
• Chapter Membership – for individuals wishing to be involved in the region’s green building movement CLICK HERE 
  Dues are:
• Regular Member: $65.00
• Employee of a National Member organization (30% discount): $45.50
• Full-Time Student (60% discount): $26.00
  
  
• Benefits:
• Actively participate in the green building movement
• Expand your professional network
• Obtain discounted prices for Chapter presented educational programs and other membership events
• Potentially influence the Chapter’s activities by serving in leadership positions and using your voting privileges
• Advance notice via email of upcoming events and educational workshops, as well as newsletters, member-only events, and much more.

• Sponsorships: There are numerous tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities available for businesses and individuals. You can become a Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze or Green Sponsor for one year or sponsor an individual event, workshop or seminar. In-Kind sponsorships are also considered. Exposure varies depending on the level of sponsorship. To see our current Sponsors CLICK HERE.
  
  
• Volunteering:The USGBC Central Texas-Balcones Chapter owes its success to its hard working and committed volunteers. If you are interested in getting more involved in helping expand the green building movement please consider joining one of our committees: Advocacy, Communications, Development, Education, Emerging Green Builders, Green Schools, Membership, Nominations, Programs, or Technology & Research. For more information see our Board and Committees page.
  
  
• Certification: Have your home, business or development LEED certified with the help of one of over a thousand LEED Accredited Professionals in Central Texas.
  
  
• Accreditation: Attain LEED Professional Accreditation through the Green Building Certification Institute www.gbci.org and join over 130,000 professionals already promoting green building practices.