OUR MISSION
We are business leaders who actively promote a healthful, vibrant, and resilient natural environment and local community.
We share our knowledge and experiences to help others adopt sustainable and restorative practices in their operations and lifestyles.
We give local businesses a larger voice in supporting public policies and initiatives that promote public health, community engagement, and resilient natural and urban ecosystems.
We encourage members to engage in the policy arena to support these values.
OUR VISION
As the owners or managers of businesses—many of which are privately held—we are free to define our goals and “shareholder value” according to our convictions. Our markets, circumstances, and capabilities vary, but we share a common understanding that our highest purpose lies in tackling some of society’s toughest challenges.
We realize that businesses can make a significant difference. Businesses should take the lead in restoring stronger and more resilient natural systems, urban ecosystems, public health, and respect for human dignity.
These values are central to our business decision-making and public outreach. We believe our actions make our community an increasingly attractive and prosperous place to live and work.
MEMBER’S STATEMENT
We pledge to go beyond mere regulatory compliance in order to fulfill these aspirations:
Stabilize Our Climate
We will try to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from our business operations and make our businesses as climate-resilient as we can.
Clean Our Environment
We will try to eliminate toxic pollution; waste; energy, water and resource overuse; and other types of environmental harm that result from our business operations.
Enhance Our Urban Ecosystems
We will help restore vibrant and resilient urban ecosystems at our facilities and in the wider community.
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Educate Our Peers
We will share our knowledge, discoveries, and expertise as we innovate to achieve our aspirations.
Enhance Our Economy
We will actively promote a rich and diverse economic fabric in our local community.
Foster Basic Decency
We will defend, protect, and promote the rights and dignity of our employees and everyone in our community.
Enrich Our Civic Life
We will share our knowledge and values with the public and enliven the civic life of our community through civil discourse.
HOW WE WORK TOGETHER
We are an informal bottom-up Network with minimal structure. Our goal is to foster a growth process that is inclusive, yet efficient, possibly leading toward establishing a formal entity in the future.
We meet monthly to share perspectives, make decisions, and discuss collective actions.
We speak to the local press, elected representatives, city administrators, and our neighbors about our aspirations and selected policy issues.
We identify, explore, discuss, and decide whether to support or oppose public policies that would strongly impact our aspirations.
We help educate aspiring entrepreneurs in collaboration with local colleges, universities, and other educational organizations.
We provide mentorship among members and with local businesses and others who are not part of this network.
We increase membership by reaching out to businesses and other interested people.
We sustain a strong brand identity, online and social media presence, and press relations activities to promote our network and our aspirations.
HOW WE OPERATE
Decision Making
We make decisions about the network organization and operations by consensus (i.e., “Can everyone live with this decision?”). We make decisions about policy advocacy by voting. In order to avoid a divided network, advocacy requires a 60% supermajority. Decisions are made at monthly meetings and via email.
Core Working Group
A small group meets regularly and works via email to keep things moving in concrete ways. They coordinate activities, consolidate information for discussion and decision-making by the network, and complete other necessary tasks.
Spokespeople
The Core Working Group designates a few individuals to represent the Network to elected representatives, other business organizations, NGOs, and the press. This does not preclude others from sharing their views as individuals, but the designated spokespeople are expected to coordinate common messages, write press releases, etc. that reflect the will of the members.
Coordinator
An individual is responsible for orchestrating activities, writing and distributing summaries, sharing information, facilitating meetings, etc.
Online + Social Media Managers
One or more individuals create and manage an active online presence, website, newsletters, etc.
The Long Beach Sustainable Business network is composed of forward-thinking local business leaders.
Learn more about our members and read their commitments to sustainability.