Summer Institute in Sustainability Leadership

July 9-13, 2012

The Summer Institute in Sustainability Leadership (SISL) is an intensive one-week professional development program designed for those taking a leadership role in establishing policy, creating plans and implementing sustainability projects in businesses, colleges, universities, and across all levels of government.

This award-winning program provides you the opportunity to engage in creative thinking about your role as a sustainability leader and the actions your organization can take to move the sustainability agenda forward.


Leadership For A Changing World

Open sections below to view the 2012 program information or contact staff at 604.822.1420 or email. You can also subscribe to our email list to stay informed about the 2012 program.

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Benefits

The Summer Institute in Sustainability Leadership offers a wide variety of perspectives and practical tools needed to integrate sustainability as a core value in your organization. Participants gain insight into perspectives and strategies that are mindful of public policy, stakeholder interest, and the triple-bottom-line.

Key Benefits:

  • Gain an integrated perspective on sustainability from industry, government and academic experts
  • Explore practical examples of sustainability projects through lectures, presentations and interactive field trips
  • Talk to the people who actually develop and run sustainability initiatives across a range of functional areas from managing green buildings to energy conservation
  • Network with participants from a variety of sectors and geographic locations to support the cross-pollination of ideas, practices and strategies
  • Reflect on your own commitment and leadership style in helping to move your personal and organizational sustainability agenda forward
  • Take part in a premier professional development program within the context of a retreat atmosphere, in order to support the possibility of deeper levels of change and understanding

Note: Participation in the Summer Institute in Sustainability Leadership may be applied toward the UBC Award of Achievement in Sustainability Management (35 hours).

Who Should Participate?
The Institute is designed to empower directors, managers, coordinators, consultants, and other change-agents in business, government, and universities and colleges who are committed to the development of sustainable practices and policies.

The Institute appeals to several types of professionals:

  • People currently working in sustainability strategy and operations who wish to increase their understanding and further develop their skill set
  • Those new to sustainability who have been tasked to help develop organization-wide sustainability initiatives
  • Individuals working in academic or support units who wish to implement sustainability principles within the organization
  • Consultants who wish to increase their knowledge of sustainability issues while refining their understanding of client needs.

Past institutes have brought together delegates from across the US and Canada, and from as far away as Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Columbia, Kenya, Korea, and Saudi Arabia, providing a diversity of cultural perspectives and an opportunity for participants to learn about sustainability efforts and attitudes from afar.

Details and Fees

Format
Learning activities for the Summer Institute in Sustainability Leadership include interactive presentations, panel sessions, case studies, group discussions, field excursions, and opportunities for social learning and networking. See our Curriculum section for more details about each learning format.

Program Fees
Registration received by June 1, 2012: $1,995 CAD
Registration received after June 1, 2012: $2,495 CAD

Fees are quoted in Canadian funds. Credit card transactions will be processed in Canadian dollars and are subject to current exchange rates.

Fees include full conference access, all study materials, as well as breakfast and lunch throughout the week. Fees do not include airfare/travel, accommodation, or evening meals. Delegates may wish to visit our Resources page to help plan their stay in Vancouver.

Venue
Proceedings for the Summer Institute in Sustainability Leadership will be held in the CK Choi Building at 1855 West Mall, UBC Point Grey campus. To view this venue on a campus map, please visit UBC Wayfinding.

The C.K. Choi Building at UBC is widely recognized as one of the Lower Mainland's preeminent sustainable building projects. Developed as a demonstration green building, the building was designed and constructed without any adjustments to its original budget or schedule and has outperformed many of its original building targets. The American Institute of Architects recognized the building as one of its Top Ten Earth Day 2000 Green Buildings.

Note: Guided Field trips and evening social events may take place off-campus. Destinations will be accessible by public transport or transportation will be provided.

Curriculum

Program
The UBC campus provides a unique learning opportunity that combines professional development within a retreat-like setting to help you more fully understand your commitment to sustainability while developing your leadership skills. The intention is to empower you to deliver meaningful change within your community or organization.

Interactive Seminars and Panel Presentations
Participatory seminars and panels are delivered by academic experts and working professionals specialized in particular areas of sustainability. These sessions offer opportunities to learn about sustainability issues and best practices, while also engaging in discussions with subject-area experts.

Applied Case Studies
Case studies provide practical, real-life examples to contextualize theoretical concepts. Case studies will highlight challenges, strategies and best practices associated with implementing sustainability initiatives into organizational practices.

Experiential Guided Field Trips
On-site visits will be made to examine specific sustainability initiatives, both at UBC and in the wider Vancouver community.

IdeaLink: Guided Networking and Strategizing Session
This session allows participants the opportunity to address issues that are relevant to them and their organization. Delegates work collaboratively to strategize around particular issues, questions, and challenges.

Optional Networking
Optional evening activities give participants an opportunity to network with other Institute delegates, and to explore the University of British Columbia and the city of Vancouver.

Week at a Glance
A tenative 2012 schedule is provided below. Please note that schedules and session topics are subject to change based on speaker availability. For program updates, please join our email subscription list.

Tentative Schedule for Sustainability Leadership

Click here for a printable version of the schedule pdf.

Speakers

Institute speakers come from a wide range of industries and backgrounds, all with extensive experience developing and managing sustainability initiatives. Sessions are designed to be interactive, allowing participants to engage speakers with questions and comments.

A tentative speaker’s list for the 2012 Summer Institute in Sustainability Leadership will be posted in early Spring and updated as additional speakers are confirmed. Please see the list below of speakers that participated in our 2011 Institute.

Institute Facilitator

  • TIMMER, Dagmar. Co-Founder and Managing Director, One-Earth (confirmed for 2012)

Keynote Speakers

  • NATTRASS, Brian. Author; Sustainability advisor to leading corporations and government agencies (confirmed for 2012)
  • HELLIWELL, John. Professor Emeritus of Economics, UBC; Co-Director of the Social Interactions, Identity and Well-Being program at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (confirmed for 2012)

Session Presenters

  • BOSTON, Alex. Director, Climate and Energy, HB Lanarc Golder (confirmed for 2012)
  • EISLER, George J. President, Eisler Downing Consulting Ltd.
  • HARCOURT, Mike. Former Mayor of Vancouver and Premier of British Columbia (confirmed for 2012)
  • HOLLAND, Mark. Vice President of Development, New Monaco Enterprise Corporation (confirmed for 2012)
  • JOHNSTON, Sadhu. Deputy City Manager, City of Vancouver (confirmed for 2012)
  • PURDY, Bob. Director, External Relations and Corporate Development, Fraser Basin Council (confirmed for 2012)
  • QUAYLE, Moura. Professor, UBC Sauder School of Business (confirmed for 2012)
  • REES, William. Professor, UBC School of Community and Regional Planning (confirmed for 2012)
  • ROBINSON, John. Executive Director, UBC Sustainability Initiative; Professor, UBC Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (confirmed for 2012)
  • RUSHMERE, Andrew. Academic Coordinator, UBC Farm/Centre for Sustainable Food Systems (confirmed for 2012)
  • SAFRATA, Rob. CEO, NOVEX Couriers
  • TER WEEME, Peter. Principal - Sustainability Lead, Junxion Strategy (confirmed for 2012)
  • TODD, Susan. Principal, Solstice Sustainability Works Inc.; Director, The Accountability Project (confirmed for 2012)
  • WAKEFIELD, Victoria. Purchasing Manager, UBC Student Housing, Hospitality and Food Services (confirmed for 2012)
  • WALDRON, Dave. Co-Founder, Synapse Strategies (confirmed for 2012)
  • WILLIAMS, Steve. Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Global Technology Donations, SAP
  • ZAREMBA, Lillian. Climate and Energy Engineer, Campus Sustainability Office, UBC
How to Register

Register online or call +1.604.822.1420 during 8:30am- 4:30pm PST, Monday-Friday.


Other Methods of Registration

Complete this registration form pdf.

Mail: Mail the registration form and payment to Client Services, UBC Continuing Studies, Room C.630, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 3B7.

In Person: Drop off your registration form and payment at either:

  • UBC Point Grey campus at Continuing Studies, 410-5950 University Blvd (at Wesbrook Mall), from 8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays, or
  • UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson St (at Howe), from 8am to 8pm weekdays, and 8am to 5pm Saturdays.

Fax: Fax the registration form to +1.604.822.1499 using Visa or MasterCard.


Registration for UBC Staff

Eligible UBC staff may use the Tuition Fee Benefit to offset the Institute costs. Please visit the UBC Finance Tuition Fee Benefit web page for information on eligibility and instructions on how to use your tuition fee benefit to enjoy UBC Continuing Studies courses.

Staff must submit their Tuition Fee Benefit before registering for the program; those who register for a course prior to submitting their Tuition Fee Benefit will not be reimbursed when the approved Tuition Fee Benefit is received. It is recommended you apply for a Tuition Fee Benefit well in advance of the course start date.

Note: After processing your registration, we will send you an email confirmation letter with course details. If you have not received your email confirmation letter within three business days of registering please contact Client Services by phone at +1.604.822.1420 or complete the Contact Us form.


Cancellation Policies

Please note that special cancellation policies apply for summer intensive programs. For details, please see the UBC Continuing Studies Policies page.


Special Offers and Events

As our way of saying thank you for joining us this summer, UBC Continuing Studies is organizing a number of special events and offers exclusively for Summer Institute participants.

UBC alumni who take a UBC Continuing Studies Summer Institute are eligible for additional exclusive alumni offers and events.

Past Participant Feedback

“The Institute facilitation was superb. Dagmar displayed a great combination of attributes: knowledge and passion for the subject matter, strong process and facilitation skills, and wonderful and respectful interpersonal skills.”
John Foster, Manager, Community Social Development, City of Richmond
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

“I’ve been involved in sustainability education and environmental citizenship for six years and this week has been amazingly valuable! If I could summarize the week, it’s been all about connecting the dots. Eye-opening! Informative! Inspiring!”
Larry White, Academic Chair, Seneca College
King City, Ontario, Canada

“This Institute exceeded expectations on every level. The program content offers integrated, interdisciplinary strategies and understandings. I am leaving with a comprehensive arsenal of frameworks, strategies, principles and vision.”
Alasdair MacKinnon, Director of Energy Management and Sustainability, Surrey School District
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

“An engaging, educational, inspiring course with excellent content and second-to-none speakers. A must for all involved in the sustainability field – and for those who are not!”
Nikie Lloyd, Executive Assistant, Deloitte
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

"I needed a booster shot and got it in double dose! Every speaker gave me something to bring back to my organization. I plan on passing on links and connections to my colleagues.
Dominique Laroche, Faculty Associate & Director of Facilities, Arizona State University
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

"The week was inspiring, energizing and motivating. Best practices and real-life examples from speakers and program participants was invaluable. I now have a stronger, more solid foundation in my set of tools to deploy to try and make a difference."
Anne Louise Aboud, Management Consultant
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

“Highlights included the diversity of participants, the professionalism of the support staff, the quality of the presenters, and the opportunities to share experiences."
Travis Sinckler, Senior Environment Officer, Government of Barbados
Bridgetown, Barbados

 

SIS

Click on the photo to view a slideshow of past Summer Institutes in Sustainability Leadership.

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