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Directory & Membership Changes
1. Centralized Listings
What’s Changing:
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All business listings will now reside on Sustainable Stillwater MN’s website under a single, easy-to-access URL: www.sustainablestillwatermn.org/gbd.
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The www.greenstillwater.org URL will be retired.
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Why It Matters:
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Provides a unified platform, eliminating the need for separate hosting or management tools.
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Simplifies navigation for users and ensures all directory-related content is consistent and organized.
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How It Works:
Members’ listings will be grouped under categories such as "Creative Services," "Beauty Salon," and "Exterior Design."
2. Streamlined Business Profiles
What’s Changing:
Listings will now include:
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Logo: Showcase your brand visually.
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Brief Description: A simple description of your business.
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Long Description: A concise overview of your business’s sustainability focus.
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Award Photo: Photo of business owner or staff holding the Green Business Certificate.
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Website Link: Drive traffic directly to your business website.
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Map Location: Pinned location to show where you operate.
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Why It Matters:
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Makes your business profile cleaner, more impactful, and easier for users to scan.
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Highlights key information that encourages users to engage with your business.
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How It Works:
Members will submit logos and descriptions during the application process. After being accepted into the directory, it will be the member's task to send the GBD team a photo of themselves. The GBD team will format and upload profiles for consistency.
3. Extended Membership
What’s Changing:
Membership terms are increasing from 3 years to 5 years.
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Why It Matters:
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Offers stability and long-term engagement for businesses.
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Reduces the frequency of reapplication, allowing members to focus on sustainability efforts.
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How It Works:
All current members will automatically transition to the new 5-year term based on their original application date (except for certain reapplicants; see “Grandfathering Gold Members” below). Order your updated certificate.
4. Simplified Certification
What’s Changing:
Businesses will receive a digital certification PDF outlining their membership status and sustainability achievements.
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Why It Matters:
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Provides members with an easily shareable and printable certification document.
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Eliminates the need for physical materials, aligning with eco-friendly values.
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How It Works:
Certification PDFs will be sent via email upon acceptance or renewal. Members can use this document in their marketing materials, on websites, or in physical locations.
5. Updated Eligibility Criteria
What’s Changing:
Eligibility will focus on businesses offering products or services. The following will no longer qualify for membership:
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Government agencies
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Specific industries not aligned with sustainability goals (e.g., fossil fuel-based companies).
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Why It Matters:
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Strengthens the directory’s focus on local businesses actively contributing to sustainability.
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Ensures a consistent standard for members.
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How It Works:
During the application process, businesses will need to demonstrate/describe their offerings clearly and how they align with the GBD's mission of promoting eco-conscious businesses.
6. Grandfathering Gold Members
What’s Changing:
Gold awardees will automatically transition to the updated directory, while Bronze and Silver awardees must reapply.
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Why It Matters:
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Recognizes and rewards businesses already excelling in sustainability.
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Encourages other members to improve their practices to maintain their status.
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How It Works:
Gold members’ extended memberships will be based on their original application dates. Bronze and Silver members will need to submit a new application under the updated process.
7. New Application Process with Essay Questions
What’s Changing:
The updated application now features essay-based questions designed to explore your sustainability practices in depth. This self-paced process gives you unlimited time to complete the application, allowing you to thoughtfully share your efforts. Applications will now include essay-based questions to assess businesses’ genuine sustainability efforts and prevent greenwashing.
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Why It Matters:
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Ensures that members uphold the integrity of the GBD by adhering to high sustainability standards.
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Filters out applicants that may not genuinely align with Sustainable Stillwater MN’s mission.
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How It Works:
Applicants will answer essay-style questions such as:
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“How does your business actively reduce its environmental footprint?”
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“Describe specific sustainability practices or programs you have implemented.”
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“What are your long-term goals for improving sustainability?
Answers will be reviewed by the GBD team to ensure transparency and alignment with core values.​
Member Benefit - Increased Visibility
What’s Changing:
GBD will promote members through:
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Sustainable Stillwater MN’s newsletter (760+ subscribers).
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Social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky (~1.3k followers).
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Quarterly “Green Pages” PDFs featuring new businesses.
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Why It Matters:
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Broadens your business’s exposure to an eco-conscious audience.
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Reinforces your leadership in sustainability within the community.​
Member Benefit - Networking and Collaboration
What’s Changing:
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We are consolidating social media accounts under SSMN for unified messaging.
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The GBD’s standalone social media accounts will be discontinued.
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A new exclusive Facebook group for GBD members only to share ideas and stories.
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Participation in Plant A Seed events (reduced to bi-monthly - May through November).
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Why It Matters:
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Builds connections with like-minded businesses.
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Creates opportunities for partnerships and shared initiatives.
Green Business Team Updates
What’s Changing:
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Wendy Gorski has stepped down from project leader. Leslie Frick will step in as GBD Leader while continuing her role as Outreach Ambassador.
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Kelsey Depew will remain the Membership Manager.​