Frequently Asked Questions

1.           What does CORE stand for?

Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy

2.           How long has the organization been around?

In its present form, CORE has been in existence since January 2005.

3.           Tell us about CORE’s history.

In 1995, CH2M Hill sponsored the formation of the Colorado Environmental Business Alliance (CEBA), a trade association for Colorado-based environmental engineering, technology and consulting firms. CORE was created in late 2004 through a merger between CEBA and People Planet Profits (P3), the former CO chapter of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR).

4.           What is CORE’s mission?

CORE’s mission is to promote more environmentally and socially responsible practices in business with a view to creating a more sustainable global economy. CORE believes that the world faces major challenges in terms of resource constraints, environmental degradation and social inequity associated with our present economic model. We also believe, however, that those companies imaginative enough to find business practices, products and services that address those challenges stand to reap very significant financial rewards.

5.           How do you accomplish your mission?

CORE organizes and hosts meetings, events and programs for the purpose of sharing ideas and best practices among organizations and individuals that share a commitment to making the current global economic model more responsible and sustainable. Increasingly, CORE is developing formal educational programs that teach the financial and economic development opportunity associated with making business activity more sustainable.

6.           Define “sustainability.”

As it relates to economic activity, sustainability means utilizing the world’s natural and human resources to create economic value for the current generation in a manner that conserves and renews those resources so that future generations may use them to achieve an equal or greater quality of life.

 
     7.           What expertise does the new Executive Director, bring to CORE?

Graham Russell spent 25 years as a CEO of small to mid-sized companies, mostly in the environmental services industry. More recently, he has done extensive consulting work in the recycling and “cleantech” fields. The combination of his leadership experience and a strong background in finance and strategic planning enables him to see clearly the growth and financial opportunities open to those companies willing to develop and implement a corporate strategy based on the principles of sustainable business management.

8.           How can businesses balance sustainability and profitability?

Balance implies trade-offs: but sustainability at its best isn’t about trade-offs. The most successful companies of the future will integrate sustainability considerations into every aspect of their strategic thinking in such a way that they will improve their financial performance AS WELL AS do good for the planet and protect its natural and human resources.

9.           How do companies measure sustainability? Can it be quantified in dollars and cents like other performance indicators?

Yes! Most larger corporations, and an increasing number of smaller companies, are rigorously measuring the results of their commitment to a sustainable business strategy. Measurements include quantifying cost savings such as reduced energy usage, lower premiums on environmental and health care insurance, reduced  resource inputs per unit of output, but many companies also can identify incremental revenues gained from the introduction of  new products and services and/or increased market share through improved products and/or increased customer loyalty.

10.      How is CORE different from other socially responsible organizations?

Most trade associations focused on sustainability are primarily concerned with getting business to do the right thing BECAUSE it’s the right thing to do. Of course, CORE shares this value, but our experience tells us that we can engage a much larger segment of the business world’s attention by helping companies understand that a sustainable business strategy is good for the bottom line as well as society. That’s why CORE’s primary message is about the economic and financial opportunity associated with sustainability in business.

11.      Why should I join CORE? Why should my company? What specific benefits come with membership?

If you or your organization is interested in learning how to make environmentally and socially responsible business practices the cornerstone of a successful business strategy, CORE is where you will meet others who think the same way and where you can learn how to make that happen. You will receive discounted registration on all CORE events (over 30 every year) as well as events at some other local business associations. Corporate members may present their business on CORE’s web site and CORE frequently acts as a source of referrals, which have helped many of its members generate new business. CORE also provides opportunities for its members to present their sustainability accomplishments to large audiences, thereby generating a competitive advantage through increased visibility for their business model. Finally, CORE members contribute to our numerous committee activities, which gives them the opportunity to achieve a sense of personal satisfaction by helping to fulfill the mission of creating a more sustainable local and global economy. 

      12.      Who are CORE’s members? How much does membership cost?

CORE’s members range from the largest public corporations in the region to entrepreneurial cleantech companies and one-person sustainability consulting firms. They also include individuals as well as representatives of local academic institutions and local government entities. Annual membership costs range from $75 for an individual up to $750 for a company with more than 50 employees.

13.      Who are CORE’S sponsors? Why do they choose to sponsor CORE? What is the sponsorship structure?

CORE has a wide range of sponsorship opportunities ranging from annual corporate sponsorship packages to specific event sponsorship opportunities, including our annual Sustainable Opportunities Summit.

CH2M Hill and Patton Boggs, LLC are CORE’s two founding sponsors. In addition, CORE receives sponsorship support a wide range of large and small companies in the region, some of the local business schools and several government entities, including the City of Denver, the Colorado StateCanada. In exchange for their support, CORE provides sponsors with significant recognition – both verbal and written – as active supporters of a more sustainable and responsible global economic model. Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and the government of

14.      You have a very impressive Board of Directors. What are their responsibilities? How do they help CORE accomplish its mission?

Our board is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Executive Director and his staff, thereby ensuring that the organization is governed in a responsible and disciplined fashion. Board members assist in the process of raising funds for the organization and attracting new members, and in a variety of practical ways that reflect their specific areas of expertise (e.g. marketing, information technology, accounting and finance).

15.      CORE is well-known in the region for its Sustainable Opportunities Summit. What can we expect to see at the 2009 summit? How will it be different from past summits?

In 2009, the City of Denver will join CORE and the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of Business, CU Boulder in hosting the Summit, which will be held for the first time at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. We expect 1,000 attendees, about double the attendance in 2008. The 2009 conference will focus on the global aspects of creating a more responsible economic model to a greater extent than past Summits and will also feature a track that emphasizes that sustainability is as much about preserving social and human capital as environmental and natural resources, something we have given less attention to in previous Summits.

In addition, the 2009 Summit will feature a dramatically expanded expo with approximately   100 exhibitors that will be open to the public.