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The Beginning
The ISSP began when our Zero Waste Alliance Associates group recognized that sustainability has come onto the radar screen so powerfully that many business, government and other organizations, large and small, are creating positions of Sustainability VP, Director, Manager, Coordinator.
It was clear that it was now time for a professional association for those doing this important work, one that transcends individual frameworks, philosophies, sectors and parts of the world. We need a forum to learn from each other and further the professional standing of this field of practice. Hundreds of volunter hours later the ISSP opened for general membership in October 2007.
ISSP leverages technology that allows us to provide the services normally associated with a professional association in a more timely and environmentally responsible manner.
What ISSP will do for you:
 Networking — Similar to MySpace, one of the features of the ISSP site is the ability to find people who share certain interests or fit certain criteria. Search for people in your geographic area, within a specific organization, or find people who are working on specific types of projects or have certain skills.
Sharing resources — Stop reinventing the wheel! The ISSP site allows members to post and evaluate content. Imagine being able to search for a tool, policy, case study, book or other resource and be able to see at a glance which ones were deemed most worthwhile by other professionals. Also, similar to Wikipedia, the ISSP site allows members to co-create documents or resources.We’ve started a glossary of terms but this feature could also be used to write documents with others.
Advancements in the Field — Engage in discussions through topic-centered forums to get answers to difficult challenges from experienced professionals.
Professional Education — ISSP will provide distance learning so that you can take classes with a cohort of peers, accessing the best instructors from all over the world. The first planned offering will be a set of courses designed to get new sustainability coordinators up to speed in a hurry.
Conferences — Don’t waste time and generate greenhouse gases traveling to a conference. Instead, participate in periodic webcasts and teleconferences on leading-edge topics. Imagine being briefed on the latest development in the field or asking questions of the author of a newly released book.
Local Connections — Since many areas already have robust local networking groups related to sustainability, ISSP won’t focus on creating and managing local chapters. But you can create your own groups, either by geographic area or interest area, to organize your own networking opportunities and events.
Career Assistance — Our web site will have a special section devoted to career advancement with job postings, job descriptions, salary studies and other useful.
Professional Journal — ISSP will produce an e-Journal Digest that goes out to all members. It will point you toward the latest articles, book reviews, or events that have been posted on the site.
Professional Standards — Many members are expressing an interest in moving toward some form of professional accreditation. ISSP hopes to be the nexus where exploration about accreditation can take place.
What they are saying:
  “It's an exciting time to be a sustainability professional, but it also can be overwhelming and lonely. As the greening of business has gone from the margins to the mainstream, there is a vital need to bring cohesion and credibility to the field. ISSP fills this gap by creating a space for professionals to sharpen their skills and learn from one another, helping all of us become more effective at finding solutions for our companies and clients.” — Joel Makower, Executive Editor, GreenBiz.com
 “At ISSP, we ought to welcome artists and activists and academics of all sorts. Let’s not become exclusive: I am one and you’re not; you must have certain credentials. We still don’t know what sustainability is. None of us have ever lived in modern industrial sustainable society. Let’s have some humility. Welcome anyone with good ideas.” — Hunter Lovins
“The launch of ISSP is a significant milestone on the global journey to sustainability. It is the perfect time for sustainability professionals to partner and help each other be more effective and successful sustainability champions. Together we have the knowledge, skills, connections, and will to accomplish the necessary acceleration of sustainability strategies in all sectors. It is exciting to be a part of this impressive organization!”
— Bob Willard, best selling author of The Next Sustainability Wave and The Sustainability Advantage
Join Now!
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