SFC GREENflash E-Newsletter Vol. 86-September

Volume 86, September 2017

Thank You to our generous Sponsors!

Follow SFC!! In This Issue:

Sustainability Essentions Webinar: What does it mean to be SFC Exemplary

SFC Membership Meeting at High Point Market

SFC High Point Market Events

New Live GREENleaders Classes Scheduled in Boca Raton & Naples Florida

Learn more about SFC's What's it made of? Initiative

Highlights from SFC at LVMKT

Join SFC at Greenbuild

Welcome New SFC Members

Gallery Furniture Houston becomes temporary shelter

Upcoming Markets and shows

Sherpa offers SFC Members exclusive deal on CISR Training

Prop. 65 Annual Conference Monday, September 25, 2017

SFC members among Pinnacle Awards Nominees

American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation Celebration

Sustainability Training for Women Entrepreneurs event October 10-15.

Climate Realith Leadership Coprs Training in Pittsburgh, PA October 17-19

ASBC Susty Biz October 22-24

GREEN TIP

What does it mean to be SFC Exemplary?

Find out during SFC's FREE monthly webinar.

Thursday, Sept. 21 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST

Register NowJoin us for a discussion of SFC Exemplary Recognition of Suppliers, Manufacturers, and Retailers. Learn thesignificance of the accomplishments these companies have made and explore how you and your company might fit in atthe at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level.

Content also includes a synopsis of GREENleaders, the industry's first certified sustainability training course. Thiswebinar is intended to give participants useful information you can begin using in your business immediately as well asanswer any questions you may have about getting the most out of SFC membership

Join SFC at High Point Market SFC Open Membership Meeting ALL are Welcome!!

Saturday, October 14 | 8:00 am - 9:00 am - Doors open at 7:30 am Copeland Showroom, Showplace, 5th Floor

RSVP Here

hosted by

Join SFC for our open membership meeting - ALL are welcome! Get the latest news and updates on SFC initiativesincluding The "What's it made of?" Initiative, our latest Consumer Research, trends in membership and more! Further,SFC wants to hear from members at this annual forum -your being part of the conversation is crucial to advancing ourwork to sustain a healthy future.

See & Be Seen Hear & Be Heard Join the Movement Have Breakfast!

NOT YET A MEMBER? JOIN NOW! &/OR COME TO LEARN WHAT WE DO & WHY ITSIMPORTANT!

Sponsored by

SFC's Currey & Co. Introduces Tala and Kicks off SFC Membership Drive

Friday, October 13 | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Currey Showroom IHFC, M110 210 East Commerce Ave

RSVP Here

Join us as Currey & Company introduces their Currey | Tala LED Light Bulb Program—meet the Tala Team from the UKand learn more about their beautifully designed and crafted sustainable light bulbs.

A membership drive for Sustainable Furnishings Council will be held during the party. Do the right thing and makesustainability a part of your life—we will show you how!

This market you have three opportunities to learnabout SELLINGreen Susan Inglis, SFC Executive Director and Resident Expert, points out features and teaches youhow to use eco-attributes to drive traffic and close sales. Drawing on SFC’s own consumerresearch, learn to answer questions most commonly asked by customers, in simple andcompelling ways. Get answers to the most common questions about environmental safety, andempower your sales team to build your brand, as well as a healthy future.

SELLINGreen, HTD Style

Sunday, October 15, 2017 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Showroom: 2400 - Showplace, Floor 2

Register Here

HTD's line of eco-friendly and award winning provides opportunity for growing your business while it also contributes tothe protection of the planet we share.

Learn how HTD exemplifies the Best Practices we all should strive to implement, and how to tell the story to build yourbrand.

1 ceu IDCEC #CC-103186-1001

SELLINGreen, Widget Home Style

Monday, October 16, 2017 | 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM Union Square E201, High Point, NC 27263

Register Here

The Widget Home line provides opportunity for growing your business while it also contributes to the protection of theplanet we share by emphasizing design with recycled and reclaimed materials.

1 ceu IDCEC #CC-103186-1001

SELLINGreen, Southern Furniture Style

Monday, October 16, 2017 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 205 Model Farm Road - Shuttle transportation provided.

Register Here

Southern Furniture Company has been producing premium quality, well priced upholstery for 90 years, and continues tokeep handcraft traditions alive right here in North Carolina.

1 ceu IDCEC #CC-103186-1001

Become a Certified GREEN Accredited Professional

2 Live Classes scheduled in Florida - BocaRaton & NaplesThursday, November 30, 2017 - Napleshosted by

9:00 am – 5:00 pm 1959 Trade Center Way, Naples, FL 34109

Register now and receive a 50% discount!!

Friday, December 1, 2017 - Boca Ratonhosted by:

10:00 am - 6:00 pm 1351 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432

Register Now and receive a 50% discount!

MORE about GREENleadersThis popular comprehensive 6-hour exam program provides an excellent grounding in the sustainability issues we allmust face and gives practical advice for growing a home furnishings business with solutions to the problems. Developedin 2009 by a LEED AP, in conjunction with the Sustainable Furnishings Council, the course is now updated with input fromexperts in the field including ranking staff of World Wildlife Fund, Rainforest Alliance, and a founder of the USGBC. Itprovides a comprehensive overview, cutting edge advice, and inspirational ideas.

SFC's comprehensive training program provides designers, retailers, manufacturers, reps, and others the knowledge andcredentials to become expert in sustainability. Approved by GBCI for 6 CE hours and registered with IDCEC for .6 HSWCEUs (6 ceu).

Click Here For Details on this comprehensive training program.

Can't make the Live Class? Try GREENleaders Online - Learn at your own pace!

Time to Renew your GREEN AP Certification?

Click here for your Renewal Form

It's Time To Ask!!"What's it made of?"

The "What's it made of?" Initiative (#WHATSITMADEOF) is an ongoing joint program ofSustainable Furnishings Council, American Sustainable Business Council, Center forEnvironmental Health, Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design, and others to help youask and find out, "What's it made of?" The purpose is to encourage transparency in our supplychains and to stimulate innovation to reduce harmful chemical inputs to the manufacture offurnishings. The first step of participating in the initiative is signing The Pledge to ASK, "What's itmade of?" whenever you are shopping for furnishings products and materials. The next step is tosend your suppliers the Supply Chain Questionnaire. It will help you understand what they areproviding, and will help them disclose ingredients systematically. This year the initiative focuses onfive flame retardant chemicals, fluorinated stain treatments, antimicrobials, vinyl and VOCs including formaldehyde.

Read more about this important ongoing initiative on our website "What's it Made of? Initiativeand get started by signing The Pledge to Ask.

SFC at Las Vegas Market

SFC's Susan Inglis and Joan Maloch join WithIt to view renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s colorful large-scale,public artwork Seven Magic Mountains located 10 miles south of Las Vegas.

SFC's Susan Inglis at Nima Oberoi Lunares showroom, one of SFC's newest members!

SFC member Naturepedic's Barry Cik presents "Flame Retardants in Home Furnishigs: What they are, how they gotthere".

SFC's Susan Inglis answering the question "What is Sustainable Furniture anyway?" at the +Olive showroom.

Join SFC this Fall at Greenbuild in Boston

November 8 - 10, 2017

Join SFC, an official partner of this year’s event, at this remarkable week featuring over 200education sessions, workshops, summits and tours, 800 exhibiting companies and 25,000professionals from around the globe. Everyone. Everywhere. Every project. We are ALL IN.

Welcome to the newest SFC Members working to promote healthy environments,inside and outside.

Southern Furniture Company, located in the charming and historic town of Conover, NorthCarolina, houses the world’s finest artisans, master craftsman, master cutters and sewers, allcombining their talents to bring to our customers the finest quality bench crafted furniture made inAmerica today. We believe in sustaining the environment, our community and our associates.

BedStraw's mission is to create and supply accessible and affordable sustainably focused textileproducts and services for the home. Because this is not easily achieved through current interiortextile retail channels, they believe it is important to create a community of supporters of thismission through collaboration, rather than competition, of local and global design, manufacturingand supporting businesses.

Northwest Hardoods is serious about sustainability. "As a manufacturer and supplier of productsmade from natural resources, it’s our responsibility to make sure those resources are protectedand managed. Our PEFC Chain-of-Custody (CoC) certified alder, PC maple, PC birch, andhemlock are sourced from Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), the American Tree Farm System(ATFS), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), and PEFC forests. Northwest Hardwoods isForest Stewardship Council® Chain of Custody and Controlled Wood Standard certified."

Wink Gaines Photographer From California to London, Wink collaborates with designprofessionals to bring the exquisite beauty in nature into your home. With numerous images tochoose from, you can enjoy your natural favorites in any room of your home--indoors or out! Sheis an advocate for the instructional and conservation efforts of the National Audubon Society andvarious North Carolina and South Carolina national wildlife refuges where many of herphotographs are taken. Audubon and Nature's Best Photography Magazine have thrice awardedWink Top 100 recognition.

SFC member Gallery Furniture opens store as a shelter to hundreds of displacedTexans.

Jim McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture and known locally as "Mattress Mack," opened the two100,000+ sqft Gallery Furniture retail stores in Houston as shelters for people displaced byHurricane Harvey. Not only did Gallery Furnitre provide food, shelter, and a comfortable place torest, but Gallery Furniture drivers went out in trucks to rescue stranded citizens. Unlike manyshelters, Jim also welcomed people to bring their pets - kept in kennels and under their owner'ssupervision. SFC salutes Jim McIngvale and his team for their generosity and compasionate spiritin supporting the Houston community during this time of crisis.

Sherpa Continual Improvement for Social Responsibility Practitioner Course starting September11:

Exclusive SFC Member Offer

CISR Practitioner Course -14 weeks plus 1:1 coaching: $2350 (normally $2950)

PLUS 2 Gratis Seats to CISR Advocate – 6 Week Course (normally $995 each seat).

SHERPA will also contribute 10% ($235) to SFC for every member who enrolls in Fall Term (non-scholarship).

This very rigorous 14-Week CISR Practitioner Course is based on an evolution of Six Sigmadiscipline, and includes a project. CISR Practitioner Candidates are assigned a 1:1 Coach, and arerequired to identify a Project Sponsor within their organization. For those who are ready to takethis deep dive into Continual Improvement for Social Responsibility, this course will betransformative to their organizations and their careers. Click here to learn more about SherpaSustainability Institute's CISR Practitioner Course

Join SFC September 12 - 15, 2017 at

Join SFC September 14 at

SFC members among finalists in the ASFD Pinnacle Awards.Congratulations to Abbyson, American Leather, College of Fine and Applied Arts at AppalachianState University BDI Furniture, Currey & Company, Phillips Collection, & Selamat Designs!

The awards will be presented Monday, October 16th at 6PM, during High Point Market | TheWorld's Home for Home Furnishings.

Read More

UL WEBINAR: EPA Formaldehyde Regulations: TASC Title IV

UL invites you to watch this informative webinar which gives an introduction toformaldehyde and how it is used in the industry, a summary of the TASC Regulations withcomparisons to California’s regulations, and compliance requirements and strategies.

Add your voice to the growing number of home furnishings businesses thathave made a corporate commitment to sustainability and transparency.

Join the growing list of member companies!Click here to view all SFC Members on our website!

Prop. 65 Annual Conference Monday, September 25, 2017

Julia Morgan Ballroom, Merchants Exchange Building, San Francisco

This year's Prop. 65 Conference program will be chaired by Michael Green, CEO of Center for Environmental Health. Theprogram will include experts from both sides giving hands-on help in understanding how Prop. 65 affects your businessand clients.

Panel Discussions will include: the broader implications of settlements containing contradictory chemical standards for thesame type of products the Listings of controversial chemicals: What is coming down the pike and how successful arecourt challenges; and Washington's take on how California's lead role of regulating chemicals is at odds with the Trumpadministration and what will be the impact on business.

Click here to register

Be a Supporting Sponsor for the Conference

The Supporting Sponsorship is offered AT NO COST and includes 5 free guest passes. In addition to guest passes, as aSupporting Sponsor your name will also appear in our Conference program materials, signage, and on our website.

Please confirm your intent to sponsor by emailing Wendy at Wendy@prop65ch.com or Lana at Lana@prop65ch.com.Once you confirm your sponsorship, have each of your 5 free guests fill out the Guest Registration Form and email it backto register@prop65ch.com, by Friday, September 8, to ensure space at the conference. After we receive yourSponsorship confirmation, your members can register here by choosing the Trade Association Attendee Rate.

Please feel free to contact Lana at Lana@prop65ch.com or 415-391-9808 if you have any other questions.

Sustainability Training for Women Entrepreneurs October 10 - 15, 2017 - Chicago

Scale it Up! invites you to take part in their fall programs! Get the knowledge and skills to build your triple-bottom-linebusiness. Sept. 27-29 - 2.5-day triple-bottom-line sustainability strategy workshop at Uncommon Ground; 5-daywellness+yoga+sustainability strategy retreat, at Lily Organic Farm, 3 hours from Chicago, Oct. 10-15. Additional 10%off with Member code: AWESOMEWOMEN20 in addition to earlybird and group discount pricing.

And, please Take our Survey! Women Entrepreneurs are eligible to win prizes through STWE's monthly drawing throughDec. 2017

For More Information and to Register

THE AMERICAN HOME FURNISHINGS HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION will induct four new members and retiredGeneral Colin Powell will be the Keynote speaker at the October 15 celebration.

Four industry leaders will be inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Oct. 15 during the High PointMarket. Joining the current 108 members of the Hall of Fame are Donald H. Flanders, Sr., founder and chairman ofLloyd Flanders, Inc.; Vladimir Kagan, contemporary furniture designer; Samuel Kuo, cofounder and chairman ofSamson Holding Ltd.; and Bernard D. Moray, chairman of Gorman’s Home Furnishings & Interior Design.

“We look forward to honoring these four extraordinary leaders, each of whom has transformed the home furnishingsindustry in powerful and significant ways,” says Bob Maricich, president of the Hall of Fame Foundation board ofdirectors. “Throughout their careers, each has demonstrated ongoing excellence and innovation in their field and haveearned the respect of both colleagues and competitors.”

Former Scretary of State Colin Powell will be the keynote speaker for the Induction Celebration. The retire general, whohas held senior and military and diplomatic positions across four presidential administrations is among the most admiredand respected leaders in the world today.

Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training in Pittsburgh, PA, Oct. 17-19

SIGN UP NOW!! Application Deadline is September 12, 2017“This important event will be our first training after the release of An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth toPower, and we expect it to be one of our most interesting yet. Pittsburgh has become a nationalmodel for how cities can embrace clean energy and prosper, and its rich history of energyproduction and top-tier engineering programs put it at the forefront of breakthrough innovation.This training will explore the exciting energy solutions that are helping the region to thrive oncemore.!”

There is no cost to attend the training. However, participants must pay for their own travel andaccommodations.

OVER THE COURSE OF THREE DAYS, PARTICIPANTS WILL:

Learn from our Founder and Chairman former US Vice President Al Gore, how tocommunicate the urgency of the climate crisis to people everywhereLearn how to combine science and solutions to engage audiencesLearn to inspire others to take actionHear from subject experts in such fields as strategic communications, climate science, andgrassroots organizingNetwork with global leaders and influencersInformation about the training venue and accommodations will be emailed to participantsafter they have been accepted to the training

By the Numbers: August 20172,810 CoC Certificates, US

34,315 CoC Certificates, Worldwide

168.9 MILLION ACRES Certified forest area, US & Canada

4,068 Companies CoC certified, US

35.3 MILLION ACRES Certified forest area, US

490.9 MILLION ACRES Certified forest area, Worldwide

Join SFC and ASBC in calling for policies that will sustainhealthy environments inside and outside.

SustyBiz 17: Advancing Sustainability in the Trump Era

Let's Tell Government What Business Really Wants

Government often makes bad decisions about climate, infrastructure, health care, taxes, regulations and other prioritiesbecause a few unsustainable mega-influencers insist that’s “what business wants.” ASBC members know better. AtSustyBiz17, on October 22-24 in Washington, D.C., you’ll get the tools to tell your representatives what your businessreally wants from government to create an economy that works for all.

ASBC’s 6th Annual Sustainable BusinessSummit brings together company leaders, electedofficials, think-tanks and media to understand andshare best practices and reality-based policyinitiatives. Attendees include a wide range ofcompanies: large and small, established and start-up, publicly traded, privately held and B Corps. Allof them enrich the dynamic opportunities atSustyBiz17.

The stakes have never been higher, and waiting itout is not an option. Join us at SustyBiz17 and helpus give government the real message of “whatbusiness wants.”

Reserve your place at the table today.

Click to Tweet: Tell government what business really wants: registration is open for @ASBCouncil's #SustyBiz17 Oct 22-24 in Washington, DC

Why you need to start asking "What's it made of?" There are more than 80,000 untested chemicals in use today. Many of the most problematic substances in everydayproducts are from six families or “classes” of chemicals. When a compound is from one of these classes, we should ask,“Do we really need this chemical? Is it worth the risk?” The Six Classes Challenge is an innovative project that aims to decrease the use of entire classes of harmful chemicalsin everyday products. Applying this visionary approach, major businesses are already beginning to meet the challenge.This could lead to a dramatic reduction in cancer and in hormonal, neurological, and reproductive impairments for ahealthier world. Educated Yourself about these two classes of chemicals: 1) Flame Retardants which bioaccumlate in the environment and have worked their way into our food chain. They areassociated with lowered IQ and hyperactivity in children, homrone disruption and cancer. 2) Bisphenols & Phthalates which are found in plastics and can interfer with normal human hormone function. Take just 8 minutes out of you day and watch these two short videos to learn more about these chemicals of concernfound in home furnishings products. Click Here to learn more about Flame Retardants Click Here to learn more about Bisphenols and Phthalates

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This message sent from: Sustainable Furnishings Council

100 East King Street, Suite 1 Edenton, NC 27932 United States

www.sustainablefurnishings.org