On Thursday, Julie Lineberger, former Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) Chair, instructor and activist shared knowledge and advice to the Business Management class at the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center on socially responsible business plans and the triple bottom line movement in Vermont and worldwide. The class had an opportunity to get first-hand advice on ways to increase sales to the student store following major changes towards healthy food products sold at the store. Beyond the health impacts, carrying locally produced, sustainably made products has a positive impact on our community and has engaged the students in understanding global impacts of corporate practices in manufacturing of products.
Students learned about business models like B-Corporations, L3C’s and Co-operatives as alternate models that are available to create bridges between the for-profit and non-profit models in the business world. These models push the concepts of “corporate giving” to another level through policies and values that reach every part of their business operations from employee relations to vendor contracts.
The CDC class is partnering with ACT this academic school year in the development of a business plan and recommendations for income generating strategies to sustain ACT initiatives and goals. This project is hopes to seek consideration for inclusion in the Southshire Challenge program. VBSR’s presentation is one of many opportunities local youth will have to use their talents, skills and passions to help transform our communities!
