GBS Principal Ralph DiNola was recently recognized for his work as an advocate for energy efficiency in commercial buildings. Ralph was honored with a BetterBricks Award from Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). The definition for the Advocate category is: Those who advocate that energy efficiency is the foundation of sustainability in commercial buildings. These champions work both within their professions and throughout the commercial building market to encourage and support the design and operation of high performance buildings.
Here is the transcript of Ralph’s remarks at the BetterBricks Awards ceremony:
“The Portland Opera has a bumper sticker that reads: “Nights of Passion, no regrets in the morning.” In a way I think about my work at GBS like that, but it is more like: “Days of passion, no regrets in the evening.” When I look back at the past decade, I am overwhelmed by a sense of achievement by the building industry. Yet, we clearly have so much more work to do to achieve sustainability in the built environment, the holy grail of our industry.
Several principles may guide our work as advocates for high performance green buildings:
Participate with Passion. The most compelling and engaging form of advocacy comes from a place of passion; passion for your work backed up by evidence to support your assertions.
Engage with Empathy. Sometimes we are so excited about our work that we may fail to see another person’s point of view. As author and sustainability advocate Paul Hawken once said, “When was the last time somebody changed your mind?” Help people build their own understanding.
Share your Successes AND your Failures. Be outspoken and vulnerable. We all have a lot to learn, we all have a lot to share; tell your stories in a way that is authentic for you and your audience.
Most of all, Have Fun. If you are having regrets in the evening, you need to find another job. “
- Ralph DiNola, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, LEED Faculty
Principal, Green Building Services
Ralph DiNola (center) and his fellow 2012 BetterBricks Award Winners
For more information on NEEA or the BetterBricks Awards, please visit http://neea.org
February 29th, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Great Work Ralph! Also good to note that fellow winner Martin Tull and the Green Sports Alliance relied (relies) heavily on GBS for support and direction.