--- title: "Monday Buzz: How to Benefit From the Government’s Green Initiatives" id: "26153" type: "post" slug: "monday-buzz-how-to-benefit-from-the-governments-green-initiatives" published_at: "2014-11-24T19:03:51+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T13:06:19+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/11/24/monday-buzz-how-to-benefit-from-the-governments-green-initiatives/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/11/24/monday-buzz-how-to-benefit-from-the-governments-green-initiatives.md" excerpt: "The federal government's renewed focus on environmental issues presents associations with a huge opportunity—if they can seize the day. Plus: How to understand social media analytics." taxonomy_category: - "Business Development" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "Environment and Sustainability" - "government contracting" - "initiative" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" - "For-Profit CEO / President / Owner / Partner" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Monday Buzz: How to Benefit From the Government’s Green Initiatives Environmental issues may be debated endlessly in local communities and the halls of Congress, but government spending makes one thing clear: The feds are going green. The U.S. General Services Administration, for example, [has an extensive sustainability plan (opens in a new tab)](http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/162843) , and [the Pentagon is investing billions (opens in a new tab)](http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/01/30/pentagon-awards-7-billion-green-energy-contract.aspx) in green energy initiatives. The question is: How can your organization benefit as the government sharpens its focus on the green economy? Plexus Consulting Group’s Nancy Najarian [has more than a few tips (opens in a new tab)](http://plexusconsulting.blogspot.com/) : “Begin brainstorming as to how your company, association, or individual expertise can be applied to a government contracting company that needs to branch out into this area,” she writes. “Investigate online the building associations, both national and local, that are offering green certification programs. These programs train individuals in methods, materials, and designs for creating energy savings, using energy efficient practices, and incorporating renewable energy technology into residential and commercial facilities,” she says. For more of Najarian’s advice, [read her blog post: “Green—Is It in Your Business or Career Plan?” (opens in a new tab)](http://plexusconsulting.blogspot.com/2014/11/green-is-it-in-your-business-or-career.html) ### Deck of the Day **[Making Sense of Social Media Analytics (opens in a new tab)](https://www.slideshare.net/maggielmcg/nesae-social-media-analytics-final)** from **[Maggie McGary (opens in a new tab)](https://www.slideshare.net/maggielmcg)** Do you find yourself getting confused by the flurry of metrics tied to your social media profiles? If so, then digital communication expert Maggie McGary’s presentation “Making Sense of Social Media Analytics,” [available via SocialFish (opens in a new tab)](http://www.socialfish.org/2014/11/making-sense-social-media-analytics/) , was made for you. ### Other Good Reads **Association pros who prefer JetBlue** will be overjoyed to hear that, though the airline will institute bag fees next year, [it will continue to offer its WiFi service, Fly-Fi, for free (opens in a new tab)](http://skift.com/2014/11/20/jetblue-figures-out-how-to-keep-wi-fi-free-disses-rivals-gogo-and-row44/) . **“Board fundraising is an opportunity**, not an imposition that we dump on others,” Laura Otten, director of the Nonprofit Center at La Salle University’s School of Business, writes in a keen blog post asking “[Is Fundraising a Dirty Word? (opens in a new tab)](http://www.lasallenonprofitcenter.org/fundraising-dirty-word/) “ **“If you’re not evolving, you’re dying.”** That’s the word from Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis in a video at *Inc.* magazine, [underscoring the importance of innovation (opens in a new tab)](http://www.inc.com/marcus-lemonis/if-you-are-not-evolving-youre-dying.html) . (Patrick Lux/ThinkStock) [Morgan Little](https://associationsnow.com/author/morgan-little/) Morgan Little is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/morgan-little/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Environment and Sustainability](https://associationsnow.com/tag/environment-and-sustainability/) [#government contracting](https://associationsnow.com/tag/government-contracting/) [#initiative](https://associationsnow.com/tag/initiative/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoThink GreenJuly 22, 2011](https://associationsnow.com/2011/07/22/think-green/) - [PodcastSustainable Events: How Associations and DMOs Are Leading the ChargeMarch 31, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/03/31/sustainable-events-how-associations-and-dmos-are-leading-the-charge/) - [VideoGet Your New Initiatives Off to a Great StartFebruary 14, 2014](https://associationsnow.com/2014/02/14/get-your-new-initiatives-off-to-a-great-start/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2014%2F11%2F24%2Fmonday-buzz-how-to-benefit-from-the-governments-green-initiatives%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !