or bring their own reusable containers for
beverages. To potentially reduce the environmental impact of employees commuting, RSNA is investigating the feasibility
of installing a bike rack for employees who
wish to bicycle to work.
GREENING THE ANNUAL MEETING
RSNA’s weeklong annual meeting in
November, which drew a record 62,501
professionals and exhibitors in 2007,
provided more green opportunities. There
were bins for badge and lanyard recycling, and materials were printed on
recycled and/or recyclable, chlorine-free
paper with a soy-based ink. RSNA also
worked with the McCormick Place Convention Center and Chicago Restaurant
Partners to offer paper, aluminum and
plastic recycling; reduce light, power
and heating usage; donate leftover food
to a Chicago-area shelter; and use 100
percent compostable cups, flatware and
packaging for boxed lunches.
environmentally friendly practices before
the project was officially launched, but
also by continuing to suggest ideas as
the project moves along. Many employees engage in green practices at home
and want to extend those efforts into the
workplace, Lichtenberger says.
“Employees want to be part of something,” Lichtenberger says. “We want to
encourage our employees to keep suggesting new ideas.”
RSNA considers Going Green an
ongoing process, says Zawaski, rather
than working toward an imaginary point
when the organization has “become
green.”
“It is amazing to watch the green
movement evolve not only with RSNA, but
also on a local, national and global scale,”
he says. “The opportunities for organizations to show corporate responsibility just
keep multiplying.”
Lynn Tefft Hoff is senior manager of member communications for RSNA. She may be reached at
lhoff@rsna.org.
Think big.
COST IS A CHALLENGE
If there is anything that would rein in
RSNA’s ambitious green efforts, it would
be another type of green — the dollar.
While things like occupancy sensors
should eventually pay for themselves
through saved energy costs, Zawaski
says, the upfront cost isn’t inconsequential. “Doing the basics isn’t costly,” he
says. “It’s the larger commitments that
are expensive.”
Lichtenberger noted that while
there’s a tendency to believe that helping the environment is not only right but
affordable, too, the reality is that items
like recycled paper and copier toner
often are more expensive than non-recy-cled. Fortunately, RSNA has not balked
at the higher price of doing green business, he says.
“RSNA takes pride in being on the
cutting edge as an association,” says
RSNA Executive Director Dave Fellers,
CAE. “When we pulled together our
entire 23-member executive staff team,
we found a great deal of interest in
coordinating the Going Green project.
It has been a very rewarding experience
for all of us.”
CHICAGO, YOU’RE OUR KIND OF TOWN.
SO WE’VE GIVEN YOU BIG NEW REASONS
TO ATTEND OUR ANNUAL MEETING.
We’ve tailored our big event to bring you only the very
best education. Presentations by the nation’s premier
thought leaders. A more focused learning experience.
More concepts and skills that will pay off immediately
back at the office. General sessions that will inspire
you to think bigger than ever. And plenty of time for
networking and visiting the Expo Hall.
Mark your calendar now to join us August 16-19 in
sunny (but relatively cool) San Diego. We promise
you our best event ever.
www.asaecenter.org/annualmeeting
EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT IS KEY
RSNA personnel have contributed to the
success of the society’s Going Green
movement not only by asking for more
