My life experiences that led me to pursue a degree in business specifically addressing the GREEN MBA program and my carrier intention after graduation.
I am not a global thinker; however, I was deeply moved by Al Gore’s movie and care deeply about the environment. I didn’t know how I can make a difference beyond recycling and energy savings in my personal life. When I completed eco-Broker training and learned about building orientation, natural landscaping feature, indoor air pollution, energy efficiency and cost-effective ways green-minded consumers can benefit, I felt that I can begin making a difference in the lives of other by educating them and raising their “green” awareness.
“Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization.” This is the first sentence in the REALTORS Code of Ethics and Preamble, which establishes obligations that are higher than those mandated by law. I took an Ethics class when I became a REALTOR and I was deeply moved by the imposed obligation beyond those of “ordinary commerce.” Being a real estate consultant for the past ten years allowed me to meet and touch many lives and still have my own. It allowed me to work and be a single parent to my children.
My oldest is an attorney in the state of New York, my second son, graduated from Cal with a double major and interned at the San Francisco Chronicle during his senior year. He is now a reporter for LA Times. My third son is a senior at the UC Santa Barbara, also double majoring in History and Slavic Studies. My third son is at the UC Santa Cruz in the pre-med program and my daughter is a freshman at Redwood High School. She wants to go to John Hopkins Medical School and plans to be a surgeon. My children’ ambition grew as a result of my own late blooming. In high school I was torn between going to law school and art school. I graduated from high school when I was fifteen and unlike most of my class mates who went to college right away, I worked as a court recorder in the most difficult and longest trials. In the evening I attended law preparatory courses. I decided to go to law school the following September, but unexpectedly my mother and I had to leave my country, Ukraine.
My story began on the other side of the globe many decades ago. When I was growing up in Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine (part of the former Soviet Union), life was hard but simple. As a little girl I was often sent to the corner store to buy groceries. If my mother needed sour cream I made sure to bring an empty glass jar for the sour cream to bring it back home. Also I brought back empty, cleaned glass bottles and jars back to the store for redemption. If we needed seltzer water, I would carry empty “siphon bottles” and exchange them for the full ones. There were no plastic bags or plastic containers or even paper bags and everything we used was re-used.
I came to the United Stated in 1975. I was amazed at the country’s wealth and opportunities. I lived in a small studio with my mother on the West side of Manhattan. I was grateful to be in America. I studied English as a second language at the Columbia University and tried to get a job. I applied for a part-time job through the student union. During the interview I was told that this job opportunity offered to extremely needy students. In my mind, I did not feel needy. During my three year journey to get to the United States to join my mother, I endured far worst living arrangement than our studio apartment on the West side of Manhattan in a building with a doorman. This was pure luxury. I felt very privileged and fortunate and told them that I am not that “needy”.
Ten years and five children later, I was living in San Francisco. As a family we did the right thing; we recycled bottles and cans. We would clean them and bring them to a recycling plant so the children could learn recycling. We re-used our paper shopping bags before it was fashionable. When my children attended the San Francisco Waldorf School, the entire family was introduced to a more conscience life style. In kindergarten children made soup and grew their own vegetables. They carried their lunches in wicker baskets and played with the wooden toys. They watched very little TV and wore cotton clothes without logos. They painted, performed plays and had a special movement class, called eurhythmy. I found it very holistic and wholesome. In retrospect, I suppose, we were ahead of the trend. As part of their curriculum, my children went to sustainable farm in Covello; they planted seeds and took care of the crops and animals. They learned to honor and love the land.
Our lives changed dramatically when we moves to Marin. I was a single parents with four young children in three different schools. I was working full time and completing my BS in the evenings. The children ranged in age from five to twelve when they attended my commencement ceremony at the San Jose Arena in 1998. They had witnessed me writing my school papers late into the night, they felt excited along with me when I received my grades and missed me the nights I went to school. My graduation was their victory just as much as it was mine. I chose a Bachelor of Science because I felt it was necessary for me to balance my aesthetic side. Studying critical thinking and working on business projects with my cohorts helped to strengthen my pragmatic side and prepared me to see things in the more balanced ways.
One of my son’s personal statements said: “Not going to college was not an option. We grew up seeing our mom going back to college to get her BA. Going to college and beyond was a natural continuum”.
Now that most of my children are on their own, spreading their wings and finding their own passions in life, I felt a need to further my education. I love learning; I literally feel the dendrites in my brain deepen and expand when I am learning something new. When my children are home for the holidays and we discuss their course of studies and they share their ideas, I see a very special light in their eyes. Their intelligence and passion for learning shines though; I can not be more proud of them.
The idea of getting the Green MBA from the Dominican became obvious after I volunteered for the Environmental Educational Council of Marin at the Bioneers conference last year. I was so impressed with the people who organized and attended it. I felt that they were much more evolved and involved in being “green minded” than the majority of people I know. As a REALTOR® I wanted to help my clients and (the planet) to learn about ways they can “green their environment and help them make more conscience decision when buying, selling or remodeling.
In Marin we have limited build-able land; ninety-five percent of our land is dedicated open space and therefore, we have an obligation to make sure that we utilize our resources wisely. I found out that many homes in Marin face the wrong way to utilize solar power while I was helping my clients to install solar power in their new homes. This brings us back to the utilization of land on which depends the survival and growth of our civilization. We owe it to our future generation to take care of our resources. Personally I carry responsibility to my children and to my children’ children to do what I can to promote more sustainable lifestyle and raise my own consciousness and to expand my knowledge.
My carrier intention upon graduation is to help small and mid-size business owner to run their business more efficiently, utilizing green business practices. In a very short time, I envision a standardized “green business practice” for all business in the world. I foresee the County and the cities of Marin impose new standards for the remodel and the new construction practice and use of “green” materials. All businesses will have to be “green” certified by the County of Marin. Unless we, as humans, collectively understand that each and every one is a part of the solution and not just see ourselves as a problem, we can not move forward. When each one of us reduces our carbon footprint and reduces consumption we can ultimately make a difference. The Humanity can not continue doing the same thing and expect different results. The urgency for a change is prominent more than ever, necessitating our individual as well as our collective consciousness to rise to a new level of evolution.
I realize that the ‘green’ MBA will crystallize my ideas and help me transform into a more useful and responsible individual. Most importantly it will empower me to lead the way. I suppose my ‘green awakening’ did not occur overnight. It was a culmination of my upbringing, my life experiences, my beliefs and my education.
Now that I attained my “green awakening”, I am bound to seek ways to improve and to be useful and to make a difference in the lives of all those who I meet on my journey. I am looking forward to the journey.
Thank you for reading.
Victoria Wells
Broker Associate, e-Pro, SRES, eco-Broker
415-710-4090
Green is good.
Victoria Wells is "Green Value Added" real estate professional with additional Eco-Broker Certified® training on the energy and environmental issues that effect real estate transactions. GoinGreenMarin offers tremendous green resources available in the market for the consumer, as part of the service commitment. We can help you identify and make sense of these invaluable green opportunities.
Victoria is passionate and dedicated to the sustainability movement. When you work with Victoria on purchasing your new home, she'll dedicate part of her commission toward making GREEN improvements in your new home within a year. Also ask Victoria about IRS Code 25C, a government tax credit to "green" your home.
How energy efficient is your home? Is your home costing you more $$$ to maintain? Are your appliances energy rated? What is you green footprint on this Earth?
Are you looking to save energy and save money? Considering ways to make your kitchen more eco-friendly? Think there may be a way to lower the impact of your lawn? There are many ways to create your dream green home. Just click on the area of your home below for great green home improvement recommendations. Or are you interested in learning more about the various green alternatives available to you?
Save money, save the Earth! How efficient are front-load washing machine? When is the time to replace your old refrigerator? These questions and many more are answered in the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, a one-stop resource for consumers who want to improve their home's energy performance and reduce costs.
To request your complimentary copy, please contact:
Victoria Wells, Eco Broker,
415-710-4090 or email your request to: vawells@comcast.net
GoGreenMarin with Victoria!
Check out these great Green Resources Sites on this page.
OK I admit that I live each day in my pink bubble. I TRY not to watch news or stock market or listen to all negative talk. If I happened to do it - I feel drained; it literally sucks energy out on me and by the time I am ready for bed..I am out. No wonder so many of us have sleep problems; or rather "no-sleep" problems or wake up in the morning wiped out and dread facing another day.
I believe that one becomes like the five people he/she hangs out with all the time. We inevitably absorb the environment like the sponge and become it; all tense, upset and negative. It's a human nature. All we hear everywhere is: "in this hard economic times" and watch it magnified on our ginormous TV screens screaming doom and gloom; what can one do?
How does one stay happy, at ease and positive?
My solution works for me. I get up in the morning and look in the mirror and say: I love myself. I am at ease. I am healthy, I am wealthy, I am happy, I am loved. I am grateful for my family and all the gifts I am given. I am hopeful, I invite Lord to be with me this day, I prey for a good day. I take care of my spirit, my mind and my body. I don't do it because I am vane. I do it for survival and sanity. Besides, If you don't love yourself, how can you love another human being? I love myself therefore I surround myself with a pink bubble to protect myself from dis-ease and fear. I shut that little voice in my had that says...what about this and what about that? How will you be able to pay your bills? What about the holidays and the gifts? How will you do it? It isn't easy. The only way I can do it is to stay in the present moment; in the NOW. Fear is the opposite of faith. I plop myself in a positive pink bubble filled with faith, hope and unlimited possibilities that caries me through the day.
How about you?
How do you do it?
I invite you to share some positive thoughts and inspire others. Being inspired, means being In-Spirit...to be in vibration with the higher power. How do you stay positive and inspired?
I'd love to hear from you?
Victoria Wells
Marin County
| Please join us to honor Gordon Bennett 2008 Environmental Leader of Marin Save the Date Where: Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941 The Environmental Education Council of Marin "EECOM" invites you and your colleagues and friends to join; Senator Mark Leno, Assembly member Jared Huffman and Supervisor Charles McGlashan at our 2008 Environmental Leadership Award Ceremony. The award ceremony will be held at the Mill Valley Community center on Tuesday evening, November 11 th between 6:30 and 8:30 pm. This year EECOM is pleased to honor Gordon Bennett as the 2008 Environmental Leader of Marin. We hope that you and your work colleagues/friends can join us for this auspicious event to honor an environmental hero, and to support our important work going forward. The price of a ticket is $40 per person paid in advance and $50 at the door (advance purchase is suggested in case of the event being sold out). Tickets can be purchased on line at www.eecom.net or by mail to our office at 42 Bolinas, Ste G, Fairfax, CA 94930. Excellent opportunities to sponsor this event and be involved in this important ceremony are also being offered. EECOM has received excellent coverage for this event in Marin IJ and other news sources (reaching over 80,000 people), and we always list our supporters, on signage at the event, at our web site and in our e-zine which goes out to over 2,000 people. If you are interested in being a sponsor please contact us at support@eecom.net. This important event marks an annual milestone by honoring individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to our community. It also presents community leaders an opportunity to come together and celebrate our sustainable Marin County.
EECOM, a decade old environmental organization has provided leadership in the areas of environmental education, sustainable food systems, and in helping to stop global warming. We are a small non-profit with environmental programs throughout Marin and the Bay area. We network with a large number of organizations including sustainable businesses, environmental education groups and government agencies. Here are some highlights about our work: Eco-Energy Footprint Campaign to Stop Global Warming Last year, Al Gore's Marin county appearance benefited our local energy footprint (global warming) campaign. To date we have received over 800 pledges from home-owners and business owners to reduce their energy consumption, and we have educated over 40,000 Marin residents on Marin's oversized energy footprint. [Got to www.eecom.net to make an energy pledge and sign up on our "Pledge Wall" and join many of your neighbors.] These pledges result in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Based on the 800 people who have pledged to reduce their electricity and gasoline consumption by 20% each over the period of one year, they could be collectively saving: • 1,181,376 kilowatt hours per year, resulting in annual savings of 3017 tons of GHG • 91,560 gallons of gas per year, resulting in annual savings of 784 tons of GHG and 889 tons of CO2 ! Not to mention savings on their energy bills. According to one of the businesses that EECOM has worked with, they saved 30% on their energy costs! Recognizing that even if we succeed in significantly reducing Marin County's energy use, because of our small size and population this is not enough to stop Global Warming, EECOM links community members to larger state and national campaigns like the Step It Up Campaign seeking to pass a bill in Congress to significantly reduce America's greenhouse gas emissions. Over 1,000 residents joined us throughout the county to raise support for this initiative. Environmental Education Programs Through our teen media program, we train high school students in journalism, we interview environmental leaders, and their stories are professional edited and aired every week (52 stories a year) after Living on Earth on KAWL. This fine education program for older teens, builds communication and media skills while providing job training. We are also able to bring new voices to the media, by disseminating newsworthy environmental stories. We also reach many younger children in Marin County through our excellent nutrition and garden program for children in grades k-4 th . Just this past year, we reached over 650 children nutrition and garden lessons (in four of Marin counties poorest schools) every other week. By doing so, EECOM provides over 50 hours of in depth education and training to each youth (a grand total of 32,500 hours of educational instruction!). This in-depth nutrition and garden program has changed children's attitudes and behaviors about what foods are healthy and desirable to eat, and educated them in basic ecological and gardening principles. The program has also transformed some of the schools food and nutrition practices, by encouraging a school salad bar option. This year, we are pleased to be able to reach out and help many more schools and children since launching our school garden mini-grants program and our mini-grants for field trips for kids. You can learn more about these grants at www.eecom.net . Marin City Programs: Health and Nutrition For four years, EECOM has provided services to some of our poorest communities; Marin City and the Canal. We run an after school education program for Marin City middle school children to engage them in beneficial activities. Through the Marin City Youth Corps program we guides and recognize the youth's contribution to their community through gardening, clean up and helping on community projects. One of our favorite youth activities is their bringing fresh organic produce directly from our farm stand to elderly Marin residents as part of a free delivery service. This past year, we successfully launched the Marin City Farm Stand bringing organic produce at economical prices to the Marin City community. The farm stand is a fledgling micro-enterprise that provides employment and job training to Marin city residents. We hope to spin off the farm stand in several years as a viable self-sustaining business. In the future, we hope to link the farm stand to a larger community garden, making the stand entirely self-sufficient and community run. Environmental Education Networking, Training Mini-grants & More EECOM has the most comprehensive and up to date listings of environmental education providers in Marin County. You can view our list and get more information about the different programs from the providers at www.eecom.net. We also host a quarterly networking meeting as part of our Children and Nature Connection, and we just launched two wonderful mini-grant opportunities for school gardens and for field trip outings for kids. Go to www.eecom.net to see our application and learn more. Next year, we will offer certification course in EE for Marin public school teachers, along with many of our partners. All of this and more has been accomplished, by a relatively small organization, making EECOM one of the most efficient non-profits in the bay area. This means that every dollar that is donated to us is put into meaningful programs that benefit our local community. We have a wonderful group of community supporters to date and EECOM would be pleased to add you to our list as one of our sponsors. If you live or work in Marin County, you will be directly benefiting your own community by doing so. If you have any questions please contact me at the e-mail or phone listed below.
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Environmental Education Council of Marin |
I just spent two fabulous fun and informative days volunteering at the Bioneers conference in San Rafael, California. What an exciting event! This was a gathering of truly caring and innovative visionaries working together to restore our planet and raise our awareness of conservancy and learning how we can make a difference. Bioneers members are creating and realizing a wealth of imaginative approaches to restoring and protecting the health of our planet and the well-being of our communities.
I volunteered to manned the EECOM booth. EECOM provides leadership by educating people about pressing critical issues and reduce global warming though our Pledge to Reduce Your Energy Use Campaign. There were many inspiring speakers and Green entrepreneurs inspiring a shift to live on Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other and the future generation.
Being certified as an eco-Broker®, made me aware of many opportunities we have to improve our lives and also help our clients utilize green opportunities when buying and selling. There are growing number of resources and solutions offered out there. Visit Greennest, which helps create healthy home and greenlivingideas and lowimpactliving, which offers great green remodel ideas.
Live well! Live Green! Awaken your green curiosity and discover how you can help your clients raise their green awareness and you might make green yourself!
For any green ideas, contact Victoria Wells, eco-broker certified, vawells@comcast.net
Make Your Next Move with Victoria!
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