The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) of Washington, D.C., is changing its certification process for green buildings through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

A 30-day online public comment period ended June 22, 2008, and the new version, dubbed LEED 2009, is slated to debut in January.

More than 1,500 buildings have received LEED certification since the program was introduced in 2000, and more than 11,000 are seeking it. (Less than a handful of U.S. churches have reached LEED certification to date.)

Since 2000, the USGBC has changed the way architects, contractors, and developers design and construct buildings. Even structures that don't pursue LEED certification—including houses of worship—increasingly incorporate sustainable practices such as daylighting, recycling materials, and using low-flow water fixtures and toilets.

Historically, LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Points are awarded for specific practices in each area and are verified by an independent third party. Depending on the number of points earned, a building is awarded a certified, silver, gold, or platinum ranking.

Yet the certification process has been criticized for being too cumbersome and demanding, too costly, and for awarding points illogically. A common example is that installing a bike rack achieves one point, while installing an HVAC system earns the same.

LEED 2009 will reorganize the commercial rating systems by consolidating, aligning, and updating them into one system that's "simpler and more elegant, and committed to continuous improvement," according to USGBC spokeswoman Ashley Katz.

To learn more about LEED and LEED 2009, visit www.usgbc.org.

Barna Research Describes Technology Usage Trends in Houses of Worship

Spiritual research and resource provider The Barna Group Ltd. of Ventura, California, has released eye-opening church technology information gathered by its Barna Research Group. The research finds that Protestant churches across the nation are using various forms of emerging technology to influence people's lives and enliven their church experience.
But the pace of technology adoption has slowed somewhat in the past two years.

Some highlights of the research showing technology usage trends include:
Email blasts – Approximately 56% of the churches surveyed report sending email blasts to large groups or to the entire church body. Yet, the act of sending email blasts has budged little since 2005. Small congregations are less likely to send out these blasts (47%) than are churches with 100 or more adults attending during a typical week (66%).

Internet presence – Churches are increasing their use of the Internet to reach people. In 2000, just one-third of Protestant churches (34%) had a church website. That figure exploded to 57% in 2005, and has inched upward since to 62%. About half of the small churches surveyed (48% of those drawing less than 100 adults) have a church website, compared to three-quarters of the mid-sized churches (75% of houses of worship attracting 100 to 250 adults per week), and nine out of 10 larger churches (91% of churches with more than 250 adults attending).

Social networking sites – One out of every four Protestant churches (26%) now has some presence on one or more social networking sites (such as MySpace). Once again, church size was a factor, with larger churches being more than twice as likely to have such a presence (20% vs. 47%). Charismatic churches were notably more likely (38%) than either mainline or evangelical congregations to use these pages in their ministry efforts.

Podcasting – Podcasting, or distributing a series of digital media files, such as audio, over the Internet, has been adopted by one out of every six churches (16%). Larger churches stood out in their embrace of this communications tool, with half of the churches attracting more than 250 adults (47%) utilizing podcast technology.

Blogging – Blogging is also invading the ministry world. One-eighth of Protestant churches (13%) now have blog sites or pages through which people can interact with thoughts posted by church leaders.

Satellite dishes – Satellite broadcasting is one technology that has not shown any discernible expansion in the past several years. In 2000, some 7% of Protestant churches had a satellite dish for receiving programming and training. That number remains virtually unchanged today.

In summary, the Barna Group's founder, George Barna, offers this: "The Internet has become one of the pivotal communications and community-building tools of our lifetime. Churches are well-advised to have an intelligent and foresighted Internet strategy in order to facilitate meaningful ministry."

To learn more about the sampling and research drawn by The Barna Group in compiling its report, go to www.barna.org.

Construction Under Way on New Venture Christian Fellowship Resource Center

General contractor Marcotte & Hearne Builders has broken ground on a Domus Studio-designed curved glass addition at New Venture Christian Fellowship in Oceanside, California. Image courtesy of Domus Studio

A sleek new building is sprouting up on the New Venture Christian Fellowship campus in Oceanside, California. Designed by Domus Studio Architects of San Diego, California, the $2-million resource center is expected to be completed later this year.

Part of the existing church's 12-acre campus, the new building is a 4,772-square-foot, two-story structure that will house both the resource center and welcome center/bookstore on the first floor, as well as three meeting rooms and restrooms on the second floor. An elevator serves both floors and is connected at the southwest corner through a bridge to the existing second floor of the church's education building.

According to Lisa Castagnola, project architect at Domus Studio, the resource center will feature a curved glass curtain wall at the second floor meeting rooms as well as large multi-sliding glass doors at the lower floor that open to the courtyard promenade. The second floor meeting rooms are accessed through a catwalk that overlooks both the bookstore and the courtyard below.

The project also features site improvements, including an entry fountain and a passenger drop-off area. Marcotte & Hearne Builders of San Diego, California, is the project's general contractor.

For more information on this project, visit www.domusstudio.com.

Scaffold Producer Bil-Jax Implements Company-Wide Green Initiative

Archbold, Ohio-based Bil-Jax Inc., a producer of scaffold and aerial work platforms used in churches, announces the formation of a Go Green Committee. The Bil-Jax Go Green Committee will investigate and implement a variety of initiatives designed to reduce the environmental impact of the company's manufacturing practices and day-to-day operations.

"By adopting ‘green' policies and encouraging our employees and customers to do the same, we hope to become a model company not only throughout our industry but also throughout the [United States] and the world," says Jeff Ott, president and CEO. Bil-Jax has partnered with Defiance, Ohio-based Werlor Recycling to expand its recycling program, as well. According to Ott, recycled materials will be carefully measured. "It's possible to calculate the cost and energy savings of any green policy," says Ott. "One of our stated goals is to show that environmentally friendly manufacturing can be cost-neutral, even profitable."

Members of the Go Green Committee were recruited from all departments and shifts. In addition to its recycling efforts, the Committee will be responsible for developing comprehensive initiatives for conservation. Ott notes that energy costs, in particular, are an ongoing concern. "An action as simple as leaving the lights on when an employee leaves a room has a tangible environmental impact. Another goal of the Go Green Committee is to educate our employees and our community about making responsible, environmentally conscious decisions."

Those interested can follow the progress of the Bil-Jax Go Green Committee by visiting www.biljaxgogreen.com.

Christian Community Credit Union Program Delivers Nearly $250,000 for Tribal Development in Thailand

Christian Community Credit Union's card members helped the company pledge a hefty sum for economic, spiritual, and physical aid in three Thailand tribal villages.

San Dimas, California-based Christian Community Credit Union has pledged $232,500 to launch three tribal villages in Northern Thailand over the next two years through "The Cards that Give to Missions & Ministries" program. In partnership with the Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP), the Credit Union's "Launch a Village" project will provide water and sanitation resources, build a school and a health clinic, as well as provide micro enterprise lending. The donation will also help sustain the three villages economically by providing agricultural and business training, purchasing a four-wheel drive truck, and facilitating the production and marketing of Arabica coffee.

"Working together with ITDP allowed us to apply the credit union movement's philosophy of ‘people helping people,'" states Dr. John T. Walling, Christian Community Credit Union's president and CEO. "Through the ‘Launch a Village' project, our members are helping change lives economically, socially, and spiritually every time they use their credit or debit [cards] for purchases."

For more than 18 years, Mike and Becky Mann of ITDP, missionaries in Thailand, have provided a positive alternative to the hill tribes of Northern Thailand. Their efforts have provided much-needed help and hope to the tribal people, who in the past were involved in child prostitution, the growing of opium, and criminal activities.

"Partnering with Christian Community Credit Union members is a great opportunity to put Christ's love into action by helping resource-poor villagers in Thailand be alleviated from poverty and, at the same time, plant the seeds of Christ," says Mike Mann, ITDP Global Consultant.

"To see the lives of villagers changed when they finally have running water, when they can afford to send their children to school with new clothes and shoes and, most of all, when they become new believers, is the greatest joy," says Becky Mann. "The ‘Launch a Village' project is an answer to prayer. Not only do we help bring water and life skills to the poor and remote villages in Thailand, we're also sharing about the Living Water that will flow into each of the villager's heart and soul."

To date, Christian Community Credit Union's "Cards that Give to Missions & Ministries" program has given more than $2.5 million. The donation comes from interchange income the Credit Union receives from fees merchants pay to card issuers.

"When our members use their Credit Union cards exclusively, the potential donation to missions is enormous," reports Walling. "Besides transforming villages and their communities, our members are helping build God's Kingdom. That's what makes our credit and debit cards so unique."

For more information about "The Cards that Give to Missions & Ministries,” visit www.myCCCU.com.

Maintenance Solutions Presents Online Seminar Series

Maintenance Solutions of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is offering a Maintenance Executive Online Seminar Series -- an OSHA-compliant, on-demand, online educational series designed to help meet and maintain critical safety practices. There are three Web seminars: Top Ten OSHA Violations in a Built Environment, How to Conduct a Proactive Health and Safety Inspection, and How to Measure Compliance and Establish Safety Goals. One, two, or all three seminars may be downloaded. In addition, the seminars can be viewed at anytime.

Each 60-minute online seminar is presented by the executive director of the Workforce Safety Awareness Council, David A. Casavant. He gives tangible, real-life tips and practices to make sure your organization is in good graces with OSHA.

www.facilitiesnet.com/webinar/oshaseries/OshaWebcast.html

Leviton Expands Line of Multi-Technology Energy Management Solutions

Leviton expands its multi-technology occupancy sensor line offering with three new models that combine bi-level switching with passive infrared (PIR) and ultrasonic (US) technology for highly accurate occupancy detection with minimal false triggering. The new OSSMD, OSSMD-G, and OSSMD-F feature self-adaptive technology that compensates for real-time occupancy patterns to provide "install and forget” performance. The OSSMD accommodates a range of application environments, including private offices and executive suites, training and conference rooms, classrooms, restrooms, and storage areas.

The new line of wall-mount sensors provides flexible operation in application settings that may require the use of US technology only, disabling the PIR detection capability when changes in airflow or temperature occur. The OSSMD-G does not require a neutral wire for installation, making it suitable for retrofit applications. The OSSMD-F is ideal for use in commercial restrooms with exhaust fans when there is a need for a delayed-Off for the second relay. It features a single pushbutton switch with two relays and uses an auto-On or manual-On to keep the exhaust fan on for an additional 10 minutes after the occupancy sensor switches the lights Off to clear vent the air in a public restroom. The OSSMD-F is ideal for restrooms in coffee shops, restaurants, and other commercial facilities. The OSSMD is compatible with incandescent, fluorescent, and low-voltage lighting, and provides automatic switching of two separate lighting loads from a single unit. The unit features dual manual-override switches that can be used to toggle the On/Off status of each lighting load while an area is occupied. The sensor has an adjustable 30-minute time-delay setting for both relays with a shorter 30-second vacancy confirmation built into the first relay.

The OSSMD line uses PIR sensing to detect motion and turn lights on and both PIR and US sensing to keep the lights on while the area is occupied. PIR sensing provides immunity to false tripping and US sensing provides maximum sensitivity and range. This combination increases the accuracy of the OSSMD line in irregularly shaped or partitioned rooms where PIR technology alone is not effective. The sensor also features energy-saving "walk-through" sensing that automatically switches lights off 2-1/2 minutes after momentary occupancy. Additional features include an ambient light override feature to keep lights off when there is adequate natural lighting, adjustable field-of-view blinders, and a convenient pushbutton for manual on/off switching at any time.

The OSSMD is rated 800W incandescent and 1200VA for magnetic low-voltage and fluorescent lighting at 120V AC, and 2700VA fluorescent at 277V AC. It can be used with magnetic or electronic ballasts and features true zero-crossing switching to ensure maximum relay life and compatibility with electronic ballasts. The OSSMD is part of Leviton's integrated energy management control offering that includes Leviton occupancy sensors, timers, dimmers and photocells, as well as Centura Daylight Harvesting systems and Architectural Lighting Control Systems.

www.leviton.com

Hitachi Offers Networking Capability And Lower Cost Of Ownership With New LCD Projectors

Hitachi America Ltd.'s Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division introduces the CP-X206 and CP-X306 3LCD projectors, offering versatility and performance for a variety of environments. The CP-X206 and CP-X306 offer remote control and maintenance via a LAN connection, while Hitachi's proprietary My Image technology allows administrators to send still images to every projector on the network.

The Hitachi CP-X206 and CP-X306 projectors feature Hitachi PJMan software, allowing users to control and monitor multiple projectors via a web browser without having to download and install application software. This allows administrators to monitor for functions such as lamp life on every projector on the network from a single, remote location. Additionally, the timing of switching the projector's power on and off can be automatically scheduled from a computer.

The CP-X206 and CP-X306 projectors feature a new hybrid filter, reportedly allowing for 2,000 hours before replacement, located on the side of the chassis, making it accessible no matter how the projector is mounted. Both models contain a top door lamp, enabling easy replacement when the projector is ceiling mounted.

Addressing the issue of security, administrators can transfer still images to every projector on the network, using the My Image function. The images will be automatically displayed on every projector, regardless of whether or not they are in use at the time. This is particularly useful in emergency situations when a notification needs to be sent immediately across a large area.

The CP-X206 projector offers 2,200 lumens of brightness, while the CP-X306 offers 2,600 lumens. Both models weigh 7.7 pounds and feature a 500:1 contrast ratio. They also feature seven watts of built-in audio, eliminating the need for external speakers. The CP-X206 and CP-X306 boast a low noise rating of 29 dB in Whisper Mode.

The CP-X206 and CP-X306 also offer anti-theft features such as a Transition Detector (requires a password to operate the projector when moved from a fixed position). Both projectors also offer PIN Lock and MyScreen Lock, as well as a security bar.

www.hitachi.us

Videx Releases a New Electronic Lock Product Catalog

Videx announces the release of a new catalog that is packed with helpful information on CyberLock electronic locks and intelligent padlocks. The catalog is free and includes an instructive CD on electronic lock and key technology. CyberLock brings electronic access control and an audit trail to mechanical locks and padlocks simply by replacing the cylinders in the existing locks with CyberLock electronic cylinders.

With more than 200 lock cylinder designs available, CyberLocks can be installed in lock hardware on everything from doors to cabinets to vending machines and parking meters … virtually anywhere a lock is present. Installation does not require wiring or structural changes.

www.videx.com