Got a Question?
1. Who is Eligible?
How does recognition work?
All members will receive a certificate suitable for framing, which recognizes their participation in the Green Masters Program. In addition, the top 20% of companies will be recognized at the WI Sustainable Business Council conference.
Will this be communicated statewide?
The Green Masters Program will work with each interested applicant on a press release announcing new participants in the Green Masters Program. We also recommend that participants share this information with local and regional news media. We especially recommend the use of social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or even YouTube, to communicate “green” accomplishments.
Will this be nationally or internationally recognized?
The Green Masters Program is designed specifically for Wisconsin businesses. It aims to set a standard of sustainability excellence which will set participants apart as models of global corporate citizenship. With support from the WI Sustainable Business Council, the Green Masters Program will be promoted as a best practice for other states, and across the world.
Where will Green Masters Program companies be identified?
All companies that successfully complete the questionnaire will be identified on the Green Masters Program participant webpage.
Can my company use the Green Masters Program logo?
Any company that successfully completes the Green Masters Program application is eligible, and encouraged, to use the Green Masters Program logo on marketing or promotional materials. Additional details regarding the use of the logo are available in the Logo Use Guidelines document (sent to each company upon acceptance into the program).
Frequently asked questions
How does recognition work?
All members will receive a certificate suitable for framing, which recognizes their participation in the Green Masters Program. In addition, the top 20% of companies will be recognized at the WI Sustainable Business Council conference.
Will this be communicated statewide?
The Green Masters Program will work with each interested applicant on a press release announcing new participants in the Green Masters Program. We also recommend that participants share this information with local and regional news media. We especially recommend the use of social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or even YouTube, to communicate “green” accomplishments.
Will this be nationally or internationally recognized?
The Green Masters Program is designed specifically for Wisconsin businesses. It aims to set a standard of sustainability excellence which will set participants apart as models of global corporate citizenship. With support from the WI Sustainable Business Council, the Green Masters Program will be promoted as a best practice for other states, and across the world.
Where will Green Masters Program companies be identified?
All companies that successfully complete the questionnaire will be identified on the Green Masters Program participant webpage.
Can my company use the Green Masters Program logo?
Any company that successfully completes the Green Masters Program application is eligible, and encouraged, to use the Green Masters Program logo on marketing or promotional materials. Additional details regarding the use of the logo are available in the Logo Use Guidelines document (sent to each company upon acceptance into the program).
2. Participation and Fees
Are there any charges for the Green Masters Program?
The program is always free for first time applicants as we believe the value of the program will be obvious once companies participate. In 2016, we introduced a cost for the program for any company that waits until late in the year to apply. To avoid this cost, any company that has previously participated in the program simply needs to apply before September 1st. After September 1st and through October 1st, companies will pay a $100 application fee. Between October 1st and October 31st, companies will pay a $250 application fee.
February 1st – August 31st: Free
September 1st – October 1st: $100
October 2nd – October 31st: $250
Can a company apply before the September 1st deadline and then update their application before the program closes on October 31st?
Yes, updates to a previously completed application are always free. Participants who previously submitted an application but want to make changes to it can do so for free up until the October 31st program closing date.
How many times can I fill out the survey?
The Green Masters Program encourages continuous improvement in sustainability practices. Therefore, the survey may be filled out multiple times during a year. The Green Masters Program will use the application with the highest score when calculating the top 20%.
Are there fees for anything else?
All applicants will receive an email that shows their score and where it lies on a continuum of all previous applicants. They also will receive a breakdown of how their score compares to all other applicants in each of the 9 sustainability areas. They will receive a certificate that is suitable for framing. However, whereas in the past, the specifically prepared dashboards that show participant performance change over time and participant performance against a specific sector were free, these now will come with a $100 fee. However, if you refer another company to the Green Masters Program, you will receive a dashboard free of charge. We have heard from many participants that these dashboards are among the most valuable aspects of the Green Masters Program.
Why are there now fees associated with the program and applying?
Why aren’t there distinctions made for the size of companies? Why should a small business pay the same as a much larger business?
We’ll continue to refine how the payment system works. For the first year, there was a tremendous amount of work done on developing the back end programming for how an applicant would move through the application process and be directed to PayPal at the appropriate time. Fundamentally, we do agree that small businesses should not be charged the same as large businesses, but change is hard and we are approaching these significant program changes slowly.
What are the levels of participation in the Green Masters Program?
Green Professional: Businesses that earn 300 points or more
Green Master: Top 20% of businesses
What kind of questions are asked in the survey?
The Green Masters Program asks about actions in nine (9) key sustainability areas: energy, carbon and other emissions, water, waste and materials management, transportation, supply chain, community and educational outreach, workforce, and governance. Examples of the kinds of questions asked can be found HERE.
How long does my participation in the Green Masters Program last?
Is there any support available for Green Masters companies?
A number of case studies have been developed to assist companies looking for ideas on what can be done in any of the nine sustainability areas. These case studies are available HERE.
What are some of the benefits of joining?
3. Recognition
How does recognition work?
All members will receive a certificate suitable for framing, which recognizes their participation in the Green Masters Program. In addition, the top 20% of companies will be recognized at the WI Sustainable Business Council conference.
Will this be communicated statewide?
The Green Masters Program will work with each interested applicant on a press release announcing new participants in the Green Masters Program. We also recommend that participants share this information with local and regional news media. We especially recommend the use of social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or even YouTube, to communicate “green” accomplishments.
Will this be nationally or internationally recognized?
The Green Masters Program is designed specifically for Wisconsin businesses. It aims to set a standard of sustainability excellence which will set participants apart as models of global corporate citizenship. With support from the WI Sustainable Business Council, the Green Masters Program will be promoted as a best practice for other states, and across the world.
Where will Green Masters Program companies be identified?
All companies that successfully complete the questionnaire will be identified on the Green Masters Program participant webpage.
Can my company use the Green Masters Program logo?
Any company that successfully completes the Green Masters Program application is eligible, and encouraged, to use the Green Masters Program logo on marketing or promotional materials. Additional details regarding the use of the logo are available in the Logo Use Guidelines document (sent to each company upon acceptance into the program).
4. The Green Masters Program and Other Sustainability Initiatives
Are there any charges for the Green Masters Program?
The program is always free for first time applicants as we believe the value of the program will be obvious once companies participate. In 2016, we introduced a cost for the program for any company that waits until late in the year to apply. To avoid this cost, any company that has previously participated in the program simply needs to apply before September 1st. After September 1st and through October 1st, companies will pay a $100 application fee. Between October 1st and October 31st, companies will pay a $250 application fee.
February 1st – August 31st: Free
September 1st – October 1st: $100
October 2nd – October 31st: $250
Can a company apply before the September 1st deadline and then update their application before the program closes on October 31st?
Yes, updates to a previously completed application are always free. Participants who previously submitted an application but want to make changes to it can do so for free up until the October 31st program closing date.
How many times can I fill out the survey?
The Green Masters Program encourages continuous improvement in sustainability practices. Therefore, the survey may be filled out multiple times during a year. The Green Masters Program will use the application with the highest score when calculating the top 20%.
Are there fees for anything else?
All applicants will receive an email that shows their score and where it lies on a continuum of all previous applicants. They also will receive a breakdown of how their score compares to all other applicants in each of the 9 sustainability areas. They will receive a certificate that is suitable for framing. However, whereas in the past, the specifically prepared dashboards that show participant performance change over time and participant performance against a specific sector were free, these now will come with a $100 fee. However, if you refer another company to the Green Masters Program, you will receive a dashboard free of charge. We have heard from many participants that these dashboards are among the most valuable aspects of the Green Masters Program.
Why are there now fees associated with the program and applying?
Why aren’t there distinctions made for the size of companies? Why should a small business pay the same as a much larger business?
We’ll continue to refine how the payment system works. For the first year, there was a tremendous amount of work done on developing the back end programming for how an applicant would move through the application process and be directed to PayPal at the appropriate time. Fundamentally, we do agree that small businesses should not be charged the same as large businesses, but change is hard and we are approaching these significant program changes slowly.
What are the levels of participation in the Green Masters Program?
Green Professional: Businesses that earn 300 points or more
Green Master: Top 20% of businesses
What kind of questions are asked in the survey?
The Green Masters Program asks about actions in nine (9) key sustainability areas: energy, carbon and other emissions, water, waste and materials management, transportation, supply chain, community and educational outreach, workforce, and governance. Examples of the kinds of questions asked can be found HERE.
How long does my participation in the Green Masters Program last?
Is there any support available for Green Masters companies?
A number of case studies have been developed to assist companies looking for ideas on what can be done in any of the nine sustainability areas. These case studies are available HERE.
What are some of the benefits of joining?