1) Communication Between Consumers and Business Owners - dialogue about important issues between the supply side and the demand side of the economic equation is paramount to the advancement of our society.

2) Positive Reinforcement of Socially Responsible Business Practices - We encourage users of the My Green Cites app and search engine to let business owners know why they patronize them - a little positive reinforcement goes a long way and it shows business owners that their efforts to make sound decisions for the planet do not go unnoticed!

3) Community Engagement - We work under the assumption that individuals who are engaged in their communities are better stewards of their communities.  Nope, we haven't done a study to that effect, but we are pretty sure it's true!  We try to engage business owners and all community members to show them what it is they are working to preserve and propel forward. 

4) Education.  Education.  Education.

(Matching based on values, communications, strong, lasting relationships, surveys... are we starting to sound a little like the eHarmony of business registries to anyone else?)

A: One of the things that will drive users of a database like this completely insane is if they go to their community and go through 15 industry queries to get one result.  They won't come back and no one will benefit.  We ask that you are patient.  Usually, if we see that businesses are signing up in different areas, we attempt to increase our outreach in those areas.  We like to see at least 40 or so businesses on board before we "launch" a community, this depends on the population of the community, of course.  We will launch smaller communities with many fewer if they are part of the metro area of a launched city.  Naturally, if you have listed your company and you really want to launch you can certainly tell your friends and fellow business owners about us. 

Q: What's the catch?

A: There isn't one. We like small businesses, we want to preserve unique, vibrant communities, we like to reward socially responsible practices with our dollars and we think others will like to do that as well, as long as it is convenient for them to do so and we strive to provide that convenience.

Q: I've registered, now what?  

A: Once registered, all businesses will be announced on our Facebook Page and on Twitter and you'll be included in the business lists in the Notes Section of our FB Page.  You can use our page to reach a different audience than you might have on your personal page if you have something you want to say or promote.  You, and a link to the website you've provided, will be included on our Green Map which is a really fun way to see who has register and from where.  It's a great way to track our progress.  You'll also have access to our Events calendar.  You can either enter upcoming events yourself or you can e-mail them to us at the beginning of each month and we'll add them for you.  If you are in a "Launched" community, you'll be listed on the Search Page for your community/industry and you'll be listed on the iPhone App.  Lots of bang for no buck.

Q: I own a franchise but we are very "green" and we contribute to our community's economy - can we list?

A: Though we completely support the efforts you make to incorporate sustainable practices into your community, we are not a green registry as such and we have to draw the line at some point in order to compare apples to apples.  Our resources are limited and we just don't have the manpower to contact a corporate office and verify information and make sure their policies (because they get a percentage of your revenue) are also in line with what our users would feel comfortable with and have presented to them. We want users of our site to have direct access to decision makers, to have that dialogue.  We're not saying it's not possible with a franchise or chain, but we need to set that dividing line.  The good news is there are many, many green registries and other resources that would love to have you list - so fear not!

Q: I don't see any indicator of how green a business is - no leafs, no rating scale, what's the deal?

A: We really want users to think about the individual issues that make up "social responsibility" and we don't purport to know what your values are, or what they should be.  That's why we've made the filters.  You get to customize your results.  You get to think about what you value and why!  Fun!  For those of you who don't like our brand of fun, we have incorporated the Gold Star Status (which displays as a glowing CFL bulb or "bright idea" on our app). This indicates that the business has incorporated issues of sustainability and/or social awareness into their core mission as a business.

Q: What does Monkey and Maggie Approved mean?

A: Like the Gold Star Status, Monkey & Maggie is a special designation to indicate that the business is targeted toward eco-minded children/families. Examples would include restaurants that have a children's menu with natural/organic foods, a store that sells earth-friendly children's clothes, a play place that concentrates on educational or creative activities, etc.  

Q: What is My5?

A: My5 is to locally made products what My Green Cities is to independent businesses.  It is a central location to which individuals can come and get a great view of what their community is producing/creating.  See the My5 section of the site for more information.

Q: What is CoMoRoLo?

A: CoMoRoLo (Columbia, Missouri MicRo Loans) is a program created to provide a funding source from members of the Columbia, Missouri community to members of the Columbia, Missouri community.  Funding can either be in the form of a micro loan or a mini grant (with or without interest).  Interested parties meet and contribute $5 into a community fund.  Those vying for the funds state their case (why they should get the money, whether it is a grant or loan, whether or not it will pay interest).  The community votes, the individual(s) who win get the money and check in later on their progress. It's a fun, community-building way to get many people engaged in the ventures of others. 

Have a question that wasn't addressed here? We'd love to answer it for you - seriously, we could talk about what we do all day! E-mail us at info@mygreencities.com and we'll get back to you!

2) Local/Independent Business Verification

3) Sustainability Practices (Energy Use, Water Use, Waste Disposal, Product Sourcing)

4) Social Awareness Topics (Ownership, Marketing, Employees, etc.)

5) We ask you to sign a statement that allows us to verify any of your information, that you are a representative of the company and that we may use your company in our marketing efforts.  We never, ever sell your information to third parties.

If you have any issues or questions during the sign up process, just call or e-mail. We'll gladly walk you through it.   

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