| Dear Friends, We know that 2009 was a challenging year for many of you, and we thank you for your continued support and commitment to the SVN community. We have been working to offer you more opportunities to connect and collaborate with like-minded leaders to expand your impact, and 2010 will be a great year to get more involved in SVN - through our local gatherings, conferences, Social Venture Institutes, and online connection tools. We'll be co-hosting six local gatherings in February and March - in San Francisco, Boston, Boulder, Vancouver, Chicago and Portland. See below for details. Many thanks to SVN members and partners Marc Lesser, Matt Patsky, Nancy Rosenzweig, Carol Atwood, Ted Ning, Dana and Joel Solomon, David Baum, Eric Friedenwald-Fishman, Jay Coen Gilbert and Peggy Reid for co-hosting these events with us. I hope to see you at the Social Venture Institute in Philadelphia, to be held February 26th and 27th (see details below), and SVN's Spring Member Gathering in Stevenson, Washington, to be held April 29th through May 2nd. In service,
Deborah Nelson
Executive Director
| | Network Updates |  |  Local Gatherings from Coast to Coast
Join us at SVN Local Gatherings coming up in your area and in regions where you'd like to build valuable relationships with other accomplished socially responsible business leaders. It's the perfect way to find support, build strategic relationships, and expand your impact. Special thanks to our 2010 Local Gatherings sponsor, RSF Social Finance. Save the dates for the following gatherings. February 4th - San Francisco, California February 7th - Boston, Massachusetts February 10th - Chicago, Illinois February 16th - Portland, Oregon March 4th - Boulder, Colorado March 11th - Vancouver, British Columbia Local Gatherings are a member benefit. For information on applying for membership, visit svn.org/membership.  2010 SVI Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Social Venture Institute is a great opportunity to learn from and connect with entrepreneurs who focus on three bottom lines: social prosperity, environmental stewardship, and profitability. Hear "True Confessions" keynote speakers Ron Gonen of RecycleBank, Brenda Palms Barber of Sweet Beginnings and Melissa Bradley-Burns of Green for All. Hosted by the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, SVIs are a program of SVN. Click here to register. Recommit: Renew Your Membership for 2010
We hope that all of our networking events and our expanded list of member benefits have you excited about your involvement in SVN this year. If you haven't already, please take the time now to renew your membership by clicking here. Remember that you'll receive a $200 credit on dues for every new member that you refer to us, as well as a $150 discount on conference registration for every first-time conference attendee that you send our way. For more information, please contact Nathan Joblin. | | Conference Coverage | |  Video: Arianna Huffington's Plenary Session at the Fall Conference
Arianna Huffington, founder of the influential blog The Huffington Post, addressed attendees at SVN's Fall Conference to discuss ways to help our nation focus on the issues that matter most. In this video, produced by Conscious Planet Media, Arianna encourages the SVN membership to work in innovative ways to attract attention to the most important challenges and opportunities facing us today. "We need to capture the public imagination with whatever it takes. With drama, with satire, whatever it takes," she said. Watch the full video here. | | Members in Action | |  Fonkoze: An SVN Connection to Work in Haiti
The late SVN member Gordon McCormick was very involved in Fonkoze, Haiti's Alternative Bank for the Organized Poor. The earthquake that killed thousands this week destroyed Fonkoze's headquarters and likely leveled the bank's Port au Prince. Fonkoze is the largest micro-finance institution in Haiti and offered a range of financial services to the rural-based poor in Haiti. Fonkoze is committed to the economic and social improvement of the people and communities of Haiti and to the reduction of poverty in the country. Donate to Fonkoze here.  1Sky Pushes Climate Agenda Forward after Copenhagen
Although Copenhagen failed to produce a meaningful treaty (see 1Sky's Gillian Caldwell's wrap-up blog here), business owners still have a chance to make a real difference for the planet in 2010. The most important fight in the US will be in pressuring the Senate to pick up the pace on passing a comprehensive climate bill and working to make sure that we maintain the Clean Air Act's ability to crack down on dirty coal plants. For information on how business owners can get involved, visit: http://www.1sky.org/business  Root Capital Receives $14M from Gates Foundation
Root Capital, headed by by SVN member William Foote, has been announced as the recipient of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's first program-related investment from its Agricultural Development initiative. Root Capital will receive the $10 million investment and a $4 million grant to expand its operations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Root Capital helps finance grassroots businesses that build sustainable livelihoods. The organization has already financed a cooperative of coffee farmers in Rwanda, a mango and banana exporter in Ecuador and a honey purchasing company in Zambia, among other endeavors. Read more here.  Bring a little Zen to Your Digital Life with Practice Everywhere
SVN member Cheri Huber is now offering daily awareness practice via Facebook, Twitter and your cell phone! "Practice Everywhere" offers daily Zen awareness practice reminders that allow you to let go of distressing thoughts and return to the present moment. No judgments. Just stop for a second, drop what has high-jacked your attention, and be here. To learn how to receive free Practice Everywhere reminders (on either Twitter, Facebook or via text message), click here.
 Conscious Planet Media Explores Food Deserts
SVN members Bianca and Michael Alexander of Conscious Planet Media recently wrapped production on The Growing Solution to Food Deserts, Part I of their documentary series on "The Color of Health" in conjunction with their broadcast journalism fellowship with the USC Annenberg School of Communications and California Endowment. The story addresses the disparities in health in communities of color, the rise of food deserts in these communities in Chicago, and the grass roots organic farming movement that is providing a solution to the crisis. Feel free to watch the story on www.SoulofGreen.com.  Greyston Bakery Welcomes New President and CEO
The Greyston Foundation is pleased to announce that William Mistretta has joined the Greyston Bakery as the new President and CEO and as a member of the Foundation's Executive Leadership Team. Mistretta brings over 20 years of senior experience in the baking and food service industry having worked at companies including Pepsico, George Weston, Interstate Bakeries and Manischewitz. Former President and CEO Steven Brown will continue to serve on Greyston's Board of Directors. The Bakery's mission is to work as a force for personal transformation and community economic renewal while operating a profitable business that bakes high quality gourmet products. | | Welcome New Members | | | | Upcoming Events | |  GreenBiz's State of Green Business Forums 2010
San Francisco, Thursday, February 4th
Chicago, Tuesday, February 9th These one-day information-packed events coincide with the release of GreenBiz.com's "State of Green Business 2010," the acclaimed annual status report on corporate environmental trends and progress. At the Forums -- hosted by Joel Makower, Executive Editor of GreenBiz.com, along with dozens of industry experts and thought leaders -- the report will be brought to life with compelling speakers and panels focusing on key business trends and issues. Learn more and register online here.  READ Bhutan
November 5 - 18 Mystery, environmental preservation, community life, Gross National Happiness, festivals - all blended with a social program reflecting SVN's philosophy - this is the READ Across Bhutan journey. Join SVN's Toni Neubauer, Sangay Wangchuk, guide and author of "Seeing With the Third Eye", and staff from READ Bhutan on a journey across this magical Himalayan country. You will meet Bhutanese from all levels of society, enjoy the Trashigang and Mongar Tsechus, sip tea with the monks, spend time with families and visit at least two READ community library sites. READ is collaborating in Bhutan with Gunter Pauli, founder of ZERI Institute and one of the European founders of SVN, to build an architecturally and environmentally sustainable library and seed a business that is environmentally sensitive and entrepreneurially creative. The trip is run by Myths and Mountains. Contact Toni at toni@mythsandmountains.com or 1-800-670-6984 for more information. | | Job Opportunities | |  New Leaf Paper
COO/President
San Francisco Bay Area New Leaf Paper is recognized as the most environmentally sustainable paper company in North America. The company attracts a robust and diverse customer base - Fortune 500 corporations, leading green businesses, top environmental organizations, and companies of all shapes and sizes that want to do the right thing. The Chief Operating Officer and President will be an inward facing leader overseeing supply chain operations, sourcing, manufacturing, inventory, and logistics. The COO will work to maximize human resources, ensure product competitiveness and optimize systems and processes. The position requires experience as COO or president of a $40+ million business for 3+ years. For more information about New Leaf Paper please visit www.NewLeafPaper.com. To learn more about this position and apply click here. |
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