become more involved

You are warmly invited to participate in the inaugural
BE THE CHANGE SYMPOSIUM
A citizens’ response to Climate Change that welcomes in a ‘new story’
March 29, 2008 - 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Canadian Memorial United Church, 15th & Burrard, Vancouver BC

I would like to introduce you to Percy, who was bought at an auction as a joke. But once the joke was over, Percy was left tied up in someone's backyard - unwanted. Thanks to SAINTS, Percy now has a fabulous home that has a farm area that he can run and play in, which he does regularly.

The Chime Tree

I know a place where there is a special tree;

I dream of a place...
I dream of a place where I can be safe,
and I am free to just be me.
I dream of a place where I am loved, cherished,
and all around, I am loved for me.
I dream of a place where I can rest in peace,
and I have value, because I am just me.
I dream of a place where I can be special,
for no other reason than just because I'm me.

After seven years at the helm of Vancity, you’d think I’d know my co-workers by now. Yet, the folks at the credit union have still managed to wow me.

It seems they’ve set up an endowment fund at the Vancity Community Foundation, seeded it with $25,000 in startup funds, and named it after me.

Odds are good that if you enter the Blogging for Change contest you'll win tickets to this film

Who doesn't like a good free movie night?

When I first heard about the Canadians Stand Up to Gas Gouging Group on Facebook, I thought to myself (in a very judgemental tone), 'oh these ridiculous people, don't they know that gas should be expensive? maybe $1.31 is closer to true cost of gas. isn't it about time that we stopped getting the 'free ride' sheesh, doesn't anybody know anything?" How high and mighty of me, right? Well, I redeemed myself when I turned down the judge-o-phone and drilled a bit deeper.

I went to the Gas Gouging Meter which, I was taken by surprise to learn, is a project of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, an organization I happen to hold in very high esteem. What I learned there led me to think: if one could swallow a set of judgemental thoughts, I would....it turns out that, "With today's crude oil price of $62.86 USD per barrel and the US dollar at $1.10 CAD, the price of regular unleaded gasoline in Vancouver should be 94.8¢ per litre at normal profit margins. At a price of $1.30 per litre, you are paying 35.2¢ per litre in pure excess profit. Across Canada, an extra margin of 35.2¢ per litre generates an additional profit of 35.2 million dollars per day."

And while I am not advocating for cheap gas so that we call all gallivant around carelessly in our cars while the planet gets dirtier and dirtier,

Royal Vancouver Yacht Club 3811 Point Grey Road. Wednesday May 16 - 6:30 - 8pm Refreshments served, admission by donation. British Columbians stopped oil tankers from travelling our waters 30 years ago, and we can do it again. Hear speakers from the Dogwood Initiative describe how oil tankers threaten local ecology and how they contribute to Canada’s increasing production of greenhouse gasses. This presentation will prime you on the risks oil tankers pose to our coast and the globe. More importantly, it will arm you with the tools to stop them. RSVP info@dogwoodinitiative.org For more info go to the Dogwood website

If you'd like to vote in the Webby awards, you can. But you will have to do it before Friday April 27th when polls close.

I just cast my votes. In the Charitable Organizations / Non-Profit category I selected Nothing But Nets because it stuck me that the work they are doing to save lives by preventing malaria, the #1 killer of children in Africa is an important way to prevent unnecessary suffering. I thought I would share this with you, because by voting for them we increase their chances of winning. When they win they will be better positioned to raise even more money to save more lives through this work. See how voting makes a difference?

Hi Everyone,

 I just wanted to update you on my project.  First, I would like to thank everyone who was able to make a contribution, I really appreciate it.  This morning I delvered everthing to the Langley Animal Protection Society and they were really greatful.  I talked with them for a bit, and they are going to work on updating their wishlist for any future donations.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to get any pictures :(