In 2 more days, I will be speaking in front of 500 delegates at UBC's The Briefing to present my cause to get new socks for the homeless in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside through Raincity Housing.
2 days ago, Kate and I met down at RainCity's Housing to deliver all the wonderful socks to them amazing people at the shelter to be distributed to the homeless and anyone who needs them. While we did not get as many socks as last year, it was still 4 boxes full!
The first snow of 2010 came two days ago spreading across the Lower Mainland. Like many people, I was ecstatic to see the flurry whites. However, as happy as I can be, I am also reminded of many others who are currently homeless and houseless (as said by good o' George Carlin) who might have a lot more trouble this season if the predictions of a harsh winter come true - especially their feet.
Want to make a difference but don’t know how? Year three of this Vancouver lecture series features four leaders who are using creative thinking and courage to create positive change in the world. Explore the tactics, creativity, pitfalls, and challenges of what it takes to create change. In a potent mix of storytelling and skill sharing, these leaders will reveal their personal struggles and the leadership lessons that have made all the difference. Come away with information, insights and inspiration to make change in your community and beyond.
LUNCHTIME (12:00 – 1:30 pm) Organic coffee and tea provided.
UBC ROBSON SQUARE, VANCOUVER
Per lecture: $15/$12 for non-profits, seniors & students; 10% discount for signing up for more than one lecture.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION. TO REGISTER CALL UBC CONTINUING STUDIES: 604.822.1444 Nicole Rycroft
Building a Conscientious Marketplace: How Harry Potter helped to secure the World's Largest Conservation Agreement.
Oct 13, 2010
In recent years, companies such as the Globe and Mail and Harry Potter’s publishers have become key allies of the Canadian environmental movement in securing conservation milestones that seemed impossible 10-15 years ago. From the Great Bear Rainforest to the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, harnessing the power of the marketplace has played a critical role in helping environmental organizations advance their goals. How has the traditional chasm between business and environmental activism been bridged? What does this mean for individual citizens in terms of their environmental engagement and choices? Be part of a dialogue about how seemingly unlikely allies have partnered together to green business, secure some of the most exciting conservation initiatives in the world and what future partnerships could look like.
Nicole Rycroft is the Founder and Executive Director of Canopy and a recipient of an Ashoka Fellowship and a Canadian Environment Award Gold Medal. Named one of Canada's 50 Most Influential People in Graphic Communication for the past four years, she has also accepted numerous awards on behalf of Canopy including the Benny Award for Outstanding Corporate Campaigning. www.canopyplanet.org
Lauren Bacon & Jason Mogus
Are You Web Ready? Key Learnings in Working Online for Change.
Nov 9, 2010
The internet is a powerful network that's creating a fundamental shift in the way organizations work, connect, engage and effect change. What qualities and skills does your organization need to make a bigger impact within this landscape? How can you achieve your mission by catalyzing the necessary shift towards openness, collaboration and innovation? Learn the frontline and behind-the-scenes strategies of highly successful organizations and people-powered campaigns. This is an open forum where you will be exposed to the newest models and strategies for world-changing groups. Get 'web ready' with two veteran leaders.
Lauren Bacon is a partner at Raised Eyebrow Web Studio. Lauren’s work can be seen amongst some of the premier websites in the non-profit, government, and progressive business communities. www.raisedeyebrow.com. Jason Mogus is the CEO of Communicopia, a digital agency that helps local and global social change organizations become more open, collaborative, and citizen-driven by deeply embracing the web. www.communicopia.com
Ross McMillan
Reinventing Social Action: Is Collaborating with Opponents Selling Out or Smart Strategy?
Nov 23, 2010
There are new demanding problems that call into question traditional approaches to social action. Significant strife has arisen in recent years within the BC activist communities over collaboration with other parties such as industry, First Nations and governments. Is collaboration needed to solve intractable social and environmental problems? Should it be an essential part of campaigning? Join a discussion around the forms and applications of collaboration and consider what a new understanding of collaboration could mean for a reinvented activism.
Ross McMillan is the President and CEO of Tides Canada. Ross was a principal architect of the Great Bear Rainforest project – one of the most significant conservation programs in North American history. Ross has extensive experience managing organizations and coalitions to achieve success in complex circumstances. www.tidescanada.org
A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Taina Uitto (of http://plasticmanners.wordpress.com/) in her home to learn about all the changes she's made in her life since embarking on her one year, plastic-free project.