Category Archives: Events (Net Impact)

Events organized and co-hosted by Net Impact San Francisco Chapter Leadership Team

Green Chic Event – The blood, sweat and tears required to start a green business

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Filed under Events (Net Impact)

Thanks to everyone who helped make last Thursday’s Green Chic event a success! (Our wonderful panelists, everyone who came, Joie De Vivre hotels, and – especially – Sarah Miller and Jeremy Ideus for organizing). Check out the pics and a few quick takeaways below…

Seventy people showed up for our monthly gathering, Sustainable Consumption/”Green Chic”, on Thursday, February 25th at the Galleria Park Hotel of the Joie de Vivre group (downtown). Paul Frentsos, the hotel’s GM, opened the floor by telling us just how difficult it was to convert from a conventional, modern hotel to a Green Certified, yet also modern hotel. Turning into a Green hotel meant huge sacrifice for the hopes of a larger benefit and becoming part of a cultural shift.  Sacrifice was the theme of the evening. Do words like fair trade, all natural and organic mean higher prices? Yes. Does it mean paying more for a product that doesn’t smell good, looks like it came from a head shop and is badly designed? No.

Okay, then what do we do? We buy smarter. Here is what our panelists had to say:

Owner of Eco Citizen – an upscale fair trade and organic boutique for men and women – Joslin Van Arsdale stated that we need to buy one really nice shirt that is well designed and doesn’t use slave labor instead of buying three that we consider disposable. Lenore Espanola of Lenore Collection, a handbag line made of recycled print materials, pointed out the frustrations of dealing with overseas workers when there is a gap between what is accepted as fashionable in less developed areas of the world and what is considered “chic” in the United States. Miki and Tzeira Sofer of Pomega 5, an all natural skincare line, noted that all natural doesn’t mean early expiration, ineffective or unpleasant to use, quite the opposite in fact. Do they cost a little more than what you would buy at the mall? Really, it’s about the same. So what about Christie Matheson, the author of the book Green Chic for which this panel discussion was designed?  What kind of advice does she give? This is a different kind of revolution. People don’t have to look frumpy when saving trees as they did in the ‘60’s. You don’t have to be out-dated when saving the world, green is the new black!

Lesson learned. Buy less, buy better and don’t sacrifice!

After the panel, the group headed down to Midi bar to get to know our panelists a bit better. Some got a few free samples from Pomega 5 and Lenore Collection brought a few sample bags to show off. If you missed this month’s event and are interested in checking out what the panelists have to offer, check out their websites:

Eco Citizen: www.ecocitizenonline.com

Pomega 5: www.pomega5.com

Lenore Collection: www.lenorecollection.com

Green Chic: http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=1-9781402210822-1

Joie de Vivre Galleria Park: http://jdvhotels.com/hotels/galleria_park/

  • Additional takeaways:
    • The press still doesn’t understand sustainability and “green” – and that lack of understanding comes through in their reporting. This is why a lot of people think green is still a fad.
    • When you run your own business, “reality punches you in the face” and you have to let go of some of your ideals. Pomega 5 wanted to recycle all of their glass containers – but the economics just didn’t work out. Shipping glass is just too expensive. Also, Pomega 5 can’t source from the USA… the soil here is too dirty. They get ingredients from France, Germany, or Switzerland.
    • Sustainability is never simple and straightforward. As a retailer, it’s 3x more labor intensive to ask all of the right questions… but all you can do is your best.
    • If you start a green business – if you don’t do it with love, you better not do it.
    • Sustainability still usually costs more… getting people to understand why and educating them about environmentally friendly products is challenging.
  • Frustrating moment:
    • The discussion of the Wal-Mart sustainability index: The audience and the panelists were not very well informed about Wal-Mart’s efforts. 1) The sustainability index is not a real thing right now… it’s in the works.  2) Wal-Mart is not doing it alone… they are helping to organize The Sustainability Consortium to “work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability.”

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Net Impact SF Volunteers at SF Food Bank

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Filed under Events (Net Impact), Food & Ag, Volunteer

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Our Volunteer event at the SF Food Bank on February was excellent.  We packaged over 16,000 of cabbage in 2 hours and had a ton of fun!

Since this type of thing is easy to plan and the people who showed up got a lot out of it – look for more of these types of volunteer events in 2010.

Responsible Consumption Monthly Gathering (Feb 25, 6pm)

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Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Time: 7:00 – 9:00pm
Location:
Galleria Park Hotel (Joie De Vivre)
191 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94104

RSVP: http://greenchic.eventbrite.com/

Join our prestigious panel of experts and learn how to live an environmentally responsible lifestyle while being chic at the same time! Panelists include:

Christie Matheson, Author of Green Chic
Offering up dozens of author-tested, earth-friendly ideas, lifestyle writer Christie Matheson knows that being chic and saving the planet aren’t mutually exclusive. Christie Matheson is a writer living in San Francisco and Boston. Her work has appeared in Body & Soul, Glamour, Shape, Boston, San Francisco, Yoga Journal, and The Boston Globe Magazine.

Joslin Van Arsdale, Owner of Eco Citizen
Eco Citizen strives to offer high quality, fair trade, classic fashion design and construction to the eco-conscious consumer. With a BA in photography, from University of Colorado, Boulderand a degree in fashion design and illustration at Central St. Martins, and an MA in Textiles from Goldsmiths University, Joslin has worked as a stylist for publications such as Hermes, Banana Republic and New York Times Magazine. Eco Citizen was born from the simple desire to help people and contribute to the well-being of the world. www.ecocitizenonline.com

Tzeira Sofer, Pomega 5
Tzeira Sofer is the founder, president and creative force behind Pomega5™, the industry’s first complete line of organic pomegranate seed oil nutritional supplements and therapeutic skin care. As a practitioner in healing arts and an expert on women’s health and wellness, Tzeira was driven by a vision to create an authentic, holistic line based upon the potent benefits of the pomegranate.

RSVP below:

Events

Speed Networking and Sustainable Happy Hour (3/10, 7pm)

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Filed under Events (Net Impact), Networking

Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location:
The Matrix Fillmore
3138 Fillmore Street (btwn Filbert & Greenwich)
San Francisco, CA 94123

RSVP: http://nisfspeednetworkmarch10.eventbrite.com/

Join Net Impact SF Professionals chapter at The Matrix Fillmore for our March turn-key event. This fun, super-networking happy hour is designed to give Net Impact members the opportunity to meet other professionals through a round-robin style “speed networking” session. Attendees will rotate in small groups through a cadre of special guests from the corporate and nonprofit sectors, with special guests in the fields of CSR, corporate sustainability, green design, and more!

Free sustainable cocktails will be provided by a special guest beverage sponsor (to be announced shortly) and our hosts at the Matrix are offering a variety of local and sustainable drink and food specials. You’ll meet tons of new people, discuss different areas of sustainability with experts in their field, and enjoy local and sustainable treats!

Agenda
5:30 pm: Net Impact Leadership Meeting (open to all members)
6:30 pm: Arrival and registration
7:00 pm: Speed Networking
8:00 pm: Continue networking on your own and enjoy sustainable food and beverages

This event is free for Net Impact members and $10 for non-members.

RSVP below or here:

Events

Service Corps INFO SESSION 2010!

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Filed under Events (Net Impact), Service Corps

On February 2nd, come learn more about upcoming pro bono consulting projects — to apply by February 7th!

Learn how you chart the strategic path for a Bay Area non-profit:

  • Meet representatives from the non-profits we will be consulting in the coming months
  • Hear about the accomplishments of past Service Corps team members
  • Get to know your fellow Net Impact members

Info Session and Projects Open to ALL Bay Area Net Impact members!

When? Tuesday, February 2nd, 6:30 – 8pm
Where? Cafe International, 508 Haight St.
(5 minute walk north of Church & Market MUNI – www.511.org)

RSVP below or at http://servicecorpsfebruary.eventbrite.com

The Projects — Resume and Letter of Interest Due Feb. 7:

Spring 2010 Project Summaries (for more details, please see www.netimpactsf.org/service-corps/2010-projects)

Springworks: Springworks helps provide access to capital for women and minority entrepreneurs. The SpringWorks planning committee is interested in developing a fundraising strategy that will secure the ongoing financial health of Springworks. (Fundraising expertise required)
Application Deadline: End of January
Project Duration: Beginning of February – end of April

Rising Sun Energy Center: Runs the Community Youth Energy Services (CYES), a summer youth employment and community efficiency retrofit program in the Bay Area. CYES hires young people (15-22 years of age) and trains them to become Energy Specialists, serving their communities with a FREE ‘Green House Call’. This project will involve scaling this program nationally.
Application deadline: February 7th at 11:59pm
Project duration: February 22nd, 2010 – end of August (6 months)

One Percent Foundation: A non-profit organization dedicated to creating a new generation of philanthropists by engaging young adults in sustained and thoughtful giving. OPF’s core program is the One Percent Giving Circle, through which young adults pool a portion of their giving and make grants to non-profit organizations. The goal of this project is to modify the One Percent Giving Circle to package and sell to for-profit companies looking to develop corporate giving programs that engage their employees in philanthropy.
Application deadline: February 7th at 11:59pm
Project duration: February 22 – May 31, 2010 (3 months)

* NEW * Project addition: Strategic Financing Plan for Business Council on Climate Change (Please see Service Corps tab – 2010 Projects)

Events

Net Impact SF Meet & Greet

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Net Impact

Learn about Net Impact San Francisco!

Come to the Net Impact San Francisco Meet & Greet on Thursday, January 28th. (You don’t have to be a member). Net Impact San Francisco, a regional non-profit leader, provides pro-bono consulting to non-profits and resources to working professionals.We will talk about opportunities available to members and talk over drinks afterwards.

Whether you are looking to get involved with Net Impact or would like to meet new members, this will be a great event to learn about the organization and explore new opportunities.

Membership registration and kits will be available.

Location: Cafe International, 508 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA?
Date: Thursday, January 28th 2010

Schedule:
6:30-6:45pm Informal Networking
6:45-7:00pm Introduction by Leadership team
7:00-7:45pm Programs/Benefits of Net Impact
7:45pm+ Informal Networking

Event is open to the public.


Events

City Connections Happy Hour – Friday, February 12th, 2010

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Filed under Events (Net Impact), Networking

Fall in Love in with SF!

Love is in the air and it’s the time to socialize with your city. Commonwealth Club’s INFORUM, in partnership with ArtPoint, Net Impact, SPUR, the World Affairs Council, and Young Women Social Entrepreneurs, invites you to come fall in love with other like-minded SF organizations this Valentine’s Day. We’ll get together at the Press Club to party, to make new friends and find out how to engage in SF’s leading networks. So, if you have a passion for SF or are looking for a new passion, let’s get together and make some connections.

Where: Press Club, 20 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco 94103
When: Friday, February 12th, 6 – 8pm
Pricing: Free (pre-registration recommended)
Note: Includes membership raffles and happy hour wine and food specials. It’s free to attend (no-host bar).
For more information and to register: http://bit.ly/ConxHpyHr

Feed Your Noggin’: Wisdom from the 2009 Net Impact Conference (& Egg Nog!)

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Filed under Events (Net Impact)

Thursday, December 3rd 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: RSVP for location

RSVP below or at http://feedyournoggin.eventbrite.com/

Join your fellow Net Impact San Francisco Professional Chapter members for an informal, fireside discussion about this year’s Net Impact Conference. If you attended the conference, come share what you learned. If you didn’t attend, come discover the lessons our members took away. Members who DIDN’T travel to Ithaca are encouraged! Delicious homemade egg nog (with and without the rum!) and nibblers included.

January Monthly Gathering: Urban Agriculture

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Filed under Events (Net Impact), Food & Ag

Date: Wednesday, January 13th 2010.
Time:
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Location:
Poleng Lounge; 1751 Fulton Ave; SF
RSVP
:  Form below or at http://urbanag.eventbrite.com/

In January, our Net Impact SF gathering will be focused on Urban Agriculture. With Gavin Newsom announcing some pretty bold initiatives in San Francisco and the FAO getting together in Rome to discuss food security, agriculture is becoming top of mind for world leaders. During this event, we’ll discuss a wide range of topics from innovative business models to the role of government to promote agriculture in urban areas.

Confirmed guests are:

Events

December Monthly Gathering: Sustainable Design

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Filed under Events (Net Impact), Green Design

Date: Wednesday, December 9
Time:
7:00 – 9:00pm
Location:
Poleng Lounge (1751 Fulton St)
RSVP: http://nisfdecember2009.eventbrite.com/

For our December 9th Net Impact SF monthly gathering we will be discussing sustainable design and, as always, our special guests will be both  inspiring and approachable. Our fabulous guests this month are:

Adam Reineck: IDEO
Adam Reineck is a senior industrial designer at IDEO in Palo Alto, CA. Since joining the company in 2005, he has had the opportunity to work for a broad range of clients, including Nike, Samsung, HP, and the US Department of Energy. He greatly enjoys the rigorous craft of designing tangible products as well as thinking broadly and systemically to solve complex problems. Adam’s work has been published in Wired, BBC.com and The New York Times. Adam graduated with distinction from California College of the Arts in 2004 as the IDSA student merit award winner for his year. He is dedicated to creating meaningful and engaging experiences for people that are well considered from an ecological and an aesthetic point of view.

Joe Spataro: Lunar
Joe Spataro is a Senior Mechanical Engineer at LUNAR in San Francisco, CA. He works hand-in-hand with some of the top industrial designers in the world to create beautiful, functional products. Over the past five years he has worked with clients including Pfizer, Stryker, Becton-Dickinson, Mode Products, and many others. Working at the forefront of product design consulting often requires educating clients about the importance of a thorough design and engineering process in addition to producing a physical product.

Joe’s interest in sustainable product development and socially responsible business practices took root in 2005 while he was developing a disposable medical device. A friend gave him a copy of Natural Capitalism and, upon reading the book cover-to-cover, he began to seriously reconsider the nature of his profession. He strives to integrate sustainable thinking into the product development process and he has a profound respect for the difficulties clients often face when trying to do so. At LUNAR he is a member of the Elements Initiative, a core team responsible for reducing the environmental impact of products designed and engineered by LUNAR as well as reducing the environmental impact of LUNAR’s design process.

Heather Fleming: Catapult Design
Heather Fleming is the CEO and co-founder of Catapult Design, a non-profit product design firm serving developing world markets. Catapult’s clients are organizations working in impoverished communities around the world with design and technology needs, including:  rural electrification, water purification and transport, food security, and health. Before starting Catapult, she worked as a product design consultant in Silicon Valley, designing products for a diverse range of clients.  In 2005 she also co-founded and led a volunteer group focused on design programs for developing countries through Engineers Without Borders.  Heather also teaches Design for Sustainability at Stanford University.

Adam Menter: Autodesk (introducing guests and lightly moderating)
Adam works at the intersection of design, business, and sustainability. He is currently working with Autodesk to better integrate sustainability into their products (CAD tools for designers and engineers) and their companywide product development process. Prior to working with Autodesk, Adam was a design strategist at Jump Associates. He holds both a mechanical engineering degree and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. He is also a leader of the San Francisco professional Net Impact chapter.

NOTE: Net Impact SF Chapter Leadershipt team meeting begins at 6pm and is open to anyone interested. Please RSVP separately at sfprofessional@netimpact.org.

Events

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We host a gathering for the Net Impact SF community on the second Wednesday of every month (usually…), featuring a different discussion topic each time. This offers the opportunity for informal interaction with the invited guests and with your fellow Net Impact members, with the discussion topic serving as a launching off point for engaging conversations.

Our chapter leadership team meeting begins at 6:00 pm – if you’d like to attend or sit-in, feel free. E-mail us to let us know you’re coming.

Contact Us: sfprofessional@netimpact.org
Chapter Website: www.netimpactsf.org