Sustainable Business Alliance (SBA)

SBA on Aug 11th 2008

BALLE is excited to announce its new Economic Justice Initiative, created by the BALLE board and staff to further address the issue of economic justice in our local communities, and ultimately in North America and the global economy.

BALLE has an ongoing commitment to creating new models of economic development through which communities left out of ownership opportunities in the old industrial economy gain ownership positions in the emerging local living economies.

We are focusing the energies of our community on this commitment by forming five task forces of people committed to economic justice with experience in business development and network development, as well as specific experience in the building blocks of local living economies, such as food, fiber, and energy.

Our intentions are:

To help BALLE networks assist entrepreneurs from African-American, Latino, Native American, and other historically disadvantaged communities in starting, expanding, and strengthening businesses that build a local living economy, and
To strengthen BALLE by further diversifying our networks, conferences, board, and committees.

The task forces are:

Business education - to develop business education programs for BALLE networks serving historically disadvantaged communities

New network development - to support community leaders in creating and running new BALLE networks in historically disadvantaged communities, with an initial focus on Newark, NJ

Enterprise development - to help start and strengthen businesses needed to build local self-reliance in historically disadvantaged communities where BALLE networks are located

Network diversification - to support existing BALLE networks in reaching out to leaders from disadvantaged communities for steering committee positions and other leadership roles

Conference diversification - to advise the conference committee

If you would like to learn more about this work, and perhaps contribute to a task force, please visit this page.

In addition to our own work, we want to support the work of our partners. As a partner in the national Green Jobs Coalition, we encourage BALLE networks to hold or promote events as part of the National Day of Action (see the box to the left).

We look forward to working together in moving BALLE and the Living Economies movement toward greater inclusion in building a just economy.

Locally yours,
The BALLE team

SBA on Aug 11th 2008

On September 26, we will watch the first presidential debate of this election.

The next day, the candidates will watch us.

On Saturday, September 27, we’re launching a national mobilization to say, “I’m ready for the green economy.” We are ready to tackle the climate crisis by building a green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.

Green Jobs Now is a National Day of Action that will empower everyday people to stage hundreds of grassroots events throughout the country. We will have a special focus on low-income communities and communities of color. This will send a message to our leaders that, when it comes to creating green jobs for a more sustainable economy, PEOPLE ARE READY!

Right now, there are millions of people ready to work and countless jobs to be done that will strengthen our economy at home. There are thousands of buildings that need to be weatherized, solar panels to be installed, and wind turbines to be erected. There communities that need local and sustainable food and people ready to farm the crops. There are public transit systems and smart electricity grids in need of engineers and electricians. Americans are ready to build the new economy. It’s time to invest in saving the planet and the people. It’s time for green jobs now!

~ Van Jones and the Green Jobs Now Team

SBA on Aug 8th 2008

You’re concerned about the environment.
You recycle diligently.
You’ve seen Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”—perhaps more than once.
You know that the effects of global warming are already happening.
But where do you go from here?

As an Ecology Center member, you’re already mobilized and acting on behalf of our planet. We invite you to expand your role as an environmental steward by participating in an exciting new Ecology Center program. Join us in a fun, supportive, low-key setting as a member of a Climate Change Action Group.

During four weekly classes (1.5-2 hrs. each) held at the Ecology Center, you will work in a team with a small group of Bay Area residents to educate, energize and support each other in making substantive lifestyle changes. Using the Low Carbon Diet workbook as your guide, you will:

Groups are intended for all levels of environmental activists. The only prerequisite for participation is a desire to improve your personal influence on climate change and a commitment to attend four group meetings. Participants who attend all four meetings will receive a one-year membership to the Ecology Center. A $10 fee will be charged for the workbook.

If you are interested, please respond with the following information:

Which of these days and times can you make?

If none of the above work for you, let us know which days and times do.

RSVP to: Debra Berliner, Climate Action Coordinator
debra@ecologycenter.org
(510) 548-2220 x 240

We look forward to hearing from you and partnering as low carbon citizens!

SBA on Jul 27th 2008

Take a vacation from fundraising (without ever leaving the office)

This summer, we invite you to explore the exciting world of Earned-Income for Nonprofits. From the comfort of your desk, you will enjoy these participatory, hands-on lessons, engage in empowering troubleshooting sessions and gather lots of tools to share with your colleagues. Don’t miss the thrill of using your organization’s strengths to start or grow a business that supports your mission.

Your guide for this adventure is Kirsten Gagnaire, a leading social entrepreneur and founder of the Social Enterprise Group. These workshops are based on our Sustayne methodology for earned income development.

Each series is $50. Includes three, 1-hour conference calls and materials.

Series Two: Moving Forward
So, you’ve got a great idea, but what do you do next? This series is for organizations with a solid idea who are ready to take the next step. August 6, 13 and 20 10:00am-11:00am Pacific

Series Three: Getting the Word Out

Are you ready for customers? This series is for organizations ready to start, or who would like to learn more about, promoting a product or service. August 5, 12 and 19 noon-1:00pm Pacific

For details and to register, please visit our website Sustayne.

SBA on Jul 27th 2008

Co-presented by Craigslist Foundation

Power of Partnership
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 5:30pm-8:00pm

Join us at the inaugural “Power of Partnership” quarterly program series, co-presented by Craigslist Foundation, The Foundation Center, and Northern California Grantmakers. This free series, hosted at the World Affairs Council (312 Sutter St., betw. Stockton & Grant, San Francisco) will showcase successful models of collaboration, with an emphasis on lessons learned, pitfalls to avoid, and networking.

Click here to RSVP or for more information.