SVN is accepting Innovation Awards applications now through April 17th, 2011 at: http://www.svn.org/awards.  The Innovation Awards judging panel will select the 2011 Innovation Award winners in July.  This year's judging panel includes pioneers of the socially responsible business movement, including Ben Cohen, Founder of Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc.

The other night I attended a local gathering of folks organized by Social Venture Network, Renewal Partners, B-Lab, Vancity and RSF Social Finance. It was billed as “an evening of connections and collaboration” and it went down at the home of Dana and Joel Solomon, a couple whose names are synonymous with the success of values-driven businesses in this city and who we’ll be bringing you more about in the future...

The Social Enterprise Dragons event is a special business case contest where three social enterprises pitch their key business opportunity or challenge to an expert panel. Prizes include the opportunity to work with JDQ Systems Inc. (leading business performance improvement consultants) to solve their enterprise challenge, a technical assistance grant of $2,500 from enp, and a $15,000 funding award from Vancity Community Foundation to implement solutions.

We were thrilled to see the cover of Harvard Business Review Jan/Feb Issue.
 
In the lead article Michael Porter, of Five Forces of Competition Theory fame, and Mark Kramer outline a model to fix capitalism and unleash a wave of innovation and growth; they call it "Creating Shared Value".  They define shared value as, "policies and operating practices that enhance the competitiveness of a company while simultaneously advancing the economic and social conditions in the communities in which it operates." 
 

By Derek Abma, Financial Post, Times Colonist
January 28, 2011

Canadian consumers are "radically reassessing how they spend their money," according to a study released Thursday by American Express.

The credit card company said Canadians are becoming more particular about getting value for their money, and there is greater awareness of the ethical implications of their purchasing decisions.

That's based on a study of 1,000 Canadians, carried out in August by international research group, The Future Laboratory.

On January 18th, we joined 600 other social change allies, along with our partner Board of Change, for the newly created Vertality Party.  The networking, great conversations and good music left us all revitalized to start 2011 with our best progressive feet forward.  It was wonderful to be amongst this inspiring group of leaders.  We look forward to seeing how 2011 unfolds.

Investors, social entrepreneurs gather to share expertise as city to host forum on innovative financing structure
By Jenny Wagler
Business in Vancouver

Joel Solomon was recently interviewed by Tile Finacial to post on their members only site spendgrowgive.com. Check out the exclusive interview.

This morning during my quick perusal of the Vancouver Observer, I noticed a few familiar names. As I skimmed over the articles, I noticed a theme - SVI alumni. Some articles had SVI alum as the authors and other articles featured the good work of SVIers.

Check out some the of the SVI alumni in the Vancouver Observer today.

Carol Newell featured in Whole Living Magazine

Whole Living Magazine
The Greatest Gift
December 2010
By Catherine Newman

There's an ocean of need out there, and our single small donation can seem like a drop in the bucket but that drop matters, says one unlikely philantrhopist who challenged herself to give until it didn't hurt.

Click here to view the PDF of the full article.