SVI 2008 Reflections

It's been a little over a week but we are still basking in the glow of the 13th Annual SVI at Hollyhock.  We had a remarkable group of people join us for four days of skill building, networking, truth telling, and beautiful sunshine.  This year, we were thrilled to have 130 of the finest social change leaders join us.  When developing the agenda and inviting the participants, we are never quite sure of what the final outcome will be, but we're always sure that there will be some magic. 

SVI 2008 Supplemental Materials

Here is the revised 2008 SVI Hollyhock participant list.

Social Venture Institute (SVI) Hollyhock 2009

September 9 – 13, 2009
Hollyhock, Manson's Landing, Cortes Island, BC

Join business leaders and social entrepreneurs at the Social Venture Institute (SVI) for an intensive, interactive inquiry into how to face the day-to-day challenges of running a socially conscious enterprise, September 9-13, 2009 at Hollyhock Centre, Cortes Island, BC.

Looking Forward to the 13th Annual SVI Hollyhock

I'm about to do my 13th annual Social Venture Institute (SVI) at Hollyhock. Renewal added one in Toronto in April this year and that makes it a little harder to know if this is the 13th or 14th, but who's counting? They have all been extraordinary.

Thank You

Thank you for signing up for the SVI Newsletter. 

SVI is for CEOs and leaders of established small businesses and nonprofit enterprises. Pre-approval is required prior to registration. Enrollment is limited and priority will be given to second-stage entrepreneurs.

Stonyfield Farm

The world’s largest organic yogurt maker.

Gary’s Story

Gary Hirshberg was all about climate change and ecology. He launched his career in the 1970s as the Executive Director of an ecological research and education centre in Massachusetts. But during a rare visit to Disney’s Epcot Center, Gary witnessed a life-changing spectacle: Kraft Foods presenting the farms of our future, with test-tube plants and a dancing, animatronic Miss Cheese—among others. The fanfare of Kraft’s nutrition-less promise was drawing far more attention than the ecological centre Gary was directing.

Salt Spring Coffee

Western Canada’s leader in organic and fair trade coffee.

Mickey and Robbyn’s Story

Mickey McLeod couldn’t resist buying a converted popcorn popper for roasting coffee beans at home. Before long, Mickey and his wife, Robbyn Scott, were serving great tasting, home roasted brew to their friends on Salt Spring Island. It was the early days of coffee culture, and the US trend was spilling into Canada. “The wheels just started turning in my head,” explains Mickey. He and Robbyn had been raised on social and environmental responsibility, and these issues defined coffee from farmer to cup.

SVI Hollyhock

September 10 – 14, 2008
Hollyhock, Manson's Landing, Cortes Island, BC
SVI offers the mission-based entrepreneur an opportunity to share challenges, successes, and experiences with peers in an atmosphere of trust and goodwill. Each attendee brings commitment of social change to their enterprise, whether a for-profit business or a non-profit organization. Over the years, SVI has provided over 2,000 entrepreneurs the opportunity to strengthen their business skills, network with other social change leaders, and rejuvenate their passion and vision.

Social Venture Institute (SVI) Toronto – A Great Launch

The Social Venture Institute, Hollyhock and Renewal version, hosted a very cool SVI at Kingbridge Centre near Toronto last weekend.

Pivot Legal Society

One of Canada’s leading social justice organizations.

Katrina’s Story

In 2001, first year law student Katrina Pacey discovered the Pivot Legal Society—an edgy nonprofit serving Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Working from a founder’s bedroom and borrowed office space, Pivot had embarked on becoming a prominent advocacy group for marginalized people. Katrina devoured the collaborative atmosphere of lawyers and east side citizens around the same table. She found her niche in law reform for sex trade workers.

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