enlightened orgs: inspiration

VANCOUVER CLUCKS!

Chickens in your back yard?…what do you think?

This “Monday” blog is written to honor what we believe are enlightened organizations and communities, and is normally posted on Monday, but our Monday posting has been delayed in hopes of results on a great story coming out of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Unfortunately, the  City Council will not vote until tonight on a resolution that will determine what you, if you live in Vancouver, can have clucking in your back yard. So I felt I could be late no longer. Lets talk about it and on Wednesday, I will give you the results of their vote.

IN A NATION OF FOOD BANKS – WE ARE JUST BEGINNING TO GET IT…

When you take away the ability of a people to feed themselves, you have total control over their lives.

How many young people today could last for a few weeks or even days, without money or the availability of a supermarket or a fast food chain to feed themselves? Do they even know where chickens come from? My mother did. As a young girl, she recalls having unexpected company arrive which meant the older children (aged 8 and up) were sent out to the back yard to chase down a chicken, chop its head off, pluck it, and bring it in to add to the soup which could then feed whoever showed up. My mother also remembers never being hungry during the “dirty 30’s” or the depression.

Today, the City Council in Vancouver will be vote to determine whether you have the right to have a few chickens in your back yard.
HAVE YOU EVER EATEN RANGE-FED CHICKENS?

Most urban dwellers, unless they buy organic, do not even know what a chicken really tastes like. But I recall the incredible aroma from my grandmothers kitchen as a plump chicken roasted in the oven or simmered in a pot with fresh dill to be ladled over home-made noodles. What she was embarrassed to serve as peasant food, is now a gourmet delight after huge multinational food companies have  deadened our taste buds, training us to expect instead, the taste of chemicals and processed foods. The crowning achievement of that lowly chicken was the soup made with chickens feet, now thought to have medicinal properties. But that was something my grandmother already knew from folklore and experience, without a double -blind study, and she served it to each and every ill child, grandchild or great grandchild.

AROUND THE WORLD

In most countries, feeding yourself with whatever you can raise to survive is considered common sense. My nephew, born and raised in Egypt, talks of how his family raised pigeons for food on the rooftop of their home…he cannot understand why we would have these huge lots in the city of Calgary, Alberta, and not be using them to raise food to feed yourself.

MANICURED LAWNS

So when did the idea of beautiful, manicured lawns overtake the sensibility of using your land to generate food? Whatever purpose do these lawns serve? In our current, and lets face it  future economy,will we be able to let go of the Hollywood notion of an artificial life where someone else takes care of us? Will we get closer to the land and do that which is necessary to sustain ourselves?

It is not the evenly cut lawn, or the garage with 3 cars that will fill our bellies.

VOTE WITH YOUR COMMON SENSE, VANCOUVER!

BLESS BLESS
JUDY BERG
If you know a company that is making a Mindshift towards serving humanity while still turning a profit, we would like to know about them. Let us know by contacting::
attractingsuccess@soulabundant.com... or leave the information in the comments section of this post.

Organizational Behaviour Consultant

author: Imagine Your Soul Abundant: Attracting Success, Fulfillment and True Happiness
more about:  www.theconsciouscorporation.com www.soulabundant.com
Judy’s book can be ordered from her website www.soulabundant.com.  Special prices for bulk orders upon request. Seminars and retreats customized to the needs of your group or organization.

enlightened orgs: inspiration

IS THE WORD -VALUES-AN OXYMORON IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY?

VANCITY IS PROOF POSITIVE -IT IS NOT

VanCity, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, is in its sixth decade of operation, offering a form of social and spiritual capitalism that proves doing business in alignment with high values and integrity can also be profitable.

This unique blend of more than-a-credit-union and more than-a-bank, is a breath of fresh air in the midst of the tornadeo of devastation wrecked by banking institutions whose operating philosophies are more of a testament to the capitalistic prophecies born out of the ancient Greek myth of Erisychthon.

NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE MYTH?…

THE ERISYCHTHON EFFECT

OVID tells a tale of a wealthy timber merchant, Erischython, who lusts after a majestic sacred oak tree in the forest. He sees in the revered tree, only the dollars he can make by the sale of its timber. When he fells the tree, he is cursed by the gods of the tree with an insatiable hunger causing him to consume and destroy everything around him, including his wife, children …and ultimately, himself.

IN A FINANCIAL WORLD OF ‘ERISCHTHONS’ – VANCITY IS THE EXCEPTION

VanCity’s values are clearly stated on the Who Are We page of their website:

What we believe

We believe in the essential goodness of people.
We believe that dreamers are as unique as their dreams.
We believe that to rise higher, you must dig deeper.
We believe that balance in all things is the true measure of prosperity.
Wherever you are,
Whatever it is,
We believe you can.
Things grow here

THINGS GROW HERE…
When ‘who we are’ meets ‘what we believe’, things grow here. It’s the result when a rooted and reaching organization believes that all things are possible. And it is the central purpose across all our departments, branches and levels. To grow things — people, ideas, hope, finances, neighbourhoods and, of course, the dreams of our members.
– VanCity -  Who We Are

2004 VOTED BEST COMPANY TO WORK FOR IN CANADA

VanCity embraces customers who have been marginalized by traditional banks and make profits doing it. Here is just a short list of some of their accomplishments as “Firsts” in the nation. First financial institution to…

• Provide loans to women without the need for a male co-signer

• Include the lesbian and gay community through mainstream media advertisements

• Offer daily interest savings accounts and open mortgages

•Offer interactive home banking, wireless terminals, centralized banking by phone, an international ATM network and the first 24/7 branchless bank (Citizens Bank)

• Provide a socially responsible mutual fund – An EnviroFund VISA and low-interest loans for hybrid cars

• A three-year commitment to reduce vehicle trips to UBC (University of British Columbia)and SFU(Simon Fraser University) by sponsoring the student U-Pass program for transit access on buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus

• The highest employee participation rate (our fifth year in a row) in the Commuter Challenge, an annual transportation event to raise awareness of reducing car emissions

• Clean air loans and financing for energy-efficient home renovations

• Achievements in energy efficiency certified by BC Hydro’s Power Smart program

• A focus on building “extreme green” branches that maximize energy efficiency and minimize their environmental footprint

“we are reaching
As the trunk of the tree
stands firm, individual
branches and leaves
stretch beyond their
immediate place, upwards,
outwards, into territory
infinite and unknown.”

I think this VanCity tree has rewritten the Erischython myth!

In 2004, employees actually wrote the VanCity Story…read more…

The VanCity Story – Things Grow Here

VanCitys Goals:

1. To be Beyond a Bank, Beyond a Credit Union

2.To Value the Exceptions

3.To Be There at the Intersections

4. To Be Both a Neighbour and a Damn Good Banker

5. To Lead a Language Revolution

6.To Always Believe You Can

At VanCity they coined the phrase …Yes, You Can! We are thrilled to include this company in our directory of Enlightened Orgs!

BLESS BLESS
JUDY BERG
If you know a company that is making a Mindshift towards serving humanity while still turning a profit, we would like to know about them. Let us know by contacting::
attractingsuccess@soulabundant.com... or leave the information in the comments section of this post.

Organizational Behaviour Consultant

author: Imagine Your Soul Abundant: Attracting Success, Fulfillment and True Happiness
more about:  www.theconsciouscorporation.com www.soulabundant.com
Judy’s book can be ordered from her website www.soulabundant.com.  Special prices for bulk orders upon request. Seminars and retreats customized to the needs of your group or organization.

enlightened orgs: inspiration

ALBERTA’S WINDIEST CITY

That seemingly constant, gusting wind I cursed when I lived in Grande Prairie, Alberta, had a different look and feel for Drennen and Jamie Hallett. It was the whiff of opportunity.

The Hallett’s, owners of Golden Sheep Power, officially opened their doors for business in Grande Prairie on February 1, 2009. They will be the first company in Alberta to offer home-owners a chance to get off the grid by using home-based wind turbines and solar panels.

A NEW WIND IS BLOWING

Their timing could not be better. The provincial government just passed regulations to allow for micro-generation in Alberta. And the City of Grande Prairie, a city that has seen explosive growth in the past 5 years due to oil and gas exploration, has shown its openness to explore other sources of energy by allowing the Halletts to set up a pilot project to demonstrate and test the home-based units.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PILOT IS SUCCESSFUL?

The main concern with wind turbines is noise, or the perception of noise.

The City of Grande Prairie have agreed to test a home-based unit and, if it is not too noisy, the City will change its bylaws to allow individual home-owners a choice for energy production – stay on the grid, or employ a home-based wind or solar unit to fully meet or supplement your requirements.

The pilot turbine is being erected in the centre of the city at the Fire Hall. It will not be set up to generate energy, but to gauge public reaction. The Hallet’s say the noise level of 15 to 30 decibels when it is running at its peak is equivalent to a whisper. Following the six month pilot, a survey will be conducted to get public reaction.

AN ALBERTA FIRST

If all goes well, that would make Grande Prairie the first city in Alberta to change its bylaws to allow for home-based generation. Only the tiny southern Alberta town of Cardston currently has bylaws to allow for wind turbines for residential use.

The Halletts have previous experience with micro-generation in Ontario where it has been approved by government for a few years. They believe homeowners will recover their installation costs (between $11,000 – $30,000.00 CDN) within 3-5 years. Most households, they say, will be able to produce enough energy for their needs. If a household uses more energy, they will just draw the additional from the grid.

The purpose of the Monday Enlightened Orgs Best Practices post is to draw attention to companies that are doing the right things – and doing them well. They become listed in our directory as Enlightened Orgs.

Today we recognize, not only Golden Sheep Power for taking the initiative and risk to become the first company in Alberta to offer residential micro-generation options, but we also take our hats off to the Mayor and Council of the City of Grande Prairie for their willingness to be…the FIRST!

We will keep you posted on the outcomes of this pilot project.

BLESS BLESS
JUDY BERG
If you know a company that is making a MindShift towards serving humanity while still turning a profit, we would like to know about them. Let us know by contacting::
attractingsuccess@soulabundant.com... or leave the information in the comments section of this post.

Organizational Behaviour Consultant
author: Imagine Your Soul Abundant: Attracting Success, Fulfillment and True Happiness
more about: www.CorporateMindShift.com www.soulabundant.com
Judy’s book can be ordered from her website www.soulabundant.com.  Special prices for bulk orders upon request. Seminars and retreats customized to the needs of your group or organization.

corporate mindshift: management

MARKET DECLINES ARE NOT YOUR BIGGEST THREAT

Baby boomers are quaking over the 30 – 50% erosion of their retirements funds, while the biggest threat facing the status of their long-term financial well-being may be closer to home, and within their control.

The winning secret of hockey’s all-time great, Wayne Gretsky, has been much quoted and has relevance in being on top of your financial-future game. Gretsky said the key to his success was simply, “I don’t go to where the puck is…I go to where the puck will be.”

Today we have a lot of pre-retirees, baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964, now ranging in age from 45-63, anxiously looking over the shoulders of their financial planners, wondering how to recover the retirement loses they have seen in the past year.

BUT WHERE WILL THE PUCK BE?…

Their concern about finances and retirement may be overshadowing the … “where the puck will be”...an even bigger threat that is looming out of a daily routine of high stress, lack of exercise, sleep deprivation and eating habits creating the highest levels of obesity ever recorded. The emerging threat is the high cost of aging…sick.

ARE YOU PROTECTING YOUR WEALTH FROM YOUR HEALTH?

Despite the abundance of research pointing to the long-term negative health effects of these key factors (sleep, exercise, stress, nutrition), there seems to be little wide-spread acceptance, by individuals or corporations, of the critical need to take action. With a few rare exceptions, most corporations are not protecting themselves, or their workforces, by demanding employees take care of their personal health. This is ironic when there is no longer any debate about the high cost of downtime to an organization from employee illness and/or long-term disability costs.

I guess this lack of concern shouldn’t be all that surprising when the one industry, Health Care, that should be the model for wellness is one of the worst offenders. I am appalled at the 80-100 hour work weeks, and shifts often in excess of 24-36 hours, put in by medical residents. If the medical profession doesn’t get it…who will?

HOW DOES YOUR COMPANY RATE?

We would like to hear from you. Is your company a model for promoting health? How do you compare to other companies around the world? Please take a few minutes and provide us with your comments. If you feel your company is doing some exceptional work we would love to profile them.

The health of your company is a reflection of the health of your employees.

Changes do not have to be huge to make a positive impact. Something as simple as serving herbal teas, water, juice and fresh fruit at staff meetings rather than coffee and donuts…or taking a stretch break, doing simple neck and back massages, or deep breathing, will increase well-being…and productivity.

Each simple act adds up to a greater awareness of health and wellness. It is an investment in protecting your financial future. When one wins, we all win. When one is healthier, our society becomes healthier.

BLESS BLESS
JUDY BERG
If you know a company that is making a Mindshift towards serving humanity while still turning a profit, we would like to know about them. Let us know by contacting::
attractingsuccess@soulabundant.com... or leave the information in the comments section of this post.

Organizational Behaviour Consultant
author: Imagine Your Soul Abundant: Attracting Success, Fulfillment and True Happiness
more about: www.soulabundant.com
Judy’s book can be ordered from her website www.soulabundant.com.  Special prices for bulk orders upon request. Seminars and retreats customized to the needs of your group or organization.

enlightened orgs: inspiration

A NEW BLACK GOLD

In the debt-free province of Alberta, where the black gold that first gushed from the ground in the 1950’s, has resulted in a Heritage Trust fund worth of billions of dollars being set aside for a “rainy day” – getting anyone to think about alternative energy sources is not an easy sell. But two framers from the tiny farming community of Vegreville have risen to the challenge.

Their innovation to create Biogas from cattle manure seems a perfect fit for a province that has ranching as it second largest industry. It is also timely for a province aware of the implications of the depleting sources of non-renewable oil and gas, and the challenges of a reliance on an industry with a Boom/Bust economic cycle.

“Inventing a new technology is a pure Alberta story… a great example that building a knowledge economy can happen on the farm, not just in ivory towers” – Evan Chapko, CEO, Highmark Renewables (Edmonton Journal, 02/08/09)

FROM POOP TO PROFIT…Alberta’s new Black Gold…

ALBERTA’S FIRST GREEN ENERGY MEGA-PROJECT

Shane and Evan Chrapko are taking the cattle manure from a 30,000 cow feedlot, owned by partners Mike and Bert Kotelko, and turning it into Biogas, something their company Highmark Renewables, markets as “renewable natural gas.”

They have just tapped into what is probably Alberta’s most abundant and renewable resource…cattle poop.

The greenist electrical generating plant in the province is now producing one megawatt of power which is enough to meet the electrical demand of the feedlot and 700 homes in the tiny communities of Vegreville and Two Hills. When the construction on this plant is completed, it will also produce ethanol to be added to gasoline without the current problem of having to take away from farmland to produce ethanol from crops like corn. Together, with the help of Xiaomei Li, a scientist from China, they have developed more than 40 recipes for turning waste, including slaughter house waste and municipal sewage, into biogas. Patents are pending.

Their motto: “Where there is waste…there is opportunity.”
Chrapko calls it a “virtuous loop – producing power, cattle feed, fuel and fertilizer .”

The goal is to have a string of plants across the prairies at sites where manure is plentiful. When you consider each cow produces the manure equivalent of six humans, the idea of continuing to spread this volume of waste and its resultant methane gas, over the land forever, without negative consequences, is to ignore a looming environmental problem.

Travis Nickel who heads up the company, Growing Power, responsible for the electrical side of this innovation, sees a time when every feedlot in the country will have such a plant to provide fuel for nearby towns and will deliver ethanol to the big refineries for production of gasoline.

Shane and Evan Chrapko are no strangers to successful ventures. They launched, built and sold The DocSpace Company for 811 Million (538 Million USD) in just 30 months from inception to final sale. Both are graduates of the University of Alberta. Shane is the recipient of the rare Early Career Achievement award awarded to one graduate from a pool of 100,00, who has achieved remarkable success in business within ten years of graduation.

ANOTHER LOCAL, HOME-GROWN SOLUTION…a company to watch in the future!

BLESS BLESS
JUDY BERG
If you know a company that is making a Mindshift towards serving humanity while still turning a profit, we would like to know about them. Let us know by contacting::
attractingsuccess@soulabundant.com... or leave the information in the comments section of this post.

Organizational Behaviour Consultant
author: Imagine Your Soul Abundant: Attracting Success, Fulfillment and True Happiness
more about: www.soulabundant.com
Judy’s book can be ordered from her website www.soulabundant.com.  Special prices for bulk orders upon request. Seminars and retreats customized to the needs of your group or organization.

enlightened orgs: kiva

NOT JUST CONTRIBUTING, BUT CONNECTING

Introducing Kiva.org, a Web 2.0 company focused on connecting generous contribution with the creative potential of those living in poverty. Kiva’s mission is simple: “to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.” I had the pleasure of listening to Co-Founder Jessica Flannery speak this past weekend at Jubilee in Pittsburgh. Her speech offered two valuable insights:

1) A glimpse of hope - the poor of the world have the talent and creativity to become self sustaining…all they need is a boost in the form of capital
2) Advice – on how to realize the dream of any company, Kiva’s Story has something to offer to all of us.

FROM $14,000 TO OVER $60,000,000 IN LOANS

Kiva has its roots in the same soil as many other non-profit and charitable organizations…a person or people have a dream to make a difference.  Basically, one small loan to a Ugandan start up blossomed into this immense global network of micro-financers.  Read more about how Kiva works here.

SUCCESS IN ANY BUSINESS

Co-Founder Jessica Flannery is a very passionate person whose enthusiasm has aided in the growth of Kiva over the past few years. But enthusiasm was not the only way Kiva has come to be where it is.  Check out this Poptech interview with Jessica Flannery and you will see what I mean.

Can’t see it? Get FlashPlayer, or view at Poptech.

ENLIGHTENED ORGS BUSINESS PRACTICES

• JUST START – You may never have perfect information, just start! When you make mistakes, look to Jessica’s next piece of advice
• ITERATE – Learn as you go and be prepared to do another version…another iteration. Don’t view mistakes as failures, view them as opportunities to create the next iteration.  Every step is an iteration rather than a failure and retry.
• “CO – CREATION” of content – Kiva.org is filled entrepreneurs stories, loaner stories, and new logos created by the kiva.org loaner groups.  The site is not just owned by organization but by everyone.
• BRAND OPENNESS – People have created Kivapedia’s, Kiva Video Channels, even an office on Second Life. Kiva lets anyone to re-create the brand in a new way. By allowing everyone to have creative control over the brand, so much more has been created than originally concieved.
  
  
  The power of creativity isn’t necessarily within the organization, but through the new and fresh eyes of others.
• KNOW YOUR MISSION – Jessica mentioned in her speech at Jubilee, Kiva had an offer of $10 million dollars from a large company, but they didn’t want to follow through with the connection. Kiva is not only about the financing, it is about bringing people all over the world together and gain vested interest in each other….Kiva turned down the $10 million.

KIVA.ORG – “THE WORLD’S FIRST PEER TO PEER MICROLENDING WEBSITE” - CHECK IT OUT!

Along with a receiving a BS in Marketing at the University of Pittsburgh, Nick enjoys spending time with service and Christian organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, an organization focused on themes of learning, creating, building and serving. Does anyone want to start a community on kiva?

Work Hard, Take it Easy

Nick Corsi

Inspiration: Jubilee

INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE WITH A UNIVERSAL HUMAN MESSAGE

I never thought attending a Christian conference would present me with such an abundance of culture and progressive thinking. This weekend started out with a talk by Gabe Lyons, co-author of the book “unChristian,” describing perception research into how the world views Christians. This research was conducted the same way a company conducts market research to understand brand perceptions, awareness, etc .

His research suggests, among other things, that people perceive Christians as having lost touch with culture and creativity – they are sheltered…out of touch with reality. These opening remarks began a weekend of inspiration, insight, and an exposure to some remarkable individuals who prove such an argument couldn’t be more wrong.

THE ULTIMATE FOCUS…THE HUMAN MESSAGE

How will you use your God-given talents, abilities and opportunities to cultivate learning, creating, building, and serving? And…how can you accomplish these goals in such a turbulent world?

In light of the wealth of information provided to me, here are a few of the highlights accompanied by links that will expand upon anything that you may find interesting.

Along with the Homepage, Jubilee offers a wonderful Blog with pictures, video and profiles of speakers and events.

ENLIGHTENED ORGANIZATIONS…AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND THEM

I eventually will write multiple blog posts about this weekend. Specifically about the Enlightened Organizational practices I saw in the likes of keynote speakers:

• Jessica Jackley Flannery, co-founder of kiva.org and – Featured Here on poptech.com

• Bill Strickland Creator and Founder of the Manchester Craftman’s Guild – Featured Here on ted.com

These two organizations take a completely different look at SOLVING poverty through the enablement of individuals and cultivation of their talents.  Look for posts under the “Enlightened Organizations Best Practices” column in the next two weeks for a more detailed glimpse into the great work of these two individuals.

CREATIVITY AND CULTIVATION

Andy Crouch, author of the book Culture Making, took a look at the creation of culture in a new way.  He broke down the pieces of a “good story.” A piece of literature, music, film or TV show that really makes us view the world differently and offers enjoyment needs to be rooted in the “form” rather than the content.

Too often creators get caught up in the characters, location, and specific scenes rather than the timeless human themes that all of us can identify with. Going back to the simplicity of human emotion through the rising and following action of a story is just one of the ways culture can be created.

He brought the discussion back to Christianity, and the perception that Christians can’t create good culture, because they supposedly denounce anything with themes such as sex, violence, and profanity.  He argues that we shouldn’t get caught up in these petty matters of content, but rather, focus on the form…the true meaning behind the story…the ultimate ‘home-hitting’ takeaways.

The session was brought to a close with a discussion on simplicity.  Culture doesn’t need to be something completely brand new, but rather RETRIEVED and remade.  Sometimes the same 4 simple chords that have been played in music FOREVER, can be seen and used differently to create something never heard to the human ears.

The focus of Andy’s work:
We, as Christians, spend too much in these postures with respect to culture: condemning, critiquing, copying, consuming, rather than CREATING AND CULTIVATING. For more on his work and ideas check out his site.

MORE INSPIRATION
This conference is geared towards college students, many of whom are attending, among other schools, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Pittsburgh .  These students are not studying theology; they are studying business, science, technology, art, music, literature, mathematics, economics, anthropology, philosophy…and the list goes on. Although this gathering incorporated a lot of worship, it is really about something much more.  It is about us as humans, regardless of your belief, realizing that we need to roll up our sleeves and get to work on this world.  We need to recognize that we have a lifetime ahead of us; of learning, creating, building, and serving.

It’s time to take the talents given to you and put them to use…

What will you do with your talents?

AN ASIDE…

This post hardly sums up the thoughts,prayers, ideas and insights that encompassed the weekend. Please feel free to click the links, and check out the the keynote speakers and musicians. Send comments about other inspirational experiences, religious or non-religious.  And as always, as a sound engineer…I can’t let down the fact that I love any opportunity to witness live production.

Along with a receiving a BS in Marketing at the University of Pittsburgh, Nick enjoys spending time with service and Christian organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, an organization focused on themes of learning, creating, building and serving.

Work Hard, Take it Easy

Nick Corsi

enlightened orgs: inspiration

ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS WILL BE FOUND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

Michael Kalmanovich, owner of a unique, organic food supermarket in Edmonton, Alberta, does not lack for inspired, innovative ideas to fulfill his passion to sell locally grown organic food, socially conscious products, and a free dose of education in the process. He took his first step of faith in 1991 by opening a store with $20,000 invested, $167.00 in his bank account and a huge abundance of dreams.

Earth’s General Store was opened in a small location on the fringe of the university in the capital city of the province. It is also smack dab in the heart of a ranching and oil-based economy. It was in this province that KD Lang, a home-town celebrity, riled local extremist ranchers who defaced community signs outside her home town of Consort, Alberta, after her public service announcement in which she spoke out in favor of vegetarianism.

If opening an organic food store in a business culture like that sounds like it takes guts and a leap of faith, that pales by comparison when you hear Michael’s latest dream!

A STORE WITH INTENTION

“I started the store in 1991 in response to some trends I noticed while conducting workshops on environmentally friendlier lifestyles:

• People wanted to know where to find the information that I was sharing outside of the workshops and more of it;
• People wanted to know where to purchase products that lessened their impact on the environment;
• People were concerned about the world – both environmentally and socially;
  
• People were scared;
• People wanted to do something about what was happening in the world.
  

I survive by people purchasing items from the store but it is not the purpose of the store to sell products just to sell them and to make profit. The purpose of the store is to create change. It is a tool for change.

“People have the ability to make choices at every decision in their lives. I am not talking about all the big ones where people angst over their decision, I am talking about all those small decisions. Many of these small decisions were made a long time ago and they become routines but these “small decisions” collectively add up to major effects. As a consumer you are always faced with a choice and each choice will involve a compromise.

The people that attain this level are called conscious citizens and since we are creatures that need to consume to survive we can also say that these conscious citizens will also be conscious consumers.”

MICHEAL’S LATEST INNOVATION – GETTING A LOAN FROM HIS CUSTOMERS

Right from the  outset, Michael’s dream was much bigger than the location he has occupied for the past 18 years. Now, in the midst of an economy that has most businesses ducking for cover, he is ready to expand.

But, in a very novel way.

Although he is able to get financing from the bank, Kalmanovich says, “I would rather be beholden to the community rather than to a bank.” (I think I a lot of people around the world today, Michael, would agree with you!).

Two weeks ago, Michael sent a request, through his newsletter, to his regular customers making them an offer.

He is asking for a loan.

Investors will get a 15% discount on their store purchases for purchases up to the amount of the loan! He is also adding a further 5% gift to their loan, which means an investor who puts in $2,000.00 would actually get  $2100.00 in discount credits.

The sentiment of the dozen people who have already donated upwards to $2,000.00, is they see it as a no risk investment, certainly at much higher levels of return than they can get anywhere else today, and mostly, they see it as an investment in their community.

WOW – THAT’S A MUCH BETTER OFFER THAN I HAVE SEEN FROM ANY BANK!

WELCOME! -  EARTH’S GENERAL STORE – to our directory of Enlightened Orgs.

IF YOU LIVE AND SHOP IN THE EDMONTON, ALBERTA AREA, WE HOPE YOU WILL GIVE THIS INNOVATIVE IDEA YOUR SUPPORT. TELL A FRIEND!

Sustainable business will emerge through creativity, innovation and inspiration. This economy is the best possible stimulus to get us thinking and being more creative than we ever dreamed possible.

Does Michael’s idea trigger any others that might make your business more viable and sustainable? If so, let us know!

BLESS BLESS
JUDY BERG

Organizational Behaviour Consultant
author: Imagine Your Soul Abundant: Attracting Success, Fulfillment and True Happiness
more about: www.soulabundant.com
Judy’s book can be ordered from her website www.soulabundant.com.  Special prices for bulk orders upon request. Seminars and retreats customized to the needs of your group or organization.

enlightened orgs: inspiration

SLOW AND STEADY

Will we sleep better knowing we have made a few million dollars on a “paper” or “security” that is not tied to something tangible and could collapse at any minute? … or will we leave this world pleased we have restored the planet to the beauty and abundance it once held for all?

We had the Slow Food industry, as a backlash to unhealthy eating, now Woody Tasch has initiated his Slow Money movement to offset the lust for speedy profits, at any cost. Tasch is our honored CEO of Enlightened Orgs for the work he is doing to bring sensibility to a world made giddy by financial greed.

THE MOST POWERFUL SOLUTIONS ARE OFTEN THE SIMPLEST…

Tasch is CEO of Investors Circle, established in 1992, that has put 130 million dollars of investments into 200 socially responsible companies. Most recently, he has founded the Slow Money movement to raise money for investment in local, sustainable agriculture.

Is it possible the solution to our environmental crisis and the financial meltdown could be a as simple as a potted tomato plant on your patio?…

“It’s remarkable but people who grow their own food, who reconnect with the soil, can immediately appreciate the implications of an economy that doesn’t respect the power of ecology”, says Tasch.

Tasch outlines his theory of patient capital in his recently published book, “Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money: Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertilizer Mattered.” (Chelsea Green Publishing).

Taschs’ theory is that soil fertility is the most valuable tool we have to fight global warming.

“Food is the field in which we daily explore our harming of the world.” – Gary Snyder, American poet

Recipients of the investment fund will be companies that generate $100,000 to $1 million in annual revenues and who are committed to local, organic food production. This local investment in real companies, producing real products, needed by real consumers, may well be Main Streets perfect solution to the problems generated by the biggest financial meltdown since the depression, linked to abstract financial commodities like hedge funds and derivatives.

EVERYONE PARTICIPATES

In the blush of hope generated by the inauguration of Barak Obama as President, Tasch may well be on to one simple solution that each and every person around the world can participate in that will make a difference to reversing our current environmental and financial devastation.

” If you are investing in a store that is selling local produce and locally made goods, you are building your community. You are building your local enterprise, and it is tangible.”
- Peter Kindler,  President KLD Research & Analytics  (source: Ode Nov.2008)

PARTICIPATION IN OUR FOOD

Becoming more engaged in the origins of our food may not only benefit our physical and financial well-being. I believe it greatly enhances our emotional and spiritual lives. Just try it for a season!

Even if you live in the middle of a highly populated city, it costs only a few pennies to put a tomato plant on your patio…or perhaps, to participate in setting up a community garden. Your commitment to nurturing the plant, and the way in which it repays you with rich abundance of delicious fruit, will dramatically shift your thoughts to higher awareness of the things that are truly important in our lives.

BLESS BLESS
JUDY BERG
If you know a company that is making a MindShift to serving humanity, while still turning a profit, we would like to know about them. Let us know by contacting::
attractingsuccess@soulabundant.com... or leave the information in the comments section of this post.

Organizational Behaviour Consultant
author: Imagine Your Soul Abundant: Attracting Success, Fulfillment and True Happiness
more about: www.soulabundant.com
Judy’s book can be ordered from her website www.soulabundant.com.  Special prices for bulk orders upon request. Seminars and retreats customized to the needs of your group or organization.

Consciousness: inspiration

COINCIDENCES

There is nothing that delights me more than coincidences. I think they are a little “cosmic goose” telling us there is much more to this “life and universe business” than we ever dare to imagine.

It is a higher power having a bit of fun with us, as one would gently and lovingly tease a child. I think they hold metaphorical messages, if we will only take the time and energy to attempt to decode them. I hope the coincidences I have detected this week are a sign that there is…

CAUSE FOR HOPE AND OPTIMISM

GREG PASKE’S, “OPTIMISTS THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX”

My “decoding of coincidences” experience began on Sunday morning as I sat down to write my last blog for the upcoming week. It was today’s -  Friday’s -  Consciousness Blog -  that I was about to write.

I began the morning, however, by reading my colleague Greg Paske’s, wonderful Sunday post, “Optimists Think Outside the Box.”

Ironically, without any sort of editorial board decision, Greg had chosen to write on Optimism. You see, my Monday Blog, already in the queue for publishing, was also on optimism,  honoring Ode magazine and its first annual list of Intelligent Optimists. Now, here I was, about to set “pen to paper” - and prepare my Friday blog featuring the Readers Choice  from that list of 25 Optimists - Robi Damelin - whose dedication is to a situation that requires all the optimism the world can muster – the war in Gaza.

AN OPTIMISTIC AMERICA

I also realized that on Tuesday, one of the most historic, and optimistic moments in world history was about to happen – the inauguration of the first black president of the United States. A moment of great optimism, indeed.

AN OPTIMISM FOR WORLD LOVE AND PEACE

My Friday Consciousness choice for our Enlightenor of the Week – an enlightenor being a person we have chosen who is doing wonderful things for the betterment of humanity -  is someone who has dedicated her life to an optimistic solution to the most sensitive and worrisome circumstance happening globally today – the clash between Israel and Palestine in Gaza. She is the Readers Choice of the top 25 Intelligent Optimists chosen by Ode magazine.

READERS CHOICE

The Readers Choice for Ode Magazines 2009 list of top 25 Intelligent Optimists is…

Robi Damelin, Founder, The Parents Circle, Tel Aviv, Israel

This mother imigrated to Israel from South Africa in 1967 after her son was shot and killed by a sniper bullet while attending university in Tel Aviv. She created the Parents Circle as a non-profit organization for bereaved Palestinians and Israelis to promote reconciliation as an alternative to hatred and revenge. Through initiatives such as the Tears of Peace, the goal is to create awareness that war only creates more pain.

“There is no winner, only a greater collection of broken hearts.” – Robi Dameli

I know for certain I have never used the word, Optimism, so many times in one article!

I hope the decoded message in all these coincidences is that “the solution to today’s crisis in the world will come only when we all hold a consciousness of optimism and then act upon that consciousness”.

We know our thoughts, emotions and consciousness are what create our reality. We may not do something significant enough to attract the attention of people like Ode magazine, but in our own small way – by holding a vibration of optimism and hope – we will collectively shift the energy of the planet to a much better place for all.

BLESS BLESS
JUDY BERG

Organizational Behaviour Consultant
author: Imagine Your Soul Abudant: Attracting Success, Fulfillment and True Happiness
more about: www.corporatemindshift.com www.soulabundant.com
Judy’s book can be ordered from her website www.soulabundant.com.  Special prices for bulk orders upon request. Seminars and retreats customized to the needs of your group or organization