Event: Socially Responsible Investing - Beyond the Bottom Line
More and more frequently, investors look beyond the financial statements as they select investments aligned to their priorities. Approaching with a critical eye, these investors seek Socially Responsible Investments which are rooted in the guiding values of environmental impact, social policies and corporate governance. Discover how Socially Responsible Investments are selected and learn about their ability to impact every investor and the common good. Join us for an overview of the decision-making criteria and results they deliver in this emerging discipline.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wilde Roast Cafe
65 SE Main St
Minneapolis, MN 55414
This event is presented by Kelli M. Puhl of UBS, and she will provide an overview of this emerging segment of the industry. She is a second generation Financial Adviser and earned her B.S in Management from the University of Minnesota Curtis L. Carlson School of Management. She also holds the Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, and health insurance licenses.
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Insights: Speed Networking with Social Entrepreneurs
A diverse slate of local entrepreneurs joined a lively group of networkers to discuss Socially Conscious Businesses from across the Twin Cities. Special thanks to our featured guests:
• Rod Johnson, Founder of Midwest Mountaineering
• Jody Treter, Sales director for Peace Coffee
• Rachel Maloney, Founder of The Natural Built Home
• Jacquie Berglund, Founder of Finnegans Beer
• Bryan Ukena and Miriam Holsinger, Eureka Recycling
• Chuck Sween, Environmental coordinator for Quality Bicycle Products
Six rounds of small group sessions allowed for dynamic conversations with each expert. Participants shared their own experiences and professions to further enrich the discussion.
At one table, Jacquie Berglund explained how the Finnegans Beer mission of “Turning Beer Into Food” is actually turned into action. For example, proceeds from beer purchased in Brainerd supports an area farm that in turn gives food to the local food shelf that provides for Brainerd families. She notes that “our model is win-win-win-win... successfully serving the community, farm, food shelves, and of course, the beer-drinkers!” Her goal is to expand Finnegans and this model within the upper mid-west and then extend the business/charitable model to other regions with other beer brands.
Another conversation featured Bryan Ukena and Miriam Holsinger explaining how Eureka Recycling is striving for a zero-waste community. One of their many focus areas is on composting, and Bryan talked about their efforts to educate about composting in communities. Miriam chimed in to explain that their approach is easy and focuses on composting as waste reduction rather than more complex approaches that strive for different garden-specific objectives.
One more thanks to all of our featured guests and to the whole group for this thought-provoking event!
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Insights: International Antarctic Expedition
The Brave New Workshop hosted a dynamic talk on the March 2011 International Antarctic Expedition. Local member Darren McGann shared his experiences on that journey while expedition lead and environmentalist Robert Swan, OBE joined via Skype from Australia as an additional expert in this multi-media, visually stunning event.
Without business it ain't going to be sustainable.
Robert Swan, OBE
McGann shared stunning photos and videos of the journey along with his observations on the experience and the environment. He noted that there is no real sound in the Antarctic, but the illusion of the sound of rolling thunder in the distance is actually an avalanche. He also explained the dryness of the Antarctic and the constant concern for water. Later in the discussion, Swan observed that "with countries like India and China, it just doesn't matter if we get it right in Minnesota. It just doesn't." Furthermore, the most important thing in the leadership-sustainability issue is that you have to be able to sell it.
The Chapter thanks the Brave New Workshop for generously providing the space for this event and for engaging their online partner to broadcast the event live online. Thanks too to speakers Darren McGann and Robert Swan who provided insight into the vastness of the Antarctic. For more on this event, please see the webcast of the actual event online at: http://bnw.qwikcast.tv/.
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Partner Event: Twin Cities Green Drinks
Join us for a fun presentation on sustainable packaging design past and present. Green Drinks hosts Sharell Benson, Sustainable Packaging Sales, Johnson Printing and Packaging (JP&P). They have been a folding carton manufacturer for over 90 years and have been proactive in their efforts to protect the environment, including being an FSC Certified printer, an EPA Green Power Partner and manufacturing packaging with 100% wind power since 2006.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thom Pham's Wondrous Azian Kitchen
533 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Free event; food & drink for sale from the menu
At this event, you will see JP&P’s obsessively green packaging and also learn how they help customers improve their environmental impact from the Wal-Mart scorecard metrics to luxury cosmetics.
Twin Cities Green Drinks is part of a global non-movement to charge your eco spirit, make some new connections, and learn a thing or two. Events happen every second Wednesday of the month with different sustainable-minded organizations hosting over the calendar year. www.greendrinks.org.
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Partner Event: GreenBiz Forum 2012
Framed by the 2012 State of Green Business report, the 2012 GreenBiz Forum will convene key thought leaders and sustainability executives to define the trends, challenges and opportunities in sustainable business today, and chart the course for the future. This one-day event will engage stakeholders across industries, sectors, and regions to discuss how, and how well, companies are addressing sustainability in a comprehensive view of the state of green business today.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Best Buy Conference Center
7601 Penn Avenue South
Richfield, MN 55423
Net Impact Members save $100 on registration!
For registration and more information: http://www.greenbiz.com/events/2012/01/forum-2012/minneapolis#travel
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