Tuesday, July 27, 2010

• Meet the CEOs (an LOK CKO event). Come to The Spoke Club (600 King St. West,4th Floor Entrance/3rd Floor Gallery Host Area,Toronto) from 6pm to 9pm and meet leading industry professionals in an interactive environment and hear what their thoughts on CSR today. Tickets are $100. Follow the link for more details and to register for this event.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

• It’s the YSEC July MeetUp! Come by the usual spot at the usual time (CSI, at 215 Spadina Ave, Toronto, from 6pm to 9pm) and get in on the fun.

Friday, July 30, 2010

• Leveraging Linkedin for Business:How Mastering a Seemingly “Boring” Tool Can Create Your Next Big Opportunity. This workshop on how to use LinkedIn runs from 9am to 1pm and tickets start at $149, early bird pricing.

Besma Soltan runs SPEAKout Poetry, a platform for Canada’s budding talents to express themselves through the art of Spoken Word, unrestrained by social prejudices, religious orientation or cultural boundaries.

Check out their next spoken word competition, Summer Slam 2010, this Aug. 6, 2010 at the ROM.

1) What are you working on and why does it matter?

I am working on SPEAKout, a spoken word competition that started only a year ago, and has done 3 events ever since, with our 4th grand event coming up this Aug. 6 at the ROM.

Through SPEAKout, I was not only able to grow my network and improve my skills, along with gaining new ones, but I also grew as a person through the experiences that myself and the rest of the SPEAKout team went through in order to make the events happen. Working in a grassroots organization and seeing it grow is like becoming a mother; the bigger and better your baby grows, the more proud you are of it and the deeper in love you fall for it.

SPEAKout did not not only introduce me to the spoken word scene, but advanced and improved my knowledge of many issues out there, increasing my awareness through the topics performed by our poets, and through the people I got to know in it and because of it.

SPEAKout also matters because it aims to engage Canada with all its diversity and multiculturalism, and show all of Canada that there is much more that brings us together than what pushes us apart.

2) What motivates you?

My faith has a large role in motivating me, plus having one of my personal life goals being to really make a difference in the world while I am in it, regardless of how small that difference may be, even if it means planting a seed that I won’t see branch out into a tree in my lifetime. I also gain a lot of motivation and push forward through those around me, be it family, friends, colleagues, or very ordinary people that are full of strength and the power to keep going against all odds.

3) What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned recently?

That bad things always happen, whether we like it or not. The trick is to see the positive and good out of it all, and to have that experience gained act as a lesson to push one forward, rather than have them stumble along the way and fall and never get up. I also learnt that a smile and a kind word can go a long way, even if one doesn’t see their results instantaneously. Lastly, I learnt that change is actually possible. One just has to be patient and in constant pursuit of their goals.

4) If you could invite 5 people dead or alive to dinner, who would they be?

Prophet Mohammad, Ghandi, Einstein, Ibn Rushd/Averroes, and my great grandfather.

5) Best resource people don’t know about?

We teach some by what we say. We teach more by what we do. We teach most by who we are. – Be the change you want to be; You can’t make change happen if you aren’t doing it yourself.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

• Toronto Live Interviews. Karl S will be interviewed at the Centre for Social Innovation (215 Spadina Ave, Toronto) between 6:30pm to 8pm. Admission is free, just RSVP to save yourself a spot. Want to know more? Just follow the link.
  
  

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

• Facebook Business Breakthroughs:Harness the Power of the World’s Most Popular Social Networking Site to Attract Customers and New Create Opportunities. Spend some time with Jaime Almond, from 9am to 1pm, at the Centre for Social Innovation (215 Spadina Ave, Toronto) and grow your business through Facebook. Early bird tickets are $97. More info available.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

• Cross Media Hive–Media Strategy Workshop. It’s a full day workshop, from 8am to 5pm, at the Centre for Social Innovation (215 Spadina Ave, Toronto) and learn how to use all different kinds of media. Tickets are $650 and space is limited to 12 people.

NEXT WEEK:

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

• Meet the CEOs (an LOK CKO event). Come to The Spoke Club (600 King St. West,4th Floor Entrance/3rd Floor Gallery Host Area,Toronto) from 6pm to 9pm and meet leading industry professionals in an interactive environment and hear what their thoughts on CSR today. Tickets are $100. Follow the link for more details and to register for this event.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

• It’s the YSEC July MeetUp! Come by the usual spot at the usual time (CSI, at 215 Spadina Ave, Toronto, from 6pm to 9pm) and get in on the fun.

Friday, July 30, 2010

• Leveraging Linkedin for Business:How Mastering a Seemingly “Boring” Tool Can Create Your Next Big Opportunity. This workshop on how to use LinkedIn runs from 9am to 1pm and tickets start at $149, early bird pricing.

What will we do if we win?

We’ll launch InVenture – Canada’s first program to help young people launch businesses that can change the world.

We’ll bring 20 of the best start-ups we can find, have them learn from Canada’s best business minds, and then fill a room with investors interested in them.

We’ll help build businesses driven by social missions. Businesses that focus on renewable energies & cleantech, micro-finance, global education, health access, arts & culture, etc. Businesses that propel us toward a more social, greener economy as fast as possible.

So why is InVenture important?

• It will create jobs. 97.5% of businesses in Ontario are small businesses. And they account for 52% of net job creation across Canada, according to Statistics Canada.

• Young social entrepreneurs are asking for it. Since January, we’ve had nearly 60 requests for this kind of help.

• We can make it happen. That’s why we’ve recieved letters of support from PM Paul Martin & Premier Dalton McGuinty. We just need the money.

• There’s nothing like it in Canada.

Please vote for us.  Everyday if you can. Here.

Thanks!

- From the YSEC team.

Tuesday, july 13, 2010

• Differencemakers Tour 2010. Meet Alexander Blass and Ian Berry to learn more about sustainability  in all its forms; from corporate social responsibility to social entrepreneurship. This workshop runs from 9am to 6pm at a secret event location that will be emailed out to participants. Ticket prices start at $297 and can be purchased through the link provided.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

• Artscape Office Warming. Artscape just renovated and you’re invited to see the new digs. RSVP by Friday, July 11th. What a great way to get introduced to the new space and the great team at the Artscape Head Office (171 East Liberty Street, Suite 224, Toronto). The party’s on from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

• July’s Design with Dialogue will be held at OCAD, 6pm to 9pm Wednesday July 14, and will be hosted by Greg Judelman and Peter Jones. So come out to sLAB | Strategic Innovation Lab (OCAD Ontario College of Art and Design, 100 McCaul Street, Room 600, Toronto) and ramp up your website to increase engagement for just $5.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

• Finance & Taxation for FIT Solar Projects. Do more than just learn about finance and taxation for your solar start up, meet and mingle with potential investors. If this panel discussion sounds interesting to you then be sure to be at the Toronto Board of Trade (1 First Canadian Place, Toronto) from 4:30pm to 9:30pm.
• Toronto Net Impact Professional (re)launch. Come out for the welcome back party to remember at Rotman School of Management (105 Saint George Street, Room 134, Toronto) from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Monday, July 5, 2010

• CATAAlliance – CATA Action Committee on Entrepreneurship – Teleforum. A conference Call format with Q&A time from ACE. Follow the link for agenda information and then get on the phone.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

• CVCA – The Entrepreneur Panel: A Candid Roundtable Discussion. Are you interested in hearing from successful entrepreneurs who will share their perspectives on and experiences in raising capital, dealing with private equity and venture capital investors, discuss challenges they have faced, as well as opportunities they have been able to capitalize on to grow their respective companies to where they are today and what the future holds? Then be sure to be at the Toronto Board of Trade (1 First Canadian Place, 4th Floor, 100 King Street West, Toronto) from 7:30am to 9:30am. Follow the link for more details.

Friday, July 9, 2010

• Network Your Way to More Business Using Twitter. Make your way to the Centre for Social Innovation (215 Spadina, Toronto) from 9am to 1pm you can learn how to effectively use Twitter for networking and other business potential. Early bird specials start at $149.
  

Saturday, July 10, 2010

• Presentation Sensation. From 10am to 2pm, Anfernee will cure your presentation blues at the Centre for Social Innovation (215 Spadina, Toronto). It’s just $55 per person with discounts available for YSEC members. PLUS visit the YSEC Facebook page and entre to win a free ticket for this event by sharing a presentation blunder from your past. *this contest ends at 2pm on Monday, July 5th.
  

NEXT WEEK:

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

• Artscape Office Warming. Artscape just renovated and you’re invited to see the new digs. RSVP by Friday, July 11th. What a great way to get introduced to the new space and the great team at the Artscape Head Office (171 East Liberty Street, Suite 224, Toronto). The party’s on from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

• July’s Design with Dialogue will be held at OCAD, 6pm to 9pm Wednesday July 14, and will be hosted by Greg Judelman and Peter Jones. So come out to sLAB | Strategic Innovation Lab (OCAD Ontario College of Art and Design, 100 McCaul Street, Room 600, Toronto) and ramp up your website to increase engagement for just $5.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

• Finance & Taxation for FIT Solar Projects. Do more than just learn about finance and taxation for your solar start up, meet and mingle with potential investors. If this panel discussion sounds interesting to you then be sure to be at the Toronto Board of Trade (1 First Canadian Place, Toronto) from 4:30pm to 9:30pm.
• Toronto Net Impact Professional (re)launch. Come out for the welcome back party to remember at Rotman School of Management (105 Saint George Street, Room 134, Toronto) from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Before the mix of festivities and chaos hit the streets of Toronto this past weekend, YSEC joined a panel of young entrepreneurs representing the city at the G20 Youth Summit. Known as MY SUMMIT, the event convened youth delegates from all the participating nations.

Moderated by Gavin Sheppherd of The Remix Project – a community organization with several budding social enterprises – the panel was prodded on their thoughts about the challenges and opportunities the city holds for young entrepreneurs.

Their verdict? Canada needs more community hubs and informal associations dedicated to young entrepreneurs, but stands to gain significantly from looming transformations in all social systems – from energy and agriculture, to healthcare and education.

As the delegates spoke about means of influencing the future, social entrepreneurship seemed to captivate their interest.

A delegate from South Korea contemplated the distinction between social enterprise and corporate social responsibility, while another from Mexico was concerned that developed nations were yet again dictating a prescribed development path for emerging economies by suggesting that they develop in cleaner ways. The latter point was an important cue in establishing a framework for collaboration among nations, but misses the point that a global full press of social innovation is needed to adapt to a rapidly shifting world. While it is entirely reasonable to demand that developed nations assume much of the burden of ensuring better social and environmental practices, it is also vital for all nations to do what they can to stimulate, aid and practice wide scale social innovation.

The event revealed the depth of interest young leaders from around the world are taking in social entrepreneurship as a concrete way forward. In contrast to the weekend’s moments of despair in the streets, the sense of promise was palpable. And that’s a very good thing.

Mike Edwards, Preparing the Trail

Mike Edwards is the Project Coordinator of Preparing the Trail, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to making exercise fun and productive, anytime, anywhere, for anyone, in the most sustainable way possible.

1) What are you working on and why does it matter?

In my spare time, I have taken the initiative to satisfy my personal passion for athletics and the environment – I have developed a website and a not-for-profit program called Preparing the Trail.

Preparing the Trail is using the power of athletics to drive environmental and socially oriented messages in our communities.  This matters to me because in today’s environment, we need to find innovative solutions that engage the public and educate our communities, understanding that accurate unbiased knowledge is the key to stimulating proper action and behavioural change.

I am also currently working full time as a Mechanical Engineer and Green Building Specialist at Enermodal Engineering, helping to make the world a better place by designing energy and resource efficient buildings.  I am also working with YSEC to track the financial and social metrics of our Preparing the Trail program.

2) What motivates you?

I am motivated by optimistic, passionate, hardworking individuals that take the road less travelled.  I think it is important to look back at your accomplishments every few months, and set new goals after you complete the last, using each achievement as a stepping stone towards the next.  I am also slightly masochistic - I feed adversity, and hard work.

3) What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned recently?

The biggest lesson that I have learned recently is that opportunities often present themselves when you least expect it.  Small lessons can be learned from every experience, good or bad.  Adversity can bring out the best in people, and can teach you a lot about yourself.  Know your limits, and test them each and every day!

4) If you could invite 5 people dead or alive to dinner, who would they be?

If I could organize a dinner with 5 people, dead or alive, I would invite individuals that have inspired me and shaped the person that I am today.  I have always been inspired by great leaders that can make others around them better people.

As a kid I was obsessed with Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky, there was something about the way they handled themselves in the most stressful situations, leading by example, and elevating their teams’ performance.  I would have a few questions for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and I would also invite Bradley Nowell, the ex-lead singer of Sublime, the first CD I ever owned and my favourite band, his lyrics have always intrigued me so I would definitely have a lot of questions for him. I would round out the table one of my best friends so that they could enjoy the experience with me, and remind me to stop speaking with food in my mouth.

5) Best resource people don’t know about?

I have recently stumbled upon Mashable.com and Wired.com – lots of good resources for those of you that want to stay up to date with the fast paced technology and social media movements.

Monday, June 28, 2010

• The New Rules of Engagement with Peter MacLeod is talk number 12 from MASS Talk. It runs from 6pm – 8:30pm at Jamie Kennedy’s Gilead Café (2 Gilead Lane, Toronto) and yes, it’s FREE. So be there!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

• Toronto Greenhouse – Green Dragons 3. From 6:30pm to 10pm at the National Club (303 Bay St., Toronto) the Toronto Greenhouse will feature “elevator pitches” by environmental companies to potential investors. Find out what great ideas we have budding in Toronto and what makes a successful pitch.
• Women’s Post brings you Courage to Lead: Financial Fitness. Women teaching women about wealth management and investments. Interested? See you at Ben McNally Books (366 Bay Street, Toronto) from 6pm. Tickets are $27.50.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

• Startup Drinks wants all you entrepreneurs to stay connected. So come out to Grace O’Malley’s (14 Duncan Street, Toronto) from 6pm and meet some fellow entrepreneurs. THIS EVENT IS NATION WIDE, so check the website for the right location in other cities around Canada to meet your local start up community.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

• CANADA DAY!   Have a great long weekend everyone

Monday, June 21, 2010

• InnovENT 2010 – Innovative Minds Creating Relationships. Build your social network by coming out to this FREE event at Adega Restaurant Bar & Grill
  33 Elm St (Toronto) at 7pm.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

• Change Agent Series with Geoff Cape. Accelerator Centre (295 Hagey Boulevard, Waterloo). $29 ($10 for students) will get you in to hear from Executive Director of Evergreen, Ashoka Fellow and award-winning Canadian Social Entrepreneur.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

• SiG@Waterloo “Innovators in Action” Speaker Series featuring Bruce MacDonald. It’s another FREE event at Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery (25 Caroline Street North, Waterloo) from 7pm – 9pm President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

• STLHE 2010 – From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-able: Building new learning environments for new media environments. Come out to Ryerson Theatre (43 Gerrard Street East, Toronto) from 8:30am to 10am and discover how media is changing the way we teach and learn.
• It’s YSEC’s first Summer MeetUP! Meet the founders of Well of Change at this month’s MeetUp. Join us at the Centre for Social Innovation (215 Spadina Ave, Toronto) from 6pm – 9pm. Tickets are $10, FREE for YSEC members.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

• The Niagara Institute – Change Leadership for Change Agents. Build your skill of effective change management this weekend at the Sheraton Centre (123 Queen Street West, Toronto)
• Kind Organics is hosting Sprouting Workshop covering the basics of how to sprout healthy nutritious greens in both soil and in water. Tickets are $65 and the event runs from 2pm to 5pm at the Kind Organics Farm (18415 Keele St, King)

NEXT WEEK:

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

• Toronto Greenhouse – Green Dragons 3. From 6:30pm to 10pm at the National Club (303 Bay St., Toronto) the Toronto Greenhouse will feature “elevator pitches” by environmental companies to potential investors. Find out what great ideas we have budding in Toronto and what makes a successful pitch.
• Women’s Post brings you Courage to Lead: Financial Fitness. Women teaching women about wealth management and investments. Interested? See you at Ben McNally Books (366 Bay Street, Toronto) from 6pm. Tickets are $27.50.

It’s a little slow, but that just gives you more time to work on your projects and get them to market. Want any help? Come by our offices and get some feedback and help.

Have a great long weekend! Enjoy the celebration and keep those great ideas developing