Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays! As Christmas approaches we are wrapping up the year and getting ready for 2009.

We've finalized our meetings dates for 2009, all of them are held at the Village Lifestyles (10429-79 avenue) Community Meetings between 7 - 9:30pm, Business Meetings between 10am - 12 pm.

If we have details beside the date that means we have speakers or topics booked, but the blank dates are open for suggestions. If there is something you've been dying to know more about, or if you would like to do a presentation, please let us know by email maureen (at) e-sage.ca!

Community Meetings (7 - 9:30pm)
January 23
February 11

February 26 - Michael Shuman, Author of the Small-Mart Revolution will be giving a public talk on the importance of buying local, and the impact our habits have on local economics.

March 11

March 31 - Peter Brown, an ecological economist, is doing a tour to promote his new book - "Right Relationship: Building a Whole Earth Economy" (Berret-Koehler) His four co-authors, including environmental law consultant Geoffrey Garver, are all members of the Moral Economy Project, a Quaker initiative to promote a new vision of economics, that promotes environmental stewardship.

May 8
June 10
July 7
August 5
September 10
October 2
November 2
December 11 - E-SAGE 2nd Anniversary

Business Meetings (10am - 12pm)
This year we have lots of ideas of what we could do at the business meetings, but we are open to ideas from you. We know there are already lots of excellent resources for small business owners who want more information on day to day operations (BusinessLink) or networking events (Chamber of Commerce). But what do you want to get out of an E-SAGE business meeting? Why do you come? We have some ideas of our own what could happen at these meetings but we would like your feedback. Email us at maureen (at) e-sage.ca

Should we have a few tradeshows where you can showcase your products or services to the E-SAGE members?

How about a job fair to match up people who want sustainable careers, with opportunities waiting for someone to make it happen?

Is anyone interested in working with the City to do a focus group and develop policies for promoting local independant businesses? This would tie in with Michael Shuman's work with the BALLE organizations in the USA.

We would like to build a skills inventory along with the Sustainable Business Directory. Is that something you are interested in helping us develop?


January 26
February 24
March 26
April 24
May 25
June 22
July 21
August 20
September 18
October 16
November 16

Thanks again to the over 300 people who have come to meetings, spread the word about our group, and supported us over the past year. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

Best Wishes for the holiday season and an joyful & abundant 2009!

Maureen, Terra & Tad