Inspiration

It’s with pleasure that we introduce today’s inspiring guest blogger, Alyssa Kobriger from True Botanica.

When I was in young, I went to a very unique summer camp in central Wisconsin which focused on peace making and global citizenry with an occasional opportunity to swim and make a dream catcher. The experiences I had there had a profound effect on many of my life choices that I have made, and still do. In addition to learning about different cultures, religions, and strategies for non-violence, we talked a lot about the wide ranging impact of our choices and efforts to make a difference in the world – the power of one.

One of the concepts we were presented with was Right Livelihood - doing work that promotes the ideals that you value, respects the earth and the people who live on it rather then sacrificing it for higher profits. In meeting Gregor from Seventh Generation, I felt a connection with him in that we both work for companies which uphold that concept.

I work for True Botanica, a young nutritional supplement company in Wisconsin which has established a reputation in some unique directions:

Do you have an incredible new idea that could change your community, your country, or your world?

Are you an entrepreneur who won't rest until your idea has been brought to life? Or a leader who has recently started an organization to do just that?

If so, apply for an Echoing Green Fellowship. You could receive up to $90,000 in seed funding and support to launch a new organization that turns your innovative idea for social change into action. Think about it... How often does an offer like this come along?

Echoing Green is a great organization run by Cheryl Dorsey. Launched in 1987, its mission is to spark social change by identifying, investing in and supporting the world's most exceptional emerging leaders and the organizations they launch. Through a two-year fellowship program, the group is helping a network of visionaries develop new solutions to society’s most difficult problems. These social entrepreneurs are working to close deeply-rooted social, economic and political inequities in order to ensure equal access and help all individuals reach their potential. To date, Echoing Green has invested nearly $25 million in seed and start up grants to over 400 social entrepreneurs

Apply online for a fellowship by December 1, 2006 and you could follow in the footsteps of the founders of Teach For America, City Year, and over 400 other social change organizations. Watch the video here and then find out whether you qualify. Have any questions? Contact Echoing Green's Jeremy Schifeling at jeremy@echoinggreen.org.

We’ve been really blessed with our guest speakers this week at Change It. Christine Kelly from the Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education woke us up with her Systems Thinking training first thing in the morning yesterday. It was fun, and everyone really seemed to get how it applied to the work that they’re doing here, and out in the world.