 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Conference 2008 Thursday, October 2 Workshops Keynote Event Liberation Ecology — Toward an Empowering Frame to Move from Crisis to Transformation Frances Moore Lappé, activist, author, co-founder, Small Planet Institute Frances Moore Lappé proclaims that the biggest problems hitting us, from global climate chaos to global hunger, aren’t the real crisis; for, she says, solutions to these challenges are known. All we really have to worry about is people’s sense of powerlessness to pursue the solutions right in front of our noses. It is still possible for humanity to make a planet-wide turn toward life, she says, but only under one condition: that we break free of a mental map — a set of reigning but misleading ideas — now robbing us of power. Even some committed environmentalists, she says, are trapped by them. So Lappé identifies five common environmental messages rooted in limits and fear, and then offers liberating alternatives to enable each of us to find our power to create the world we want. Workshops: Sessions I A conversation with Frances Moore Lappé
Join Frances Moore Lappé as she facilitates a discussion based on her keynote. This will be a roundtable brainstorm conversation where insightful people of the natural products industry share ideas and join minds. Together we can and will effect the future, but we'll have to be sharp to keep on the cutting edge Successful Meetings: Bringing Out the Nest in Your Group
Effective workplace meetings can be a smooth, productive and empowering way of coordinating the work fl ow so everyone is on the same page, sending everyone back to work with renewed focus and commitment, stronger relationships with co-workers, and a better picture of what others are doing. Meetings can help create the kind of workplace where you enjoy coming to work and feel good about what you accomplish. Ineffective meetings can be a frustrating, boring headache. What makes the difference? bring your questions and problems and we will answer them together. Bring your successes and share them with others! in this interactive workshop we will explore principles, tips and techniques to help you and your group get the most out of your meeting time and build a stronger organization in the process. Social Investing for Impact: Meaningful Corporate Giving Programs
Take a look at your corporate giving program; is it maximizing your social investment? Is it focused and easy to manage? We’ll walk through key steps to create new programs and strengthen existing ones. You’ll learn of many ways a company can give and hear from colleagues about the benefits of their programs. You can then map out your company’s giving by making a plan and sticking to it. The Ease and Accessibility of Accomplishing a Zero Waste Program for Small and Medium Sized Companies
Join in this discussion with business people working toward successful strategies on achieving zero waste. Learn how you can achieve being a zero waste company with little effort and big rewards. This discussion will outline the beginnings, procedures, and resources necessary to accomplish a zero waste paradigm within a small to medium sized business structure, with an emphasis on the marketing advantages of having such a program in place. What’s In This Stuff?: Cosmetic Ingredients Revealed
This workshop will be a panel discussion of cosmetic ingredients and other issues in personal care products. Join this panel of industry retailers and manufacturers for a dialogue about the health effects, (personal and environmental) of skin care products in the natural foods industry. Discuss how to decide what ingredients are “good guys” or “bad guys,” the pros and cons of packaging, nanotechnology, heavy metals, and more! See also the Product Standards session held on Friday for more information on some of the same issues. Workshops: Session II Essential Oils: Sourcing, Sustainability, Quality and Uses
In this presentation we'll cover the reality of sourcing oils from around the world, how it's done and how purchasing can impact small third world communities. We'll discuss sustainability, over-harvesting and the future of oils like Sandalwood and Rosewood. We'll go over some of the problems and issues regarding quality in oils and bodycare products. In the end we'll cover a myriad of therapeutic uses of popular and less popular essential oils.
First Alternative’s passport training program provides our staff with a broad base of organizational knowledge as well as training in co-op ownership, Finance 101, and customer service basics. I'm excited to share how we developed the program based on the Zingerman's model, the benefi ts we've experienced, and challenges we’ve faced. Those that attend will walk away with tools that they can take home and make their own, including First Alternative’s training plans, passport tour outlines, and a copy of the passport. This training session will apply to any type of business. From GMOs to Biofuels: How America's Agricultural Policies are Aaffecting the Future of Food and Energy on Planet Earth
Iit is easy to believe that the planet is running out of both food and fuel. After all, more than 25,000 people starve to death every day and we appear to be heading towards $10 a gallon gasoline in the not-too-distant future. The biotech industry argues that GMO crops will feed starving children and can be made into biofuels. If we take a closer look, we find that there is more than enough food on the planet to feed everyone over 3,000 calories a day. And rather than biofuels being an answer to the global energy crisis, we find they are creating many environmental problems and actually increasing global hunger. This workshop will explain the problems caused by GMO crops and biofuels and offer alternative solutions that are sustainable and safe for the environment. With public education and grassroots activism, the opportunity to promote organic agriculture and solar power has never been brighter. Marketing Certified Organic Goods: What Does it Mean to a retailer?
Are you an organic retailer or are you a retailer selling organic and natural goods? This workshop will examine the difference between the two and answer all of your questions. As a retailer, have you thought about organic certification? Do you wonder what your requirements are to the NOP regulation if you aren't certified? Can you be audited by the USDA NOP? If you have questions like these and want answers this is your workshop! Reclaiming Your Work: Sharing Strategies to Help You More Effectively and Efficiently Wrangle the Increasing Demands on Your Time
In this workshop we’ll look at how to move beyond always putting out fires (and trying to just manage your time) and into the art and science of painless productivity (and really owning your time). Eli will cover specific strategies that will help you make the most of meetings, e-mail, planning, and other elements of your workflow. This session will help you leverage crucial tools for improving your efficiency and effectiveness. Conference main page
Provender Alliance
|