Center for Transformative Action: Finger Lakes Social Entrepreneurship Institute

Singlebrook is proud to sponsor this event, and Singlebrook CEO Elisa Miller-Out will be speaking on the B Corp panel!

From Center for Transformative Action:

The Center for Transformative Action is thrilled to announce the first annual “Finger Lakes Social Entrepreneurship Institute” to be held at Cornell University from Thursday, September 13 to Saturday, September 15, 2012.

Social entrepreneurs are creating thriving social ventures by redefining what for-profit and nonprofit mean. They bridge social and ideological differences because they know that listening for shared values, common objectives, and opportunities for mutual benefit help to create local economies that are just, sustainable, and work for everyone.

The Institute will bring together new and experienced social entrepreneurs to share best practices and co-create new possibilities. Using the book “The Business Model Generation” as a guide, participants will come together from all over the region to learn how to reinvent their mission-driven enterprises to have greater social impact while meeting the financial, environmental and social challenges of today.

The Institute will offer dozens of workshops and panels, including: how to blend for-profit and nonprofit purposes; developing networks for local investing; taking a holistic approach to grant writing; identifying mentors and key partners; evaluating and communicating impact; and co-creating inclusive community leadership, all while learning how to use equity as the driver for growth.

Our goals are:
  • To provide practical skills to new and experienced social entrepreneurs in the Northeast region so they can create thriving nonprofit and for-profit social ventures.
  • To develop a cadre of regional social entrepreneurs with the tools to create diverse, financially sound, and ecologically sustainable ventures that prioritize equity.
  • To empower people of color, low-income individuals, and young people to become successful social entrepreneurs.
  • To create a robust, supportive regional network of nonprofit and for-profit social entrepreneurs who are contributing to local, sustainable, and just economies that have equity as the driver for growth. 

The fee for the entire three-day institute is $275, and includes a local foods breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday, plus snacks and drinks throughout the weekend. Some scholarships are available. Online registration for the institute is now open with Early Bird tickets. Register by July 15 to receive ten percent off the conference price for a total price of $247.50. From July 16-August 24, registrations will cost $275. After August 24, online registrations will be closed. Register here: http://flseinstitute.eventbrite.com/.

The Institute opens Thursday September 13 at 3:00 pm, with the opening workshop at 4:30pm. The conference runs until Saturday at 7:00 pm. Full details will be updated regularly on our website at http://centerfortransformativeaction.org/SE-Institute.html

Follow us on twitter for updates on the Institute as well as special announcements: @TransformAction. For more information or to request a scholarship, please contact CTA Executive Director Anke Wessels, 607-255-5027, or email akw7@cornell.edu

Confirmed co-sponsors include: the Center for Community Engaged Learning and Research; Entrepreneurship@Cornell; the Iscol Family Program for Leadership Development in Public Service; Singlebrook Technology; the Society for Social Entrepreneurship and Collaborative Action; Miller Mayer, LLP; ELab; Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming; the Cayuga LION; the Cornell PopShop; Buffalo Street Books; TFC Associates; New Roots Charter School; and Local First Ithaca.