February 19th Workshop

registered: Feb. 2009

This thread is to discuss the workshop and anything else of interest.

Thank you for attending and for the great conversation. This is what keeps us going.

registered: Dec. 2008

THANKS EVERYONE for coming - what a great group. Would you mind posting whatever "workshop evaluation" statement you'd like to make here? We'll refer future partners to this thread to give them a sense of what regular people think. Also, any further ideas you had overnight or URLS and links you think are connected.

We're organizing our thoughts and figuring out how to divvy up what needs to be done next to get the "traction" we talked about. But in te interim if you have ideas on:
-Investment
-Habitat Project partners - private, ngo, government
-Artisan manufacturers - craft, nutraceutical, food,
-Small growers
-Contractors - site scouts, designers, installers, monitors, wildcrafters Web design, development, monitoring network
-Other professional services who might pay or barter for shares

That would be great. It was a pleasure meeting all of you and we'll talk again very soon.

Michelle

registered: Feb. 2009

During the workshop, it took a lot of explaining to get around to the heart of the idea, which I think is fantastic! Restore the environment and generate new revenue opportunities. It will be hard to say no to.

I would like to be able to explain the Watershed Weath Cooperative in 30 seconds (elevator pitch) so can you please post what you think that description would be?

registered: Dec. 2008

Hi Lindsay - it was great to have you there for the part of the time you could stay. I dont remember, but we may have done the 30 sec intro right at the start before you arrived... I understand what you're asking for is actually called a Value Proposition, and here's the version of ours that the Skoll Foundation "Global Social Business Incubator" social enterprise mentors liked:

"The Watershed Wealth Coop supports franchised Delivery Agents who restore lost and damaged habitat using commercially valuable native plant species which they then collect and market through the Coop along with other sustainable goods & services. Native plants have been removed or disrupted on over half the Earth's landbase, and Watershed Wealth Coop is the only business system in the world to directly restore habitat through community level businesses and to provide consumers new health, beauty, food and crafting products that actually restore the environment instead of degrading it. WWC's online and telephone based support system currently services our pilot area in the pacific region (target population of more than 14.7M and increasing), but will grow in scale with our expansion to any target population on the planet as the only thing that changes in our model is the locally appropriate plant list."

It was great to hear you had a landscaper friend who might be interested - you can tell him that the way we're planning to increase consumer / homeowner demand for his services is to make the landscaping that he installs pay the landowner, instead of them just paying for it to be installed.

Look forward to seeing you again!
Michelle

registered: Feb. 2009

Well done Larry & Michelle,

I will be happy to help you out and share my 2 cents whenever possible. As mentioned my area is operational and quality excellence mainly within the manufacturing, service and the technology sectors but, the tools and pricipals can be used everywhere.

I am currently reading a book that might interest you as well. (sorry ... long name)

" Making sustainability work. Best practices in managing and measuring corporate social, environment and economic impacts"

This is currently an area that caught my interest as an individual and as a professional.

Keep up the good work

All the best as always

Edison

registered: Feb. 2009

Watershed Wealth is a great concept and its timely.....we need to make better use of our watershed resources while maintaining ecosystem functions.
I hope the founding partners support the detailed work now needed to make it work on the ground

Great start Larry and Michelle!!!

I will see what I can do to find a Pilot project in the Kootenays.

mike...

registered: Feb. 2009

I am very impressed with the level of detail the program entails and the importance you've placed on being an "inclusive" project. Your presentation did a great job on outlining the fantastic opportunities that individuals and communities alike can benefit from greatly.

I have been fortunate to work with a variety of public and private organizations and businesses throughout the Okanagan. I feel that the unlimited potential of this concept needs to be shared with as many people, as quickly as possible to raise awareness of this great opportunity.
You have my whole hearted support.