Let's kick-off the summer with a jam on innovative ways to use our hallways, courtyards, streets, parks and communities to get to know one another better.

nerd jam from Moira Simpson on Vimeo.

Its springtime, that means a it's time for a refresh! Come enjoy some complimentary drinks and snacks with your peers at the HiVE (128 West Hastings) after work this May 23rd. You'll hear some thought provoking short presentations to help you inject some fresh perspective in to your professional life. Here's what's on the agenda...

5:15 5:30 welcome and introductions

5:30 - 5:50 = Troy Spreeuw - "How to Break Your Business"

6:00 - 6:20 = Jordan Bober and Paola Qualizza, A presentation on Seedstock Community Currency

6:20 - 7:30 = Finish off the drinks and snacks...

About How To Break Your Business, Troy Spreeuw

Businesses, and business leaders, often get bogged down in the routine of what they think is already working.  Many business sectors are so competitive that it can seem foolish to try and shake up an industry by trying something different.  Achieving the balance of paying the bills and growing modestly while doing only what works is a recipe for mediocre sales, low market share, lower staff morale and retention, and miserable customer service.  In my presentation “How to Break Your Business” we will discuss how to break out of this “success” trap by breaking down the most common complaints and issues in your industry.  Using solutions that are found by confronting existing problems is the BEST way to differentiate yourself from those around you who provide similar products or services.  Come join us in working towards your next break through idea.

And if we're willing to think differently about our businesses, why not think differently about our money? 

Seedstock Community Currency (www.seedstock.ca) is a Vancouver-based local currency project whose mission is to keep more money circulating locally while generating much-needed resources for local non-profits. Launched into circulation in January this year, Seedstock is already being accepted as payment in over 60 local businesses and has generated much attention and excitement in Vancouver and beyond. The initiative is expected to grow rapidly this summer through partnerships with festivals including Car Free Day, EPIC, the New Democratic Dance Party and more.

Jordan Bober and Paola Qualizza of Seedstock Community Currency will be on hand to tell us more about why they started the project, how you can get involved, and why they believe that community currency can play an important role in promoting inclusive economic revitalisation in the DTES.

As an added bonus, we will have the opportunity to experience first-hand what it is like to use Seedstock right at this event!

So come join your peers for a fun an informative licensed networking event. First drink is on the house.

Charities and not-for-profits use technology to advance their missions, but what about individual citizens and their favourite causes? A soon-to-be released research report, conducted by Trina Isakson of 27 Shift and commissioned by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), examines emerging ways that Canadians are supporting vulnerable populations--beyond giving and volunteering.

This presentation and Q&A will explore this report through a technology lens, examining trends in hackathons, mobile/web application development and use, open and crowdsourced data, online advocacy, and crowdfunding. If you have no idea what these words mean, here's your chance to learn more (especially considering the research shows that charities and not-for-profits aren't involved enough!)

Agenda

• 5:30 - 6:00 pm: schmoozing and snacks
• 6:00 - 7:00 pm: Presentation
• 7:00 - 7:30 pm: Q&A

Our presenter

Trina Isakson is an educator, strategist, and researcher in the areas of social innovation and community engagement. In addition to her consulting work with 27 Shift, she is an instructor at SFU, UVic, and the Adler School of Professional Psychology in various topics related to community development. Trina's community engagement commitments revolve around not-for-profit capacity building, women’s equality, transformative education, and civic participation. She enjoys playing board games, worm composting, and cycling around Vancouver. trinaisakson.com

Our sponsor

Net Tuesday is thrilled to have HiVE Vancouver as our venue sponsor.

HiVe Vancouver is a shared workspace with a dynamic cafe-like studio culture. They are home to artists, designers, small social enterprises, mid-size NGOs, green businesses, IT experts, self employed, start ups, independent contractors... and you?

Monique MacDonald is an extremely gifted and engaging speaker who inspires her audiences with her pearls of wisdom. She is an extraordinary trainer and a trusted authority on the topic of what she calls Your Sacred Gifts. Her teachings are focused on helping people find deeper meaning and a greater sense of purpose in their lives whether at work, in their business or at home . Most people are surprised at how hilarious and down to earth she is given her highly intuitive and deeply spiritual nature.

At the age of 45 and with 25 years of in hospital experience as a Registered Nurse, Monique decided it was time to completely reinvent her life and so she set herself on the path of personal discovery. That led to her creating a program in 2003 called Discover Your Sacred Gifts . Knowing your gifts is one part of Monique’s ‘Feel On Purpose’ Formula. Now 10 years later she continues to wow her audiences. 
In this 90 minute presentation you will:

• Learn her Feel on Purpose Formula
• Understand what Sacred Gifts are and how to find out which ones you have
• Find out why you can be super effective at certain things and still be somewhat screwed up in your own life.. sometimes in that very area that you are so good at for other people.
• Laugh
• Get why trying to find your purpose can be an endless journey and why feeling on purpose is more easily achievable
• Have some A-HA moments

She is truly a “shift disturber” and is masterful at helping you change non-serving perspectives and releasing blocks that prevent you from getting what you want in your life.

Details to come. Check out the Green Chamber of Commerce page for more information.

June's Net Tuesday will be a doubleheader featuring two presenters.

1. Nonprofit Trends that should be on your radar

"It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future".

This presentation will highlight industry trends that are changing how nonprofits operate as well as what it means for your organization. We will share what we have learned at NewGen Technologies, the largest provider of IT services in BC and will also share with you what we have on our radar moving forward into the future.

We will cover topics such as the millennial generation to mobile technology and cloud technology and inform you of what you should be aware of.

• Event hashtag: #ntvan
• Twitter: @NetTuesday

Stevie Vu

Stevie's experience is in successfully running student non-for-profit initiatives. His experience as President of AIESEC Kwantlen, a student not-for-profit, as well as winning international IT Business competitions has allowed Stevie to be identified as one of Surrey’s Top 25 under 25 by the Surrey Board of Trade. Stevie continues to contribute and give back to the community through volunteering his time with not-for-profit organizations as well as work on his own initiatives within the community.

The twitter hashtag for Net Tuesday is #ntvan and our account is @NetTuesday And of course you can find #IdleNoMore via the hashtag.

Agenda

• 5:30 - 6:00 pm: schmoozing and snacks
• 6:00 - 6:50 pm: Nonprofit Trends that should be on your radar
• 6:55 - 7:30 pm: TBA

What is NetSquared Camp?

NetSquared Camp is a daylong unconference put on by the friendly folks that host the monthly Net Tuesday meetups in Vancouver.  Net Tuesday brings together web innovators with social change makers and nonprofits to swap stories, mix ideas, and build new relationships. We aim to empower non-profits with emerging tools, trends, and best practices, enabling them to fulfill their mission statements in new and innovative ways.

This is the third annual conference. The first two NetSquared Camps sold out quickly, so be sure to register early.

Who should come?

• Non-profit people: learn more about utilizing technology to further your cause.
• Web designers and developers: share your best practices and find organizations that need your help.
• Marketing people: assist non-profits in building strategic connections between their causes and their audiences.

Topics

This is an unconference, so you decide what want you want to discuss, share, explore, and learn.  Topics that Net Tuesday has covered over the last year include:

• Digital storytelling
• Tablets, smartphones, iPads, iPhones: gadgets for good?
• Visualizing data using maps and other tools
• A/B testing
• Crowdfunding
• IT project management
• The science of Facebook pages

When, Where, and How Much?

NetSquared Camp 2013 will be held at The HiVE in downtown Vancouver, on Saturday, June 1, 2013.  Early bird tickets cost $25; regular tickets are $30.  Register now on Eventbrite!