Fresh Outlook Foundation

The Fresh Outlook Foundation is hosting the first of the 2012:

CURIOUS?
How can you reduce operating costs and increase profits while protecting the natural resources that make your business possible? Learn how at these quarterly tours of some of Kelowna’s most sustainable businesses …

Sponsored by:

Event #1 Host:

Demonstrations:

• Learn how DIRTT and SPIDER are changing the way we construct and design our interior environments.
• Learn why DIRTT and SPIDER are being adopted as a business strategy by the Fortune 500’s.  
• Discover how Breathe Living Walls are changing the environment by bringing diverse forms of nature indoors to beautify and detoxify.
• See a demonstration of the amazing LOTUS Pro Water.  Cleaning with only water!  No more chemicals………and
• See a hands-on demonstration of the video game like experience in the incredible 3D software ICE.  The paradigm shift has arrived!

Registration: Reserve your seat at www.breakfastofchampionskelowna.eventbrite.ca and enter password: ”gourmetbreakfast”

Cost: Donations to the Fresh Outlook Foundation greatly appreciated charitable tax receipts provided: www.freshoutlookfoundation.org

Promotional partners:

Climate Smart Cut costs. Cut carbon.
www.climatesmartbusiness.com  Climate Smart helps businesses measure and reduce their carbon footprint while cutting costs. Talk to them about their local courses on how to calculate your emissions and strengthen your business.

Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
www.kelownachamber.org  The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s Green Business Awards were created to recognize businesses and organizations in Kelowna who successfully implement environmentally sustainable practices in their business. The awards aim to further educate businesses in the Central Okanagan on the benefits of integrating green strategies in their business.

Go to our on-line registration to benefit from the early-bird savings.

Candlelight will set the mood not only for romance, but also for conservation at four Vernon restaurants on October 27th when the lights will be turned off to raise awareness about energy efficiency. BC Hydro's Candlelight Conservation Dinner, now in its third year, is presented in partnership with the Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) at The Range Restaurant, Crush Bistro, Italian Kitchen, and Amarin Thai. Each will offer an exclusive discount or special, ranging from a free dessert to a 15 percent discount on food.

The event poster is available here with names, addresses, and phone numbers of participating restaurants. The Vernon Morning Start has also posted an article about the event and it can be viewed here.

Many thanks to our sponsor, BC Hydro Power Smart .

Bon Appétit! 

edit : Corrected title. From Friday to Thursday and Conversation to Conservation.

Hey everyone,
 
Really looking forward to the first movie tonight at the Kelowna REEL Change Film Fest--The Economics of happiness. The film starts at 7:00 pm, so be early! There is also a great line-up of films on Saturday starting at 9:30.  For more info, click on REEL Change under coming events in the left sidebar.
 
Cheers...Andrew

The Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) will host its 3^rd Annual REEL CHANGE SustainAbility Film Fest in Kelowna October 21^st/22^nd.  Hosted by FOF with partners UBC Okanagan, Leo’s Videos, and the Regional Waste Reduction Office, the film fest features 14 award-winning documentaries about a wide range of sustainability topics — everything from genuine wealth and species protection to educational reform and sustainable business. The films (and their topics) include:

For film synopses, screening times and locations, and panelists, visit www.freshoutlookfoundation.org

Each film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring local experts. “This format is what separates REEL CHANGE from other film fests, even those in large communities,” explains FOF founder and CEO Joanne de Vries. “It’s good to learn about a topic, but it’s even better to explore that topic with experts from various sectors who can provide a local context and generate dialogue about local solutions.  

“And solutions are what it’s all about,” adds de Vries. “Last year’s REEL CHANGE in Kelowna provided a perfect example of how people left the film fest having decided to make changes in their personal and professional lives that would contribute to community sustainability.  

“We showed DIRT, a documentary about soil ecology and conservation,” she recalls. “Nathalie Begin was so moved by the film she decided to spearhead the development of a community garden in her West Kelowna neighbourhood. With input and support from municipal hall, local businesses, and community groups, Begin proceeded to build what is now a 29-plot, fully functioning community garden.

“Seeing DIRT triggered something in me,” says Begin. “It helped me realize how my individual actions are truly part of the whole and do have an impact.  Having the opportunity to speak with a panel member after the movie gave me the courage to not only be engaged emotionally, but to actively be part of something meaningful.
 
“Now,” she continues, “the bountiful harvest from the gardens is sending a positive message to the gardeners, their families, and the neighbourhood on how much can be achieved with well-intentioned collaborative efforts.  It is an exciting project and enriching experience!”

DIRT also affected de Vries in a powerful and compelling way. “I was so moved by the film, and how it impacted those watching it, that I promised the audience I’d launch a campaign to have 10,000 Okanagan residents see the film. To date, about 3,500 people — including 1,000 K-12 students — have seen the film as part of our Talking DIRTy

campaign. The majority of viewers love the film, with screening hosts and teachers saying that soil-related attitudes and behaviours are certainly being challenged.” Anyone wanting to host a screening should contact Joanne de Vries at jo@freshoutlookfoundation.org.

For film synopses, screening times and locations, and panelists, visit our website.
For more information about REEL CHANGE visit www.freshoutlookfoundation.org or contact:

 
Joanne de Vries
Founder & CEO
Fresh Outlook Foundation
250-766-1777
jo@freshoutlookfoundation.org
 

The Fresh Outlook Foundation descended on the UBCM conference in Vancouver last week. BSC sponsorship coordinator Pamela Miller (left), myself, and SustainAbility Support Services Inc. team member David Church met hundreds of great people and spread the word about foundation events and services. We also gave away one full-conference registration for Building SustainAble Communities February 27th to March 1st in Kelowna, and 20 one-day registrations. If you'd like a few free passes as draw prizes for an upcoming event you're hosting, just let me know at jo@freshoutlookfoundation.org.

PRESS RELEASE:

The Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) is happy to announce that its annual REEL CHANGE SustainAbility Film Fest is coming to Kamloops September 23rd/24th at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). Hosted by FOF with partners BC Hydro Power Smart, TRU, the City of Kamloops, and the BC Sustainable Energy Association, the film fest features eleven award‐winning documentaries about a wide range of sustainability topics — everything from genuine wealth and species protection to educational reform and sustainable business. The films (and their topics) include:

For film synopses, screening times and locations, and panelists, visit www.freshoutlookfoundation.org

Each film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring local experts. “This format is what separates REEL CHANGE from other film fests, even those in large communities,” explains FOF founder and CEO Joanne de Vries. “It’s good to learn about a topic, but it’s even better to explore that topic with experts from various sectors who can provide a local context and generate dialogue about local solutions.

“And solutions are what it’s all about,” adds de Vries. “Last year’s REEL CHANGE in Kelowna provides a perfect example of how people left the film fest having decided to make changes in their personal and professional lives that would contribute to community sustainability.

“We showed DIRT, a documentary about soil ecology and conservation,” she recalls. “Nathalie Begin was so moved by the film she decided to spearhead the development of a community garden in her West Kelowna neighbourhood. With input and support from municipal hall, local businesses, and community groups, Begin proceeded to build what is now a 29‐plot, fully functioning community garden.

“Seeing DIRT triggered something in me,” says Begin. “It helped me realize how my individual actions are truly part of the whole and do have an impact. Having the opportunity to speak with a panel member after the movie gave me the courage to not only be engaged emotionally, but to actively be part of something meaningful.

“Now,” she continues, “the bountiful harvest from the gardens is sending a positive message to the gardeners, their families, and the neighbourhood on how much can be achieved with well‐intentioned collaborative efforts. It is an exciting project and enriching experience!”

DIRT also affected de Vries in a powerful and compelling way. “I was so moved by the film, and how it impacted those watching it, that I promised the audience I’d launch a campaign to have 10,000 Okanagan residents see the film. To date, about 3,500 people — including 1,000 K‐12 students — have seen the film as part of our Talking DIRTy campaign. The majority of viewers love the film, with screening hosts and teachers saying that soil‐related attitudes and behaviours are certainly being challenged.” Anyone wanting to host a screening in the Kamloops area can contact Cheryl Kabloona (cherylkb@shaw.ca or 250‐372‐0277) to get a copy of the film.”

A big thank‐you to the funding sponsors, BC Hydro Power Smart and the City of Kamloops, for making this event possible.

For more information about REEL CHANGE, including how to become a sponsor, contact:

THANKS to the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) for helping us promote our Building SustainAble Communities conference February 27th to March 1st, 2012. In keeping with its commitment to sustainability, GVCC invites you its next chamber breakfast September 1st, On Our Way to Sustainable Businesses, with feature speakers Lindsay and Darrel Eason of Green Step. Their topic is "Using the Right Framework for Sustainability."
 
Green Step is an eco-venture with its foundation built on environmental and social responsibility combined with a pragmatic view of business. The team at Green Step has a passion for helping businesses find solutions that can be implemented today and into the future. Joining Green Step will be panelists to discuss how their businesses are more sustainable or how they are on their way to becoming so. Watch for Dave Weatherill from Briteland, Robin Baycroft from Silver Star, and Bob Fleet of Tolko Industries. Attend the breakfast and you could win a free one-day pass to Building SustainAble Communities!
 
$15.00 Chamber Members - $25.00 Future Members.

Hope to see you there...Jo