socially and environmentally responsible values are. “People get to know me at Green Drinks events as someone who walks the walk and talks the talk,” he says. Although Green Drinks’ environmental mission is deliberately simple—attend, engage, connect— some groups take it further. The Seattle Green Drinks chapter also offers a host of more narrowly targeted member groups, including those who want to hear speakers on innovation in sustainability, support Native Americans or conserve wildlife. Green Drinks of Victoria, British Columbia, has a work and career forum that continues to encourage the forging of the links that people make at face-to-face gatherings. Says Seattle Drinks founder Gabriel Scheer, “I’m immensely proud of how the organization has taken a central role in growing our local environmental community.” A founding partner in ReVision Labs, which helps business and organizations incorporate social media and community organizing into their business models, Scheer concludes, “Green Drinks events are helping each community see itself.” For more information visit GreenDrinks.org. Judith Fertig is a freelance writer in Overland Park, KS; see AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.
A Toast to
GREEN DRINKS What happens at a Green Drinks gathering? Attendees like these attest to the power of networking in support of a common goal—and to some surprising outcomes.
“One guy found his girlfriend, his job and his roommate at Green Drinks. I love that.” Margaret Lydecker, founder, New York City chapter
“The best compliment so far came from Gina Gould, Curator of Science at the Bruce Museum. She said after months of living and working in Greenwich, there were still three people she felt she needed to meet: she came to Green Drinks Greenwich in December and met all three of them!” Jessica Brockington, founder, Greenwich chapter
“I think the strangest thing about Green Drinks is that the goals are vague and the benefits hard to quantify— but they are undoubtedly there.” Edwin Datschefski, international coordinator, Green Drinks, London, England
Make your community a little GREENER … Support our advertisers For every $100 spent in locally owned business, $68 returns to the community
“I came away with seven business cards, five new Facebook friends and information about green building, green certifications and some really cool new green products.” Maria Booker, Tampa.CreativeLoafing.com blogger, Green Drinks event, Tampa
source: the350project.net
“It’s an amazing group of people that gather at Green Drinks, who come to learn and share, make friends and business contacts. There’s nothing else like it.” Daphne Dixon, founder, Fairfield Green Drinks, co-founder Stamford Green Drinks
natural awakenings
February 2011
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