CCEC is a full service Credit Union founded to serve non-profit organizations, co-operative businesses and their members.

SVIers Kevin Lynch and Julius Walls Jr. were featured in the latest issue of Corporate Social Responsibility News.  "In Mission, Inc.: The Practitioner's Guide to Social Enterprise social entrepreneurs Kevin Lynch and Julius Walls Jr. draw on their own extensive experiences and those of twenty other social enterprise leaders to focus on the fundamental tactics that make the difference between success and failure."

Our friends at Atira let us know that our neighbours at the First United Church Mission have generously opened their doors to homeless people to make sure they don't have to sleep outside on these cold, snowy nights.

"Envision Sustainability Tools (Envision), the developers of urban sustainability software MetroQuest is pleased to announce that Renewal Partners (Renewal) has agreed to convert a portion of a maturing debenture into equity and accept the balance in cash." Check out this blog from Envision's President and Cofounder, Mike Walsh.

It's the time of year for instituting change in our lives, and Villages Connected is inviting socially conscious individuals, business owners and nonprofit organization to share how they are committing to acting socially. Join them in making a Social Resolution and commit to changing the world around you.

Woody Tasch's recently published book Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money: Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertility Mattered comes complete with a foreword from the founder of the International Slow Food Movement, Carlo Petrini. This must read offers a new vision of capital that is rooted in nature and supports businesses that enhance biodiversity and promote local food systems.

Woody currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Investors' Circle. He is also Chairman of Chelsea Green Publishing, a leading publisher of books on organics, renewable energy and the politics of sustainability.

Stuck on your New Year's Resolution? Try committing to spend some time focusing on you and your personal growth this year by attending one of Hollyhock's inspiring programs. Check them out online at: www.hollyhock.ca!

Renewal early investee, Equal Exchange, the pioneering fair trade company, will infuse new capital and take over majority ownership of Oke USA to keep the fair trade fruit company operational. Here's the wonderful story of collaboration that is keeping the fruit moving.

On October 2, 2008 at the annual shareholder meeting, the future looked bleak for Oke USA. Organic bananas, our core product, were in short supply and priced above what the US market would bear. AgroFair, majority owner and operational supporter, faced a fast tightening cash situation and could no longer supply Oke with needed cash or a corporate guarantee.

Congratulations to the organizations Tides Canada elected as their Top 10 for 2008, including: Pacific Wild, Ecojustice, Markets Initiative, PowerUP Canada, Hollyhock Leadership Institute, Potluck Café & Catering, East Scarborough Storefront, Nunavut Sivuniksavut College Program, Canadian Centre For Policy Alternatives.

Looking for alternative ways to celebrate gift giving during this Holiday? For inspiration visit the Georgia Straight and read about alternative gift giving.