July / August 2024 Net Impact Chicago Newsletter: Summer in Full Swing

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Summer in Full Swing

It’s always a busy summer in Chicago.  In addition to the climate extremes of “a new normal”, there are conferences, business, political, and social events.  Join Net Impact Chicago, and see below for more opportunities to improve your knowledge and network!

NET IMPACT CHICAGO June EVENT RECAP

On June 29, Net Impact Chicago held a casual meet-up at Eco Flamingo in Ravenswood. Eco Flamingo is Chicago's Original Zero-Waste General Store. Attendees chatted and received a tour from Eco Flamingo’s general manager. We enjoyed learning about where Eco Flamingo sources its products (hint: the vast majority are hyper-local and sustainability/ethically produced). We certainly recommend you check out Eco Flamingo for food and home bulk purchases. Bring your own container, or use one of their recycled ones. 

NET IMPACT CHICAGO UPCOMING EVENT

Net Impact Central Virtual Workshop: Elans

Thu. Aug. 22, 2024.  12pm CT.  Free!  Details at link.

 

What:  A Virtual Workshop to demystify net zero plans, a key aspect of society’s climate response. Net zero plans are famously complex and opaque. 

Corporations and governments are still learning how to clearly communicate their targets and progress. Unfortunately, jargon and greenwashing abound. Join us to cut through the noise and understand how to navigate, analyze, and improve corporate net zero plans through the experience of Net Impact and Voiz Academy alumni.

When:  Saturday July 13, 2024  Where:  Online. 

Cost:  FREE!  More Info and RSVP details here at this link!

FEATURED COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Love Fridge Mutual Aid Town Hall @ Public Works Gallery 

Thu. Aug. 8, 2024 - Free!  Details at link.

The Love Fridge Chicago is a groundbreaking mutual aid group addressing food waste and food insecurity by providing community fridges. The organization places refrigerators in accessible locations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Developed by artists and sustained by volunteers, this initiative is the perfect example of the expansive possibilities of care.  During this Town Hall-style information session, The Love Fridge organizers will be on-site to field questions and share updates about their organization, including upcoming food rescue opportunities for volunteers and new additions to our network of community-run refrigerators. 

When:  Add 

Where:  Add 

Cost:  FREE!

More Info and RSVP details here at this link! 

IL Green Alliance/ E2 / Loyola U talk & networking [ Growing an Inclusive Clean Economy: United Business Leaders for a Sustainable Future ] 

Thu., Aug. 15, 2024, 4:30 - 6:00 pm (CDT)

Join Space Continuum and Forbes BLK CHI for an insightful event where we will dive into the future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Let's explore the tech industry, capital investments, and the corporate world. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation on shaping a more inclusive tomorrow!

Event Cost:  Free!  

Location:  In person event - Add

Details and RSVP:  here

NET IMPACT CENTRAL NEWS

It’s Net Impact’s 30th Anniversary!  See the 2022 - 23 Impact Report, learn more about our collective impact, discover sustainable solutions, and indulge in program spotlights over the last year.  Net Impact Central is grateful for the dedication of staff, volunteers, participants, educators, and experts who share the vision to drive social action in business and society to meet today’s evolving challenges!

APPLY NOW TO JOIN THE NET IMPACT CHICAGO TEAM!

Are you looking to get more connected to the business, civic, environmental, and social impact community? Joining the Net Impact Chicago Leadership Team is a great way to network with others in the space while showcasing hands-on communications, leadership, management, and strategic skills. We are industry- and sector- agnostic, so you can come from any professional background.  Benefits include networking opportunities within Chicago and the global Net Impact network, as well as impressive portfolio and resume experience. Check out our open positions and apply today! 

We are accepting applications for leadership positions:

• Content Manager - Skills needed: Marketing/ media/written/digital  communications - to research, strategize, edit, and update NIC digital platforms (blog and newsletter)

• Fundraising Manager – do you have, or want to build, fundraising experience? We would love your contribution to our team to help us host more meaningful events and grow our reach. 

• Membership and Engagement Manager - Do you love meeting others and getting them excited about social and environmental impact? Are you a people person? This role would be perfect for you. 

To apply, please fill out the application here: https://forms.gle/8LNTs9MCtjA2XQ92A.

Have another skill you’d like to contribute to the Net Impact team? Fill out our volunteer form here: https://forms.gle/hKzpbW6ANE4XytQJ8. We would also consider a bespoke leadership position for you if it seems like the right fit 

Contact our Leadership Team atinfo@netimpactchicago.org for more information.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE

• Join Net Impact Chicago as a member and/or volunteer to help shape our events and content!  Our newsletter and Chapter level LinkedIn group membership are free.

• Join the Net Impact central LinkedIn group to network with other members across the globe 

• Chicagoans contact elected officials to support a Green New Deal for Chicago Public Schools 

• Register to vote in the pivotal 2024 elections if you are a US Citizen - because public policy matters!

WHAT WE’RE ATTENDING

An exclusive curated event list in date order.  Free and In-Person unless denoted otherwise as a webinar or online or virtual.  If payment is required, noted by “$$”.  Event type codes:  BIZ = Business/Career; CIV = Civic/Activism; CUL = Cultural/Arts; EDU = Education/Learning; SOC = Social/Entertainment .

Inclusion in this list does not always imply endorsement.  More info at the respective links, which are subject to change after publishing.  Please observe any applicable health and safety precautions.

---- AUGUST 2024 ----

Thu. 08/08 - CIV - Public Works Gallery Town Hall [ The Love Fridge Chicago - Mutual Aid & Food Sovereignty ] @ Wicker Pk.  RSVP:   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-love-fridge-town-hall-tickets-961538737247 

Fri. 08/09 - BIZ - IL Green Alliance Tour [  Fifth City Commons Building - green affordable housing ] @ W. Side.  RSVP $$:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/road-to-zero-fifth-city-commons-building-tour-tickets-9483651547 

Wed. 08/14 - SOC - United Way of Metro Chicago’s Young Leaders Happy Hour @ W. Loop.  RSVP $$:  https://liveunitedchicago.org/events/young-leaders-united-2024-summer-happy-hour/ 

Thu. 08/15 - BIZ - LUC/ IL Green Alliance/ E2 talk & networking [ Growing an Inclusive Clean Economy: United Business Leaders for a Sustainable Future  ] @ Gold Coast.  RSVP:  https://illinoisgreenalliance.org/inspire_events/growing-an-inclusive-clean-economy-united-business-leaders-for-a-sustainable-future/ 

Wed. 08/21 - ASBN webinar [ Advancing Justice and Regeneration in the Food System

How Businesses Can Advocate for Farm Worker Rights In Policy and Their Supply Chains  ]  RSVP:  https://www.asbnetwork.org/event/advancing-justice-and-regeneration-food-system-0 

Thu. 08/22

 - BIZ - Chicago Worker Cooperatives Matchmaker/ Partner event.  RSVP:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-worker-cooperatives-matchmaker-tickets-943738185317 

 - EDU - Net Impact Central & Voiz Academy Webinar [ Evaluating Net Zero Plans  ]  RSVP:  https://salesforce.123formbuilder.com/form-6705291/py25-voiz-academy-joint-alumni-workshop 

---- SEPTEMBER 2024 ----

09/12 - 14 - BIZ - US Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC) Conference 2024 @ Chicago West Town.   RSVP $$$:

https://www.conference.coop/home/

09/20 - 22 - CIV - UIC 'Through the Portal' Conference 2024 [ Growing the World We Want ]  RSVP $$:  https://throughtheportal2024.com/topics/ 

Fri. 09/27 - EDU - UChicago Law hybrid Conference @ Hyde Pk [ Structural Injustice: American Society for Political and Legal Philosophy 2024 ]  RSVP:  https://political-theory.org/event-5496825

WHAT WE’RE READING/ VIEWING/ LISTENING TO

• Chicago’s Strange Problem - Water levels that may be both too high and too low.(New York Times)

• Stormy weather for Evanston – and a cloudy future for climate action (Evanston RoundTable)

• Federal government gives Illinois $430 million to fight climate change

• U.S EPA is doling out money under the Biden Administration pollution reduction plan. (WBEZ CHICAGO)

• Researchers test whether peanuts and cotton could grow in a warmer Midwest - The crops have historically grown farther South (Yale Climate Connections)

• What Project 2025 would do to climate policy in the US (Yale Climate Connections)

• Global Rulemaker Wants Financial Reports to Reflect Climate Risk (Bloomberg)

Have ideas for events / programming you’d like to see from Net Impact Chicago?

There are so many possibilities for events and programming that we may not have considered! Your thoughts are very important in determining NIC’s programming, so please reach out to info@netimpactchicago.org with any ideas for speakers, local organizations that align with NIC’s mission, interesting things you have worked on, etc! 

NET IMPACT CENTRAL TOOLS AND TIPS

Did you know that Net Impact Central has materials to aid impact-related career and job seekers in their efforts?  Check out these resources online today, including a nationwide job and internship board and blog !

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