I had the privilege of attending #OKChangeUp December 3, 2015.
 | Six (6) organizations were chosen to present their passion to a large audience at the Kelowna Community Theatre. The presenters were competing for a cash reward and in-kind services; the biggest reward for all was to raise social awareness of their efforts to “do good” and to make a difference in our community. |
Twenty-two (22) organizations and business applied to present. The applicants were judged on four levels of criteria:
Positive Social Impact
Innovation
Financial Sustainability
Revenue Generated and Given Back to the Community
Innovation
Financial Sustainability
Revenue Generated and Given Back to the Community
 | I applied to represent LETTERS© as a presenter and although LETTERS© was not awarded the opportunity to present we were given the opportunity to showcase our positive social impact at the ChangeUp Tradeshow. |
As the representative for LETTERS© I was given a ticket to watch the presentations and vote for the organization that I thought met the criteria best. I learned so much throughout the entire evening!
 | David MacLean was a phenomenal host. As MC for the evening, he reminded us that our goal is “prosperity for purpose – financial success in business provides a means to get involved in the betterment of our community. It offers us the ability to increase the level of our contribution to society.” |
| Mickey McLeod of Salt Spring Coffee was the first of two inspirational keynote speakers. Mickey shared the story of how he and his wife Robbyn started Salt Spring Coffee. |  |
Their motto of “Believe in Being Better” emerges in their lives, in the way their care for their farmers, and in every cup of coffee they serve.
Thank you, Mickey and Robbyn,
for “Doing Good” in our global community!
for “Doing Good” in our global community!
 | Laurence East of Metro Community Church participates in the ministry of social development through innovation and compassion. |
Laurence challenged the ChangeUp audience to develop social change
by striving for excellence through B Corporation enterprises that have the social presence and power to "Do Good" in our communities.
Advocate for change!
by striving for excellence through B Corporation enterprises that have the social presence and power to "Do Good" in our communities.
Advocate for change!
“At the heart of our community – most treasured among us –
are those most vulnerable in society, the homeless, excluded and addicted. Metro is a place where the stranger is the treasured guest.”
are those most vulnerable in society, the homeless, excluded and addicted. Metro is a place where the stranger is the treasured guest.”
Just when I thought the evening was as inspiring and as encouraging as it could get, the presentations started; and I was even more convinced I was in the company of passionate organizations dedicated to making a difference in our communities.
 | “Shoe Bank Canada collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you.” |
This organization offers support at the most foundational level of physical needs … footwear. New or gently worn shoes can mean the difference between fitting in and being left out in the cold. Most people take shoes for granted but to a person in need a good pair of shoes is a step in the right direction towards changing their lives for the better.
Sort through your gently used shoes
and donate them to Shoe Bank Canada.
This organization is "Doing Good" in our community!
and donate them to Shoe Bank Canada.
This organization is "Doing Good" in our community!
| The dynamic young trio from Enactus OC (Okanagan College) voiced their passion to collaborate with local organizations that are already working in our community to make a difference in the lives of those vulnerable and isolated citizens. |  |
One of their chosen charities is “Chandler House which is Inn from the Cold’s residence and is home to eight chronically homeless men in Kelowna. The residence is a safe place for the men to rest, take a shower, and have a hot meal. In short, it’s a place for them to call home.
In 2014 “After receiving a large donation of soaps, Inn from the Cold connected with the College’s Enactus team and a unique opportunity emerged - a chance to generate income for the not-for-profit, while giving students a chance to put their business skills to the test by developing a plan for a legitimate social enterprise. After months of planning and hard work, the team from Enactus and Inn from the Cold launched InnSpire. The students have created a business plan for selling the donated soap, and this has included marketing, packaging, advertising, and sales.”
Partner with Enactus OC by contacting them
through the online submission form on their website.
through the online submission form on their website.
| “Big Brothers and Sisters of the Okanagan offer social emotional learning programs in the classroom, to students aged kindergarten to |  |
grade seven, that increase empathy, self-awareness and self-regulation, and therefore enhance cognitive function, personal success, friendships and resiliency in students and their communities.”
This program reaches children in the familiar space of their classroom while surrounded by the peers they collaborate with each day at school. Children learn the value of caring for themselves in order to function as respected participants in their school community and in society.
Contact Big Brothers and Sisters of the Okanagan
to find out how your classroom
can experience these highly beneficial programs.
to find out how your classroom
can experience these highly beneficial programs.
 | Metro Moving “Moving People Not Profits” |
Metro Moving gets involved by filling a need at a crucial time in most people’s lives. Moving is complicated and can be emotionally messy but Metro Moving supports those in the midst of upheaval to provide assistance and services to individuals and families in ways no other moving company offers.
| The next time you need to move, choose Metro Moving. |  |
 | “The Clubhouse Farm program was created to allow our children to play, relax, and exercise in a natural environment.” In this day of technology how often do we hear the statement that children need to get back to nature and experience childhood the way we did? |
The Clubhouse Farm is providing safe and enjoyable opportunities for urban children to experience the realities of life on a working farm. From exploring the great outdoors, to participating in lessons on planting and caring for the environment, children who attend the Clubhouse Childcare Farm are sure to build skills that will benefit every aspect of their lives now and in their future.
Give a young person
the opportunity to experience childhood
the way we remember it.
the opportunity to experience childhood
the way we remember it.
| “I’m scared.” That's how SoilMate’s representative began his first-place presentation. What scares him is the fact that most of us don't know where the food on our plates came from. |  |
“SoilMate is an organization looking to push forward the local food and drink message. We believe that it is essential to all aspects of health, community and sustainability that we reconnect with the origins of our food and drink, and understand how and where it is grown, and by whom. The message is simple: know your farmer, know your food.”
“Why buy an apple from Argentina when you can buy one from BC?”
Local Farmers, Local Food. Find your SoilMate.
 Michelle Kapelle ~Instructional Designer for LETTERS© | I wanted to share everything I learned at this amazing #OKChangeUp evening. I discovered many people and organizations striving to "Do Good" in their communities. I was educated through their stories and the sharing of knowledge and information. I am more inspired than ever. There are good people doing good work all around us! |
Here are four (4) things I have been challenged to change through the #OKChangeUp evening:
Reach out - people won’t know what you’re doing if you're working from dawn to dusk within the four walls of your office.
Partner - join with organizations within your community, whose vision embodies the same goals you pursue.
Tweet - increase your social awareness and your community impact by educating and inspiring people regarding the good being done by you and other local organizations.
Surround - take advantage of opportunities to be with like-minded people; especially for those days when the barriers to moving forward seem too enormous to overcome. Be reminded that others have walked these similar roads and can be a source of support and advice. Walk alongside them and learn by their example how to "Do Good".
Thank you to everyone who was involved in #OKChangeUp!
Your commitment
to making a difference in our community
is inspiring!
Your commitment
to making a difference in our community
is inspiring!
Discover. Educate. Inspire.
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