Hot off the presses! here is a better definition of E-SAGE for those of you who were wondering...

E-SAGE Mission Statement

WHO WE ARE & What We Do:
E-SAGE is an Edmonton-based network that encourages Edmonton area businesses and community members to become greener, to think local first, and to make informed socially-responsible choices in the ways that they earn and spend their money. We work to support them in contributing to the development of a vibrant local living economy, community and environment through networking events and workshops.

E-SAGE supports, connects and mentors a new breed of independent conscious entrepreneurs by:
• helping them to promote their products and services to like-minded people.
• encouraging and supporting them to adopt the triple bottom line of “local living economy” values - strong communities and meaningful employment, a healthy environment, and economic sustainability
• providing opportunities to work cooperatively with other like-minded businesses and organizations
• encouraging and supporting them to source supplies and inventory locally or using fair trade principles
• to understand and value the impact of how we define success in business
• helping them to operate their organizations using sustainable business ethics
• creating spaces where they can share and learn business resources and best practices from their peers

Through education we encourage community members to understand and value the impact of:

• buying based on “local living economy” values - strong communities, a healthy environment, meaningful employment
• shopping locally first
• how we consume energy
• how we use water
• how we grow and distribute our food
• how we build homes
• buying fair trade goods

OUR VISION - WHAT WE’RE TRYING TO CREATE:

A vibrant local, green, living economy where people are happy and healthy because their needs – for community, good food, affordable housing, contribution etc. - are met. Where it’s easy and affordable for people to work, play, eat, travel, and live local and green.

We envision a community that values and enjoys:

fair trade not “Free” trade, alternative education that nurtures the whole child, not just reading, writing and “rithmetic”, a maximization of relationships, not of profits; honesty and transparency, not more lies, hype and manipulation; naturalness, not pretense; the growth of consciousness and creativity, not brands and market share; democracy and decentralized ownership, not concentrated wealth; a living return, not the highest return; a living wage, not the minimum wage; a fair price, not the lowest price; sharing, not hoarding; simplicity, not luxury; life-serving, not self-serving; partnership, not domination; cooperation, not competition; win-win exchange, not win-lose exploitation; family farms, not factory farms; biodiversity, not monocrops; cultural diversity, not monoculture; creativity, not conformity; slow food, not fast food; our bucks, not Starbucks; our marts, not Wal-Mart; a love of life, not a love of money.

We envision:
• Living economy communities which produce and exchange locally as many products needed by their citizens as they reasonably can, while reaching out to other communities to trade in those products they cannot reasonably produce at home. These communities value their unique character and encourage cultural exchange and cooperation. We envision communities where economic power resides locally, sustaining healthy local and natural living as well as long-term economic viability.

• Living economy public policies that support decentralized ownership of businesses and farms, fair wages, taxes, and budget allocations, trade policies benefiting local economies, and stewardship of the natural environment.

• Living economy citizens who deeply appreciate the benefits of buying from living economy businesses and, if necessary, are willing to pay a premium price to secure those personal and community benefits.

• Living economy investors who value businesses that are community stewards and as such accept a "living return" on their financial investments rather than a maximum return, recognizing the value derived from enjoying a healthy and vibrant community and sustainable global economy.

• Living economy media which provide sources of news independent of corporate control, so that citizens can make informed decisions in the best interests of their communities and natural environment.

• Living economy businesses that are primarily independent and locally owned, and value the needs and interests of all stakeholders while building long-term profitability. We envision a community in which green job opportunities abound, particularly in the booming fields of local agro-ecological food production, green building and energy-efficient renovation.

HOW WE DO IT
• Connecting, networking and community building events
• Promoting other organizations’ events through the network
• Participating in events put on in the community
• Partnering with existing projects, organizations
• Creating an online resource of the local sustainable resources available
• Providing education to business and community members in the following ways:

o Growing your sustainable business workshops
o Sustainable living series workshops
o Savvy citizens workshops