THIS WEEK :: ECO Fashion, NEW Economy, VERGE, FOUNDERS Night & More

Sustainable. Stylish. Social. Eco Fashion. Tues 2/19, 6:30-8:30pm @ Green Spaces #SMW

According to the Organic Monitor, sales of organic and natural products will reach $14 billion by 2015. Though 70% of Americans seek sustainably made products, successful eco-companies are struggling to find the right audience and deliver the proper message. Gain insight on how green fashion and beauty entrepreneurs and startups use social media strategies to establish an authentic online voice that connects with conscious consumers. Featuring social media experts in the green beauty and fashion industries, discuss best practices for participating in the "green" conversation online. MODERATOR: Sherrell Dorsey - Eco-Glamour Expert & Social Media Strategist, OBV Media PANELISTS: Jennifer Barckley - Eco Living Guru, Storyteller, Director, Brand Communications and Values for The Body Shop // Erin Schrode - Founder of Teens Turning Green // Yoli Ouiya - Green & Healthy Living Expert, Green Chef, and Adam Clancy of the online eco-luxury boutique Modavanti.com. RSVP & info here.

Purpose :: Driving the New Economy #SMW Thurs 2/21, 2:30-4pm @ Bloomberg, 731 Lexington Avenue, 6th fl

Financial crises, climate crises, and the growing iniquity of our market-dominated society have prompted a range of startups to ask what a New Economy might look like -- and to start building it today.  James Slezak (Purpose Partner and New Economy Practice Founder) joins Aparna Mukherjee (Social Media Editor for a major consulting firm, formerly of The New York Times, Bloomberg), Marissa Feinberg (Green Spaces NYC Co-Founder) and Erica Berger (Storyful, formerly of The Economist) for a panel discussion and debate on what trends and movements are best poised to disrupt unsustainable and unjust economic models.   How can online strategies accelerate the movement towards sharing, co-production, renewable energy, and greater democratic influence on the economy? What's working and what's not? What role can big established organizations play, and where are the spaces for new social enterprises? Engage with our panel of experts on these questions and many more. Click here to RSVP.

VERGE Meetup by GreenBiz Group  Thurs 2/21, 6:30-9pm @ Green Spaces

VERGE brings together business innovators, entrepreneurs, and leading public officials to illuminate the opportunities for radical efficiencies created through technology advancements in energy, buildings and transportation. Join us for a special VERGE Meetup to connect with and help cultivate the growing VERGE community. As GreenBiz builds out the program for our 2013 VERGE event in Boston, it's interested in connecting with innovators and leaders, like you, who are advancing the VERGE agenda through entrepreneurial, corporate, governmental and academic endeavors alike. VERGE invites you to meet interesting people, hear compelling stories and invites your engagement in making VERGE 2013 in Boston a dynamic program that features the most cutting-edge, innovative work. Join members of GreenBiz's VERGE, Hack City and VERGE Accelerate teams, along with a diverse network of local allies. RSVP here.

Skillshare :: Legal Issues for TBL Companies Thurs 2/21, 6-7:30pm at Green Spaces

With the increased passion for meaningful businesses that help all their stakeholders, there have been a growth of different legal issues to help ensure that these businesses stay true to their missions. Taught by Whitehouse Law, this class will discuss structures common to all businesses - LLCs, C-Corps, and S-Corps, as well as contractual restrictions intended to keep businesses true to their mission such as B-Corps and charter-based ways for founders to ensure business stays true to its mission across its lifecycle. We will also discuss the impact of investment and investor objectives on these missions. Click here to learn more and RSVP.

Founders Night Returns  Tues 2/26, 7-9pm @ Green Spaces Join TriNet and SCENE PR

How many collaborations have started with a simple hello? Meet fellow inspiring, impassioned startup leaders. Premium Blend brings together startups leaders so they can socialize, gain knowledge and build both personal & business relationships.  Startup founders RSVP here with CODE innovate812. Space is limited. To share with relevant friends, request an invite.  SPONSORED BY TRINET :: TriNet provides startups with an instant HR infrastructure that allows them to manage and scale their business. We structure healthcare benefits, manage payroll, and reduce HR liability risks so you can concentrate on what's most important: growing your business.    HOSTED BY SCENEPR!™ :: SCENEPR's primary purpose is to unite & educate, initiate professional dialogue, spark thought provoking conversations and create opportunities for professional growth. We work with entrepreneurs & business professionals from art/photo, music, fashion, eco/green, social/digital media, finance, and film.

China :: Reaching the Bottom Billion RESCHEDULED Reboot & Institute of Money, Technology and Financial Inclusion THURS 2/28, 6:30-8:30pm @ Green Spaces

Reboot invites you to the launch of Embracing Informality: Designing Financial Services for China's Marginalized. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation on how improving financial inclusion in China can teach important lessons for designing inclusive banking worldwide. China's growth story is overwhelmingly urban. Millions of migrant workers have flocked to Chinese metropolises seeking opportunity. But financial access has not kept pace with increasingly transient populations. Financial exclusion prevents so many from realizing potential. How can we design better financial services to meet their needs? Click here for RSVP & more. FEATURING :: PANTHEA LEE, Co-Author, Embracing Informality: Designing Financial Services for China's Marginalized, Reboot // PATRICK AINSLIE, Co-Author, Embracing Informality: Designing Financial Services for China's Marginalized, Reboot // NICOLE STUBBS, Co-Founder & CEO, First Access // MATT SCHIAVENZA, Associate Editor, The Atlantic

Scaling Social Change with John Wood, Co-Hosted by Net Impact NYC & the Kellogg Alumni Club of New York

Net Impact NYC and the Kellogg Alumni Club of New York are thrilled to co-host a discussion with John Wood, Founder and Board Co-Chair of Room to Read. Join us tomorrow, 5/16 at Green Spaces 7-9pm, 394 Broadway, 5th floor.

John will talk about how he applied lessons from his career at Microsoft to create large-scale social change by founding Room to Read. His talk will be followed by a Q+A and networking session with light refreshments.

Click here to RSVP and learn more about the event. 

JOHN WOOD is the founder and board chair of Room to Read. He started Room to Read after a fast-paced and distinguished career with Microsoft from 1991 to 1999. He was in charge of marketing and business development teams throughout Asia, including serving as director of business development for the Greater China region and as director of marketing for the Asia-Pacific region. John continues to bring Room to Read a vision for a scalable solution to developing global educational problems with an intense focus on results and an ability to attract a world-class group of employees, volunteers, and funders. Today, John focuses full-time on long-term strategy, capital acquisition, public speaking, and media opportunities for the organization. John also teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and New York University's Stern School of Business and serves on the Advisory Board of the Clinton Global Initiative. John holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Colorado and a master's degree from the Kellogg School of Northwestern University.