The Sustainable Business Network was founded in 2001 as an outgrowth of meetings between local members of a national progressive business organization, Social Venture Network (SVN). After many years as a leader in the national organization, Judy Wicks came to realize that "changing the way the world does business" begins in one's own community.

Beginning in 1991, she convened SVN members to work locally in building a more just and sustainable economy in the Philadelphia region. This eventually led, in 2001, to the formation of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN) and the national Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), of which SBN is a founding member. What follows is a chronology of events leading up to the creation of SBN and BALLE, and a timeline of SBN activities and milestones up to the present.

1998 - 1999

Philadelphia members of the national business group Social Venture Network (SVN) began meeting locally around a project to build business relationships with minority entrepreneurs. Initial participants included Hal Taussig, Gretchen Wilson, Lynne Cutler, Bob Fishman, Mort Sand, and Judy Wicks, in partnership with Della Clark of The Enterprise Center.

After realizing the importance of working locally, a meeting of regional SVN members is convened by Judy on December 1,1999 with the purpose of organizing a local business network. SVN regional members from other Pennsylvania cities and towns join the Philly SVN group including Alan Barak, Bob Hankin, and Cornelius and Clemens Pietzner.

2000

A series of local network meetings and dinner parties are organized by Judy every 6-8 weeks through 2000 and 2001, and held at SVN member businesses and organizations. They are hosted by Bob Fishman at RHD, Lynne Cutler at WORC, Hal Taussig at Idyll UnTours, Gretchen Wilson at Little Souls, Cornelius and Clemens Pietzner at Camphill Soltane, Bob Hankin at Hankin Group, Veena Aggarwal at The Body Shop and Mark Lichty at Bustin Industries in Stroudsburg followed by an overnight in the Wicky Wacky Woods. Tom Kreiter and Jim Steiker join SVN and Philly SVN. Non-SVN members are invited to attend meetings and the network grows.

2001

While chair of SVN, Judy introduces the SVN Local Network Initiative (LNI) with a vision of a global economy comprised of a network of sustainable local economies, and a mission to build local business networks committed to creating local living economies. Initial focus is in cities with high concentrations of SVN members and/or local chapters of BSR (Business for Social Responsibility). (BSR disengages from their local chapters of small businesses, and focuses on large corporate members to urge corporate reform.)

July 23 - A retreat is held in Judy's Wicky Wacky Woods in the Poconos to develop the Local Network Initiative. Representatives from cities attend including Chicago, NYC, Boston, DC, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and towns in western Mass. Philadelphia was represented by Judy, Alan, Gretchen, Lynne and Della Clark. Michael Shuman, author of "Going Local," attends. The groundwork is laid for creating a new national movement.

Oct 14- At SVN's fall meeting in San Jose, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) is founded by Judy and Laury Hammel of Boston, who become founding co-chairs. Philadelphia local network becomes charter member.

November 12 - First formal meeting of the Philadelphia local network was held in Judy's living room where current name of SBN was created. A Steering Committee was formed of those in attendance and they adopted three project areas for the Year 2002, and appointed co-chairs Judy Wicks and Alan Barak. The three areas are to partner with SVN in doing a Social Venture Institute (SVI), create a website and plan a first annual conference on growing a local living economy in our region. A dinner at the White Dog followed with speaker Michael Shuman.

December 5 - Member outing to attend local debut of "Life and Debt" a film about the effects of globalization on Jamaica, and talk by the film maker.

December 21 - First SBN Holiday Party held at Gretchen's house.

2002

Developed mission statement, appointed a 2002 steering committee, and established nonprofit status as a project of the White Dog Cafe  Foundation.

January 29 - Member meetings with seminars begin with a Community Capital program organized by Joe Killacky at The Reinvestment Fund.

February 14-17 - Retreat with other BALLE chapters at Essex MA, Philadelphia represented by Alan and Judy.

March 26 - Recycling program organized by Linda Knapp at offices of Delaware Valley Regional Planning Council.

April - "Building block" concept for organizing SBN introduced, where educational programs and other activities are organized by the various Building Blocks representing the essential elements of a local living economy - food, clothing, energy, capital, design/construction, etc.

May 21 - Sustainable Energy program organized by Nadia Adawi at the Sustainable Jobs Fund offices.

July 11 - Alternative Fuels & Sustainable Transport program organized by Michelle Knapik at Kronosport farm in Montgomery County, hosted by Ed Kron.

July 26-28 - SBN host's BALLE national retreat at Wicky Wacky Woods in Poconos.

September 13 - Program on local food system organized by Ann Karlen of the Fair Food Project, held at Phoenix Foods, an urban fish and basil farm, followed by The Dance of the Ripe Tomatoes, celebrating organic and humane farming, at the White Dog.

August 29 - Web site launched

October 24 - Co-chairs Dale Hendricks and Judy Wicks elected. Judy's assistant, Merrian Fuller, becomes active in helping to organize SBN.

November 13 - Meeting prior to Social Venture Institute (SVI) with seminar on green cleaning and maintenance

November 13-15  - Our first Social Venture Institute, coordinated by Marian Methner, and assisted by Kate Duncan of Idyll Development Fund.

December 11 - Holiday Party at Yards Brewery

Steering Committee meetings in 2002: March 5, June 11, August 9, October 24, December 11

2003

January 22-23 - BALLE national symposium on Capital and Finance in Boston, MA.

January 24-26 - Retreat with other BALLE networks in Essex, MA. Philly SBN represented by Judy, Merrian, Dale, and Alan.

Merrian becomes part time director of SBN, and soon full time, with salary provided by the White Dog Cafe until funds are raised. Merrian begins organizing SBN to collect membership dues and develops a brochure.

January 30 - Seminar on Independent Media and Bookstores at Robin's Bookstore organized by Amy Dalton.

March 26 - Seminar on Local Arts, Music and Culture at AMLA (the Latin American Musicians Assn.), organized by Batia Gottman.

May 3 - First Annual SBN Conference at Univ. of Penn, in partnership with Green Building Council, coordinated by Merrian in cooperation with building blocks: food, clothing, marketing, capital, recycling, business development, energy, and spirituality.

May 29-June 1 - First BALLE National Conference in Portland, OR, attended by SBN representatives Andy Smith, Andrew Anderson, Alan, Merrian and Judy.

July 8 - Seminar on Sustainable, Native Landscape at Tyler Arboretum organized by Dale.

July 18-20 - SBN leadership retreat in Wicky Wacky Woods facilitated by Ralph Copleman.

September - Led by Michelle Knapik, a "white paper" was written and presented to mayoral candidates on ways to apply local living economy principles to city government activities. The paper was written by members of the Public Policy Committee and Building Block leaders, who made suggestions in their areas of expertise. The mayoral candidates were invited to respond at our September members meeting. Mayor Street sent a written response that is being used to build a working relationship between SBN and the City.

September 12 - Members meeting at the Enterprise Center with a seminar on Local Clothing organized by the Clothing Building Block led by Cheryl Washington and Julie Thomases. The event included a fashion show and panel discussion with a designer, retailer and marketer of local fashions. Mayoral candidate Sam Katz attended and responded to our white paper. Ed Kron provided transportation by electric vehicle from the meeting to the White Dog Cafe for the Dance of the Ripe Tomatoes, a celebration of local organic and humane farming, which benefited the White Dog Cafe Foundation, supporting SBN.

November 5-7 - Second annual Social Venture Institute at Arch Street Friends. With SBN kickoff event featuring David Korten, author of "When Corporations Rule the World."

December 10 - Holiday Party with a presentation of the Star Volunteer Awards and member survey results collected by Wharton students. Held at Yards Brewery with Grupo Motivos catering.

Also in 2003 - Local Living Economy Fund initiated by Andrew Anderson, a collaboration between The Friends Yearly meeting and Murex Investments. Penny Pack Farm received a loan of $60,000. Development of this Fund to continue in 2004.

Steering Committee meetings in 2003: February, April, June, October, December

Steering Committee members in 2003: Nadia Adawi, Michelle Knapik, Linda Knapp, Andy Smith, Ralph Copleman, Cheryl Washington, Lynne Cutler, Alan BarakDale Hendricks and Judy Wicks, Co-chairs, Merrian Fuller, SBN Director

2004

February 11 - Seminar & members' meeting on Technology organized by LaMar Childs and Jeannette MacNeille at Houston Hall

March 18 - Seminar & members' meeting on Business Development organized by Lynne, Elizabeth Guman and Sylvie Gallier at the Arch Street Meeting House with roundtables of business experts.

April 29 - Forum on "Bringing Sustainable Practices to Your Community or Business: What we can learn from the Eco-municipalities of Sweden" at the Ethical Society, organized by Steve Weinberg. Included a reception with many of the environmental organization in the region, and sponsored by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

May 20-23 - Hosted the Second Annual BALLE National Conference with over 250 people from 25 states and 3 countries. Organized by Merrian, Laury and Judy.

June 23 - Seminar & members' meeting on Reuse and Recycling at the ReStore in Port Richmond. Organized by Linda Knapp.

July 23-25 - SBN leadership retreat in the Poconos. Attended by Nadia Adawi, Ben Bingham, Lynne Cutler, Amy Dalton, Merrian Fuller, Lori Glass, Elizabeth Guman, Dale Hendricks, George Hoguet, Linda Knapp, Bob Pierson, Jennifer Rezeli, Maurice Sampson, Andy Smith, Cheryl Washington, Steve Weinberg, Judy Wicks. Facilitated by John Armondo. Assisted by Kate Duncan and Matt Height.

July 30 - Seminar & members' meeting on Health & Wellbeing at the YogaLife Institute, organized by Bob Butera.

September 12 - Seminar & members' meeting on Capital & Finance at the UPenn Law School, organized by Ben, Andrew and Hal. Followed by the Dance of the Ripe Tomatoes at the White Dog Cafe benefiting the White Dog Cafe Foundation.

October 26 - Seminar & members' meeting on Renewable Energy at Arch Street Meeting, organized by Nadia Adawi and Lisa Leighton.

November - Hired Leanne Krueger-Braneky as SBN Director and John Smith as SBN Assistant Director.

November 17-18 - Held our 3rd Annual Social Venture Institute at the Ethical Society. Over 100 people attended and the keynotes included Gary Erickson of Clif Bar and Melanie Marchand of SIS Fitness. Co-chairs of the event were Merrian, Lynne and Sylvie.

November 18 - New Profiteer Business Plan Competition Awards Ceremony at the Sheraton Rittenhouse Hotel. Organized by a team led by Merrian, and supported by partners including Murex Investments, the Science Center, Osiris Group and the Economic Development Administration. The event was attended by over 300 people, including investors and media.

December 9 - Holiday Party at Yards Brewery with live Blue Grass and featuring a craft fair of local artisans. Farewell to Merrian, and introduction of new SBN Director Leanne Krueger-Braneky and SBN assistant director, John Smith.

Steering Committee meetings in 2004: February, April, May, June, September, November

Steering Committee members in 2004: Nadia Adawi, Andrew Anderson, Ben Bingham, LaMar Childs, Ralph Copleman, Lynne Cutler, Lori Glass, Elizabeth Guman, Dale Hendricks (co-chair), George Hoguet, Michelle Knapik, Linda Knapp, Bob Pierson, Jennifer Rezeli, Andy Smith, Steve Weinberg, Judy Wicks (co-chair)