community

It's True! CSI had the party to end all parties!

Submitted by colleen diamond on June 14, 2010 - 10:13pm

CSI staff claimed we were going to throw the mother of all parties, and boy did we ever!

We drew a crowd of almost 700 people (!!). There were mothers, fathers, designers, accountants, lawyers, familiar and unfamiliar faces, and even a few unborn babies in attendance! Most accurately, there were people from all aspects of the community who came together to dance, raise a glass for social change, and help us celebrate the purchase of CSI Annex.

The great food convergence or what would you want in the ulitmate community kitchen?

Submitted by Tonya Surman on March 23, 2010 - 8:10pm

Today, two things happened that made me super happy. First, I discovered that Melanie Redman (with collaborator Shana Hillman), both members of CSI, launched the site 'Folks Gotta Eat' - a great new web site to educate us all about that which gives us life. And then I discovered 'eating designer' Marije Vogelzang who just pubished Eat Love - a scrumptious indulgence for those of us who savour the convergence of design, community and great food. And these things got me thinking....

Community Business Manager @ Citizens Bank / Vancity here in Toronto

Submitted by Tonya Surman on October 30, 2008 - 4:24pm

I am delighted to be on the board of the Vartana Bank initiative and honoured to be a part of helping to provide banking services to the sector... okay, it has been a little slow in coming - but the outcome is fantastic.... through a partnership with Van City and Citizen's Bank, we are now going to be able to start offering banking services to the nonprofit and charitable sector in the GTA... this is great news....

David Eaves on slime and social innovation

Submitted by Tonya Surman on September 19, 2008 - 12:26pm

What a delight to read David Eaves' blog about slime and social innovation...

Naturally, we at the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) are honoured and delighted to be identified as part of the oozing goodness of convergence and innovation in the city.

Open Salad builds momentum

Submitted by Tonya Surman on August 28, 2008 - 5:21pm

As many of you will know if you have had the opportunity to hang with us at the Centre for Social Innovation, something magical happens on Tuesday and Thursdays... we have Salad Club.... also called Open Salad, this is where tenants come together and co-create a marvelous salad bar to share with each other.

CSI tenant Eric Squair, Make Poverty History, brought this idea to us and it has taken hold and has gone global. Here are some links to other people's take on our fabulous Salad Club.

CSI is home to the Tooker Gomberg Memorial Library!

Submitted by Tonya Surman on August 11, 2008 - 9:59am

This ship only sails if we all work together!

Submitted by Yvonne Bambrick on June 26, 2008 - 5:34pm

Rule #1 - The best world-changing ideas start in the kitchen. Please socialize whenever possible :)

There's a sign on the wall up here in our suite 400 kitchen that lists our 'Galley Rules'. Designed by one of our tenants, it's printed to canvas and has tables, chairs, glasses, plates and boats sailing the waves that make up the border design inside which are listed our kitchen rules.

CSI - A Year in Review

Submitted by Tonya Surman on June 24, 2008 - 12:35pm

Centre for Social Innovation Board Report – A Year in Review 2007-8

April 2008 – adapted for the CSI blog

The following is a report that was provided to the board of directors for CSI.

Communities, Bicycles and Collaboration

Submitted by Eli Malinsky on October 10, 2007 - 1:00am

We reported in our last Innovators Update (sign up on our homepage!) that CSI and Urbanspace have recently received an award from the City of Toronto for "Best Large Business" at the 2007 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards. This was great recognition of Urbanspace's amazing bike-friendly building (outdoor and indoor parking, shower facilities) and the recent launch of CSI's Community BikeShare Program.