Canadian Earth Institute

Organization Mandate
Through the use of volunteer-run, earth-centered discussion courses for adults, our mission is to motivate individuals to examine and transform their personal values and habits, to take responsibility for the Earth, and to act on that commitment.

Locations
Across Canada, small groups gather in places where they already spend their time (home, workplaces, faith centres, schools, neighbourhoods, communities)to meet weekly to answer thought provoking questions on articles that have read in course book.

Current Activities and Projects
We offer discussion circles across Canada in Sustainable Work Systems, Menu for the Future, Global Warming: Changing CO2urse, Voluntary Simplicity, Deep Ecology, Choices for Sustainable Living, Discovering a Sense of Place and Healthy Children, Healthy Plane.

Completed Activities and Projects
Over 1500 course participants in Victoria. (CEI is the first international representative of the Northwest Earth Institute Network (www.nwei.org) which has had 110,000 individuals take the same courses in over 50 states.)
Discussion groups are encouraged to take action in their community. Some of the projects they have been involved in are Fairfield community garden, environmental letter writing, housing and community planning committees.

Fundraising Initiatives
In 2007, we had three extremely successful Electronics Recycling Events.
In 2008, we received a grant from VANCITY to help promote and evaluate our Global Warming course and monies to create the Colwood Community Cob Oven.
In 2009, our new hands-on courses - Introduction to Cob Building and Introduction to Permaculture Design are popular

Partners
. Emily Carr Festival of Arts and Ecology
. Royal Roads University, Continuing Studies
. University of Victoria, Interfaith Chaplaincy
. University of Victoria Continuing Studies
. James Bay Sustainability Commons
Heather Kennedy-MacNeill, Courtenay affliate
. Climate Action Westshore
. Go Local Food Summit Westshore

Publications
. NWEI Course guide books: Sustainable Systems at Work, Menu for the Future, Global Warming: Changing CO2urse, Voluntary Simplicity, Choices for Sustainable Living, Deep Ecology, Discovering A Sense of Place, Healthy Children, Healthy Planet.
. Numerous CEI Training Manuals
. Introductory Packets, Local Organizer's Guide, Marketing CEI courses, Volunteers, etc.

Volunteers Required
We offer volunteer training for past participants who want to do Introductory Presentations or Mentor the discussion circles. Other volunteer opportunities include: . shipping study guides . membership coordinator . course coordinator . Board members

Conservation Connection

389 Atkins Avenue
Victoria, BC V9B 3A

Phone: 250-727-9163
Fax: 250-727-9163
Email: cei@CanadianEarthInstitute.org

Website: CanadianEarthInstitute.org

Main Contact
Beth Cruise
Executive Director
Phone: 250-727-9163
Fax: 250-727-9163
Email: info@CanadianEarthInstitute.org