(1) Please help spread the word

The People- & Planet-Friendly reaches several thousand people each week... which means that several million people in Ontario aren't yet hearing about these events, issues and opportunities.

Tell your friends about People- & Planet-Friendly. Tell them to check out planetfriendly.net. Explain that the e-mail newsletter comes out once a week at most – unlike some other lists, they will not be overwhelmed by e-mail. Tell them about some of the interesting or important things you've heard about through us.

Better yet, forward a copy of our e-newsletter to your friends and associates. Write a few words at the top, explaining that it's a sample copy; why you are sending it to them; and that to receive future editions they must subscribe themselves.

Forward our newsletter to other relevant lists and groups. Consider forwarding just a sample edition – or if appropriate, every edition. Many people who would appreciate the listings might not bother to subscribe. If you stop forwarding at some point, it's a good idea to send one last message inviting them to subscribe themselves.

Forward individual listings that are of interest to people or groups you know. Give it a short but clear subject line to catch their attention. At the bottom of your message, include the "about" section of the newsletter, or something else to explain how they can hear about other events:
For interesting events, courses, activities and employment opportunities, see: www.planetfriendly.net
Latest newsletter http://www.planetfriendly.net/latestnewsletter.php
Calendar: http://www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/
GoodWork Jobs: http://www.planetfriendly.net/goodwork.html

Print and post the Planet-Friendly at your school, workplace, church, health food store, library, or community centre. Or pass it around at a meeting or event. Download our cover page (poster.doc or poster.html) to make it more eye-catching. We also have a 1/3 page flyer.

Do you publish a newsletter, magazine, newspaper or radio broadcast? Our listings can add interesting, empowering and ever-changing content to your publication. Editors love them because they put empty space to good use and can easily be edited to fit pretty well any shape or size. Tell us your deadlines: we can send you customized listings, when you need them. If possible, please mention you got the listings from us, e.g. "for more events, courses and opportunities, see www.planetfriendly.net".

Do you have a website? Please create a link to People- & Planet-Friendly! Here is some text and graphics you could use.

Was your event promoted in the Planet-Friendly? Please return the favour! Distribute our flyers at your event – or better yet, pass around a sign up sheet. By far the most effective way to get people to subscribe is to tell them about the Planet-Friendly and pass around a sheet so they can sign up immediately. Send their e-mail addresses, or subscribe them yourself, at www.planetfriendly.net Don't forget to tell them what you like about People- & Planet-Friendly; that it's a free community service; and that it comes out every week or two (not lots of separate messages). Preprinted sign-up sheets are available on request (e-mail us or call 613-744-3392)

(2) Volunteer or be a resource person

If you would like to help out for even just a few hours each month, please let us know. We need both skilled and unskilled help. Some specific skills we need: graphic design; website development; fundraising; bookkeeping & accounting; publicity; media liaison. Unskilled help/will train: regional contributors; handing out flyers at events; writing & editing; list moderation; data entry; office help; more. Send us an e-mail or call the editor at (613) 744-3392 | e-mail us.

Be a Planet-Friendly Ambassador – give out flyers at events that interest you; staff a display; or pass around sign up sheets. What's in it for you? Get into events for free; gain new communications and networking skills; meet lots of great people! "Know and be known" – you will find that you meet many more people when you have an active role to play. Will train.

Research, Writing & Editing – help find and edit events, contribute material, be a guest editor, or help author a special edition. Will train.

Send Us Your Stories. Tell us how the Planet-Friendly, or something you heard about through it, has affected or inspired you. For better or worse. An event you attended... an activity you participated in... something you learned... someone you met. We also like to hear when somebody gets a job through the GoodWork service, or when an employer finds a good employee/volunteer. These stories help keep us motivated and on the right track. Unless you specify otherwise, we might publish a selection of them on the website or in the Planet-Friendly e-mail newsletter. If you prefer to be anonymous, please say so. We also welcome ideas for special editions, web pages or new services/features (see the Planet-Friendly Directory for examples of completed and in-progress special editions).

Media & Publicity – help us find media contacts who will broadcast or print any portion of the People- & Planet-Friendly Events.

Graphic Design – help develop a flyer, brochure, poster, logo, website graphic design, etc.

Website & Database Programming – we are trying to automate in several areas: manage subscriptions; improve the website, develop an online database, interactive features, etc.

Fundraising & Management – fundraising, bookkeeping, legal advice, advertising, etc.

(3) Donations and in-kind support

Please donate! We depend on individual and group donations to keep People- & Planet-Friendly alive and independent. Every donation makes a big difference. Please go to the donation homepage to learn more about how and why to donate. Donations of over $30 are tax-deductible. We accept cheques, VISA and MasterCard.

Meeting space in Toronto at a comfortable location near the subway, ideally with kitchen facilities. For occasional People- & Planet-Friendly pot-lucks and discussions. Private home, party room, church, lounge, etc.

Office space, desk space, storage space, living space. We're seeking shared office/desk space within the office of a group or organization that shares at least some interests with People- & Planet-Friendly. At this point we're seeking something highly affordable, barter, or free (tax receipt available), for one person (Peter Blanchard). All that's needed is a desk (or space for a desk that we provide). Toronto, Ottawa and other locations in Ontario would be of interest. Peter is also interested in hearing about affordable, shared living space (e.g. a shared house, apartment or farm) with non-smoking, like-minded individuals, anywhere in Ontario. Peter Blanchard (613) 744-3392 | e-mail us.

Ideas, useful resources, contacts. Anything that you think might be of value to help the Planet-Friendly survive and grow. E-mail us. See also "send us your stories" in the above section.

Notebook computer or recent model desktop computer, VCR, fax machine, scanner, software,

Supplies – paper, photocopying, zip disks, etc.

In some cases, charitable, tax-dedutible receipts are available for in-kind support. Please ask us how.

Contact Us

Questions? Ideas? Think you might be able to help? Please call the coordinator at (613) 744-3392 | e-mail | mailing address and other ways to contact us.

People- & Planet-Friendly | GoodWork Canada | Planetfriendly.net
an inspiring diversity of ideas, opportunities and things to do