WWOOF: Promoting Organic Farming through Volunteerism

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a network of organic farms around the world. People, who are willing to help out, impart their knowledge about organic agriculture and learn about the ways and means of organic farming from the owners of the farm. The idea started in 1971 by Londoner Sue Coppard. She was missing the countryside life she had when she was a child that she thought it would be nice to spend a few days in a farm in exchange for her services. She was able to get a couple of individuals to do it with her through an ad and that weekend they spent their time helping out in a Sussex farm, whose owners were at first adamant with the idea of city folks working in their fields. Despite that initial thought, Coppard and the others were told they were welcome to come back any time they wanted to.

With over 100 WWOOF national organizations and WWOOF Independents (those that have no national organization) around the world, the network was able to build engagements among farmers and individuals centered on the common goal of nourishing and shaping a more sustainable manner of living. The arrangement is very simple. People from anywhere in the world are welcome to help out in any WWOOF host, volunteers cover their fare but not the food and accommodation expenses. There is a minimal annual membership fee being asked by the national organization basically to support the administration of their website and their office. The volunteers and the hosts are asked to lay down their expectations from each other first before finally agreeing to continue with the endeavor. Although there have been a number of setbacks, there is no doubt that WWOOF is giving the hosts and volunteers an opportunity for new learning, friendships and the chance to make the earth a better place to live in.

Shakespeare and Company: A Haven for Writers and Visitors from All Over the World

Shakespeare and Company at 37 rue de la Bucherie in Paris, France was opened by the American George Whitman.  It was first called “Le Mistral” but was later renamed in 1964 to give tribute to Sylvia Beach’s bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, a gathering place for writers such as Ezra Pound, Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.  In the tradition of providing haven to writers, Whitman’s Shakespeare and Company has been a home to writers and visitors around the world.  To this day, this independent bookshop is providing free lodging to whoever is willing to extend a bit of help in maintaining the shop.  It has seen the likes of Henry Miller, Anais Nin and Allen Ginsberg spending the afternoon, and probably night too. 

Shakespeare and Company holds book launches, poetry reading, tiny concerts and other events.  Upstairs, a space is provided for activities such as writing workshop, book club discussions, language workshop, readings and literary classes.

Respected Florida Law Firm Schwed, Kahle & Jenks

With roots dating back to 2006, when seasoned attorney Lloyd Schwed formed the firm that ultimately became Schwed, Kahle & Jenks, P.A., the respected Florida law practice handles a range of cases from Key West to Pensacola. Providing representation in business, commercial, and securities litigation; and general insurance and personal injury claims, the Palm Beach Gardens-based firm greets clients at satellite offices in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando as well. Such clients of Lloyd Schwed and his colleagues include American International Group (AIG), Inc.; ACE USA and ACE Westchester; Zurich North America; Trammell Crow Company; and Lincoln Financial Group.

Trying cases in state, district, and appellate courts, the Schwed, Kahle & Jenks attorneys practice in dozens of areas, including real estate, construction, intellectual property, labor and employment, and professional liability. The firm’s business representation covers everything from libel, slander, and defamation to non-compete agreements and accounting and legal malpractice. Skilled at litigating complex, high-stakes cases, the practice has received the top AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, with results gleaned from a random survey of attorneys and judges in Florida.

Lloyd Schwed brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the firm. A graduate of Loyola University, where he earned a B.A. in History and Journalism, he served as a reporter and sportswriter in New Orleans before completing a J.D. at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. A former shareholder at private Florida law practices, he taught law at the University of Miami School of Law and co-authored “A Case Study for the Drafting of Comprehensible Jury Instructions,” which appeared in the Journal of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In addition to practicing and achieving shareholder status at Florida law firms, Mr. Schwed has acted as a guest speaker at seminars for Florida attorneys, addressing investment and securities fraud.

Shimano: Wearing the Yellow Jersey in Bicycle Manufacturing

Shimano Inc. is a Japanese sports gear maker particularly for bicycle components, fishing tackle, cold forging products and rowing equipment.  It is the most popular brand in bicycle equipment and is considered to be one of the best.  The company was established in February 1921 by Shozaburo Shimano.  It was first called Shimano Iron Works, which primarily produced bicycle free wheel.  By 1939, Shimano has reached a 1,000,000 unit-per-month production of freewheel.  The year after that, the company was incorporated in January bearing the name Shimano Iron Works Co. Ltd with Shozaburo as the first president.  The company’s head office is in Sakai City, Osaka, Japan.  The first overseas company was established in the United States in 1965 through Shimano American Corporation.  The latest is Shimano Cambodia Co. in 2011, the year making the company’s 90^th anniversary.  As of the end of 2012, Shimano Inc has 43 consolidated subsidiaries.

One of the makings of Shimano as a leading company in bicycle manufacture is the Dura-Ace, which they introduced in the 70s paving the standards of bicycle component in the industry.  It has established the ideal that the performance of a bicycle is not due to one or two highly-functioning parts but a totality of a system composed of parts, all of high quality.

The company’s guiding statement is to “promote health and happiness through environment of nature and the world around us.”  As a manifestation, Shimano is one of the founding members of International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives’ (ICLEIS) EcoMobility Alliance, described as a travel through integrated, socially inclusive, and environmentally-friendly transport options, including and integrating walking, cycling, wheeling, and passenging.  By enabling citizens and organizations to access goods, services, and information in a sustainable manner, EcoMobility supports citizens’ quality of life, increases travel choices, and promotes social cohesion.

Free World-Class Education at Your Fingertips

Coursera is a social entrepreneurship company with the aim to offer free online courses from premier universities around the world to everyone.  The founders are Stanford University computer science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller.  They created Coursera with the belief that education is a right, not a privilege.  Despite its popularity and tapped market, the courses will continue to be free to its users which are now over three million. 

The classes cover vast variety of topics.  Under humanities, there are the Ancient Greeks and the Fiction of Relationship.  Other fields are medicine, biology, social sciences, mathematics, business, computer science, and many others.   Some classes are in Spanish, French, Italian and Mandarin.  The classes are handled by professors who are experts in the field.  Their lectures are given through videos and just like a regular class, required readings, assignments and exams are conducted.  Even if the class has ended, users can still go through the class by watching the lectures and downloadable notes.

Crowdrise: Because Giving is Fun

Crowdrise  was conceptualized and developed from the experience of its founders during the New York City Marathon in September 2009 where they were able to raise USD 1.2M for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.  Crowdrise is a website where people can create a fundraiser and/or find a cause to support.  The website has a very fun, tongue-in-the-cheek feel since the founders, Hollywood actor Edward Norton, producer Shauna Robertson and the founders of Moosejaw, Robert and Jeffrey Wolfe, want to take the seriousness out of philanthropy and make it enjoyable and exciting.  They make random funny posts such as a picture of a napkin which has no deep and inquisitive rationale except for the fact that the napkin is simple and beautiful.  It created the humorous acronym IYDGBNOWLY meaning “If you don’t give back no one will like you.”  And coming up with a status that says, “I counted eleven boxes of cereal in the cabinet this morning. I made a mix of everything. My cereal included Apple Jacks, Fruit Loops, Total, Granola, Barbs Mix of stuff, Lucky Charms, Golean something, Honey Bunches of Oats, Fruity Pebbles, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios and Life. The mixture wasn't good at all.” 

The site uses reward point systems, fun games and pledges to raise more money.  Amidst such hilarity, Crowdrise raises serious money for very important causes.   It has funded causes for animal welfare, arts, culture, civil rights, crisis intervention, education, environment, human services, poverty and youth development.   Donations are guaranteed secure even if no account has to be made.   Charities are able to get their money through a lump sum check and no cash is routed to Crowdrise.  They also have an apparel online store where the reward points can be used for buying their items.  Their celebrity supporters include Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jimmy Kimmel, Kristen Bell, Sophia Bush and Ian Somerhalder.

Koios, An Investment and Financial Titan Across Africa and Middle East

The company’s name bears with it a rich, mythological history. Koios was the god of intelligence, knowledge, learning, and questioning intellect, who was married to Phoebe, the goddess of wisdom. The company strives to be the Titan God of consulting and research across the globe, particularly Africa and the Middle East. Koios aids its clients in developing and implementing “profitable direct investment, market entry and expansion, sourcing, and financial strategies in emerging markets”.  Koios fuses hard knowledge, analysis, and country knowledge to produce the best operations and market models for their clients.

The company deals with clients from the corporate, private equity, and the public sector. Two of Koios’ case studies were conducted in Saudi Arabia and Seychelles. In Saudi Arabia, KOIOS worked with Saudi Arabian General Authority for Investment to develop Special Economic Zones in three underdeveloped regions in the country. In Seychelles, Koios delegated to one of its experts the task of pinpointing barriers on tax, customs, and foreign exchange that impede the promotion, facilitation and investment dissemination capacities of the Seychelles Investment Board.

The Koios team consists of experts and consultants who have rendered related-services to other clients before joining Koios.