The 1st Anniversary Celebration will celebrate a successful start up (including twelve events, three pro-bono consulting projects, global recognition for excellence); as well as welcome new members to the organization and raise funds for their pro-bono clients.

Net Impact Austin is a professional chapter of Net Impact , an international NGO based in San Francisco Ca. Net Impact was founded by MBA students who wanted to use their business skills to create sustainable social and environmental solutions to the world's problems. As the organization grew, MBA's who had moved into professional careers joined together with like-minded professionals, entrepreneurs and activists to create professional chapters like Net Impact Austin.  Now Net Impact supports over 200 autonomous volunteer-run chapters and a membership base of over 10,000 individuals worldwide.

In January of 2008, Sarah Cooke gathered a team of interested professionals together to discuss creating a chapter in Austin. After surveying potential members, the leadership team of Net Impact Austin designed a rotating activity model consisting of three types of events: challenge workshops, issue awareness events and networking events. The first event was an Issue Awareness speaker panel titled Being Green: The Rewards and Challenges of Pursuing Sustainability. According to Sarah, the panel was specially selected to represent the diversity of the ‘green’ movement. “It included an independent consultant with over 30 years of experience, a young fashion designer and non-profit founder, and a Fortune 50 corporate CSR leader.” Net Impact Austin has also tackled issues concerning Austin's single stream recycling program, and a holiday speaker panel discussing the many ways consumers can shape a more sustainable future through their purchases and practices.

In addition to offering members great speakers and networking opportunities, Net Impact Austin provides real community impact with its Challenge Workshops. The Challenge Workshop Series is a rubber-meets-the-road venue for Net Impact Austin members to apply their professional skills for the improvement of social, environmental and economic conditions in the community. Workshops include group consulting activities to address the current challenges faced by local non-profit and small business clients. Previous participating organizations include Ashera Project, working to help at risk teens plan for their future; Sun Dragon Martial Arts & Self Defense, building community and personal empowerment through non-violence; and Mobile Loaves and Fishes, providing sustenance and entrepreneurial employment for urban homeless populations nationwide.

Net Impact Austin's innovations were internationally recognized at the Net Impact annual conference last fall winning all three awards for which they were eligible for including:

• Rookie Chapter of the Year
• Professional Member Achievement Award (awarded to member, Shari Carle)
• Distinguished Member Award (awarded to Sarah Cooke)

Net Impact Austin's Anniversary Celebration is sponsored by The RGK Center,  Tito's Handmade Vodka, Green Mountain Energy/BeGreen, Sweet Leaf Tea, and Somerset Condominiums. It's a free event for anyone interested in learning more about Net Impact Austin, meeting the leadership team and the members that have helped make this such a rewarding year. Our sponsors, along with J Black's, will be offering free food, tasty beverages, and a wide variety of prizes and raffles.  Raffle sponsors include Connect by Hertz, The Crossings, Ten Thousand Villages, and Bark for Peace with sustainable products and services as prizes including weekend getaways, women's couture and jewelry, organic foods, full-body massage series, weekend Prius rental, and much more. Proceeds from the raffle benefit expansion programs for Sun Dragon and Mobile Loaves and Fishes.

In conjunction with the celebration, Net Impact Austin is offering a reduced rate to new members who are interested in joining the organization as it moves into an exciting second year.

Get full details about the event here and join this festive celebration!