Meetings & Events

We meet on the first Monday of every month. Meetings are open to the general public. There is an informal "meet and greet" portion and short presentation of information about the local, living economy or other matters of interest to the members.  See the column to the right for details of the next meeting.

Previous Events

Buy Local Bash 2008

On November 15, 2008, CDLF held the 2008 Buy Local Bash, hosted by the Sanctuary for Independent Media.  The event was a smashing success with hundreds of people in attendance and coverage by several media outlets.  Over 25 locally owned businesses displayed their products and services in a vendor fair. Attendees won  gift certificates, gift baskets, movie tickets, locally brewed beer, and other door prizes.  The Bash rocked to live music by Ashley Pond, Ben Karis-Nix, Amanda Rogers, and Home Spun Occasions. 

The keynote speaker was Laury Hammel, author of "Growing Local Value - How to Build Business Partnerships that Strengthen Your Community." Hammel founded and grew The Longfellow Clubs, currently the 54th largest health club business in the US, with $16 million in revenues. He is a recognized industry leader in innovative business practices, social responsibility and community service. Among his other accomplishments, Hammel is a founder of New England Businesses for Social Responsibility (NEBSR); Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), a national organization; the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston (SBN); and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). Hammel has also been very active in the areas of energy conservation and environmentalism, with a particular interest in the sustainability of businesses.

Stacy Mitchell

On September 18, 2008, Stacy Mitchell, acclaimed author of Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses spoke about her book and work with the New Rules Project, a program of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. The event was held at the Guilderland Public Library.  We thank Stacy for joining us and sharing her ideas on strengthening the local economy.