The Oregon Symposium for Entrepreneurial Nonprofits [OSEN] provides training and technical assistance to people interested in starting social enterprise, or earned income, ventures. It is based on the programs of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, an international leader in the field of waste-based business development.
Our flagship program is an intensive three-day business training course, which offers:
- Educational sessions on topics such as writing business plans, financial management, marketing and public relations;
- Tours of successful earned-income ventures, with an emphasis on innovative recycling programs; and
- Opportunities to network and build a support network with others interested in social enterprise.
The Symposium is open to staff at nonprofits, government organizations, and students. For more information about the Symposium, see the Training Seminar page .
We also publish "Getting Trashed," a guide to evaluating and establishing a social enterprise
Technical assistance and consulting are also available. Services include:
- Assistance to evaluate or establish a waste-based social enterprise modeled after programs managed by SVDP. For more information about our recycling programs, see the Recycling page.
- Tours of SVDP’s facilities and opportunities to interview staff.
- Residential training, where a member of your staff can work with SVDP staff to learn a specific skill.
For more information about pricing and availability of these services, contact OSEN staff.
