BALLE Network Services

BALLE's services are designed to faciltate the development of community networks of independent businesses, to guide networks through various stages of development, to synthesize and communicate the best network development ideas and practices, and to build the larger movement for local living economies.

Throughout 2010, we are launching a range of new products and services designed to deepen shared learning, improve technical assistance and capacity building, and make real-time information sharing more intuitive and productive. We will continue to post new services to this web page as they launch.

If you're not currently a BALLE network and would like to learn more, please visit our Start a Network page, or look for existing networks in your area.

Available to all members networks, our current suite of services includes:

BALLE Basics Orientation Sessions

For people interested in launching a new BALLE network -- or for new staff and board members of existing networks -- we offer free conference-call orientation sessions each month on the basics of network start-up. See our events page to register for the next call.

BALLE Conference & Discounted Admission

Our eighth annual BALLE Business Conference will be held in Charleston, South Carolina from May 21-23, 2010. The conference will bring together hundreds of business owners, entrepreneurs, economic development professionals, network leaders, and community leaders as we charted the next phase in the expansion and success of sustainable local economies. Please see our conference page, and sign up for the BALLE Buzz e-newsletter to receive updates.

BALLE Training Workshops

Our new workshop series, Building a Local BALLE Network, brings experienced BALLE leaders to your community for a day of intensive training on network and program development. Intended for existing and new networks, these workshops are appropriate for local business, government, and community representatives. You’ll leave equipped with key principles, tools and relationships for building business and community innovation through the building blocks of a local living economy: independent retail, sustainable agriculture, energy efficiency and renewables, green building, local manufacturing, and community capital. For a schedule of upcoming workshops, please see our training workshops page.

Peer Consulting with Regional Network Hubs

Early in 2010, we are launching a new peer consulting service with four pilot
networks in 2010:

• Local First (Grand Rapids, MI)
• Santa Fe Alliance (Santa Fe, NM)
• Sustainable Connections (Bellingham, WA)
• Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA)

Through the BALLE Regional Hubs, networks will have ongoing access to phone and email consulting on a wide range of organizational and program development issues. Regional Hubs will also host regional network gatherings, perform at least one training workshop a year, and will work with BALLE staff to assist potential new networks and interested communities.

Regional Gatherings & Regional Connectivity Calls

BALLE staff and Regional Hubs will host periodic, in-person Regional Gatherings to promote deeper networking and peer support. These will be advertised on the
Events section of our website and via email. In addition, we will lead periodic regional phone calls to help build peer relationships, facilitate idea-sharing and leverage regional events, speakers and policy change. Our first Regional Gathering will take place on February 25 in Philadelphia. Download our flyer for more information or register online.

BALLE Guides

With our network partners, BALLE co-publishes How-To Guides for sustainable local economic development. BALLE Guides provide easy-to-use advice and case studies for networks who want to expand their programming and accelerate their impact. Current guides include:

How to Build a BALLE Network [NEW, available this spring]

Written by BALLE Executive Director Michelle Long and the staff of Sustainable Connections, this 200-page manual is loaded with resources and templates based on the work of networks throughout North America.

Think Local First [available now; updated version available this spring]

The proven how-to manual for organizing, incorporating, funding, and sustaining a Local First campaign, often a community's first step on the path to a Living Economy.

Green Jobs Toolkit [NEW, available spring 2010]
Written by Leanne Krueger-Braneky and staff, and based on the successful efforts
of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, this guide is a must read for anyone interested in incubating green jobs within locally owned
businesses and creating local policy change that supports green collar work. This
manual will be available in hard copy at a reduced fee for current BALLE members.

BALLE RoundUp Calls

These lively monthly calls for network leaders feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest at both the regional and national levels, and feature expert speakers and network leaders themselves. Calls are typically held the second Tuesday of each month and are open to representatives of BALLE networks, including network staff, board members, and key business members. See our events page for the calendar of upcoming calls and topics.

Members Website

The Members Website was created for the staff, board members and all those involved in supporting the success of local BALLE networks. It includes a large document library and an encyclopedia of network development resources, all regularly updated to connect our network members to the latest information and resources. Here you'll find detailed information on how to develop an effective organization, numerous program ideas including many on Think Local First campaigns, contact information for other network leaders, an archive of newsletters and Network Leader Roundup Call notes, and much more.