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| Hilary and Pete Giovale |
Bioneers inspires us to give generously.
We first attended the conference in 2010. In 2011, as we prepared to attend the conference again, we braced ourselves for the experience being different (and not as spectacular) the second time. Happily, we were wrong.
We came each day thinking we would stay for this or that plenary, only to find ourselves a captive audience, glued to our seats. Walking around the conference each day was like being immersed in a “love bath” – the positive energy is palpable and contagious. We sense that we are surrounded by “our people”. It makes us very happy and recharges our batteries for the next year!
We contribute to the scholarship fund to share the conference experience with others. The quality of the conference and the community of Bioneers inspires us to give generously.
Bioneers connects people and issues in unique and critical ways.
Bioneers has been helpful in improving our understanding of the big problems – environmental, social and spiritual breakdown – that we have as a species on this planet, and how the many facets of that problem are connected. We love how Bioneers’ work expresses the interconnectedness of everything. It’s a privilege hearing from so many of the amazing people who are working on the various issues. It gives us inspiration to help create the paradigm shift that is needed now.
Bioneers’ influence is woven throughout out personal and professional lives.
Pete applies many concepts around sustainable agriculture, green business, and permaculture to our farm and green vacation rental, Jungle Bee Farm in Kauai. Hilary uses concepts she has learned about women’s leadership, art, beauty, and beloved community in her work as a bellydance instructor and director of a performance troupe. Concepts around food justice, social justice, and indigeneity influence our philanthropic work. We use our Bioneers experiences in our parenting and family life, to inspire our kids and ourselves to change the dream.
Most importantly, our involvement with Bioneers has helped us bridge the gap between ideas and action, and to realize that taking a small, brave step toward something we believe in is creating the path of healing, transformation, and reconciliation on a larger level. Bioneers is helping us push past our comfort zone and our perceived limitations and concepts of what we can and cannot do. It’s helping us to conceive of ourselves as leaders and to see that leadership comes from the heart as well as the intellect. Bioneers gives us the courage to live bravely in this world when so often everyone is trying to find the balance between hope and despair.
You can join Hilary and Pete in supporting the innovative work of Bioneers by making a donation of any amount today. To learn about the various ways you can give, please visit: http://bioneers.thankyou4caring.org/donate
Hilary Giovale is a belly dance instructor and director of a performance troupe. Pete Giovale is a green business owner and photographer. At the 2011 conference, they generously increased their support of Bioneers with a commitment of $10,000 to be given in the next four years.
