The public is invited to Walk the Walk for Benefit Corporation legislation, and attend an informational session at
the Legislative Office Building

HARTFORD Conn. – The public is invited to support passage of Benefit Corporation legislation in Connecticut by joining the staff of reSET, the Social Enterprise Trust, on January 14, 2014. Gathering at noon at the reSET offices in Hartford, the group will “Walk the Walk” to the Legislative Office Building (LOB) for an Informational Session before the Commerce Committee in Hearing Room 2C. Supporters who cannot join the walk are invited to attend the Informational Session, which runs from 2 – 3:30 pm. Free parking is available at the Legislative Office Building.

. The Benefit Corporation is a new type of legal structure specifically for social enterprises. Social enterprises are businesses structured to solve social and environmental problems, and also to make a profit. The new law will make it simpler and easier to start social enterprises and create related jobs by removing existing legal hurdles and high start-up costs. The law also ensures accountability by requiring annual public reports that track social impact. CLICK HERE to learn more about the legislation and reSET’s history of advocacy.

Currently twenty other jurisdictions, including every state that shares a border with Connecticut, have passed this legislation.
A number of social entrepreneurs in Connecticut are waiting to incorporate as Benefit Corporations once the legislation passes. Those entrepreneurs want to demonstrate that their businesses are committed to affecting positive change in their communities, as well as generating profits.

WHO: reSET staff, board and supporters of social enterprise.

WHAT: #walkthewalk2014, a walk to the Connecticut Legislative Office Building for an Informational Session on Benefit Corporation legislation.

WHERE: Begins at reSET 99 Pratt St., Suite 200, Hartford, CT. Ends at Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT Hearing Room 2C.

WHEN: Walk: Tuesday, January 14, 2014, gathering at 12:00 noon; Informational Session: 2:00PM.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Speakers at the Informational Session before the Commerce Committee: Kate Emery (The Walker Group and reSET), James Woulfe (reSET), Erik Trojian (B-Lab), and Chris Brechlin (Blueprint for a Dream).
Those joining the walk should park at the One Talcott Plaza garage and bring their parking ticket to reSET for discount validation.
(Meryl – are you tweeting the event live? If so, put in this) Supporters who cannot attend are invited to follow both the walk and the Informational Session at #walkthewalk2014. CLICK HERE to learn more about ways to advocate for the bill’s passage.

Contact Information:
Meryl Willett
Community Builder
Phone: 860-560-9120 ext. 204
MWillett@www.socialenterprisetrust.org