Reinventing Organizations

I get a lot of messages from people who want to connect for different reasons—partnerships, potential investment, help building a leveraged business model, or job opportunities. This meet-up is a casual but **structured** way to meet in person, quickly understand what you’re working on, and determine clear next steps. ### **📍 Location** **Second Cup** 4841 Yonge St · North York, ON ### **🕓 Time** **Tuesday, February 18** **5:30 PM – 7:00 PM** *** ## **💵 Attendance Fee (Important)** * **Free for job seekers only** (if your primary purpose is employment). * **$10 for business-related attendance**, including: * business model feedback / guidance * partnership discussions * investment-related conversations * strategic support / “how do I move forward?” planning *If you’re coming for both job + business advice, it’s considered business-related and the $10 applies.* *** ## **✅ RSVP (Required)** Please RSVP so I can plan seating and manage time fairly for everyone. *** ## **What this meet-up is (and isn’t)** **This is an intro + screening session** designed to: * meet you briefly * clarify your direction * identify fit * suggest the next best step **This is not** a full consulting session, a guaranteed job interview, or a promise of investment/partnership. Those decisions happen after follow-up, if there’s a fit. *** ## **Format / Timeboxing** To keep it fair, conversations will be **timeboxed (approximately 5–10 minutes per person)** depending on turnout. *** ## **What to bring (typed + prepared)** ### **If you want help with a business model** Bring a **typed 1-page plan** (rough is fine) including: * what the business does * who the customer is * how it makes money * what you’ve done so far * what you need help with right now ### **If you’re looking for a job** Bring **two printed copies** of your resume. ### **If you want to partner with me** Bring a **typed outline** including: * your concept (clear + simple) * **your responsibilities** (what you will personally do each week) * **your expectation of my responsibilities** * what success looks like (timeline + goals) ### **If you’re seeking investment (or want to discuss it)** Bring a **typed summary** including: * what traction you have (sales/users/LOIs/partnerships—anything real) * how much capital you’re seeking * exactly how the funds would be used * why you’re the person/team to execute *** If this sounds like you, join me at **Second Cup on Feb 18 from 4:00–5:30 PM**. If you are looking for a job, please use the meetup messaging feature to message me and I will add you to the event.

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $15 and $45 depending on which type of class you want to continue with.\* These French, Spanish, and English, classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a francophone, hispanophone, or anglophone country. *English in this class can only taught in French and Spanish unless you are an advanced learner* The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. **Program is also offered in private and online classes**. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other French nor Spanish classes are as oral as these ones. We guarantee it! Group classes are hosted at **600 Bay Street** (Wishbone Animal Rights Lab) every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Call (647)787-9953 upon arrival if no one is there to let you in, and someone will come down to let you in. Parking is available across from the Greyhound bus station on Elm Street and Bay Street.

After just 6 weeks of 2026--are you in need of a refresher on Willpower and Procrastination?? !! I am. Learn how to focus and follow through on what matters... Personal, Work, Social, Health, Arts/Culture. **Ticket link is below**. $20-$30 option We attend 3-4 events each year with our great friends at Rotman/U of T!! ### Description **Agenda:** 5:00 pm - Check-in opens + light refreshments (coffee/tea/cookies) 5:30 pm - Presentation by author + discussion with moderated Q&A 6:30 pm - Meet-and-greet with the author + book signing **Book Synopsis:** Setting goals is easy. Finishing them is the challenge. In ***'Intentional* '--productivity expert Chris Bailey** reveals the surprising truth: **willpower isn’t enough**. The secret to accomplishing your goals lies in **being more intentional.** Bailey distills a decade of deep research on productivity to deliver a profound, practical, and counterintuitive roadmap to getting things done. Forget endless to-do lists and a never-ending workload. To reach your goals, you have to structure your daily actions around what’s most important to you—and let go of the rest. This way, getting things done becomes second nature. Integrating the science of desire, values, and procrastination with the wisdom of Buddhist monks, Bailey empowers us to build a life of true purpose and accomplishment. He offers practical strategies for following through on our goals, including how to: * Structure goals for maximum completion * Make unappealing, boring, or challenging tasks more attractive to tackle * Lower the chance of procrastinating on long-term goals * Create a framework for tracking intentions and progress * Know when a goal isn’t for you—and when it’s time to let it go Finishing what you start is more possible than you think!! **Ticket link here:** $30 Enjoy the Talk + Book + Tea/cookies $20 Enjoy the Talk + Tea/cookies https://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/news-events-and-ideas/public-events/events-listings/2026/february-2026/feb-18-do-chris-bailey/ Either way--arrive by 5pm--and enjoy something hot to drink/snack! Please note: the Rotman Author talks start at exactly 5:30pm--and finish at exactly 630pm.

PLEASE CONTACT Jason at 905-308-4100 FOR DETAILS.

## 🎲 Toronto Backgammon Association **"Roll the dice, Join the fun!"** Looking for the perfect blend of strategy and social vibes? Welcome to the **Toronto Backgammon Association**! Whether you’re a beginner just learning the "doubling cube" or a seasoned shark looking for your next challenge, we have a seat for you at the board. We are a diverse community of all ages and skill levels meeting weekly in Toronto (and sometimes online) to keep the dice tumbling. Come for the strategic deep-dives, stay for the great conversations and friendly competition. *** ### 🏆 Weekly Tournaments & Meetups Ready to test your skills? We host regular tournaments where you can compete for more than just bragging rights. * **Cafe Entry Fee:** **$15** (Provides access to the venue and casual play). * **Tournament Entry:** **$20** (Optional for those seeking a challenge). * **Big Payouts:** We believe in rewarding our players—**90%** of all tournament entry fees are awarded directly as prizes to the winners! *** ### 💡 Why Join Us? * **All Skill Levels Welcome:** Our experienced players are always happy to share tips and tricks to help you advance your gameplay. * **A Welcoming Environment:** We pride ourselves on being a friendly, inclusive space for everyone from 18 to 80. * **Strategy Nights:** Sharpen your tactical thinking and learn the math behind the moves in a fun, low-pressure setting. Don't just play—belong. Grab a drink, find a board, and get ready for a memorable backgammon experience in the heart of Toronto. **Let’s see those doubles!**

**OUT4BIZ connects and empowers LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, freelancers, and professionals through community.** Rooted in the principle of *Ubuntu* — *“I am because we are”* — our monthly networking events create inclusive space to share ideas, build skills, and support one another’s economic journeys. Whether you’re running a business, freelancing, exploring a side project, or simply curious about what’s possible, you’re welcome here. [Watch vid: Previous Event](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMQSE7hsS17/?igsh=MW90YW5hNmw0c3Q1bA==) **Event Details** **Where:** The 519, Room 201 **When:** Wednesday, February 18 **Time:** 6:00 – 7:00 PM **Cost:** Free to attend *Good to know:* OUT4BIZ meets **every 3rd Wednesday of the month, 6–7 PM**, starting February 18. **Agenda** * **6:00 PM** – Arrival & Registration * **6:10 PM** – Welcome * **6:15 PM** – 60-Second Elevator Pitches *(Share your business, idea, or what you’re exploring)* * **Following** – Casual mingling and meaningful conversation **How to Prep (Totally Optional)** * Bring **20 business cards** — or just yourself * Think about a short intro: what you do *or* what you need * Come open, curious, and ready to connect **Queer prosperity grows when we build together.**

Join us at our vegan-friendly social climbing session! We welcome all vegans, vegetarians, or anyone who is curious about the lifestyle and/or interested in eating more plant-based. No climbing experience is necessary. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time climber, all are welcome. We will be bouldering, top roping, and using autobelays - feel free to join whichever activity you're interested in! For those who are climbing for the first time, not to worry as it is quick to pick up and we are happy to provide some pointers on technique. You can boulder or use the autobelays after getting a quick orientation from the staff at the gym. For top roping, we're happy to belay any of our attendees. **Fees**: * $28 admission fee, plus rentals Climbing shoes are strongly recommended (disclaimer: rental shoes are not vegan as they contain suede/leather). Harnesses are only necessary for top roping and autobelay, however this gym is primarily a rope climbing gym. * Shoe rental: $7.00 * Harness rental: $7.00 Remember to sign the [waiver](https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/5f121ea156df1/web/) before you hit the rocks! You can sign the waiver online or in person once you arrive. Make sure to arrive at the Bloor location, there are multiple Basecamp locations! Happy climbing! 🧗‍♂️🌱 Note: Clean indoor shoes are allowed to be worn, however we highly recommend using climbing shoes otherwise your experience will be negatively impacted.

Join the Toronto Founders Hub every other Saturday at 3:30pm for our regular meetup at 5 Elements Espresso Bar. Sit down with other entrepreneurs to network and discuss business ideas or strategies. \- Broaden your network \- Get critical feedback \- Socialize in low pressure setting I look forward to seeing you!

Let’s get together for drinks, delicious plant-based food and fun conversation at **Fresh Oakville!** Since 1999, Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar has been a Toronto staple for modern, plant-based food. They’ll be serving their Fall/Winter menu and their Taste of Oakville set dinner menu. This event is open to anyone who’s interested in meeting new people in a relaxed, sit-down experience. Whether you’re diving deeper into plant-based living or just here for the great vibes, you’re more than welcome! Only 100% plant-based food and drinks are available, and they’ll be delicious! ✨ **Spots are limited** to keep the gathering comfortable, so if your plans change after RSVPing, please update your RSVP so someone else can join. 📍 **Venue** **Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar (Oakville)** 215 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville, ON L6J 1H7 Menu: [https://www.freshkitchens.ca/en/menu.html](https://www.freshkitchens.ca/en/menu.html) Taste of Oakville Menu: [https://tasteofoakville.ca/restaurants-2026/](https://tasteofoakville.ca/restaurants-2026/) 📅 **Event Details** **Saturday, February 21, 2026** **7:00 pm – 10:00 pm** There’s no cover charge; we encourage everyone to support our awesome host by purchasing a drink or food. ✨ **What to Expect** • A warm, welcoming community • Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar favourites • A relaxed vibe perfect for conversation • New friendships and a space to socialize indoors **How does it work?** Just show up, order some food if you're hungry, drinks if you're thirsty, and most importantly... have fun and socialize! Name tags will be available so you won't have to remember a million names. Talk about your interests, your favourite recipes and restaurants, your dream job to save the animals, the environment, your ethics, or anything and everything! Have a question? Reach out to the event hosts — we’re happy to help!

This is a practical, supportive **burnout recovery conversation** — not therapy, not a sales pitch, and no fixing required. I mean… c’mon now. Seriously. When is “enough is enough,” if not now? Running in circles. Avoiding thinking because thinking hurts. Not changing daily routines because *what if?* Hi, I’m **Siniša**, a Toronto-based, Rhodes Wellness College-certified life coach. I help everyday people move from exhaustion and autopilot toward feeling more aligned and energized again. This is a **free, in-person, 45-minute small-group session** focused on clarity and practical shifts — not emotional dumping and not motivational hype. **You’ll learn to:** * Reduce the burnout spiral and protect your energy (without overhauling your life); * Learn how to hear and trust your inner guidance — yes, regular humans have this too; * Create better alignment between your daily life and what actually matters (because not everything does); * Leave with personal, actionable steps you can use immediately. This is a **guided conversation**, with space to listen, reflect, and share briefly if you choose. You’re welcome to step in or out as needed. Perfect for busy professionals, tradespeople, stay-at-home parents, creatives, overthinkers, procrastinators, and anyone stuck on autopilot — flying straight toward the mountain. Expect a grounded, respectful, lighthearted space with real takeaways you can use right away. *This is a calm, respectful discussion intended for adults who are able to self-regulate and participate considerately in a shared public space.*

Let's meetup for some casual food and drink. Talk some Tech and Business and meet new contacts. Feel free to share the latest projects you are working on. Or just make some new friends to kick back within this great city.

Hosted by [Green Drinks Toronto](http://www.greendrinks.org/ON/Toronto): *We will have a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, students, government and business. Come along and you'll be made welcome. Just say, "are you green?" and we will look after you and introduce you to whoever is there. It's a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always... a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organising network.* *These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity.* *GLOBAL: Now active in over 350 cities worldwide!*

Let’s do some coding together at a cafe! No more working alone in the weekend. Here, we write code together. And I mean together together. Not occupying-the-same-space-but-separate together. Here’s how it works: Jennifer brings her mobile app project, tells everyone that it is like Pinterest for recipes and she’d like to work on the nav bar. Paul and Chloe think Jennifer's project is fascinating, and they join the group. They gather around Jennifer’s laptop and work on the nav bar for 2 hours. Jennifer is the one typing out the code while Paul and Chloe research, brainstorm, and offer suggestions. If you’re feeling stuck on your own project or need a motivation boost, bring it to mob programming! Want to learn by watching how others code and solve problems? Join someone else’s project at this event! Oh and we love your half-done projects that you are a bit embarrassed to share. Absolutely bring those to the event! **Discord**: We use Discord to share screen & code snippets during the event. Also feel free to share your projects here before the event! https://discord.gg/Da9fZFxPfs **Event policy**: * We have 0 tolerance for harassment. * We don’t allow the projects that are not meant to be shared in public such as school assignments, interview tasks, or trade secrets. * The goal is to write code. We discourage you from pitching business ideas here, doing code reviews, or spending the whole event on planning what to do. * Please buy a drink, and tip the barista well.

⚡ **Reset your mindset. Meet someone unexpected. Walk away with new clarity.** Join us for a free, small-group event held in our **Startup Garage** — a **spacious, bright, comfortable living-room style space** inside a single-family home. Think couches, coffee, and real conversation — **not an actual garage 😊** 🔁 You’ll be **paired** with different attendees throughout the event for short, energizing rounds — each sparked by a simple **opening line** designed to make you laugh, reflect, and think bigger about what comes next. You won’t just talk about what’s behind you — You’ll begin to **picture what’s ahead** in a way that actually excites you. *** **☕ Coffee and snacks are on me.** Just show up with a curious mind — and a willingness to laugh. We’ll guide you through questions that blend **wisdom and humor** — the kind that help you see your story through a new lens. *** **🔍 What You’ll Experience** • One-on-one rounds to explore purpose, identity, and new possibilities • Light, energizing activities designed to shift your mindset in under 10 minutes • Fresh insights from people you’ve never met — but may never forget • A laid-back, thoughtful space to connect without pressure *** **💼 Who It’s For** • Divorced/Separated or midlife professionals figuring out what’s next • Entrepreneurs, builders, and creatives in a season of reinvention • Men and women who prefer **meaningful conversation** over surface level talk Whether you’re starting over, scaling up, or just ready for something more aligned — this space is for you. *** 📊 *Most attendees are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s — navigating life and growth with curiosity, clarity, and a sense of humor.* 🛋️ **Hosted in a spacious living-room setting** inside a single-family home (Ashburn). Full address shared after RSVP. 🌐 Explore more: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co)

The mad lich Acererak built the Tomb of the Nine Gods not only to house the remains of Omu’s trickster gods, but also to slay interlopers. However, few today even know the tomb exists, and thus it remains an enigma. Rare are the tavern tales that lure adventurers to its gates, and its horrors remain undocumented in the libraries of Candlekeep. The reason for this is simple: not one person who has entered the tomb has lived to tell the tale. Your quest, should you accept, is to traverse to the heart of this tomb and bring down the evil that lurks in its heart. Legends tell the rewards will be beyond your wildest imaginings. If you survive. **This event is hosted using the Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition Adventurers League rules. It is a Tier 2 game suitable for players with advanced experience who have previously played in multiple Tier 1 games.** **Becoming a member in our Discord and accepting our Code of Conduct is required for play at all of our events. You must join and accept the Discord rules before signing up to any MeetUp events. These rules include but are not limited to:** * **Assigning your name and pronouns as your server nickname;** * **Confirming your age as 18 or older;** * **Participating in a respectful environment for both our AL DMs and your fellow players.** **If you do not join the Discord and accept these rules prior to signing up for an event, you may be removed from the MeetUp event or be required to join the Discord and agree to the Code of Conduct at the game table prior to playing.** \*\**[Join us on Discord!](https://discord.gg/mG24YCk7wj) Attending this event indicates that you agree to follow NOVA Adventurer’s League’s Code of Conduct, which can be found in the #code-of-conduct channel on our Discord.*

Attendance is $35 (cash, credit/debit card, or ApplePay - paid at the door), which includes water/soda/coffee, bread, choice of a plated lunch entrée, and a dessert assortment. Parking is also validated in the Reston Station garages (3 hours of validation). Join one of Northern Virginia's most successful business networking groups (part of BNI). Open to the public and is typically attended by business owners, business developers, and entrepreneurs. Meetings are typically attended by 30-40 members and guests. \*\*\*PLEASE RSVP here: [REGISTER HERE](https://square.link/u/0WvC6Eir) \*\*\*If you do not register on the BNI website, there may not be a seat available for you.

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – February 25 Business Presentation** **Featuring Seeman Saeed, Founder of LeakzAlert** **Wednesday\, February 25 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** We’re excited to welcome **Seeman Saeed**, founder of **LeakzAlert**, to the 1 Million Cups Loudoun stage to share an innovative solution focused on prevention, protection, and smarter property management. **About the Business** LeakzAlert provides **water leak detection and monitoring services** designed to identify issues early and help prevent costly damage. By delivering proactive alerts and monitoring, LeakzAlert supports property owners and managers in protecting their assets, reducing risk, and avoiding unexpected disruptions. **Who Seeman Is Looking to Hear From** Seeman is eager to connect with professionals across: * Property management * Property maintenance companies * Home insurance providers * Hotels and hospitals * Homeowners * Anyone responsible for facility or property oversight **Current Focus** As LeakzAlert gains traction, Seeman is seeking feedback on: * Sales scalability * Sustainable growth strategies * Expanding market reach * Building strong industry partnerships **Why Attend?** * Learn about a service that directly impacts workplace success * Provide valuable feedback to a growing business * Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and community leaders * Be part of a collaborative, solutions-focused conversation **What is 1 Million Cups?** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **February 25 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about communication, workforce development, and business growth. We look forward to seeing you there!

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – February 25 Business Presentation** **Featuring Jennifer Zitelli, Founder of ESL Thrive** **Wednesday\, February 25 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us at 1 Million Cups Loudoun as we welcome **Jennifer Zitelli**, founder of **ESL Thrive**, for a dynamic conversation focused on workforce communication, business growth, and supporting employees for long-term success. **About the Business** ESL Thrive provides **on-the-job English training designed specifically for business success**. Through customized instruction, Jennifer helps employees gain the language skills they need to communicate effectively, perform confidently, and thrive in their roles — ultimately strengthening the businesses they support. Her programs are tailored to meet the real-world needs of small businesses, ensuring employees learn practical workplace language that directly impacts productivity, team collaboration, and customer experience. **Who Jennifer Is Looking to Hear From** Jennifer is seeking feedback from business owners and leaders in industries such as: * Hospitality * Home services * Restaurants * Retail * Any business with employees whose first language is not English **Current Business Focus & Barriers** As ESL Thrive continues to grow, Jennifer is looking for insight around: * Overcoming barriers to business growth * Strengthening marketing strategy * Expanding business development efforts * Effectively reaching her target markets This is an excellent opportunity to share your perspective while supporting a business dedicated to empowering both employers and employees. **Why Attend?** * Learn about a service that directly impacts workplace success * Provide valuable feedback to a growing business * Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and community leaders * Be part of a collaborative, solutions-focused conversation **What is 1 Million Cups?** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **February 25 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about communication, workforce development, and business growth. We look forward to seeing you there!