THE VISION of the Novato Live Well Network is to build a healthy, sustainable community where people from diverse backgrounds come together to reconnect with the land, procure, grow, and preserve food in a sustainable manner for themselves and others, and cultivate a truly integrated community. We define sustainability as, "meeting the needs of all people "without threatening the health of the natural environment or the well-being of future generations." (Source: Worldwatch Institute)

THE MISSION of the Novato Live Well Network is to: build and support a network of local community gardens that enable people from diverse backgrounds to grow food and foster community in a sustainable manner; work with and educate families, schools, and our community about the positive benefits of choosing sustainable ways of eating, gardening and living by providing programs that support nutrition education, our local food-shed, school and community gardens, and sustainable living practices.

NON-PROFIT STATUS
The Novato Live Well Network is a sponsored project of Marin Link, a California nonprofit corporation, exempt from federal tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

2010 BOARD MEMBERS
Veronica Valero: A 2006 graduate of Novato Chamber of Commerce's "Leadership Novato" Program and recipient of the "Leadership Novato" Ed Stark Award. Novato Unified School District Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Sustainability Committee Member. Novato Community Garden founding committee member. Founder of the Novato Healthy Food Coalition (resignation letter).

Veronica has been a resident of Novato since 1996. Health and wellness issues have always been important to Veronica. But, after her bother's death at age 44 of a rare sarcoma cancer (Ewing's Sarcoma/PNET) that is usually found in children, Veronica became a passionate volunteer health advocate as a way to "do something about it" in hopes that her son and all children and their families would never have to experience cancer or other such life threatening illnesses. Since 2003 she has advocated for heathier food choices for children and their families in the schools and community at large. When she is not volunteering, Veronica is "The Computer Tutor of Marin"(www.computertutormarin.com), A one-on-one computer tutor/consultant. Veronica has an M.A. in Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.

Nicole Marelich: text to come.

Vicky Meblin: Vicky's business experience includes marketing and public relations, exhibiting at trade shows/business conferences, coordinating sales seminars & other events, managing client databases, and writing and editing marketing collateral. Vicky has two children in the Novato Unified School District. She has been the Pleasant Valley Elementary Volunteer Coordinator for Marin County School Volunteers. She also played an instrumental role starting the NLWN Lunch Buddy program as a volunteer and food advocate.

Charlotte Torgavitsky: text to come.

David Selzer : text to come.

Donna West : text to come.

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBERS:
THANK YOU TO OUR FOUNDING BOARD MEMBERS: Miguel Villarreal, Barb Curtice, Norma Eckert, Heidi Kertel, Annie Spiegelman, Vicky Meblin, Veronica Valero. Your vision, dedication, and creativity have made positive change here in Novato and beyond.

HOW WE CAME TO THE TABLE
Our organization grew out of two events: (1) The Lunch Buddies program developed by Veronica Valero, a volunteer parent, and Miguel Villarreal, Director of Food and Nutrition Services (FANS) for the NUSD, and (2) the 2006 Novato Eat Well Festival put on through the collaboration of the Lunch Buddies parents, community volunteers, FANS Staff, and the Marin Food Systems Project of the Environmental Education Council of Marin. The collaboration, synergy, and experience complemented and expanded our personal visions so much so that we decided to form the Novato Live Well Network (NLWN) to share our vision and goals with others.