Social Enterprise Networks & Ideas

1871 - WORKPLACE FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS IN CHICAGO
https://1871.com/
From the web site: "Founded in 2012, 1871 was created to support Chicago’s digital startup community. Since that time, it has become the hub for the city’s thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today 1871 is the home of more than 400 early-stage, high-growth digital startups. Located in The Merchandise Mart, this 120,000 square foot facility is also the headquarters of nationally recognized accelerators, industry-specific incubators, tech talent schools, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition — the state’s leading technology advocate, a number of Chicago-based VCs, and satellite offices for Northwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, DeVry University, and DePaul University."

A MAP OF THE OPEN INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
http://sidewaysthoughts.com/blog/2015/08/a-map-of-the-open-innovation-ecosystem/
From the web site: "The innovation ecosystem refers to the various programs, projects and institutions that come together to deliver innovation. This interaction works based on a premise that innovation is more likely at the interface between boundaries." This article attempts to "show the different parts of the system and provide an idea of which parts interact."

A VISION FOR THE SHARING ECONOMY
https://www.shareable.net/its-time-to-go-big-a-vision-for-the-sharing-economy/
This article reflects on what's possible in the "sharing economy" and talks about opportunities to shape the direction of this movement". The writer says "the sharing economy is not only a real solution, it’s also an inspiring true story. People experience it as empowering. It puts people in a new, constructive relation to one another. In the sharing economy, we host, fund, teach, drive, care, guide and cook for friends and strangers alike. This is a world where people help each other. It’s also a world where self-interest and the common good align."  Read more and follow the links to build your understanding of the "sharing economy" and its impact on you.

ASHOKA.ORG - SUPPORTING SOCIAL INNOVATION
https://www.ashoka.org/en/about-ashoka
From the web site: "Ashoka US was launched in 2001 when we began supporting social entrepreneurs in the United States as Ashoka Fellows. Together with our partners, we have supported more than 200 social entrepreneurs and connected them into a dynamic peer network to help grow their ideas and impact.   We also work to ensure that every child masters empathy through our Start Empathy initiative, that teens and college students are equipped with changemaking tools and skills through our Youth Venture and Ashoka U programs and that networks of changemakers and social innovators across the US are able to scale their ideas and impact through competitions produced by our Changemakers team."

ASSOCIATION FOR ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITY (AEO)
https://aeoworks.org/
From the web site: "AEO is a national membership organization and voice of microbusiness development in the United States. For more than two decades, AEO and its hundreds of member organizations have helped more than two million entrepreneurs support themselves and their families and contribute to their communities through business ownership.

Mission: AEO creates economic opportunity for underserved entrepreneurs. AEO supports the development of strong and effective US microbusiness initiatives to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding businesses.

BALTA - BC-ALBERTA SOCIAL ECONOMY RESEARCH ALLIANCE
http://www.socialeconomy-bcalberta.ca/
From the web site:  "BALTA is a regional research collaboration amongst community based organizations, universities and colleges in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, with an interest in the social economy. BALTA's mandate involves researching various aspects of the social economy with a view to both increasing knowledge about the sector and identifying ways to strengthen and expand the sector. BALTA is the BC-Alberta node of a pan-Canadian research initiative, the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships (CSERP). This five year research initiative (2006-2011) is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).  This website and the linked online library contain an extensive and growing body of information about BALTA, its research and other programs, research results, and the social economy more broadly."

BAUMHART CENTER FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND RESPONSIBILITY AT LOYOLA CHICAGO
https://www.luc.edu/baumhartcenter/
Visit the Baumhart Center's website and respond to their invitation to "Join us at the intersection of profit and purpose."

BERT-OLA BERGSTRAND - FACILITATOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
https://www.facebook.com/bertola.bergstrand
This link points to the Facebook page of Bert-Ola Bergstrand, a social entrepreneur based in Europe.  Look at the list of organizations that he supports as a facilitator. These represent a vast library of social enterprise websites and resources.  Rather than add each link to the Tutor/Mentor library I'm just pointing to Bert's list.

BIG MARKER - HELPS YOU BUILD A COMMUNITY
https://www.bigmarker.com/about
From the web site: "With better tools for conversations, sharing resources, webinars and video conferencing, BigMarker helps your group make a mark. Thousands of organizations, teams, and movements use their BigMarker community as a destination for learning, sharing, support, and collaboration."

CHANGEMAKERS - GLOBAL NETWORK
https://www.changemakers.com/
From the web site: "Changemakers activates a global network of social entrepreneurs, innovators, business leaders, policy makers and activists to build an Everyone a Changemaker world."

CHI COMMMONS COOPERATIVE AND SOLIDARITY MAP
https://www.chicommons.coop/
From the website: “ChiCommons is a multi-stakeholder organization that grew out of local Civic Tech and Sustainability volunteer movements for common good — and evolved into a Limited Worker Cooperative Association (LWCA).  We are based in the Chicago, Illinois, USA region — and focus on global cooperative, peer-to-peer commons, and asset-based community development principles.”

CIVIC EXCHANGE CHICAGO - COWORKING SPACE CENTERED ON HOW NEWS, INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY
https://datamade.us/blog/civic-exchange/
Launched in 2019.  From the web site: "Civic Exchange Chicago is a coworking space and learning community centered on how news, information and technology can increase democracy and freedom." 

CREATE GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION
https://newandimproved.com/
From the web site: "New & Improved, LLC, is a global organizational development firm that focuses on the people skills organizations need to create growth through innovation. We develop groups of individuals who excel at creative thinking and working productively together."

CREATIVITY, SOCIAL BENEFIT AND JOB CREATION - ONTARIO (PDF)
http://www-2.rotman.utoronto.ca/mpi/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Creativity_Social_Benefit_and_Job_Creation-A_Baldwin.pdf
Creativity, Social Benefit and Job Creation: The Potential for Social Entrepreneurship in Ontario is the full title of this 2009 working paper, written by Andrea Baldwin. This paper makes the case that "social entrepreneurship - both in the for-profit business sector, and the non profit sector, creates economic value by creating jobs. Furthermore, it also creates service delivery and, in some cases, stimulates employment for economically disadvantaged regions or individuals." The ideas in this report could be applied in Chicago, New York or any other city.

CURRENT LANDSCAPE OF "OPEN EDUCATION", CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
https://edtechfrontier.com/2018/02/
This is a blog by Paul Stacey, who became Executive Director of the Open Education Consortium in 2018.  He writes: "in this post I map out how I see the current landscape of ‘Open’ and mention the most prominent challenges and opportunities. In a second post I define where the Open Education Consortium should be positioned within this landscape and propose a roadmap for getting there."  Paul published articles on th is blog from 2010 till February 2018.

DESIGN COMPETITIONS - HOSTED BY UK DESIGN COUNCIL
https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/social-innovation/reducing-violence-and-aggression-ae
From the web site: "Design Council is a charity and is recognised as a leading authority on the use of strategic design. We use design as a strategic tool to tackle major societal challenges, drive economic growth and innovation, and improve the quality of the built environment. We address all aspects of design including product, service, user experience and design in the built environment. We are the UK government’s adviser on design.  Our Design Challenges bring together designers and design novices alike, to address some of society’s biggest challenges. We also run regular talks by leading designers - see our events page for more."

Note: This is something Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC would like to be part of in conjunction with US organizations focused on education, non profit sector, etc.

DESIGN EDU - HOSTED BY CORE77
https://boards.core77.com/?utm_source=navigation
From the web site: "Since 1995 Core77.com has served a devoted global audience of industrial designers ranging from students through seasoned professionals. Core77 publishes articles, discussion forums, an extensive event calendar, hosts portfolios, job listings, a database of design firms, schools, vendors and services. Core77 provides a gathering point for designers and enthusiasts alike by producing design competitions, lecture series, parties, and exhibits." This link points to a page hosting discussion boards.

ENCORE NATION - SENIORS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
https://encore.org/
From the web site:  "Encore.org is spearheading efforts to engage millions of people in later life as a vital source of talent to benefit society. Our ultimate goal is to create a better future for young people and future generations." Visit the site to see how they do this.

FINDING COMMON PURPOSE - ROOTCAUSE BLOG
https://rootcause.org/finding-common-purpose/government-benefits-and-trust-in-people-lessons-from-stockton-california-part-2/
From the site:  "Root Cause is a purpose-driven consulting group that exists to enable more people and families to achieve lifelong success."  Browse the site. Read the blog. Learn more.

FIVERR® - AN OPEN MARKET PLACE FOR FREELANCERS, ENTREPRENEURS, MORE
https://www.fiverr.com/categories/graphics-design/cartoons-and-comics
From the web site: "Fiverr® provides an open marketplace for freelancers and small business operators to create, customize, and sell their niche services on the web. The flexible and affordable platform currently lists millions of services posted by entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses around the world. Fiverr's global community of creative self-starters monetize their talents and market to people in 190 countries."

GREENSTAR - SUPPORTS GROWTH OF VILLAGES IN DEVELOPING WORLD
http://www.greenstar.org/
From the web site: "Greenstar has developed a solar-powered community center that delivers electricity, pure water, health and education information and a wireless connection to villages in the developing world. To support this program, we record traditional art, music, photography, legends and storytelling in small villages, and bring these unique, priceless products to global markets through the Internet. Revenues are returned to the village to support their ongoing, independent development.

GUIDELINES FOR FORMING AN L3C ORGANIZATION IN ILLINOIS
http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/forming-l3c-illinois
Visit this site for steps in forming an L3C organization in Illinois.

HOW TO EMPOWER AND SUPPORT YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS (RESOURCES & TIPS)
https://www.finimpact.com/empower-and-support-young-entrepreneurs/
This article is an extensive guide to help understand and support the growth of youth entrepreneurs.  Useful for mentors, educators, parents and entrepreneurs!  

IDEACTION CORPS - CONNECTS CREATIVE PEOPLE WITH SOCIAL BENEFIT WORK
http://ideactioncorps.com/about
From the web site:  "Ideaction Corps is a collaborative of accomplished agencies and freelancers working together for the common good.  We use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. And because our unique business model provides a platform for consultancies to access work that makes a difference in their community, we are helping other businesses solve them too."

ILLINOIS INNOVATION NETWORK
https://iin.uillinois.edu/
From the web site: "The Illinois Innovation Network website launched in 2013 as a common platform to connect startups, innovation-driven enterprises, service providers, research and academic institutions, and community leaders to position Illinois as one of the world’s top innovation centers."

ILLINOIS SOCIAL ALLIANCE MEMBER DIRECTORY
https://socialenterprise.us/programs/member-directory/?search&chapters&locations=IL&areas&industries
You can use this directory to search for socially conscious businesses in Illinois and to submit your social enterprise for directory inclusion. Join Social Enterprise Alliance - Chicago (SEA-Chicago) in creating this community.

INNOVATE WITH INNOCENTIVE CHALLENGES
https://www.innocentive.com/
From the web site: "Move beyond the standard modes of thinking and problem solving.  We offer a comprehensive suite of externally and internally-focused programs, providing the methodology, technology, expert support and problem-solving network for you to crowdsource solutions to important problems." This site is built around InnoCentive Challenges, that involved a network of people from around the world.

INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS - TERMINOLOGY
https://www.socialent.org/Social_Enterprise_Terminology.htm
From the web site: "The Institute for Social Entrepreneurs is a for-profit consulting company founded in 1999 by Jerr Boschee, who served for the previous eight years as President and CEO of The National Center for Social Entrepreneurs."  The site hosts a variety of useful resources for SEs. 

INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL MARKETING ASSOCIATION
https://isocialmarketing.org/
From the web site: "iSMA "is seeking to build a community among social marketers to exchange ideas and learnings so that we will all be more effective in the work we do to ‘create a better world through marketing’." This link points to their blog.

JELLYWEEK - CONNECTED SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS FROM AROUND THE WORLD - ARCHIVE
https://www.facebook.com/groups/jellyweek12/
This Facebook group hosted planning for the WORLDWIDE #JELLYWEEK 2012 (16 to 22 Jan), with a goal of connecting social innovators to communicate and collaborate on a global level. The page is still live although the Jellyweek project ended in 2013. 

LEARN ABOUT THE BLUE ECONOMY
https://www.theblueeconomy.org/
The BLUE Economy is a book, with 100+ Ideas for creating a future economy using nature-inspired technologies. It was launched in 2004 as "ZERI in Action" project. Since then hundreds of people have contributed to bring the content within reach of many.  Visit the Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI) web site at http://www.zeri.org/ZERI/About_ZERI.html

LIVING BRIDGES PLANET ON FACEBOOK - MEETING PLACE FOR SEs
https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingbridgesplanet/
This group was formed around 2012 and continues to be active. It is a connecting point on Facebook for social entrepreneurs and people who want to make good things happen in the world.

MENTOR TRAINING IDEAS FROM THE MOWGLI FOUNDATION (UK)
https://www.mowgli.org.uk/
From the website: "Mowgli Mentoring is a social enterprise driving inclusive economic and social change in the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa. Mowgli’s unique, accredited methodology provides a supportive framework which empowers and supports the talent and leadership development of entrepreneurs (micro, refugee and SMEs), women, youth as well as corporate leaders and employees to unlock their potential and seize new opportunities for growth."  View a collection of Slideshare presentations at https://www.slideshare.net/mowglifoundation/presentations. 

MICROAID - SIMPLE STEPS - FOCUS ON POVERTY IN INDONESIA
https://www.microaid.net/
From the web site: "MicroAid’s local Community Partners help low income families to LEARN new skills using simple materials available from MicroAid Library. GET SUPPORT through micro-project donor funds (www.microaid.org), and CONNECT to community organisations, buyers and local markets (http://products.microaid.com)."

NETWORK ANALYSIS VISUALIZATIONS ILLUSTRATE UNIQUE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SUPPORT
https://www.shareable.net/enspiral-changing-the-way-social-entrepreneurs-do-business/
This 2014 article describes a New Zealand Social Enterprise support group, called Enspiral (https://enspiral.com/) that has found innovative ways to support a network of organizations throughout the world. The article uses network analysis visualizations effectively to illustrate Enspiral's efforts.

ONE COMMUNITY: FOR THE HIGHEST GOOD OF ALL
https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/purpose-mission-values/
From the web site: "Mission Statement: To offer non-profit leadership, demonstration, and open source project-launch blueprinting to re-invent the planet as a cooperative of comprehensively sustainable and self-propagating teacher/demonstration communities, villages, and cities collaborating for The Highest Good of All."  Browse the site to learn how this works.  

PARTNERSHIP FOR CHANGE - NORWAY
https://pfchange.org/?lang=en
From the web site: "Partnership for Change (PfC) is a Norwegian NGO that works to secure economic independence for women and youth. We currently have operations in Ethiopia and Myanmar.  PfC develops and applies new tools, methods and forms of cooperation to address societal problems. We seek cooperation across a variety of sectors in order to build solutions that are sustainable – financially, socially and environmentally. " Visit the site to learn more.

PLATFORM BUSINESS MODEL - DISCUSSION 2015
https://searchcio.techtarget.com/feature/Platform-business-model-picks-up-steam-whats-the-CIO-role
This article shows how business is beginning to understand and value platforms and may offer some ideas for T/MC and others who seek to further develop their own platforms. 

Note: The Tutor/Mentor Connection, now operated by Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC, has been building an information-based platform that anyone, from any place, could use to support the growth of youth serving organizations operating in high poverty neighborhoods of urban areas.  We've never had significant investment to support this effort.

PLATFORMS SUPPORTING NEXT GENERATION BUSINESS - SOCAP ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SOCAP/
SOCAP is a group meeting on Facebook. SOCAP convenes a global network of innovators working for social change. It  uses this Facebook and documents such as this list of platforms supporting social enterprise activities as "a space to connect, share ideas and opportunities, have conversations, match-make, and grow our global network as we continue to build this new paradigm together."

POP TECH - GLOBAL NETWORK OF INNOVATORS
https://poptech.org/
From the web site: "PopTech brings together a global community of innovators from many fields to share insights and work together to create lasting change. Our Fellows programs for social innovators and scientists identify and train some of the world’s most promising talent. Our Labs bring together curated and diverse experts to work together on areas of critical significance. Our Initiatives incubate high-impact, collaborative and new approaches to some of the world’s toughest problems. Our annual conferences and events are among the highest rated in the United States.

POWERED BY ACTION - HELPING NON-PROFITS DO GOOD, BETTER
https://www.poweredbyaction.org/
From the web site "Powered by Action is a 501(c)3 organization that amplifies the efforts of those trying to change the world by connecting people anywhere as though they were in the same room. Our expertise is powering the work of activists, experts, and people with know-how by demolishing the barriers between them and the people they want to help. We believe connections build movements. People with knowledge and innovative ideas are already out there – they simply need help helping others. That’s where we come in. As global technology leaders, we know how to build systems that empower nonprofit organizations to reach more people effectively. Our expertise powers theirs. We’re here to provide tools that individuals and organizations need to more effectively achieve their development goals. And we’re here to inspire action that creates results, achieving higher returns on donations and investments by deploying a different approach to sustainable development."

PRESENTE ON FACEBOOK - ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Presentee/
Presente! is a group started on Facebook in 2011, intended to boost and to bond alternative educational initiatives by connecting leaders of successful projects around the world in a lively exchange of ideas. It's goal is to "combine our strengths to mobilize the mainstream in order to follow new ways in education."

PROFIT FOR PURPOSE - SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
https://archive.skoll.org/2006/09/25/profit-for-a-purpose/
Capitalism and financial gain are the driving force behind our entire economic system. However, does the wealth gained benefit the entire world or just a few fortunate entrepreneurs? This article was referenced in a Profit for Purpose discussion hosted on the Social Edge platform in September 2006.

Here's another article by Jeff Mowatt about “Profit for Purpose”
https://peoplecentred.medium.com/what-is-profit-for-purpose-c26bd96cf244

PUBLIC GOOD - STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS
https://publicgood.com/
From the web site: "Public Good is a place for people who care about the world’s most important causes to come together and make a difference. It starts with our Take Action technology, which connects people reading the news to actions they can take to support nonprofits in their communities and around the world. Whether it’s helping with hurricane relief, refugees, animal rights, or education, Public Good’s 1.1 million nonprofit organizations are on the front lines making it better, and they need your help.  Public Good isn’t just a petition platform or a crowdfunding site. There are lots of different ways to make an impact ranging from volunteering to hosting a book drive to adopting a pet. You can also meet like-minded people and form communities around the causes you care about. Public Good is civic action online."

SHARED VALUE INITIATIVE
https://www.sharedvalue.org/
From the website: "The Shared Value Initiative is building a community of leaders who are activating their own potential for impact so that everyone can realize their possibility and live a life of dignity. We are driven by pioneers, the curious, knowledge seekers, idea generators, and committed leaders who want to make the world a more equitable, healthy and sustainable place."

SOCAP - NETWORK OF INVESTORS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND SOCIAL IMPACT LEADERS
https://socapglobal.com/
From the website: "SOCAP is the largest and most diverse impact investing community in the world. We convene a global ecosystem and marketplace – social entrepreneurs, investors, foundation and nonprofit leaders, government and policy leaders, creators, corporations, academics, and beyond –  through live and digital content experiences that educate, spur conversation, and inspire investment in positive impact."

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS (SEE)
https://saveourplanet.org/about-see/
From the web site:  "Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs’ mission is to empower, encourage and catalyze individuals to facilitate progressive change in areas of social justice and ecological restoration.  SEE handles back office work so the project workers’ time is freed up to focus on the fieldwork. SEE processes all donations for the individual projects, files appropriate paperwork with government agencies, sees to paying all related bills of the project, issues tax-receipts to donors and maintains a professional office for the projects.  In addition to the administrative and accounting duties, the SEE staff offers support in grant-seeking, tabling events and general community outreach."

SOCIAL EDGE DISCUSSIONS NOW ARCHIVED ON SKOLL WORLD FORUM SITE
https://archive.skoll.org/category/social-edge/
From 2003-2013 social entrepreneurs from around the world gathered on the  Social Edge site to share ideas and resources.  While this is no longer active, the archives are still available.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ALLIANCE
https://socialenterprise.us/about/
From the web site:  "Social Enterprise Alliance is the national membership organization and key catalyst for the rapidly growing social enterprise movement in the United States. We provide social enterprises with the resources they need to succeed, support and grow social entrepreneurship on a national scale and serve as a voice for more sustainable social impact."

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CHICAGO - DIRECTORY
https://socentchi.com/
From the website: "SocEntChi provides a comprehensive list of social impact companies registered or operating in Illinois, including Low-Profit Limitity Liability Corporations (L3C's), Non-Profit organizations (501(c)3's, Benefit Corporations and BCorps."  Launched in 2022 the organization seeks to be "the primary convener of all the players in the social enterprise ecosystem in the metro Chicago region."  

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CONFERENCE AT HARVARD
http://socialenterpriseconference.org/
From the web site: The  Annual Social Enterprise Conference (SECON), presented by students at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, brings together top leaders, practitioners and students to engage in dialogue, debate, and expression around Social Enterprise. Our mission is to educate participants about Social Enterprise’s potential in solving the world’s most pressing problems and to inspire meaningful discussion around the key challenges within the field." 

SOCIAL INNOVATION – THE LAST AND NEXT DECADE - ARTICLE
https://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/social-innovation-the-last-and-next-decade/
From the web site: "Social innovation is not a new concept or practice, but in the last decade it has taken off. There are now hundreds of social innovation centres, funds, courses and incubators of all kinds, most of which didn’t exist 10 years ago.   In this short, and far from comprehensive, note - prepared for the SIX Wayfinder, which Nesta is hosting this month - I attempt an overview of what was achieved over the last decade, what’s missing, and what might be priorities for the decade ahead, in what is likely to be a much less favourable political climate in many countries."

SOCIAL INNOVATION NETWORKING RESOURCE LIST
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1uSbfCbZg5_tjKWJYNV38SrYdZrlbgrO8R7E866Iw3uA&hl=en
This Google doc contains a list social innovation resources. Looks like it is updated.  The list is hosted by Katharine Bierce,  http://www.facebook.com/kbierce

SOCIAL OR CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP - A NEW DEFINITION?
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/social_or_cultural_entrepreneurship_an_argument_for_a_new_distinction
This article on Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) suggests that "Cultural entrepreneurship is different than social entrepreneurship because it is primarily focused on re-imagining social roles and motivating new behaviors."  What do you think?

SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL
https://www.socialventurepartners.org/what-we-do/
From the web site: "Social Venture Partners does more than give money. We amplify the impact of those out to do good in three distinct ways:  1) Connect and engage individuals, helping them make the greatest impact with their time and philanthropic giving; 2) Fund and strengthen nonprofits, helping them take their vital work for kids and the environment to the next level; and 3) Invest in collaborative solutions, so those with a common cause can align their efforts and go farther, together.

SOHODOJO - A 1990s-2010 SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS, INCLUDING OMIDYAR.NET
http://www.sohodojo.com/views.html
From the site: "Sohodojo is an independent, self-funded applied research and development laboratory with an associated education mission to support solo and family-based microenterprise and small business entrepreneurs in rural and distressed urban communities. Sohodojo is essentially a "organizational wrapper" on the entrepreneurial free agent activities of Jim Salmons and Timlynn Babitsky. We operated Sohodojo actively from the late 1990s through 2010. The site remains on-line as a wealth of provocative ideas and first-person experience reports for what it is like to envision and pursue the "Small Is Good" World as a complementary "engine" to the conventional "bigger, faster, stronger" approach of the "Big Is Good" World."  Sohodojo was active in the Omidyar network in the mid 2000s and one archive on this site is a blog that captures many of the conversations that were held at "O-Net".

STANFORD SOCIAL INNOVATION REVIEW (SSIR) BLOG
https://ssir.org/
From the web site: "Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) informs and inspires millions of social change leaders from around the world and from all sectors of society—nonprofits, business, and government. With webinars, conferences, magazines, online articles, podcasts, and more, SSIR bridges research, theory, and practice on a wide range of topics, including human rights, impact investing, and nonprofit business models. SSIR is published by the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at Stanford University." Lots of good ideas, and expansive network-building opportunities.

THE CHURCHILL CLUB OF AUSTRALIA
https://churchillclub.org.au/
From the web site: The Churchill Club is "Supporting businesses to scale-up by sparking conversations, facilitating connections and encouraging knowledge sharing in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology."

THE COMMON ROOF - CO-LOCATION EXAMPLE
https://www.newpathfoundation.org/the-common-roof
This is an example of a social enterprise supporting a variety of non profits and other SE's focusing on common purpose. From the web site: "The Common Roof is a community-based social enterprise providing sustainable and professional workspace for human-service and non-profit organizations. The Common Roof not only provides stable, affordable workspace, infrastructure and shared services to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness, but also provides opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration between partner organizations."

THE COMMONS AS A TRANSFORMATIVE VISION
https://www.shareable.net/the-commons-as-a-transformative-vision/
From the website:  "This essay originally appeared in The Wealth of the Commons, which is a collection of 73 essays describe the enormous potential of the commons in conceptualizing and building a better future."

THE ENSPIRAL NETWORK - NEW ZEALAND
https://www.enspiral.com/
Visit this site to see a description of the Enspiral Network, described as: "Social enterprise ventures and social entrepreneurs working together with shared vision and values."

THE GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY EXPLORER - SHOWCASE THE MOST INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND CITIES
https://goexplorer.org/
From the web site: "Rooted in over five years of research involving 18,000 business leaders and 17 expert panels, the Explorer guides you through hundreds of sustainable solutions and market opportunities which address the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).  The Global Opportunity Explorer also showcases 300 of the most innovative urban climate solutions from cities around the world." Browse the site and learn about its resources.

THE GRAY MATTER EXPERIENCE - INCUBATES YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS
https://www.graymatterexperience.com/
From the website: "Gray Matter Experience exists to give opportunities for Chicago high school students to learn about and practice entrepreneurship at an early age. We hope that our students gain knowledge, access and resources to transform the way they and others view their communities. Through our programs, youth collaborate to develop solutions around problems that plague their communities and use their newfound knowledge gained through The Gray Matter Experience, to help shape their business approach."

THE WEALTH OF THE COMMONS - A WORLD BEYOND MARKET AND STATE
http://www.wealthofthecommons.org/essay/introduction-commons-transformative-vision
From the web site: "Over the past few years an explosion of innovative activism, scholarship and projects focused on the commons has been gaining momentum around the world. This growing movement consists of activists fighting international land grabs and the privatization of water; commoners collectively managing forests, fisheries and farmlands; Internet users generating software and Web content that can be shared and improved; and urban dwellers reclaiming public spaces. The Wealth of the Commons brings together the most vibrant strands of this burgeoning international work into a single volume, revealing the significant potential of the commons as a new force in politics, economics and culture."

THRULINE NETWORKS - IMPACT VENTURE STUDIO THAT FOCUSES ON  U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
https://www.thrulinenetworks.com/
From the website: "Our mission is to build and grow people and organizations that solve sticky problems related to UN Sustainable Development Goals in a way that is impactful, scalable and profitable."

x4 IMPACT IS A FREE MARKET INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION
https://x4i.org/
From the website: "X4Impact, a market intelligence platform for social innovation.  We want to empower tens of thousands of Entrepreneurs, Impact Investors, Philanthropists, and Tech Solution Providers, to create Technology for the Public Interest and do well while doing good."  Launched in 2020.

Library: Social Entrepreneurs

Social Entrepreneurs are People Working to Create a Better World -  Links Section of Tutor/Mentor Library

This map shows social entrepreneurs from around the world who connected with each other via the 2012 JellyWeek event.  The links in this section of the library point to social entrepreneurs, organizations and networks around the world  The site where this information has been hosted is now only available as an archive.

jellyweek2012

 

 

Social Entrepreneurs usually are people who work for profit and purpose. Although many work in non-profit organizations.

Learn about the JellyWeek worldwide connections
at  https://jellyweek.tumblr.com/


The links below are sub-categories in this section of the library.


 

Social Enterprise Networks - click here

Social Enterprise Funding - click here

If you find broken links send information to tutormentor 2 at earthlink.net

Tutor/Mentor Org Blogs

Note: Many of the youth program blogs on this list are archives or have not been updated for several years. They show what's possible with a blog. If you are aware of Chicago or national tutor/mentor programs blogs, send a link and description to the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC

100 BLACK MEN OF CHICAGO MENTORING BLOG
https://100bmc.org/mentoring/
Follow this blog and learn more of their mentoring strategy and activities.

ACTUARIAL FOUNDATION BLOG
https://actuarialfoundation.org/category/blog/
From the website:  "The Actuarial Foundation partners with actuaries and others to equip the public with the tools it needs to make informed decisions and cultivate the next generation of problem solvers and leaders." Read the blog article on their site. 

A MENTORS BLOG - POLISHED PEBBLES
https://kellyfairthementor.com/
Kelly Fair is founder and leader of Polished Pebbles in Chicago. She uses her blog to educate, inspire and promote the work her organization is doing.

A NEW VOICE FROM ENGLEWOOD (CHICAGO)
http://mrsenglewood.blogspot.com/
This is an example of how one person can write articles that draw attention to a neighborhood, and to the organizations working to help youth and families in the neighborhood.   Youth and adults from many neighborhoods could take this role.

ALL STARS PROJECT BLOG
https://gabriellekurlander.wordpress.com/
This is blog by Gabrielle L. Kurlander, founder and leader of the All Stars Project, which grew from a grassroots all-volunteer effort in the early 2000s,  into a new national model for engaging poverty through afterschool development and community organizing.

BECOMING WE THE PEOPLE BLOG - 2010-11 ARCHIVE
https://becomingwethepeople.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/
This blog was written by Jordan Hesterman who was an active participant in the Chicago Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conferences between 2011 and 2015.

BEST PRACTICES IN MENTORING - EDITORIAL IN "THE MENTOR NEWS"
https://us6.campaign-archive.com/?u=15a0d2ac5bc4aa7d41ef32a3c&id=af58552b47&e=5a00000326
Peer Resources publishes a monthly newsletter which has many resources mentoring and coaching leaders should value. In this issue the feature editorial offers some stimulating thinking about best practices.

BEYOND MENTORING: ENGAGING MENTORS TO SUPPORT RECRUITMENT, FUNDRAISING AND BEYOND (VIDEO)
https://youtu.be/ygC0air3yII
This interactive 2016 National Mentoring Summit workshop by Mentoring Colorado provided participants with an understanding of how mentors can support program needs through fundraising, volunteer recruitment, advocacy and other initiatives.


BLOG ARTICLES FROM 2008-09 BY NUPIP FELLOW AT TUTOR/MENTOR CONNECTION
http://chrispip.blogspot.com/2009/07/concept-mapping-my-blog.html
From July 2008 through July 2009 Chris Warren served for one year in a Northwestern University Public Service Program fellowship at Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection. Chris wrote articles profiling the students and volunteers at Cabrini Connections and making sense of the ideas of the Tutor/Mentor Connection. Some of these can be read from year-to-year and used in many places.  I hope you find them valuable.

BOREN MENTORING INITIATIVE (OKLAHOMA) BLOG
http://okmentor.blogspot.com/
This blog was written from 2012 to 2018 to support, and communicate ideas about, youth mentoring in Oklahoma.

CABRINI CONNECTIONS BLOG - 2006-JULY 2011
http://cabriniblog.blogspot.com/
This blog was used from 2006-2011 to coach the students, volunteers and donors of Cabrini Connections, which operates in Chicago. This program was operating as a sister project to the Tutor/Mentor Connection during that time. You'll see that while we talked about a single program in many of our articles we used this to make a case for more consistent support for ALL tutor/mentor programs in the Chicago region and in other cities. Note the links on the right side to blogs written by students and volunteers in the program.

COMMUNITY FOR YOUTH - SEATTLE
https://www.communityforyouth.org/blog/
CfY is a one-on-one mentoring program serving teens in Seattle. 

FEMI MEMORIAL OUTREACH - CHICAGO YOUTH ORG BLOG
http://femioutreach.blogspot.com/
Femi Memorial Outreach uses its blog "to reach out to students, families, and those devoted to learning about public education in the city of Chicago". The last post is from 2017.

GET IN CHICAGO BLOG ARTICLES - CITY INITIATIVE TO LEARN FROM
https://getinchicagoblog.wordpress.com/
Get In Chicago is a $50 million anti-violence commitment focused on a few Chicago neighborhoods. 

May 2020 T/MI editor note:  This blog is an archive. No new posts since 2016.  This initiative was launched with huge business and civic leadership support but it's not clear how active it is in 2020, just 4 years later. The lesson to leaders is that "if you start something like this, keep it going".


GR8 MATES YOUTH MENTOR PROGRAM BLOG
http://gr8matesmentor.blogspot.com/
This blog was written from 2007 to 2009 by Robin Cox, a veteran mentoring leader and consultant, based in Australia. While it's now an archive, it's still full of great ideas that leaders of other tutor/mentor programs can draw from.

GREAT LIFE MENTORING BLOG - CLARK COUNTY, WA
https://greatlifementoring.com/blog/
This is a blog by a mentoring program that started in 2000 in Clark County, WA.


I-MENTOR CHICAGO BLOG
https://imentor.org/social-hub/blog
From the web site: "iMentor matches every student in partner high schools with a committed college-educated mentor, equipped to guide that young person on their journey to college graduation."

INSTITUTO DEL PROGRESO LATINO
https://www.institutochicago.org/apps/news/category/4201
From the website: “Our mission is to contribute to the fullest development of Latino immigrants and their families through education, training and employment that fosters full participation in the changing United States society while preserving cultural identity and dignity.”

INTERNS-TUTOR/MENTOR CONNECTION BLOG
http://michaelcnt.blogspot.com/
This blog was started in 2006 by a Tutor/Mentor Connection intern from Hong Kong. It's been used since to showcase work other interns have done since 2006 to share ideas and strategies of the Tutor/Mentor Connection and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC.

INVISIBLE CHILDREN BLOG
https://invisiblechildren.com/blog/
This is an organization based in the US who work to support children in Africa. This description is from their web site: "Half our work happens on the ground in Central Africa, and the other half happens in the United States.  In Central Africa, all of our programming is a partnership between Invisible Children and LRA-affected communities. We focus on long-term goals that enable children to take responsibility for their futures and the futures of their countries. Our programs are carefully developed initiatives that address the need for quality education, mentorships, the redevelopment of schools, and financial stability.  Our work in the United States focuses on advocacy and inspiring America’s youth to “do more than just watch.” We believe that by uniting our voices we can use the systems, influence, and resources of the United States to expedite an end to the conflict."

JUMP START
https://www.jstart.org/resources/blog/
From the website: “Jump Start seeks to help children from under-resourced communities receive individualized attention before they enter kindergarten, giving them the critical academic and social skills—the ‘jumpstart’—they need to succeed.”


MALE MOGUL INITIATIVE BLOG
https://malemogulinitiative.org/blog/
The Male Mogul Initiative was started by Walter Mendenhall, a former NFL football player.  The initiative seeks to transform under resourced communities by offering youth and returning citizens leadership and entrepreneurial training.  This link points to the blog articles on their website.


MAPPINGFORJUSTICE BLOG
http://mappingforjustice.blogspot.com
The mappingforjustice blog was started in 2008 by the Tutor/Mentor Connection to share maps about poverty, inequality and youth tutor/mentor programs in the Chicago region. Since 2011 it's also been used to point to data mapping platforms being created by others in Chicago and around the world.

MATH CIRCLES OF CHICAGO BLOG
https://mathcirclesofchicago.org/blog/
From the website: "Math Circles of Chicago provides free programs outside of regular school hours. Our priority is to provide equitable access to those students living in Chicago and attending public schools." Read their blog articles to learn more. 

MENTOR NEBRASKA BLOG 
https://www.mentornebraska.org/category/blog/
MentorNebraska supports more than 60 mentoring programs throughout the state.  Follow their blog to learn from their efforts. 


THE BASE - SPORTS AND MENTORING.  
https://thebase.org/stories/
From the web site; "The BASE, founded in 2013, combines exceptional baseball and softball training and competition with academic and career resources to empower student-athletes to achieve their full potential both on and off the field." Operates in Boston, Pittsburgh and Chicago. 


THE MENTORING EFFECT - BLOG FROM MENTOR
https://www.mentoring.org/what-we-do/blog/
This is a blog hosted by MENTOR, intending to "more deeply explore the findings of our Mentoring Effect report, published in January 2014!"


TUTORMENTORCONNECTION.NING.COM BLOG LIST
https://tutormentorconnection.ning.com/profiles/blogs
The Tutor/Mentor Connection established a community on Ning.com in 2007. Members each were able to post ideas using the blog on their personal pages. These are aggregated on this link.

TUTOR/MENTOR BLOG SHARES STRATEGY IDEAS THAT CAN BE USED ANYWHERE
Http://tutormentor.blogspot.com
This is the primary blog by Dr. Daniel F. Bassill, President, CEO of the Tutor/Mentor Connection and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC, which is the owner and content curator of this website and library.  The first article was posted in 2005 and the blog is still active in 2022.

URBAN ALLIANCE BLOG
https://theurbanalliance.org/blog/
From the website: “Urban Alliance is building a diverse next-generation workforce by providing job skills training, mentoring, and paid internships to high school youth from under-resourced communities, predominantly youth of color. Since 1996, we’ve provided over 6,000 internships to youth across greater Washington, DC (including Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, MD, and Northern Virginia), Baltimore, Chicago, and Detroit.”

URBAN GATEWAYS BLOG
https://urbangateways.org/category/blog/
From the website: Through artist residencies, performances, apprenticeships, and other activities, Urban Gateways helps young people acquire and refine artistic skills, share their talents, engage in critical thinking, explore new possibilities, and contribute to the civic discourse of our society.”

URBAN INITIATIVES (CHICAGO) - YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAM BLOG
https://www.urbaninitiatives.org/news/
Read about the way this organization uses soccer in its youth development. Programs offered via public schools. The organization uses it's blog to provide information showing impact and why it is needed. Good model for other organizations.

WORKING IN THE SCHOOLS (WITS) CHICAGO BLOG
https://witschicago.org/blog
Working in the Schools has connected volunteers with elementary age youth in Chicago for 29 years (as of 2020). Read ideas they share on their blog

Fund Raising-Marketing blogs

139 FOUNDATIONS THAT TWITTER
https://philanthropy411.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/130-foundations-that-tweet/
This is a 2009 article listing 130 foundations that were active on Twitter. Not sure how many of the links still work, or the foundations are still active. Would be great to find updated list. However, much of this is probably still good.

7 WAYS TO GROW YOUR NONPROFIT DONOR BASE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA
https://www.nptechforgood.com/2024/10/11/7-ways-to-grow-your-nonprofit-donor-base-with-social-media//
This article is posted on the Nonprofit Tech for Good site and offers advice that nonprofit organizations need to follow to build their volunteer and donor base using social media.  

A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF WEB EVANGELISM
https://web.archive.org/web/20180722122957/http://www.internetevangelismday.com/medium.php
Push or pull: why the web is a different medium.  It is essential to understand the nature of the Web if we are to use it effectively for evangelism.  Note: This article from mid 2000 reflects many of the beliefs the Tutor/Mentor Connection incorporates into its own Internet strategy.  I hope you find it useful.

ALLIANCE MAGAZINE BLOG - SUPPORTS PHILANTHROPY/SOCIAL INVESTMENT
https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/
From the web site: "Alliance aims to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among philanthropists, social investors and others working for social change worldwide in order to maximize the impact of funding for social development.  In addition to the subscriber only content Alliance also regularly makes its content free to read by all. This includes features, articles and interviews hand selected from recent issues or from Alliance Extra. Much of our fully searchable archive is also free to read by all. 

AN INVESTMENT APPROACH TO PHILANTHROPY - 2011 ARTICLES
https://www.tacticalphilanthropy.com/2011/03/an-investment-approach-to-philanthropy/
This is the first of a series of 2011 articles by Sean Stannard-Stockton, CEO of Tactical Philanthropy Advisors. The are still well worth reading.

BLUESKY: THE GROWTH OF CHARITY ON BLUESKY
https://madlinblog.wordpress.com/2024/11/27/the-growth-of-charity-bluesky/
This blog is focused on the UK but is a great example of using a blog to show ways to get started and connect with others on BlueSky, which is a growing alternative to using Twitter.  The blog includes links to several fund raising/non profit accounts and "starter packs" which are lists of accounts focuses on specific topics, like nonprofits. 

CHICAGO GRASSROOTS INNOVATION BLOG, BY BRIAN BANKS
https://brianlbanks.com/
From the blog: "Our focus is on improved outcomes for low-moderate income communities employment, public education, business enterprise development, community organization, and collaboration building. We design and implement action research projects based on client needs."


ENGAGE FOR GOOD - GOOD ADVICE FOR NPOS
https://engageforgood.com/resources/
From the web site: This site offers wealth of "employee engagement, social good and cause marketing examples, campaigns and resources that will help provide a solid foundation on which to build your own social good initiatives, or perhaps some inspiration to infuse your next cause marketing campaign with the critical consumer and employee engagement it deserves.

FIO PARTNERS PERSPECTIVES - NPO STRATEGY
https://fiopartners.com/blog
This non-profit consultant firm shares a variety of ideas on their blog that can be used by nonprofit organizations, those who fund them.

FUND RAISING STRATEGIES FROM THE ENGAGE BLOG
https://blog.blackbaud.com/fundraising/
This is one of six different blog categories which focus on philanthropy and non profits. 


GIFT HUB BLOG - IDEAS ABOUT PHILANTHROPY
https://www.gifthub.org/
The author, Philip B. Cubeta, has been writing about philanthropy for many years and offers stimulating comments to spur thinking.

GIVE TILL IT FEELS GOOD. THE TORAH PERSPECTIVE
https://crownheights.info/something-jewish/16074/give-until-it-feels-good-the-torah-perspective-on-giving/
Give Until It Feels Good - The Torah Perspective On Giving offers advise that many of us in the non profit sector should embrace. We create opportunities for others to take a role in helping make a brighter future for others.  

HOW TO DO FUND RAISING RIGHT, STARTING NOW
https://www.futurefundraisingnow.com/future-fundraising/
This blog has been around since 2009. The author says "I post almost every work day, on topics ranging from donor demographics to creative tips for fundraising professionals. I believe there's a marketing revolution going on, with visionary marketers winning big by radically putting their customers first; it's high time for nonprofits to join that revolution. I also talk frequently about online fundraising, because we know so little about this important and growing channel."

HOW TURN SLACKTIVISTS INTO ACTIVIST W/SOCIAL MEDIA
https://mashable.com/archive/slacktivists-activists-social-media
This 2010 blog article has good suggestions for how non profit leaders can increase social media’s impact on the volunteer and donor cycle. The ideas are still relevant.

INSIDE THE STORY TELLING MATRIX - PROBLEM AND PARADOX
https://www.getstoried.com/inside-the-storytelling-matrix-part-1-problem-and-paradox/
This article offers some great ideas about how we might tell our stories different and attract more supporters for our social purposes.

LEARN HOW TO GROW YOUR NONPROFIT – CARE2 BLOG
http://www.care2services.com/care2blog
From web site: "Learn how to grow your nonprofit through Donor Recruitment, Online Fundraising, Advocacy, and Social Media with Care2’s team of expert nonprofit professionals."

MARKETING DIVE BLOG
https://www.marketingdive.com/
This blog aggregates articles that focus on brand strategy, mobile phones, social media, data analytics, influencer marketing, etc.

NETWORK FOR GOOD  (NOW BONTERRA) NON-PROFIT FUND RAISING BLOG
https://www.bonterratech.com/blog
Network for Good site has extensive resources for nonprofit organizations and donors. Includes daily articles on how to reach more people, engage more supporters and raise more money. 

NINE CONCRETE STEPS FOR BUILDING A SELF-FUNDING NONPROFITMODEL - FORBES ARTICLE
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2022/01/06/nine-concrete-steps-for-building-a-self-funding-nonprofit-model/?sh=c61f59c1dd50
This article offers strategies nonprofit organizations might used to build self funding that helps keep operations running.

NON PROFIT BLOG EXCHANGE
https://nonprofitblogexchange.wordpress.com/
This blog has links to many informative blogs that non profit leaders can learn from and network with.

NONPROFIT LAW BLOG SHARES LISTS OF NONPROFIT RESOURCES EVERY WEEK
https://nonprofitlawblog.com/curated-nonprofit-resources-of-the-week-9-3-23/
This blog looks to be an extensive resource for those involved in non-profit fund raising and leadership.  The link points to curated nonprofit resources for the week of 9/3/2023


NON PROFIT MARKETING GUIDE BLOG
https://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/
This blog and web site shares many ideas that non profit leaders can use in building support for their organizations and missions.

NON PROFIT MARKETING FROM NON PROFIT SOURCE BLOG
https://nonprofitssource.com/blog/
If you're involved in fund raising and marketing for a non profit organization this blog may be a useful resource for ideas that can help you improve your impact. 

NON PROFITS AND DIGITAL STRATEGY - WHERE WOULD YOUR ORG RANK?
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/nonprofits-digital-strategy-organization-rank/
This 2017 article shows results of a survey of UK non profits. The findings apply to the US as well.

PHILANTHROPY TIPS, TRENDS, INSIGHTS - FROM CANDID
https://blog.candid.org/
Candid is an umbrella organization that includes GuideStar, Philanthropy News Digest, the Foundation Directory and much more.  This link points to their blog articles. Open the "Candid at a glance" tab in the upper right and see links to other websites in their portfolio.

PUBLIC NARRATIVE (WAS COMMUNITY MEDIA WORKSHOP) BLOGS
https://publicnarrative.org/blog/
Chicago's Public Narrative (was Community Media Workshop) has always been a great resource for non profits who were looking for better ways to tell their story and get into the media.  Now their blog gives you daily learning opportunities where you can interact with experts without leaving your home or office.

TACTICAL PHILANTHROPY
http://www.tacticalphilanthropy.com/
TacticalPhilanthropy.com was written from 2006 through 2011 by Sean Stannard-Stockton, a wealth adviser at Ensemble Capital Management.  While the blog is not being updated currently the articles written in the past still offer many significant ideas and lessons for non profit and philanthropic leaders. 

THE EVOLUTION OF PHILANTHROPY & THE FALL OF THE FUNDRAISING PYRAMID
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/evolution-philanthropy-fall-fundraising-pyramid-mccabe-callahan/
Useful article talks about using philanthropy to "transform the social well-being of others through generosity.”

THE NEW NONPROFIT LEXICON - NEW WORDS SUGGESTED FOR NPO SECTOR
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-nonprofit-lexicon-ben-bisbee/
In this blog article Ben Bisbee shares new words he has created over past few years to express frustrations within the NPO world. Take a look.

THE PIONEER GAP AND PHILANTHROPY - 2013
https://mitchellkutney.com/the-pioneer-gap-and-philanthropy/
This 2013 article by Mitchell Kutney, based in Canada, ends with this statement: Investors need to start caring more about the social impact side of impact investing and less about the profitable investing end. The need is still with us.

THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERS - 2008 ARTICLE
http://causepr.blogspot.com/2008/04/value-of-volunteers.html
This 2008 blog article talks about value of volunteers, asking  When was the last time you examined your organization's volunteer program? Could you, without hesitating, draw a map of a volunteer's experience with your organization from the moment they transition into your volunteer program, to the moment they transition out? While this is an old article the question remains relevant.

TOP FUND RAISING BLOGS FOR 2022
https://www.futurefundraisingnow.com/future-fundraising/2022/01/top-fundraising-blogs-for-2022.html
One way to improve your fund raising skills is to read blogs like these.  Many will have many links to additional blogs.  

UNITED WAY OF CHICAGO - STORIES
https://liveunitedchicago.org/stories/
This United Way of Chicago page is not exactly a blog, but uses stories to communicate information about its work and the agencies it supports.

WAYS TO ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS (IN FUND RAISING) TO HELP YOUR NPO
https://katherinespinney.com/keep-blowing-it-volunteers-fix-it/
The title of this blog article is How we keep blowing it with volunteers (and how to fix it).  It's a long article with lots of good suggestions. Take time to read it if you involve volunteers in your organization.

Network & Learning Blogs

A MANIFESTO FOR A SMALLER, DENSER INTERNET: THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL
https://publicinfrastructure.org/2023/03/29/the-three-legged-stool/
This white paper is an a project of the Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure and proposes a "truly sustainable and resilient digital public sphere".  This is work in development. Read the paper and follow along if you're concerned about the decline of Twitter and Facebook as viable spaces for connecting, sharing ideas and influencing change.

adVANCEDUCATION BY VANCE STEVENS
https://advanceducation.blogspot.com/
Vance Stevens founded the online community Webheads in the late 1990s, resulting in involvement in many community-based online professional development endeavors which have formed the basis of his professional development life since. He shares ideas on this blog. Note: Vance Stevens passed away in 2020. His blog remains a valuable archive for all networked learners.

AN INVITATION TO ACTION AND MOVEMENT - 1PXO - A NEW BOOK BY CARLA ARENA, A LONG TIME MEMBER OF THE WEBHEADS IN ACTION COMMUNITY
https://1pxo.com/blog/
From the website: "In this book you will learn to create collaborative learning communities, with the pillars that support a genuine community:  Context, Connection, Curation and Mastery.  Carla Arena provides examples and practical suggestions so that anyone can take the first steps in building a community."  The link points to the blog on the website.

ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK PROGRAM - UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
https://umichactivecitizens.wordpress.com/blog/
The School of Information at Michigan offers an opportunity for interns to work in community based organizations around the country.  The Alternative Spring Break is just one example.

Note: The Tutor/Mentor Connection was one of the 2008 sites. This video shows animated (https://www.vialogues.com/vialogues/play/34284/) project that was created in one week by a 2008 UMich intern.

AMERICA LEARNS BLOG
https://americalearns.com/blog/
From the website: “Sincd 2003 America Learns has been the leader in providing social impact programs with an easy-to-use, efficient way to manage and support their people, measure impact, report results, and keep getting better."

ARTICLES ABOUT LEARNING, WORK, INNOVATION IN NETWORKED ERA
https://jarche.com/2012/04/three-principles-for-net-work/
This blog is written by Harold Jarche who "helps organizations learn, work, and innovate in the network era." His writing adds perspective and  understanding to topics like complexity theory into practical advice.


AUTHENTIC CONNECTION PLATFORMS: THE FUTURE OF DISINTEGRATING SOCIAL MEDIA - 2025 ARTICLE
https://www.conferencesthatwork.com/index.php/social-media-2/2025/02/authentic-connection/
This article on the Conferences that Work blog focuses on the demise of traditional social media as a place to connect and share ideas and the rise of smaller platforms, that are part of the Fediverse, a network of servers interconnected via a common protocol. Mastodon is one of these.

BARRIERS TO ADOPTION OF ONLINE LEARNING SYSTEMS IN HIGHER ED
https://sr.ithaka.org/publications/barriers-to-adoption-of-online-learning-systems-in-u-s-higher-education/
This Ithaka S+R report is a landscape review of important developments in online learning today. Read the blog and download the PDF.


BLOGGING AND THE FUTURE OF ADVOCACY
https://ethanzuckerman.com/about-me/
This Blog, written by Ethan Zuckerman, offers many ideas for ways non-profits might use blogs as part of collaborative advocacy.  T/MC has been following since 2007. In his introduction page Zukerman says, “I now require my students to blog any lectures they attend, as I’ve discovered that I listen differently – and better – when I’m trying to turn someone else’s talk into a blog post.” I think that's great advice.

BLOGGING, BUILDING A NETWORK, TWITTER- HOW TO BUILD MOMENTUM
https://whatelse.edublogs.org/2019/01/26/momentum-part-1/
This is the first of four articles written by Sheri Edwards, a retired teacher from Washington State. It talks about blogging,  using Twitter and provide a wealth of tips and ideas that might inspire others. Take some time to read all four articles, then connect with Sheri and the #clmooc network on Twitter.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY DOMAIN - LINKS AND QUESTIONS
https://evelynhelminen.com/conferences/just-a-community-organizer-visualizing-community-for-domain-of-ones-own/#respond
This blog article talks about the process and challenges of building an on-line community platform/domain. It's full of links to additional reading.

BUILDING A 'TAXONOMY OF CIVIC TECHNOLOGY' - MICROSOFT BLOG
https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2016/04/27/towards-taxonomy-civic-technology/
This article helps a reader understand the world of civic technology, but it also offers a model of  how others might build a deeper understanding of people and organizations working in other sectors. 

BUILDING INTENTIONAL NETWORKS THAT DRIVE IMPACT - KUMU BLOG
https://blog.kumu.io/building-intentional-networks-that-drive-impact-part-1-90a7271c7a2a
Lots of good ideas for building networks and systems thinking shared on this site and in this article.


CALIFORNIA COMMONWEALTH CLUB - PODCASTS
https://www.commonwealthclub.org/podcasts
From the web site: "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. We bring more than 400 annual events on topics ranging across politics, culture, society and the economy to more than 20,000 members."  This link points to podcasts. 

CASE FOR SOCIAL CAPITAL LITERACY - ARTICLE ON SOCIAL CAPITAL BUILDERS BLOG
https://socialcapitalbuilders.com/the-case-for-social-capital-literacy-2/
From the blog: "Social capital literacy is the competency to audit, access, build, maintain, and manage connections effectively to improve financial, social, and community well-being." This blog and website focus on teaching social capital literacy to people between ages of 16 and beyond.


CHALLENGES OF CREATING NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT KEY ISSUES - RESOURCES
https://www.ncdd.org/rc.html
For those trying to build local/national discussions around key issues, this Dialog and Deliberation website provides many resources.


CHANGE.MOOC.CA - LEARN ABOUT INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS
https://www.mooc.ca/
https://web.archive.org/web/20170312035914/http://change.mooc.ca:80/week30.htm
During late 2011 different education technology researchers and instructors participated in leading weekly, self-directed learning sessions in this on-line community. The archives of each week's session are available, leading to an extensive library of ideas and experiences that anyone in the world can draw from.  This website is now an archive.

CHI TECH FOR GOOD BLOG
https://chitechforgood.com/
Launched in August 2021 this site is intended to be "A place for Chicago's  thriving civic tech community of smart and  thoughtful, people to share their thoughts and blogs"   Over time it hopes to aggregate blog links to many from Chicago's tech community. 

CLASSROOM 2.0 - NING SITE SINCE MID 2000s - DAN BASSILL (TUTOR/MENTOR) PAGE
https://www.classroom20.com/profile/tutormentor
This was one of the first on-line communities connecting educators from around the world. It was formed in the mid 2000s by Steve Hargadon.  Dan Bassill was one of the early members.  A newer community, under the title of Learning Revolution, can be found at https://www.learningrevolution.com/

CONNECTED LEARNING ALLIANCE
https://clalliance.org/who-we-are/
From the web site: "The Connected Learning Alliance supports the expansion and influence of a network of educators, experts, and youth-serving organizations mobilizing new technology in the service of equity, access and opportunity for all young people. ?The Alliance is a project of the New Venture Fund, and supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as part of its Digital Media and Learning initiative."

CONNECTED LEARNING. WHAT IS IT? - 2014 ARTICLE
https://remakelearning.org/blog/2014/10/14/what-is-connected-learning/
In this 2014 article the author "talks about connected learning as a model to tap into the potential of information and online collaboration available to youth in a digital age."

CONNECTIVISM AND CONNECTIVE KNOWLEDGE - STEPHEN DOWNES - 2011
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/connectivism-and-connecti_b_804653
This Huffington Post article introduces a 2011 MOOC co-organized by Stephen Downes. The article provides a good introduction to connected learning and this version of MOOCs. 

CREATIVE GOOD BLOG AND NEWSLETTER, LAUNCHED IN 1997.
https://creativegood.com/blog/23/25-years-of-newsletter.html/
This is another long-term blog, started in 1997 by Mark Hurst.  This link points to a 2023 article sharing his 25 year history.

CULTURE OF COLLABORATION - BLOG
https://collaborationblog.typepad.com/collaboration/
Evan Rosan is the director of The Culture of Collaboration Institute, which conducts research on collaboration, and writes about the interplay of culture, environment and technology to support collaboration.

DATA SCIENCE - TURNING DATA INTO PRODUCTS, SERVICE
https://www.oreilly.com/radar/what-is-data-science/
In this 2010 post, the writer examines the many sides of data science -- the technologies, the companies and the unique skill sets. Much has changed in years since this was written.

DAVE WINER HAS BEEN WRITING THIS BLOG FOR 30 YEARS (AS OF 10-7-2024). 
http://scripting.com/2024/10/07.html/
Read this article to see what prompted Dave to begin blogging in 1994. It's an amazing story.  

DAVID B. COE - MEDITATIONS OF A PROFESSIONAL WRITER
https://aidanmoher.com/blog/featured-article/2013/07/ideology-politics-and-the-writer-by-david-b-coe/#more-13183
David B Coe is a fantasy writer, with books like the 'Winds of the Forelands' series to his credit. In that series he wove the topic of racial profiling into the story line and hopefully stimulated readers to think more about that issue.  This is a link to an article he wrote regarding how writers weave social issues into writing. Find  his personal blog at: http://davidbcoe.wordpress.com/category/socialpolitical-issues/

DC ACTION FOR CHILDREN - BLOG
https://www.wearedcaction.org/blog
This blog integrates the data from the annual Kids Count into stories intended to make sense of the data and promote actions and policy changes. See this link also http://dcactionforchildren.org/kids-count/education DEVELOP YOUR OWN

PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORK - TIPS TO FOLLOW
https://wiobyrne.com/develop-your-own-personal-learning-network-using-twitter/
W. Ian O'Byrne is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technologies at UNH. His blog offers tips that anyone can follow to build their own personal learning network.

DOMAIN OF ONE’S OWN (DOOO) - A PROJECT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
https://umw.domains/
From the web site: "The DoOO project allows UMW students, faculty, and staff to register their own domain name and associate it with a hosted web space, free of charge while at UMW. With their Domain and corresponding web space, users will have the opportunity and flexibility to design and create a meaningful and vibrant digital presence."  Do a Google search for “domain of owns own” and you'll find many articles that expand your understanding of this project and the scope of universities involved.

EDGE PERSPECTIVES WITH JOHN HAGEL - STRATEGY @ THE INTERSECTION OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY
https://edgeperspectives.typepad.com/
This blog includes stimulating articles that "Explore emerging innovations on a broad array of edges that are rising up to challenge the core." Note: the newer version of this blog is https://www.johnhagel.com/blog/


EDUCATE FOR PROBLEM SOLVING, NOT FACTORIES
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2012/12/14/educate-for-problem-solving-not-factories/?sh=6c26e2dd137a
The author concludes this Forbes article with "Let’s stop force-feeding students answers in 40-minute blocks. Let’s stop stifling creativity and innovation. If we want to make the grade, we must open our children’s eyes, ears, hearts and minds to a future of lifelong learning. The sooner the better."

EDUCATION FOR LIBERATION NETWORK
https://www.edliberation.org/
From the web site: "The Education for Liberation Network is a national coalition of teachers, community activists, researchers, youth and parents who believe a good education should teach people—particularly low-income youth and youth of color—how to understand and challenge the injustices their communities face."

EDUCATION INFOGRAPHICS - VISUALIZATIONS
https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/best-education-infographics-2013/
This blog features a collection of info-graphics that help expand understanding of education issues. 

EDUCATION INNOVATION CLUSTERS - DIGITAL PROMISE WEB SITE
https://digitalpromise.org/2015/08/18/education-innovation-clusters-convening/
Communities around the country are "creating “education innovation clusters” that bring together educators, startups, policymakers, investors, researchers, and community groups for powerful collaboration."  This site highlights some of these.

EXPERIENCE INSTITUTE STUDIO - CHICAGO
http://studio.expinstitute.com/
From the web site: "We believe experiences can drive deep learning - to gain the skills to shape your own future, the agency to meaningfully engage in your community, and the confidence to tackle the world's most pressing problems.  We are continually developing new professional development offerings, curricula, and learning products that build educators’ capacity to facilitate high-impact experiential learning opportunities for their students."  Visit this link to learn more


HOWARD RHEINGOLD ON THE PAST AND PRESENT OF VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES - 2021
https://www.notion.so/blog/howard-rheingold
This is a transcript of a podcast conversation with Howard Rheingold, a writer who Tutor/Mentor has followed for many years.  Howard first plugged into the internet in 1983 and this interview covers much of what he has learned about online communities since then. 

HOW THE DIGITAL HUMANITIES ARE USING SLACK
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2016/07/13/using-slack-to-support-a-geographically-dispersed-community/
The full title of this blog article is "How the Digital Humanities are using Slack to support and build a geographically dispersed intellectual community."  For those seeking to build an on-line community that shares ideas and seeks to solve complex problems, learning more about emerging platforms, such as Slack, is important.

IDEAS FOR EFFECTIVE E-LEARNING - STEPHEN DOWNES
https://www.downes.ca/about_this_website.htm
From the web site:  "Founded in 1995, Stephen's Web is best described as a digital research laboratory for innovation in the use of online media in education. More than just a site about online learning, it is intended to demonstrate new directions in the field for practitioners and enthusiasts."

IMPEDAGOGY - BLOG BY COLLEGE PROFESSOR IN KENTUCKY CONNECTING TO T/MC
https://impedagogy.com/wp/blog/2016/01/21/picnic-preparations-homago-with-daniel-bassill-and-simon-ensor/
This is one of several articles written by Terry Elliott, a professor at a college in Western Kentucky, where he draws on the ideas shared by Tutor/Mentor Institute, and shares them with is students and networks as part of  his own learning and engagement.  Search the blog for "tutor/mentor" or "Dan Bassill" to find more.

INEQUALITY AND RACISM IN OMAHA - WHAT I LEARN SHARING HISTORY
click here
https://adamfletcher.net/blog-3/
This is an article posted on LinkedIn by Adam F.C. Fletcher.  He shares what he has learned about poverty, inequality and racism in Omaha, Nebraska over the past 25 years. Adam leads a consulting firm called Commonaction Consulting and shares many ideas on his blog. 

INFORMAL LEARNING: THEORY, PRACTICE AND EXPERIENCE - INFED.ORG
https://infed.org/
From the web site: "infed.org: we specialize in the theory and practice of informal education, social pedagogy, lifelong learning, social action, and community learning and development."

INTRODUCTION TO LEARNING HISTORY THEORY AND PRACTICE
http://ccs.mit.edu/lh/intro.html
Efforts to create learning organizations face many challenges. One is documenting what is learned and understanding impact of what is learned on organizational success.  This paper offers some  insight into this.

JAYNE CRAVENS ON (VOLUNTEERISM, NONPROFIT TECH, ETC.)
http://coyotecommunications.com/coyoteblog/
From the web site:  This site offers "Resources and consulting and training services for mission-based organizations (not-for-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations/NGOs, civil society and public sector/government agencies, departments and initiatives)."  Tutor/Mentor Connection has been following the author since the early 2000s.

JULIAN STODDARD'S LEARNING BLOG - TO SEEK, TO STRIVE
https://julianstodd.wordpress.com/2016/02/27/to-seek-to-strive/
This is one of a series of articles that use interesting visualizations to emphasize the idea being shared. Julian Stoddard uses a "thinking out loud" style in writing his blog articles. Take a look.

KNOWLEDGE CAFÉ - PROCESS HOSTED BY DAVID GURTEEN
http://knowledge.cafe/knowledge-cafe-concept/
From the web site: "One of the best ways to make sense of an issue or challenge and ultimately make better decisions and to innovate is to bring a diversity of people together in open conversation, in dialogue.  The Knowledge Café is the ideal tool to achieve this." This is a process facilitated by consultant David Gurteen.

KNOWLEDGE MGT. INTERACTIVE VALUE CREATION. ESKO KILPI COMPANY
https://conversational-leadership.net/person/esko-kilpi/
From the web site: "Esko Kilpi Company consists of a varying group of researchers and strategists. We lay the intellectual foundations for Post-Industrial Work. We help organization and individuals to develop capabilities, innovate and grow in the new technological and societal landscape characterized by algorithms, platforms and human interaction.  We are early champions and pilots for the new disciplines of value creation as they emerge. Our theoretical framework comes from sociology, relational psychology, network theory, cognitive neuroscience, computer science and the sciences of complexity."

LEARNING CHANGE - FOCUS ON COLLECTIVE ACTION AND ON SYSTEMIC CHANGE.
https://gfbertini.wordpress.com/2020/11/03/about-sensations-emotions-and-feelings-a-contribution-to-the-theoretical-basis-of-transactional-analysis/
From the blog: "This is an experimental set of eight Resource blogs, that together with  a dialogical and collaborative Service platform, are part of the infrastructure of the Learning Change Project to support and empower a community of change agents on Systemic Change." 

LEARNING FROM PUBLIC ON-LINE - EDUCON 2012 REFLECTION
https://blog.markwcarbone.ca/2012/02/20/educon-reflection-learning-in-public-online/
This writer reflects on Educon 2012 discussions related to the "idea of learning online in public". Visit the blog to read the full article.


LEARNING TO LEARN. LIFE LONG LEARNING.
https://css-tricks.com/learning-to-learn/
This article starts with "Academic background or not, technical education doesn’t stop once you get a job. On the contrary: nothing in tech stays in one place, and the single most valuable skill you can possess to remain employable over time is learning how to learn."  Then, provides tips for life long learning. 


LEARNINGTIMES ON-LINE COMMUNITY
https://learningtimes.com/who-we-are/
From the web site: "LearningTimes.org is a free community for education, training, museum and library professionals. Members have access to a wide range of opportunities to interact and network with peers from across the globe."

LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS - IMPACT BLOG
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/
The LSC hosts several categories of blogs. This one focuses on issues related to social impact.  Spend some time browsing the articles.

MANIFESTO 15: IDEAS, VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF LEARNING
https://manifesto15.org/en/#
This starts with: "In a world consumed with uncertainty and a growing sense of the obsolescence of our education systems, how can we ensure the success of ourselves as individuals, our communities, and the planet? We need to evolve education.  This manifesto represents a snapshot of our ideas, visions for the future, and what we have learned to date about learning and education. This text serves as a reference point to help us understand how we’ve done so far and what actions we need to take next.

MAXIMIZING USE OF TWITTER AS AN EDUCATOR, MENTOR LEADER, ORGANIZER
http://www.justintarte.com/2014/01/10-ways-twitter-makes-me-better-educator.html
The articles on this blog show ways tutor and/or mentor program leaders and supporters can use Twitter to educate more people on the values of mentoring, the challenges of building and sustaining great programs in more places, and the roles donors, business, political leaders, media need to take.

MENTORING KIDS TO CAREERS - DEBATEGRAPH DISCUSSION OUTLINE
https://debategraph.org/Stream.aspx?nid=116862&vt=ngraph&dc=focus
Debategraph is a platform where you can outline discussions in threaded segments and create a visual map of the idea you are discussion. Visit this link and see how we've mapped a wide range of information related to the topic of "mentoring kids to careers". You can add to this and/or create your own thread and link it to this or others hosted on this platform.

NETWORK ANALYSIS EXAMPLE - OPEN EDUCATION : CITATION NETWORK
http://www.katyjordan.com/go_gn/network/#
This map demonstrates a potential of using network analysis tools to aggregate information about people who write and do research about the same topics. Click on the colored dots on this map, then look to the right, you'll see focus areas, such as social media,  E-learning & online education, etc. For each dot, representing a person, you can then see all the people that person is connecting with.  

Note: I'd love to have someone apply this to the 2000 links in this web library.

NETWORK WEAVING - BUILDING INFLUENCE NETWORKS - 2011 ARTICLE
http://networkweaver.blogspot.com/2011/09/building-business-case-for-influence.html
Social networking for a purpose is a strategy deployed by the Tutor/Mentor Connection since the mid 1990s to engage volunteers and resource providers and connect them with kids and tutor/mentor programs throughout Chicago and in other cities. This blog sheds light on the concept of social networks and social network analysis. While it was written in 2011, the ideas are still valuable.

NETWORK WEAVING - ESSENTIAL SKILLS - 2010 ARTICLE
https://emergentbydesign.com/2010/05/01/essential-skills-for-21st-century-survival-part-3-network-weaving/
This 2010 article on network weaving is one that still has meaning to those trying to bring people together to solve complex problems. 

NETWORKS AND NETWORK WEAVING - NEWSLETTER
https://www.scoop.it/topic/networks-and-network-weaving
This is a newsletter, hosted by June Holley, with links to articles about network building, network weaving, and networks.

NEW YORK COLLECTIVE OF RADICAL EDUCATORS
http://www.nycore.org/nycore-info/
From the web site: "The New York Collective of Radical Educators (NYCoRE)is a group of public school educators committed to fighting for social justice in our school system and society at large, by organizing and mobilizing teachers, developing curriculum, and working with community, parent, and student organizations."

NIEMAN STORYBOARD - UNIQUE WAY OF TELLING STORIES LIKE THAT OF DETROIT
https://niemanstoryboard.org/stories/detroit-a-love-story-chuck-salter-fast-company-and-a-layered-live-storytelling-approach-to-the-tale-of-a-desperate-city/
Nieman Storyboard is a publication of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard. The 2013 story I point to is one of many that are nurtured by this project. Read more. 

PEERAGOLOGY HANDBOOK - TECHNIQUES FOR PEER LEARNING AND PEER KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION
https://peeragogy.org/
From the web site introduction: "Peeragogy is a flexible framework of techniques for peer learning and peer knowledge production. As pedagogy theoretically articulates the transmission of knowledge from teachers to students, peeragogy describes the way peers produce and utilize knowledge together. With OER, wikis, the internet, Free Software and mobile networks, groups of people can learn, connect and create knowledge together inside and outside of formal institutions in ways never before possible. These tools can facilitate connected learning, and collaborative engagement but they only work well when combined with practices that work well for the people involved."

PLURALISTIC: DAILY LINKS FROM CORY DOCTOROW
https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/04/analytical-democratic-theory/#epistocratic-delusions
This is an interesting blog with new links added daily via on-going blog articles.  Written by science fiction author, activist and journalist, Cory Doctorow. 

REDEFINING ANNOTATION: DITCH THAT PDF AND HYPER-ANNOTATE
https://ditchthattextbook.com/redefining-annotation-ditch-that-pdf-and-hyper-annotate//
This article offers tips for annotating documents using Google docs. Intended for classroom educators but can be applied by others. 

RESULTS OF LEARNING PREFERENCES SURVEY - 2017 ARTICLE
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wow-do-people-hate-elearning-much-results-learning-mary-hetherington/
For anyone involved with on-line learning, coaching and training the results of this survey should be alarming and should challenge folks to innovate better ways to engage learners. 

SEEK, SENSE, SHARE - BY HAROLD JARCHE (2012) (PDF)
https://jarche.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/seek_sense_share.pdf
This PDF is a discussion of PKM (Personal Knowledge Management). If  you're a mentor, tutor, teacher, administrator, policy maker, etc. these ideas should be part of your library of thinking as you innovate ways to prepare youth and adults for the coming century of connected learning.


SOCIAL LEADERSHIP - WORKSHOP BY JULIAN STODDARD
https://julianstodd.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/workingoutloud-developing-a-social-leadership-workshop/
This is one of many articles from Julian Stoddard's blog.  It focuses on social leadership and outlines a workshop he is planning. Included are links to extra reading for each segment. Take a look.

STARTING A SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY
http://www.marionconway.com/2009/03/part-1-of-3-on-social-media-for.html
This 2009 blog article and many others since then, written by Marion Conway, offer good advice for non profits just starting a social network strategy, or for those who have been doing this for a few years.

STEPHEN DOWNES - KNOWLEDGE, LEARNING, COMMUNITY
https://www.downes.ca/index.html
Downes is "one of the originators of the Massive Open Online Course. He writes about online and networked learning. This site is an entry point to his writing, publications and ideas.

STEVE HARGADON - THE LEARNING REVOLUTION HAS BEGUN
https://www.stevehargadon.com/
Steve is founder and director of the Learning Revolution Project, the host of the Future of Education and Reinventing School interview series, and the founder and chair (or co-chair) of a number of annual worldwide virtual events, including the Global Education Conferences and the Library 2.0 series of mini-conferences and webinars.  He built the Classroom2.0 community on Ning.com in 2007 (no longer active), which was one of the first modern social networks for teachers.  

TECHNOLOGY FOR NON PROFIT AND PHILANTHROPIC SECTOR
https://deborahelizabethfinn.wordpress.com/2014/11/03/is-km-for-you/
This blog by Deborah Elizabeth Finn covers a wide range of issues and ideas. This link points to a page with links to other sites and recommended reading.  Editor Note:  I've followed Ms. Finn's writing since the early 2000s. 

THE CENTER FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN CYBER LEARNING
https://circlcenter.org/new2cl/
From the web site: "New technologies change what and how people learn. Informed by learning science, cyber-learning is the use of new technology to create effective new learning experiences that were never possible or practical before."   Browse the site and do your own learning.

THE COMMUNICATION INITIATIVE
https://www.comminit.com/global/category/sites/global
The mission of the Communication Initiative (The CI) network is "To convene the communication and media development, social and behavioral change community for more effective local, national, and international development action."

THE CULTURE OF COLLECTIVE IMPACT - 2014 ARTICLE
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-culture-of-collective_b_6025536?utm_hp_ref=tw
The article starts with this quote: “It took a lot of time to build trust. People had distrust for years. You can’t undo that in a few meetings” The article focuses on five activities that enhance success of collective impact efforts. Written by former Public Allies CEO in Milwaukee. 

THE NEXT GREAT INTERNET DISRUPTION: AUTHORITY AND GOVERNANCE
http://www.bollier.org/blog/next-great-internet-disruption-authority-and-governance
If you signed the Cluetrain Manifesto in the late 1990s (http://www.cluetrain.com/) you'll be interested to read David Boiller's 2013 article describing a future "networked world" that changes structures of government and governance in many of the same ways as the Internet has changed business models of retail, newspapers, music, etc.

THE RISE OF THE NICHE SOCIAL NETWORK - 2013
https://www.fastcompany.com/3014562/the-rise-of-the-niche-social-network
This 2013 article shows how smaller communities of practice are emerging on the internet to focus on issues of importance to their members. MOOCs can support such niche networks as can content libraries like this one.  

Note: The Tutor/Mentor Connection is an example of a niche network. It has been trying to connect donors, volunteers, business leaders, non profit leaders, students, etc. for more than 25 years.

THE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR WRITING BASED LEARNING (DEPAUL) BLOG
http://ucwbling.chicagolandwritingcenters.org/
From the site: "The University Center for Writing-based Learning promotes the development of writers, writing instruction, written texts, and the use of writing as a powerful and ubiquitous modality of and for learning."  This page points to blog articles written by staff to share ideas with their network.

THE WISDOM OF LINUS TORVALDS - INTERVIEW
https://ideas.ted.com/the-wisdom-of-linus-torvalds/
From the web site: "Linus Torvalds might not be a household name, but pretty much everyone should buy him a drink to thank him for his work on software products such as Linux and Git, the foundation of so much of our computer-related work and play today."  Read more.

THOUGHTS ABOUT COLLECTIVE IMPACT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - 2013
http://www.workingdifferently.org/working-differently-blog/archives/02-2013
Jay Connor's "Working Differently" blog posts offer useful insight on ways people can support collective efforts aimed at solving complex community problems.

TIPPING POINTS COMMUNITY BLOG
http://tippingpointcommunity.blogspot.com/?view=timeslide
This is the blog of an organization "that is passionate about eliminating poverty in the Bay Area."  See the Tipping Point web site at http://www.tippingpoint.org/.

TOM ATLEE BLOG - CO-INTELLIGENCE, PUBLIC WISDOM
http://www.tomatleeblog.com/
Here's how Tom describes what he writes about "I'm interested in conscious evolution as an active and integrated process of personal and social transformation, as well as many subsets of that -- collective intelligence, evolutionary spirituality, wise democracy, emergent economics, etc. My main home website is http://co-intelligence.org."

TOUCHES OF SENSE - BLOG BY FRENCH PROFESSOR CONNECT TO T/MC
http://tachesdesens.blogspot.com/2016/02/mapping-strategy.html
This link points to a 2016 article by Simon Ensor, a professor in France. It illustrates how people in different places are using their own blogs to introduce ideas of Tutor/Mentor Institute and others to their own students and followers. 

TUTORIAL FOR USING HYPOTHES.IS ANNOTATION TOOL - NYC HIVE NETWORK
click here
On-line annotation is a process that supports deeper learning and network building. This is a Google doc serving as a tutorial to bring New York City HIVE network members to a few shared blog articles.  Take a look. 

UNDERSTANDING IMPACT OF CULTURE ON A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
https://www.tonybates.ca/2016/05/15/culture-and-effective-online-learning-environments/
This article is titled "Culture and effective online learning environments" and focuses on on-line learning environments.  the ideas about the impact of culture are relevant to any effort to influence learning, ranging from k-16 formal education, to efforts to educate adults about complex social, environmental or political issues.

VIRTUALLY CONNECTING - WHAT IS IT? WHY ADD IT TO A CONFERENCE?
http://virtuallyconnecting.org/publications/
This link provides information about what Virtually Connecting is, with a list of articles to read to expand your understanding.  In one article this description is offered "Virtually Connecting seeks to enliven virtual participation in academic conferences, widening access to a fuller conference experience for those who cannot be physically present at conferences."

WEBHEADS IN ACTION - COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE ARCHIVE
http://vancestevens.com/papers/evonline2002/webheads.htm
Webheads in Action is a community of practice that connects English as Second Language educators and others from throughout the world in on-going learning, networking and idea sharing. It's been continuously operating since 1998. This page is a hub, with links to many different sites that show the history and current activities of this group. 

WEBHEADS IN ACTION COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE - ESL EDUCATORS
http://webheadsinaction.org/
The Webheads network of ESL educators connects people from around the world in on-going learning and idea sharing. It began in the late 1990s and is one of the world's oldest examples of an on-line community of practice.  Browse the page and YOU can join in any of their activities.

Note: Dan Bassill of Tutor/Mentor Connection/Institute, LLC has been connecting with this group since around 2004.

WEBQUEST - WHAT IS IT?
http://webquest.org/
From the web site: "A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. The model was developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in February, 1995 with early input from SDSU/Pacific Bell Fellow Tom March, the Educational Technology staff at San Diego Unified School District, and waves of participants each summer at the Teach the Teachers Consortium at The Thacher School in Ojai, California." Browse this web site to learn more.

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS WRITING PROJECT
https://www.umass.edu/wmwp/
From the web site: "WMWP is a professional community of teachers who value reflection and inquiry; who care about issues of race, gender, language, class, and culture; who come together to deepen our experience as writers, to share our knowledge and expertise, to transform our practice, to improve student learning, and to develop expertise and leadership. Click "Read more" to see a video about WMWP."

Editor Note: I include links to groups like this even though they are not in the city where I do my work (Chicago) because I feel good ideas for helping kids can be found any where in the world if you take the time to look.

WHAT CONNECTED EDUCATORS DO DIFFERENTLY - BLOG
https://onlinelearninginsights.wordpress.com/2016/06/01/3-takeaways-from-what-connected-educators-do-differently/
From the blog, "How do you stay current, relevant and up-to-date with the new technologies in education? What Connected Educators do Differently has answers for educators looking to start and cultivate a  professional (or personal) learning network (PLN) to stay current and connected. Following are key takeaways from the book and from two other resources that go beyond the basics of starting a PLN."

WHAT I'VE LEARNED BLOG - INTERN WITH TUTOR/MENTOR CONNECTION
http://tutormentorconnection.ning.com/profiles/blogs/final-paper
This blog shows how one Loyola University Chicago student intern spent 12 weeks with Tutor/Mentor Connection in Chicago, learning to use a blog and network to draw attention and support to tutor/mentor programs in Chicago. Our aim is that many interns and students, at high school, and college, level, take this role. Just register on the Ning site to join in.

WORKING OUT LOUD WEEK - ANNUAL EVENT
https://wolweek.com/
From the website: "International Working Out Loud Week promotes the practice of working out loud, which is the practice of sharing work in progress with a relevant community to enable learning and collaboration." Visit the website and read the blog articles to learn more.

WORLD IS OPEN - LINKS LIBRARY AT TRAINING SHARE
http://www.trainingshare.com/resources/weblinks.php
While the links in the library on the Tutor/Mentor Connection site focus specifically on issues related to poverty, volunteering, tutoring/mentoring, etc. the links in the TrainingShare site can take you to knowledge and learning information, curriculum, collections hosted throughout the world. It will take time to become familiar with all of this so book mark the site and visit often.

WORLD OF LEARNING - IDEAS FROM STRIVE NETWORK IN CINCINNATI
https://knowledgeworks.org/resources/
From the web site: "KnowledgeWorks is a national organization committed to providing every learner with meaningful personalized learning experiences that ensure success in college, career and civic life. With a presence in more than 30 states, we develop the capabilities of educators to implement and sustain competency-based and early college schools, partner with federal, state and district leaders to remove policy barriers that inhibit the growth of personalized learning and provide national thought leadership around the future of learning." This link points to the resource library on the website.

WORLD-WIDE COMMUNITY OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS
https://www.ascd.org/
This is the official blog site of ASCD. From the web site:   "ASCD is an educational leadership organization dedicated to advancing best practices and policies for the success of each learner. Our 150,000 members in more than 145 countries are professional educators from all levels and subject areas––superintendents, supervisors, principals, teachers, professors of education, and school board members." This web site hosts communities of educators, on-line learning and a vast range of publications.