The book titled, The Spider and the Starfish,  illustrates the T/MC role as a catalyst in building a decentralized network of leaders who support volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs.

Role of Catalyst in Building Network. In a book the role of a catalyst who inspires the growth of a decentralized network of people focused on a common goal is described.  This is a role Cabrini Connections, and the Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC) have taken since 1993. The chart below illustrates how volunteers and leaders reaching into their own networks on a regular basis, can draw volunteers, donors, partners, etc. to information hubs like the http://www.tutormentorconnection.org web site, then on to various neighborhoods in Chicago, or any other city, where they become volunteers, donors, leaders, etc. at existing programs, or where they help form new programs to fill voids.  In a single program, where each volunteer works one-on-one with a student, and all students are different, this same concept applies. The volunteer is accessing all of the resources of the program, and fellow volunteers, to find ways to help the youth take charge of his/her own future.

When you invite people you know to look at this page, or attend a T/MC conference, you are a catalyst, who connects people you know to information and ideas that they can use to help end poverty, improve education, and make life brighter for youth born in poverty.

As leaders in various industries, colleges and faith communities begin to encourage members of their network to become volunteers at various tutor/mentor programs, these volunteers will become new leaders who tell other people about their experiences and encourage their own involvement.

As volunteers with a common background, such as arts, technology, same university, same church, etc., begin to form circles, they share ideas with each other, and inspire greater and more creative involvement in tutor/mentor programs throughout the city.

As we facilitate this process, we begin a form of appreciative inquiry, where groups of people ask "what works, what does not work, and, what can we as a group to make it work better, and in more places?"  As this happens, these groups will become new leaders to work to draw more volunteers, dollars, technology, etc., to tutor/mentor programs throughout big cities like Chicago.

If you agree with this vision, we encourage you to invest in it with your time, talent and dollars. email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or introduce yourself at the tutormentor.blogspot.com blog, or the www.tutormentorconnection.org web site.