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FORUM SCHEDULE:
--2008--
Dec 10: Giving for Good

Nov 12: Hunger
Oct 8: Social Innovation

--2009--
NEXT:
Jan 14: Arts as Vision

Feb 11: Caring
Mar 11: Local Solutions
Apr 8: Water
May 13: Human Power
June 10: Shelter
July 8: Health
Aug 12: Transportation



“Portland needs a public forum for discussion of social challenges, but more important--a place for nurturing action.”
-- Local Agenda NW Participant

 

 

 
 

Join us at the Urban Grind Coffee House in NE Portland for the new, monthly
Social Innovation Forum—a chance to work on social ventures, build your network of like-minded people, and focus on action in a supportive space.

  
 

A Social Innovation Forum designed for action
The new Springboard Social Innovation Forum offers a monthly event designed to support those interested in creating a better future. Our focus is to help practitioners or potential pratictioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action.

The Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and the arts. Speakers, content experts, panels, and workshops will help you improve your strategies for planning and launching effective social ventures. The Forum will create a context to connect, learn, and take action around ideas that lead to tangible change—all in a venue designed for building community.

The next Forum is Wednesday, January 14, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Urban Grind Coffeehouse in NE, corner of NE 22 and NE Oregon.

The January Social Innovation Forum will focus on the arts and how they are a means to soliciting and hearing from those who are outside the traditional spheres of power. Organizations who work with the arts will share models, ideas, and help you think about how the arts should be an essential part of how we all do good work.

--- Read the December 10 Social Innovation Forum Program ---
--- Review the Panelists and Workshop Presenter Bios ---

With economic turmoil spreading from financial markets to local communities, it’s a tough season for raising funds to start or support good causes. Join us on December 10th to explore diverse ideas and new models for “financing the good.”

Panelists representing banking, angel investing, micro-philanthropy, and grant funding will discuss innovative approaches for funding social change that reflect shifts in the way their organizations do business. Specifically, they will highlight opportunities for "average" Portlanders to obtain funding for their social change projects and visions.



During the workshop segment, learn tips and tricks for obtaining one of Portland's community building or environmental grants, discover how community currency can fund social change, talk with a lawyer about how to apply for a 501(c)(3), learn how a social stock market generates seed funding for launching good ideas and how to implement "sustaining strategies."



Held every second Wednesday of the month--same time, same place. This event is free, but space is limited.

Bring your team, your board, your partner, your ideas—computers, free Internet, and experts stand ready to move your social idea forward, along with good, fresh food and drink! Springboard staff and other community members will provide free professional services, expertise, success strategies, and just-in-time support for current and developing projects.

The Forum Schedule and Programs

---2008---
October 8: Social Innovation
November 12: Hunger: We can feed everyone well.
--- Read the November 12 Social Innovation Forum Program ---
--- Check out the Panelists and Workshop Presenter Bios ---
--- Read the Press Release ---

NEXT--> December 10: Financing the Good: Who decides whether you can do good?

---2009---
January 14: Arts as Vision
Februray 11: Caring
March 11: Local Sustainability, Neighborhood Solutions
April 8: Water
May 13: Human Power
June 10: Shelter
July 8: Health
August 12: Transportation

 

What Happens at a Forum?

Each month is focused on a theme that matters to the community. October's "social innovation" is followed by themes such as hunger, water, sustainability, shelter, and the arts. The Forum agenda is designed so that every Forum participant will learn, leave with something useful, and share their own expertise with other.

The Forum is intended to attract people with a wide range of experience and backgrounds, but with a common interest—making a difference. If you are getting tired of waiting for someone else to step up to take on issues you care about, come see how this can be a place to make a difference, here or around the world. We invite people from both the business and non-profit community—investors and activists—to join in, work together, and make this a model for other cities to adopt.

Gallery Exhibit Makes Change Visible
Each month a unique kind of exhibit will open at Urban Grind during the First Friday Central Eastside Art Walk and remain up through the Forum. Each Forum theme will be shared all month through the arts, multi-media, 3D installations, photojournalism, and interactive elements leaving a visual footprint of the stories and ideas coming out of the forum.

Supporters and Allies

Organizations such as MercyCorps NW, Idealist, Life by Design NW, Young Women’s Social Entrepreneurs, Our United Villages, Smeiosis Communications, and many others are on board and will be on hand. Successful social entrepreneurs will join us as examples for what can be accomplished here in Portland and worldwide.

Springboard Innovation is a not-for-profit headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Through a process of “innovation incubation” we help community members launch social change organizations and programs. We invite you to be involved in our newest initiative for change.

 
 
 

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