In today’s society, many professionals and corporations are giving back to their communities. By becoming socially responsible, these people are making a difference in both the environment and within their own communities.
Several networking organizations exist to bring together these professionals to educate, share resources, network and collaborate with the goal of making the world a better place. Take notice of these organizations because they are bound to make a difference in your community.
Net Impact
Net Impact, which was originally founded in 1993 as Students for Responsible Business, is an organization that brings together more than 11,000 M.B.A. students and professionals. Its mission is “to foster a new generation of leaders who use the power of business to create a better world.”
Net Impact is an international organization with more than 100 chapters. It is comprised of 15 city-based chapters, 17 international chapters and more than 70 M.B.A. school chapters. Midwest chapters include Chicago and Cleveland.
Net Impact helps members to use their business skills for positive social change by providing education, career resources, events and an international network. Each chapter puts on a variety of events including topics such as social cases, business plan competitions, a speaker series and career panels.
Its programs not only allow members to enhance their business network but also broaden their business education, refine their leadership skills and pursue their professional goals.
In 2004, the Chicago chapter was formed, which already has 300 members and is growing. A unique and ongoing program that this chapter facilitates is its “Net Impact Non-Profit Advisors,” which matches Net Impact professionals with local non-profit organizations for short-term engagements.
“Chicago is one of the thought leaders in the world regarding corporate social responsibility. It was a natural fit to start a Net Impact chapter here,” said Mark Mastroianni of B2P Commerce, a leadership team member from 2004 to 2005. “I believe this to be true about Chicago because of the many graduate programs in the city instructing these tenets as well as the social enterprises that call Chicago their home.”
Social Venture Partners
Social Venture Partners was created in 1997 in Seattle with the vision “to build a philanthropic community using a model that paralleled venture capital practices.” Known as “venture philanthropy,” its intention is to develop the capacity and sustainability of local non-profits through long-term and highly engaged investments of money, resources and business expertise.
As of February 2005, Social Venture Partners has 23 chapters across North America, more than 1,600 partners (members who contribute financially), more than $16 million in contributions and 121 non-profit engagements. Midwest chapters include Chicago, Cleveland, Minnesota and St. Louis.
Each chapter is comprised of people who want to have a positive impact in their communities by making meaningful contributions to non-profit organizations through their skills, time and financial resources.
The shared mission of the partners is to “catalyze significant, long-term positive social change in their communities by educating individuals to be well informed, effective and engaged philanthropists and investing time, expertise and money in innovative non-profits to collaboratively strengthen their organizations.”
Each chapter typically requires its partners to make an annual contribution of at least $5,000, which is used for investing in projects with local non-profits. The investments are geared toward helping non-profits address a variety of issues such as children and education, early childhood and youth development and the environment.
Social Venture Partners Chicago was formed in 2004, currently has 14 partners and focuses on projects that empower the individuals who seek assistance from non-profits.
“I joined Social Venture Partners Chicago because in coming together with a diverse group of partners, we are able to provide a broad range of expertise to the investee organization (non-profits seeking assistance),” said Rebekah Kohmescher of Altair Advisers and a founding partner of Social Venture Partners Chicago.
Green Drinks
Green Drinks, which was founded in London in 1989, is an informal gathering of people who work in the environmental field and meet monthly for drinks in more than 70 cities across the world. Midwest cities include Chicago, Champaign-Urbana, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Participants are a diverse group of individuals with professional backgrounds in non-governmental organizations, academia, government and business. They have professional and personal interests in sustainability topics.
Chicago Green Drinks, which was inspired by the original gatherings in London, was started in 2003. Each month, between 70 and 100 people get together in Chicago who have an interest in environmental and sustainability issues.
Each Chicago Green Drinks event features a panel discussion that’s meant to provide information and initiate further discussion. Recent topics have included municipal recycling, smart urban growth, water management, local living economies, green cleaning and home products.
Final Thought
By becoming involved with organizations that promote social responsibility, you have the chance to make a difference in your community while building some quality relationships. Differentiating your networking is a good idea so long as you believe in the cause of these socially responsible groups.
