Don't miss this: Harvard webinars on public and nonprofit social innovation.
Beginning this Thursday, July 29, the Harvard Kennedy School is letting the public sit in on candid conversations between pairs of social innovation leaders as part of its Power of Social Innovation Series. The webinars will be free with advance registration and, after the conversation, will allow the audience to interact with the presenters. Topics include how government funding affects innovation within social service delivery systems, what happens when social entrepreneurship and government interact, and how to build and mobilize member-based organizations.
Full details and registration information here.
The Role of Procurement in Social Innovation Funding
July 29 from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm (EDT)
Converse with Linda Gibbs of New York City and David Gragan of Washington DC, two experienced city government officials who have committed their careers to both public service and unlocking the potential of innovation to drive progress. They will share their experiences promoting, from inside government, innovation within social service delivery systems often dominated by government funding and rules.
The Mandate and Caution of Engaging the Government
August 3 from 12 pm to 1 pm (EDT)
Two nationally known social entrepreneurs, YouthBuild USA's Dorothy Stoneman and J.B. Schramm of College Summit, will share years of insight into the challenges and rewards of interacting with government—from school superintendents to state-level cabinet agencies to members of U.S. Congress. How has their view of scale and the role of government in their work evolved? What lessons have they learned along the way?
Mobilization and Member-based Organizations for Social Change
August 12 from 1 pm to 2 pm (EDT)
Hear from two exciting organizers, Sara Horowitz of Freelancers Union and Maya Enista of Mobilize.org, who are deftly growing their impact through two seemingly dissimilar platforms: labor organization and digital media. We will hear their lessons learned regarding the potential of member-based associations, how initially to bring people together, the tension between advocacy and collaboration with government, and the future of organizing in a digital age.
Ample time will be set aside for audience Q&A.