The Springboard Social Innovation Forum is a new monthly event designed to engage community members in solving local challenges with lasting solutions. This free event promises a mix of conversation, collaboration, and professional support for social venture launchers, all designed to help move good ideas into action.

This month's topic is "Hunger." Hear from gleaners, food educators, school gardeners, state offices, food security policy makers, nutritionists, CSAs and others who are feeding our neighbors---and feeding them well. Join this important conversation to learn where your work overlaps and supports this goal.

In conjunction with the forum, nine local artists have converted refrigerators into creative statements about hunger. Their provocative art installation opens Friday, November 7th from 6-8pm at the Urban Grind and will remain on display through the month of November.

Learn more about our non-profit and the monthly forum at www.springboardinnovation.org

Date: November 12th (every second Wednesday) Topic: Hunger Time: 6-9pm Cost: Free Location: Urban Grind @ 2214 NE Oregon, Portland

Media Contact: Amy Pearl - 503.407.8459

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 for this free event 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."

Panelists: Mark Moffenbier, Shorebank Pacific Mark Holloway, Social Venture Partners Portland Amy Pearl, ChangeXchange Social Stock Market Joy Hunt, Vision into Action Grants

Workshops Angela Southwick, Neighbors West-Northwest Neighborhood Grants Emily Rice, Community Watershed Stewardship Program Environmental Grants Janelle Geddes, Metro Grants John Brown, Rooms for Peace Alan Rosenblith, Community Prosper, community currency Nancy Murray, Community Development Legal Clinic

The forum is sponsored by Portland-based nonprofit, Springboard Innovation. Springboard's mission is to launch community-led community change. The purpose of the forum is to empower "average" Portlanders with the resources and tools needed to take action to solve problems our society is facing.

The Social Innovation Forum provides a facilitated, empowering time and space for proactive community members to unite, learn, gain inspiration, and create innovative strategies that address social and environmental problems in Portland neighborhoods. This month, the forum turns its focus to “caring.” Speakers, including Charles Lewis of Ethos Music and Amy Sacks of the Pixie Project, represent successful social entrepreneurs and people in the community who are leading community change; Workshops will review innovative trends in elevating the value of caring and how to apply these trends to your work and passion.

Unfortunately, caring is something society doesn’t value much. We value numbers, and data. And we almost think caring is a weird thing to say. What does it even mean? This forum will bring caring to the forefront, and talk about how it's a wonderful thing to care, and to say you do. Do we talk about that on our websites? Do we ask others if they care? Do we acknowledge when they do? How do we help people care? When we care, do we act?

Workshops: Engaging Volunteers Effectively, Efficiently, and Appreciatively led by Hands on Portland, Developing a Caring Economy led by Real Wealth of Portland, and Caring--Inspiration to Implementation led by the Giving Tree and Community Warehouse. Guest speakers include Jane Green and Melissa Owens of Children’s Cancer Association, Amy Sacks of the Pixie Project, and Charles Lewis of Ethos Music.

The forum is your chance to talk with others in the community who share your concern. And if you have an idea ready to turn into action, you’ll find experts ready to help you get started. That’s all in keeping with the goal of the Springboard Social Innovation Forum: unleashing the potential of “ordinary” citizens to address local challenges with lasting solutions.

Admission $5 (includes a light supper). To learn more about Portland-based nonprofit Springboard Innovation or to find out about future forum topics, visit www.springboardinnovation.org or contact: [email protected]

June's Forum focuses on sustainability. How do you implement innovation in a way that creates lasting change? How do you preserve and maintain the change you've worked for? This month's forum will guide you through both of these considerations, the two sides of real sustainability. Join us to share your ideas and discuss emerging local and national concepts and projects and how they are sustaining the good! The 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 practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. 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. Cost is $5.00 at the door.

Our July Forum will offer an exciting shift in format. We get to participate in the launch of Family Forward, a new nonprofit focused on inspiring workplaces, communities, and policies that value families.

Did you know that motherhood is the single biggest predictor of poverty in old age? What does this say about our community’s priorities and values? Join us for an evening of thought-provoking discussion about the economics of family-raising, the crisis of care, and what we can do to set a new course in Oregon. We will hear from experienced leaders who are working for family forward change on a number of fronts: employment, parent activism, women’s leadership, state policy, and more. We will work together to develop a new vision for a Family Forward Oregon. Please join us! Date: Wednesday, July 8th Doors open at 5:30pm Forum 6-9pm Cost: $5 Location: Urban Grind East 2214 NE Oregon St.

Come celebrate summer's bounty at the Forum, where in August we'll address "extended harvests." We will be exploring techniques, spaces and technologies that extend growing seasons, increase yield, increase opportunities for local food production and bring the harvest to new places and spaces. Mark your calendars now and please join us!

General Forum Info: The 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 practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. 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.

Who: Springboard Innovation hosts its monthly Social Innovation Forum on Wednesday, March 10th 2010, from 6-9pm. There is limited space for this month’s event, so RSVP is REQUIRED.

What: At the March Springboard Social Innovation we’ll be addressing innovative physical spaces. By creating an active idea laboratory, shared workspace, specifically designed educational programs, appropriate tools, and needed expertise, we can cultivate innovative technology and service-based solutions to shared problems using newly collaborative, enriched strategies that can be replicated in diverse settings globally.

Together MotiveSpace Coalition and Springboard Innovation are creating HATCH, a physical space that will serve as an active laboratory and incubator for community innovation and will foster an entirely new operating system between individuals, organizations, community, tools, and place. The space will offer classrooms, tools, programs, and experts who will work together to solve local and global problems. Tenants of all sectors will work in close proximity in a shared work space that fosters collaboration, community, and participation to generate social and ecological solutions. Join in the conversation and talk with us about HATCH!

Join us for a “working Forum,” where we’ll discuss HATCH and the potential role a physical space can play in solving social and environmental problems.

Mark your calendars now and RSVP today! Space is limited.
Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php
When: March 10, 2010 5:30 Doors Open; appetizers, drinks and networking 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Discussion and Workshops Where: Springboard Innovation’s NEW office Olympic Mills Commerce Center 107 SE Washington Portland, OR 97214 Cost: $10, snacks and drinks included RSVP and Contact: Please contact Mary Grace at (503) 452- 6898 or [email protected] for more information about this event and to RSVP.

About The Social Innovation Forum The 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 practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. 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 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. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php About Springboard Innovation Springboard Innovation (www.springboardinnovation.org) 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.

At the March Springboard Social Innovation we’ll be addressing innovative physical spaces. By creating an active idea laboratory, shared workspace, specifically designed educational programs, appropriate tools, and needed expertise, we can cultivate innovative technology- and service-based solutions to shared problems using newly collaborative, enriched strategies that can be replicated in diverse settings globally.

Together MotiveSpace Coalition and Springboard Innovation are creating HATCH, a physical space that will serve as an active laboratory and incubator for community innovation and will foster an entirely new operating system between individuals, organizations, community, tools, and place. The space will offer classrooms, tools, programs, and experts who will work together to solve local and global problems. Tenants of all sectors will work in close proximity in a shared work space that fosters collaboration, community, and participation to generate social and ecological solutions.

Join us for a “working Forum,” where we’ll discuss HATCH and the potential role a physical space can play in solving social and environmental problems. SPACE IS LIMITED, PLEASE RSVP Please contact Mary Grace at (503) 452-6898 or [email protected] for more information about this event and to RSVP.

The 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 practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. 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 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. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php

About Springboard Innovation: Springboard Innovation (www.springboardinnovation.org) 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.


March 10th 2010 Springboard Social Innovation Forum: Hatch: A New Approach to Incubating Community Innovation Who: Springboard Innovation hosts its monthly Social Innovation Forum on Wednesday, March 10th 2010, from 6-9pm. There is limited space for this month’s event, so RSVP is REQUIRED.

What: At the March Springboard Social Innovation we’ll be addressing innovative physical spaces. By creating an active idea laboratory, shared workspace, specifically designed educational programs, appropriate tools, and needed expertise, we can cultivate innovative technology and service-based solutions to shared problems using newly collaborative, enriched strategies that can be replicated in diverse settings globally.

Together MotiveSpace Coalition and Springboard Innovation are creating HATCH, a physical space that will serve as an active laboratory and incubator for community innovation and will foster an entirely new operating system between individuals, organizations, community, tools, and place. The space will offer classrooms, tools, programs, and experts who will work together to solve local and global problems. Tenants of all sectors will work in close proximity in a shared work space that fosters collaboration, community, and participation to generate social and ecological solutions. Join in the conversation and talk with us about HATCH!

Join us for a “working Forum,” where we’ll discuss HATCH and the potential role a physical space can play in solving social and environmental problems.

Mark your calendars now and RSVP today! Space is limited.
Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php
When: March 10, 2010 5:30 Doors Open; appetizers, drinks and networking 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Discussion and Workshops Where: Springboard Innovation’s NEW office Olympic Mills Commerce Center 107 SE Washington Portland, OR 97214 Cost: $10, snacks and drinks included RSVP and Contact: Please contact Mary Grace at (503) 452- 6898 or [email protected] for more information about this event and to RSVP.

About The Social Innovation Forum The 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 practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. 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 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. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php About Springboard Innovation Springboard Innovation (www.springboardinnovation.org) 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.


March 10th 2010 Springboard Social Innovation Forum: Hatch: A New Approach to Incubating Community Innovation Who: Springboard Innovation hosts its monthly Social Innovation Forum on Wednesday, March 10th 2010, from 6-9pm. There is limited space for this month’s event, so RSVP is REQUIRED.

What: At the March Springboard Social Innovation we’ll be addressing innovative physical spaces. By creating an active idea laboratory, shared workspace, specifically designed educational programs, appropriate tools, and needed expertise, we can cultivate innovative technology- and service-based solutions to shared problems using newly collaborative, enriched strategies that can be replicated in diverse settings globally.

Together MotiveSpace Coalition and Springboard Innovation are creating HATCH, a physical space that will serve as an active laboratory and incubator for community innovation and will foster an entirely new operating system between individuals, organizations, community, tools, and place. The space will offer classrooms, tools, programs, and experts who will work together to solve local and global problems. Tenants of all sectors will work in close proximity in a shared work space that fosters collaboration, community, and participation to generate social and ecological solutions. Join in the conversation and talk with us about HATCH!

Join us for a “working Forum,” where we’ll discuss HATCH and the potential role a physical space can play in solving social and environmental problems.

Mark your calendars now and RSVP today! Space is limited.
Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php
When: March 10, 2010 5:30 Doors Open; appetizers, drinks and networking 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Discussion and Workshops Where: Springboard Innovation’s NEW office Olympic Mills Commerce Center 107 SE Washington Portland, OR 97214 Cost: $10, snacks and drinks included RSVP and Contact: Please contact Mary Grace at (503) 452- 6898 or [email protected] for more information about this event and to RSVP.

About The Social Innovation Forum The 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 practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. 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 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. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php About Springboard Innovation Springboard Innovation (www.springboardinnovation.org) 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.

April 14th 2010 Springboard Social Innovation Forum: Exploring Impact Investing Who: Springboard Innovation hosts its monthly Social Innovation Forum on Wednesday, March 14th 2010, from 6-9pm. There is limited space for this month’s event, so RSVP is REQUIRED.

What: Join us as we explore the concepts of impact investing. From socially responsible investing to micro-finance to seed funding social ventures, these strategies have experienced new interest and attention. What's working, what have we learned, and what are the new ideas being brought to the table--we'll dig in to all of this and more?

Experts will help explain the variations on this theme and deconstruct the lingo. Speakers include Malaika Maphalala, Fincancial Advisor with Natural Investments, LLC, who will provide an overview of the field of Socially Responsible and Green Investing. If you are involved in change, impact investing is something you need to understand.

Come join us and find out how to fund solutions to the social and environmental challenges of our time while generating healthy returns.

Mark your calendars now and RSVP today! Space is limited.
Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php
When: April 14, 2010 5:30 Doors Open; appetizers, drinks and networking 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Discussion and Workshops Where: Surprise Location! TBD Cost: $10, snacks and drinks included RSVP and Contact: Please contact Mary Grace at (503) 452- 6898 or [email protected] for more information about this event and to RSVP.

About The Social Innovation Forum The 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 practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. 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 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. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php About Springboard Innovation Springboard Innovation (www.springboardinnovation.org) 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.

Who: Springboard Innovation hosts its monthly Social Innovation Forum on Wednesday, March 14th 2010, from 6-9pm. There is limited space for this month’s event, so RSVP is REQUIRED.

What: Join us as we explore the concepts of impact investing. From socially responsible investing to micro-finance to seed funding social ventures, these strategies have experienced new interest and attention. What's working, what have we learned, and what are the new ideas being brought to the table--we'll dig in to all of this and more?

Experts will help explain the variations on this theme and deconstruct the lingo. Speakers include Malaika Maphalala, Fincancial Advisor with Natural Investments, LLC, who will provide an overview of the field of Socially Responsible and Green Investing. If you are involved in change, impact investing is something you need to understand.

Come join us and find out how to fund solutions to the social and environmental challenges of our time while generating healthy returns.

Mark your calendars now and RSVP today! Space is limited. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php

When: April 14, 2010 5:30 Doors Open; appetizers, drinks and networking 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Discussion and Workshops

Where: Surprise Location! TBD

Cost: $10, snacks and drinks included

RSVP and Contact: Please contact Mary Grace at (503) 452- 6898 or [email protected] for more information about this event and to RSVP.

About The Social Innovation Forum: The 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 practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. 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 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. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php

About Springboard Innovation Springboard Innovation (www.springboardinnovation.org) 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.

Who: Springboard Innovation hosts its monthly Social Innovation Forum on Wednesday, May 12th 2010, from 6-9pm. Due to limited space, RSVP is REQUIRED.

What: Join us after the ReVisioning Value Conference to learn about social entrepreneurship and social enterprise. How is social enterprise/business different from a traditional non-profit? What benefits and challenges does it offer? How does it tie into impact investing and new legal structures? Speakers and experts will facilitate discussion and learning. Join us!

Mark your calendars now and RSVP today! Space is limited. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php

When: May 12, 2010 5:30 Doors Open; appetizers, drinks and networking 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Discussion and Workshops

Where: The Think Tank in the Olympic Mills Commerce Building, 107 SE Washington, Portland, or, 97214

Cost: $10, snacks and drinks included

RSVP and Contact: Please contact Mary Grace at (503) 452- 6898 or [email protected] for more information about this event and to RSVP.

About The Social Innovation Forum: The 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 practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. 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 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. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php

About Springboard Innovation Springboard Innovation (www.springboardinnovation.org) 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.

Who: Springboard Innovation hosts its monthly Social Innovation Forum on Wednesday, May 12th 2010, from 6-9pm. There is limited space for this month’s event, so RSVP is REQUIRED.

What: ReVV 2010 is over, and it's time to discuss how to foster new models for change. What do we need to know? What resources and best practice should we be aware of? Let's talk more about social entrepreneurship and social enterprise. How is social enterprise/business different from creating a traditional nonprofit? What benefits and challenges does it offer? How does it tie into impact investing and new legal structures? Speakers and experts will facilitate discussion and learning.

We are delighted to present two regional experts who have rich backgrounds in both research and academia, as well as practical experience in enterprise development:

Kim Alter, Founder, Virtue Ventures and Venturesource, a brand new resource for social entrepreneurs.

Rob Wiltbank, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University and venture partner with Montlake Capital. Kim has been teaching at the Said Business School in Oxford for the last few years, has consulted with social ventures in over 40 countries, and is an author and leader in the field. Fresh from the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, Kim will share her experience in social ventures.

Rob presented at a breakout session at ReVV AND conducted a post-conference workshop and was counted as having shared one the seven key ideas identified from the conference. We're thrilled he has agreed to join us to share his research, and the very compelling implications is has for impact investing.

Don't miss this forum! Space is limited. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php

When: May 12th, 2010 5:30 Doors Open; appetizers, drinks and networking 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Discussion and Workshops

Where: The "Think Tank" at Olympic Mills Commerce Center

Cost: $10, snacks and drinks included

RSVP and Contact: Please contact Mary Grace at (503) 452- 6898 or [email protected] for more information about this event and to RSVP.

About The Social Innovation Forum: The 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 practitioners of social projects push beyond discussion and debate into action. Each Forum will inspire and teach with ideas, powerful role models, and stories. 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 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. Learn more about the Forum at www.springboardinnovation.org/forum.php

About Springboard Innovation Springboard Innovation (www.springboardinnovation.org) 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.

Re VV2011 is a how-to conference experience for directors and staff from enterprise (nonprofits and for-profits), finance, foundations, and funders who will join educational institutions, community leaders, government, and people looking to make a difference. Six Big Themes (Impact Investing, Strategy, Metrics, Innovation, Start-Up, Ecosystem) drive the conference design. Spend time with international experts, and build community.

In May, IDEO.org and +Acumen will once again be offering their highly regarded free 9-week online course, Design Kit: Course for Human-Centered Design. As we do regularly, Portland Community Design Thinkers will be hosting a special meetup on May 6, where we'll explain what the course is about and what you can expect from it. And for those interested in participating, we'll help you form teams of local colleagues with whom you can work, which we've found vastly improves both completion rates and the experience as a whole.

Created by IDEO.org for those who are relatively new to design thinking, +Acumen's free Design Kit: Course for Human-Centered Design is probably one of the best and most immersive resources anywhere for getting up to speed on the nuts and bolts of HCD. This meetup is specifically for those interested in learning more about the course and helping to form working teams. Please note PCDT is not managing this course -- you'll be on your own for that. But we're keen to give anyone interested a leg up in getting off to the best possible start with a group of other eager local participants, and you're welcome to use our own Slack channel for course communication and organizing, as many groups have previously done.

Read more about the course at the below link.

In brief, it's a nine-week online FREE curriculum that will introduce participants to the concepts of human-centered design and how this approach can be used to create innovative, effective, and sustainable solutions.

During those nine weeks, you'll work online (and off) with a group of 2-6 people, learning the HCD process by applying it to one of three pre-crafted real world design challenges. (You'll also have a choice to craft your own challenge.) Each week you will explore the fundamental concepts through readings, case studies, and short videos. Then you'll meet in-person with your design team to get your hands dirty practicing the relevant human-centered design methods.

Let's get as many teams together as we can for the next course! Read more at this link: http://www.plusacumen.org/courses/introduction-human-centered-design

In January, Portland Community Design Thinkers gathered to examine how mobile devices and apps are designed to hijack our attention in ways that are not aligned with users’ best interests but, rather, mainly with the interests of advertisers. In that session, we explored how “engagement,” the chief currency of Silicon Valley, has become inextricably linked with the hidden design practices that prioritize user time on platform above all other considerations.

Managing our own ability to ignore these digital distractions is difficult enough; but it becomes vastly more difficult when we must do so for our children as well, who are growing up in a world in which these device mediate nearly every aspect of their social, psychological (and, increasingly, their educational) lives. How do parents and families take back control of their homes -- and their children's futures -- from the Silicon Valley tech giants whose primary concern is maximizing "time on platform" and delivering users' eyeballs to advertisers? There is so much at stake. Cyber bullying, inappropriate texts, social anxiety, depression, ubiquitous porn, and screen addictions are just a few of the issues that might affect our children.

There are certainly benefits to using mobile devices. But how can parents and young children assure they remain the masters of these devices rather than servants to them? How do parents assure they are leading by example to create tech-healthy families?

On May 21, we'll reconvene to consider just these questions. We'll be joined by two Portland subject matter experts, both of whom provide counseling, workshops and proven strategies for parents to help children manage screen time and find balance in the digital age.

Richard Halpern is a Portland-based Parent Educator and Counselor, and the founder of Coach4Parents, providing workshops and parenting strategy sessions to help manage screen time, and to reduce screen dependence, for kids of all ages.

Andrea Davis and her husband, Tyler, are the parents of five kids. Together, they've created BetterScreenTime, a resource for any parent who believes screen time can be a positive experience and who wants to prepare their children for that privilege in the best way possible. It’s for the parent who knows screen time will never be perfect, but believes it can be better.

Join us on May 21 for an interactive discussion. As always, we'll have food and drink on hand from our sponsor, LUMA Institute, some door prize giveaways, and some networking and socializing time prior to and after the presentation.