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“I was tired of doing 'good' but not creating or supporting sustainable change that addresses the people and problems I've been seeing.”
—Local Agenda NW
Participant

“It's a creative catalyst for individuals and the whole community...
keeps action local and thoughts global.”
-- Local Agenda NW Participant

“This is a great class to learn how to generate business ideas to fill social/environmental needs. Every class is intense and exhilarating, and you'll walk out with a basis for a business plan, contacts, and a nurturing network to help keep you going. You'll have a toolbox you can keep for life.”
-- Local Agenda NW Participant

We invite you to join us as we introduce a new opportunity to Portland, Oregon.
A chance to shift a career, move a project into high gear,
or develop a novel idea into a sustained solution.

Mercy Corps NW Hosts Local Agenda NW

Local Agenda NW Program Outline

In each workshop, learners examine a story case study, learn and apply specific strategies, and build innovation into each step of your plan. But this is no armchair study. Participants learn while working on the idea between workshops. Community engagement is built into the experience, and is an essential piece of the preparation. Consultants provide support along the way. Guest speakers share their expertise. The first series of workshops are followed by additional workshops for follow-up support and troubleshooting help.

#1 - SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: IS THIS FOR YOU? A KICK OFF
Introductions and expectations – what is this course all about? Focus on key concepts of social entrepreneurship. Discuss theories of change. Meet social entrepreneurs. Case study: Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank.

#2 - IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES: VISION DEVELOPMENT
Identify your vision of the world in which you want to live. Identify personal strengths and passions. Create a personal manifesto and a sense of purpose and an area of concern.

#3 - PROFILES IN STRATEGY, TOOLS OF SUCCESS
Hear from a panel of local social entrepreneurs who will discuss strategy, start up, idea selection, and sustaining strategies. Listen for ideas you can copy-paste and use in your planning. Also, log onto the Local Agenda Web site and begin using the online space for progress.

#4 - MAPPING THE UNJUST SYSTEM
Learn one of our key practices, "3C Mapping." Understand the system of equilibrium that stabilizes the unjust and suffering. What are the factors of the system that keep solutions at bay and maintains the suffering? Which factor could you take on?

#5 – WHAT CHANGE DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD?
Refine your goals based on a clear understanding of the system you are trying to impact. Work on defining your objective for taking action. Clarify the audience you wish to serve.

#6 - INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS – Part A
Dig into ideas and innovation, and learn and apply creativity practices. This workshop is the idea generation evening, where ideas abound. The first of two workshops on developing “the Project Idea.” Case study: Mimi Silbert and Delancey Street.

#7 - SUSTAINING THE GOOD
Learn the Super Strategies©. Identify those that might work best within your chosen domain. Connect sustaining strategies to your possible innovation. Case study: Dr V. and David Green.

CONSULTANCIES BEGIN – Learners chedule time with Springboard staff and other experts over the upcoming weeks for idea refinement and development.

#8 – INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS – Part B
This second innovation workshop helps firm up the earlier ideas and hone them to better align with your objective.

MILESTONE A: DECLARING YOUR INTENTIONS (Mini-kick-off)
Learners hold a mini-kick off in their neighborhood for friends and interested strangers, gathering their own group of supporters and declaring their intent to those who surround them and are a part of their everyday life.

#9 – VISUALIZE THE FUTURE EQUILIBRIUM: WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?
Learn to model your solution and develop clear outcomes—learn how to know if it’s working. What would success look like? Understand evaluation in mission-driven work.

#10 – IDENTIFYING NEEDS, RESOURCE NETWORKS
Focus on identifying available assets (personal, local, regional, etc.), project likely partners, imagine and create value. Asset mapping of your personal resource network. Learn where to find seed and other funding.

#11 - THE VALUE PROPOSITION: SHARING THE IDEA
Learn how to tell your story and ask for what you need, compel others, build motivation, and communicate your idea orally. Practice with the group and get feedback.

MILESTONE B: SHARED KNOWLEDGE
Present to an invited audience. We all invite a special audience of experts, friends, and interested strangers to listen to launcher's ideas, provide one-on-one feedback, answer questions, and help them build your case.

#12 – FINALIZING THE IDEA: FROM GOOD TO BETTER
Take stock of the feedback you’ve received and what new ideas you had as a result of presenting. Put it together in a final presentation and form.

CELEBRATE! - Scheduled as an informal party - after the public declaration a celebration is deserved!

FOLLOW UP WORKSHOPS
Throughout 2008 we will hold follow-up workshops on key topics: Marketing Your Message, Teambuilding and Leadership, Pushing the Envelope--innovation touchpoints for your project. We bring in experts who are invested in your success. These are based on your needs, and maintain momentum. Examples follow:

#13 PLANNING SUCCESS: THE PLAN
Workshop on completing the HSVP. Expert consultants in planning, legal, and insurance issues will be available to assist your work and provide advice.

MILESTONE C: Publish the plan
The plan is your lifeline to evaluation, communication—action. A printed plan is a statement of love and commitment like no other. This is what makes it real. Local Agenda is designed to facilitate the development of a hybrid mission-driven business plan that will be necessary for your progress.

#14 – LEVERAGING NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Bring your experiences and learn to imagine new ways of bringing in resources and allies.

• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Springboard Innovation hosts the Springboard Social Innovation Forum, a monthly forum for continued work and support across the spectrum of community actions and engagement.

Contribute Your Expertise and Nurture a Change Agent in Your Community

We are seeking people with expertise in a wide range of areas. Share your experiences, advice, and skills with those who are planning to take on local challenges. They're stepping up to innovate for the public good--you can provide needed support!

Call us to engage! PHONE - 503.452-6898