Start Something Challenge-Kickoff Monday Oct. 15 in Orange, NJ

I'm a big fan of Rising Tide Capital (www.risingtidecapital.org), a nonprofit that helps train, empower, and connect NJ entrepreneurs to opportunities.  I volunteer with them every few months since they have great "pro bono consulting events" - where even if you don't have time for a 10 hour/week engagement like with Taproot, you can still take an evening to use your business skills for good, locally.

Anyway, check this out!

 

You are cordially invited to The Start Something Challenge Kick-off Join Rising Tide Capital, Chase and the Orange Board of Education for a networking reception to launch the Start Something Challenge--an opportunity for New Jersey's entrepreneurs to pursue their business dreams. WHAT:     The Start Something Challenge Kick-off WHEN: October 15, 2012, 6-9 PM  WHO:       Start Something Challenge Competition entrants and Featured Speakers: Elaina Watley, Founder & CEO, Brand Infinite; Kim Jasmin, Vice President for Global Philantropy, JPMorgan Chase; Joe Dempsey, President, Middle Market Banking for JPMorgan Chase     WHERE: Orange Scholars Academy (Our Lady of Mount Carmel), 268 Capuchin Way, Orange, NJ 07050 ***Location Changed Refreshments will be served

Code for America: NYC Brigade Meetup Sept 20

If you are a fan of Code for America and want to get involved in New York then now is the time to start!

There is now a Brigade Meetup for New York.  The next one is Sept. 20, 5-7 pm

This is an open call for all NYC Coders/Designers/Digital Strategists!
The Big Apple has long been an east coast center for tech and innovation. Let's use our skills and experience to do some good for a change.

Location:

Blue Ridge Foundation 150 Court St., Floor 2

Brooklyn, New York (map)

Our first meetup: Introduction to NYC Brigade
Conference room: Smalls
Train Directions:
2/3, 4/5, R to Borough Hall
F/G to Bergen St. (less walking)
A/C to Jay St.

Directions: Blue Ridge Foundation offices are located right above the CVS; it’s a clear door with their sign on it. You can just come up to the second floor, (grey door). When you arrive, ask the guard about the room (smalls) and he will gladly show you.

Contact info for getting involved: brigade-info at codeforamerica dotorg 

Also note the September 28 Code for Change event in partnership with NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service: http://applicationsforgood.org/blog/code-for-change/

There are some great challenges lined up from both NYC gov and non-profits based in New York. We need coders, designers, data scientists, and other technologists to step up to the challenges. The competition offers prizes of cash, mentorships, working space, classes and access to venture capital. It's a chance to good and do well at the same time!

Actionable Networking with Magnet, Sept 18

If I weren't singing with the Young New Yorker's Chorus (we rehearse Tuesday nights September-June), I would be at this event:

RSVP: http://magnet4.eventbrite.com/ ($25 plus Eventbrite fee)

Tuesday, Sept. 18 from 7-9 pm

Location: 
Projective Spaces
72 Allen Street
3rd Floor 
New York, NY 

Here's your chance to come to an event with a question you want to have answered and actually have it answered.

It's a way to utilize the networks of 30 people you don't know and make meaningful connections along the way.

The idea is doing more than just getting to know each other, but seeing how we can help and support each other.
Your ticket includes beer, wine and food that we provide.


Here's how it works:

• You tell us an opportunity you need filled, for example:

• Does anyone know a great Wordpress designer?
• Does anyone know a top notch designer that's looking for a full-time gig and has experience doing mobile apps?
• Does anyone know a developer capable of setting up a site with social platforms and a sales platform?

It can be anything!

• Once at the event, your question will be on a sheet of paper and have a number associated with it: (1, 2, 3, etc). You’ll have a name tag with the number of your question.
• Everyone’s task will be to look at the board of opportunities and select at least 3 people you’d like to help, in whatever capacity. You write your number on a Post-It note and slap it on the question you can help with
• You have to find the people you want to help and connect with them. At the same time people will be looking for you, offering connections and support.

In the end, your sheet will look something like:




Our ability to simultaneously pursue our own goals while being mindful and supportive of other people’s goals is fundamental to human life - so fundamental, in fact that we have trouble turning it off. - Clay Shirky

Bassam Tarazi & Jason Wisdom
Like Magnet on Facebook

Magnet. It's actionable networking for the 21st Century

StartingBloc & NY+Acumen Mixer Sept. 27

As a fan of StartingBloc and Acumen Fund, I'm excited to share this event info!
Happy networking,
Katharine
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StartingBloc is partnering with NY+Acumen, Acumen Fund's NYC community, for a happy hour mixer. This is not only a great opportunity to connect with local Fellows but also a great chance to mingle with other folks who are passionate about investing in social enterprises for global impact. To learn more about NY+Acumen check out their website: http://ny.plusacumen.org/about/

Event details:
When: Thurs, Sept 27, 7 - 9pm
Where: SNAP
             248 W 14th St

And if that's not enough to entice you, there will be drink specials - $5 drafts, $5 specialty SNAP shots, $6 well vodka and house wine. 

RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/events/240347116088185/St

Sept 20 - public speaking class

One of my friends is leading a class on public speaking later this month (September 20).  I can vouch for the quality of instruction since Zach Williams helped me with a video for a contest I entered in summer 2010: http://vimeo.com/17032108

Check it out -

Public Speaking Class

Description: The class will be a combination of lecture, group exercises, and individual coaching. Material will cover basics such as anxiety management, body language, eye contact, vocal projection, and audience connection.

Date/Time: Thursday 9/20 at 7pm-9:30pm.
Location: 36 Street Studio, 260 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor, Room C, between 7th & 8th Avenue in Manhattan
Cost: $20

Instructor: Zach Williams, MBA, Public Speaking Coach

Email: zach at artofpresentationconsulting dotcom

Phone: 310-701-3414

Website: www.artofpresentationconsulting.com

Acumen Fund events in NY

Tired of hearing bad news about the financial markets?  Check out Acumen Fund, a nonprofit that uses a "venture capital" style model to invest in social enterprises that sustainably serve the poor.  It's really inspiring: www.acumenfund.org (or see their community site, http://community.acumenfund.org).

Acumen Fund upcoming events in NY are as follows.

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Acumen Fund Global Fellows Event
Wednesday, September 12th, 6pm - 8pm
Kaufman Management Centre
44 West 4th Street, New York
Please RSVP at ny@plusacumen.org

Each year, Acumen Fund trains 10 leaders through their Global Fellows Program and sends them to work at one of their investments in East Africa and South Asia for nine months. The Fellows have just returned from their time in the field and are coming to NYU to share their experiences and lead interactive breakout sessions. The event will be followed by pizza and networking.

NY+acumen Acumen 101 & Volunteer Recruiting Meeting
Tuesday, September 18th, 7pm
Acumen Fund Office
76 Ninth Avenue, Suite 315, New York
RSVP REQUIRED: please e-mail ny@plusacumen.org

Acumen 101s are a great introduction to the work of Acumen Fund, and will answer questions such as: What is patient capital? How does Acumen Fund choose and make investments, and, what has been the impact of Acumen Fund's work over the past 11 years?

This particular 101 will be followed by a volunteer recruiting meeting, as we ramp up for our annual fundraiser, Dignity 2012. If you're interested with NY+acumen through the end of the year, your should definitely attend this event to learn more about specific ways to get involved in one of our event planning committees. 

NY+acumen Fundraising Happy Hour
Save the date: Thursday, October 11th

Join us for happy hour and come support the NY+acumen team as we get directly behind the bar to raise awareness for the Acumen mission at Chelsea Manor. A portion of the proceeds will directly benefit Acumen Fund.

DataGotham Sept 13-14

NYC is a great place to do data science.  If you agree...or if you disagree and want to debate this, check out DataGotham: www.datagotham.com

Description:

Drew Conway, Hilary Mason, Mike Dewar and John Myles White will bring together professionals from finance to fashion and from startups to the Fortune 500.  This day-and-a-half
event will consist of intense discussion, networking, and sharing of wisdom, and will take place September 13th-14th at NYU Stern. 




Tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3833714744
The cost is about $500, but it's 50% off for academics and nonprofits.