Hi Everyone,

Thanks for joining our group!

For months, people have been meeting in Chicago to generally discuss civic engagement and meet new people. About 200+ people have been on board at one point or another, participating in projects, attending events, supporting each other's organizations or campaigns, etc.

Most of the discussion takes place over on our google groups page: groups.google.com/group/chicagoidealistnetwork.

For now, until this group gets going, I'd encourage everyone to head over to the google groups page and post your messages, push projects, solicit volunteers, raise issues, etc.

Best,
dave m. and friends of chi idealist net

I couldn't get in through that link.
This works:
http://groups.google.com/group/chicagoidealistnetwork/

Debra

It's true! I just edited it.. Thanks!

I lead the Tutor/Mentor Connection (http://www.tutormentorconnection.org ) which support the growth of volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs throughout the Chicago region. One of the programs we support is a program we operate in the Cabrini-Green area, called Cabrini Connections (http://www.cabriniconnections.net)

The tutor/mentor community is a sub set of the larger youth development, workforce development, afterschool and violence prevention network of youth serving organizations in the Chicago region. While we all have common issues of governance, fund raising, volunteer recruitment, we also have issues common to working with volunteers in tutor/mentor programs, sustaining long-term commitments, etc. Thus, the T/MC seeks to draw programs with common interest together, via conferences, its own web site, blogs such as http://tutormentor.blogspot.com , etc.

I look foward to networking here with the larger non profit community of Chicago and beyond.