Phenomenal approach to giving charitably. I was able to benefit from Doris Buffett’s gift to Louise Sawyer’s class at Tufts University, and am thrilled to hear that Louise and Doris have grown this into something bigger: a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) where participants learn about giving and then give. Watch the video (it’s cute and descriptive) and then learn more on the Learning by Giving website. 

Bringing Policy to the Table: New Food Strategies for a Healthier Society

imageThis morning, we’re launching the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy at Teachers College, Columbia University and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund’s Healthy Food & Community Change Initiative. The conference, Bringing Policy to the Table: New Food Strategies for a Healthier Society, features an incredible lineup of participants who hold positions in public office, philanthropy, nonprofits, and health entities. 

Want to learn more? The event is over capacity, but join us from the comfort of your computer! Tune into the livestream beginning at 8:45am, and tweet with us using #tcfood. 

Editorially, I’ve worked hard on this event, and I think it will feature fantastic conversation and ideas. Very worth joining in, or at least sharing with a friend or two!

The Web-Deprived Study at McDonald's

Yikes. What a conundrum. People increasingly need the internet to help complete school assignments, research and apply for jobs, stay current with the news, and be connected with their networks. Not everyone can afford Internet, so they look for places offering free WiFi. Cue McDonald’s, the home-base for all things unhealthy, to offer that service at more than 12,000 locations. Health issues are tied to economic status. If you’re going to McDonald’s to use their free WiFi, you’re in a demographic that is at higher risk for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. This is not the greatest scenario. But, who else is stepping up?

The Super Bowl statistic we aren’t talking about. via The Enliven Project: 1 out of 6 men on the field next Sunday could be survivors of sexual violence. That’s right, 1 out of 6. Just to be clear, we don’t know whether specific players have had specific experiences.  We simply want to you to look at the men in your class, the men in your family, and the men on your favorite sports team with this statistic in mind. Too much shame and stigma exists for all victims of sexual violence. But the stigma is even greater for men, many of whom believe they should have been able to protect themselves or fear that friends and family members will think less of them if they come forward. There have been a handful of brave and courageous men – R.A. Dickey, Tyler Perry, Scott Brown, and Keyon Dooling to name a few – who have stepped forward and are generous in sharing their stories and experiences so that others can be less afraid to break silence.  But these men are not the exception.  And their stories are more common than you think. I respect and support this awareness campaign. Share if you do, too.
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The Super Bowl statistic we aren’t talking about.

via The Enliven Project:

1 out of 6 men on the field next Sunday could be survivors of sexual violence.

That’s right, 1 out of 6.

Just to be clear, we don’t know whether specific players have had specific experiences.  We simply want to you to look at the men in your class, the men in your family, and the men on your favorite sports team with this statistic in mind.

Too much shame and stigma exists for all victims of sexual violence. But the stigma is even greater for men, many of whom believe they should have been able to protect themselves or fear that friends and family members will think less of them if they come forward.

There have been a handful of brave and courageous men – R.A. Dickey, Tyler Perry, Scott Brown, and Keyon Dooling to name a few – who have stepped forward and are generous in sharing their stories and experiences so that others can be less afraid to break silence.  But these men are not the exception.  And their stories are more common than you think.

I respect and support this awareness campaign. Share if you do, too.

Chris has been watching math videos (huh?!), so I tuned in for a few, including this video introducing differential equations. They’re really easy to watch, follow, and learn from, and the instructor is an absolute delight. It’s impressive to see lessons that are considered ‘upper level’ math presented with such ease and in such manageable chunks. I am sad that my last math class was 8 years ago; these mini-lessons are just enough to fill that void for awhile longer!

Even if you’re not a math person, there are videos for you! The Khan Academy is an online-based nonprofit with a mission to make quality education available to everyone. They have nearly 4,000 videos on topics from biology, to animation, to finance, to history. I love the mission and the execution; two thumbs up. Now go learn about differential equations!

What do you wish you knew about connecting?

Next month, I’ll be speaking at the Mark Leadership Conference at Rutgers University. I’ll be presenting my lecture How to be a Connector to students preparing to leave their ‘mark’ on the campus and the world. Do you have any tips/questions/ideas for what you wish your 18-22 year old self knew about the value of and process for connecting?

Well — he did not —.

Clarence Thomas, Supreme Court Justice

This is all that was captured in the official court transcript, but it’s part of what seemed to have been a somewhat loaded, snarky comment about his alma mater, Yale.

Why does one little comment even make headlines? Thomas, the ‘silent justice’, hasn’t asked a question in session since February 22, 2006.

Want to go to Mars? Non-profit mission Mars One is looking for a few good Earthlings

Applicants need to be at least 18 years of age, have a deep sense of purpose, willingness to build and maintain healthy relationships, the capacity for self-reflection and ability to trust. They must be resilient, adaptable, curious, creative and resourceful.

Mars One is not seeking specific skill sets such as medical doctors, pilots or geologists. Rather, candidates will receive a minimum of eight years extensive training while employed by Mars One. While any formal education or real-world experience can be an asset, all skills required on Mars will be learned while in training.

They always tell you to shoot for the moon with your career and dreams; I’ll now start to shoot for Mars. I have always wanted to be involved with a nonprofit entrepreneurial venture…

Continued Learning at Next-to-No Cost? No Brainer!

Check out my latest contribution to Huffington Post’s Impact section about the Brooklyn Brainery, a model for community-driven learning.

If you like it, please leave comments, like it on facebook, and share! Also, if you have ideas for stories of impact (particularly with the millennial generation), shoot me an email.

Mobilizer Academy: New Leadership Opportunity

If you know a Millennial interested in developing leadership skills and tackling community needs, join Mobilize.org’s Mobilizer Academy to get access to training, mentors and fellow Millennial social change-makers. It’s not bound by geography or background; this is a phenomenal opportunity for anyone looking to make a difference. I have extreme confidence in this pilot program and look forward to following participants’ impact over their careers.

Learn more about the program, nominate someone, or apply today at bit.ly/MobilizerApp. And share this opportunity; applications are due December 19.

Improv, Meet Pathology. Pathology, Improv.

imageI’ve dabbled in improv comedy classes and fun for several years now, and I have often characterized it as professional development (on top of being super enjoyable, of course!). It reminds you of the importance of listening, supporting your team, giving gifts, thinking on your feet, and being “in the moment”.

Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx has integrated improv training into professional development. Izzy Gesell, one of the instructors, explains:

I think this is part of a growing awareness of the need for science and medical students to communicate to non-science people. It’s to communicate when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Improving skills and workplace culture are always good, so kudos to Montefiore! I hope more organizations across industries will be open-minded to this sort of professional development. [shameless plug: I will help you!]

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