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  Q1: What K-12 educational experiences shaped who you are today? (6 pieces of advice)

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  by sevenworld 

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  08.01.08 | 04:24 PM

  
  Q1: It was been "involved" in certain projects that taught me the most. I think every person can remember making their own baking soda volcano in elementary school. We should do more of these projects for children and youth.

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  by scientist_entrepreneur 

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  08.05.08 | 08:33 PM

  I can trace back to the time when I was mentored by a neighbor in engineering projects. He was a retired engineer and professor who had a lot of time on his hands, so he would play a little baseball, some chess, or build a part of a sidewalk with me. The last project we worked was a large magnifying lens for melting metals.
  
  I certainly would not have enjoyed the same academic success without him. It's important for kids to see how they can create and build projects, be it in science or the arts. And I think the key is that they should be free to choose to do it. No one should ever coerce or force a child to do something they may or may not be interested in. I remember working on a robotics team, and I hated it because I always felt bossed around.
  
  Best of luck. Children most certainly need these programs in a world where they are becoming more and more neglected educationally.

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  by thegenerationproject 

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  08.05.08 | 08:46 PM

  Thanks so much for the comments, scientist_entrepreneur! You are so right that it takes rich, formative experiences like those you enjoyed with your neighbor to help kids find the passions that will guide their future academic success.
  
  Thanks for the well-wishes. Let's stay connected as we launch...
  
  

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  by ibatista 

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  08.06.08 | 04:10 AM

  Teachers who cared enough to build relationships with their students. This showed that they weren't there because it was their job. They wanted to see me succeed, through the subjects I liked most.

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  by ibatista 

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  08.06.08 | 04:11 AM

  Teachers who cared enough to build relationships with their students. This showed that they weren't there because it was their job. They wanted to see me succeed, through the subjects I liked most.

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  by ibatista 

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  08.06.08 | 04:11 AM

  Teachers who cared enough to build relationships with their students. This showed that they weren't there because it was their job. They wanted to see me succeed, through the subjects I liked most.

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  Q2: What is the best way to advertise this opportunity to interested individuals? (2 pieces of advice)

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  by sevenworld 

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  08.01.08 | 04:53 PM

  Q2: 1st Keep on doing what you are doing; you are getting the word out here. It is like a ripple effect. 2nd Share your idea with people of influence they will want to help you succeed. 3rd Write your dream down on paper and look at it every day and it will become a reality, I promise you. 4th All the expensive stuff you put into marketing can come later.5th Don’t stop give yourself six months to a year for your program to really take off, that is how long it has taken me.
  

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  by JeremyAmes 

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  08.11.08 | 04:04 PM

  First of all, I think this is a fantastic idea. In my experience I’ve seen little effort given to inspiring disadvantaged youth by exposing them to different occupations and interests. Now on to the marketing question…
  
  Stories sell. Right now you have a great idea, but lack the emotional story to really hook people that are considering donating their time and/or money. It would go a long way if you were able to kick start your idea by helping coordinate a couple of donor gifts on a shoestring budget. This could help provide the stories, pictures, etc. that could really create a compelling, emotional display of the good The Generation Project can do in the community.
  
  Once you have a couple of success stories to share, there are several ways you could market. I think you have a great opportunity to bring in contributions from small business owners. Not only are they potentially great contributors, they also tend to be well networked. You won’t need to spend a lot of money marketing if you can build a good donator referral network. Here are some thoughts …moreabout where you could reach them:
  
  • Contact your local rotary club or chamber of commerce. If you’re convincing, they may allow you to speak for a few minutes in front of their membership.
  • Contact an organization like your local chapter of EO (www.eonetwork.org). Find out who is on the Board and see if you can sell one or more of the board members on making a personal contribution of time. If you can hook the key influencers, it may open an opportunity for you to speak to the entire group.
  
  I also see an opportunity in finding charitable organizations that appeal to the same demographic. One organization that comes to mind is Summer Search (www.summersearch.org). They work with students in low income areas and have an extensive donor network. They may be able to help you with marketing ideas and/or collaboration to get your project off the ground. They also do an excellent job of selling their story as part of their marketing efforts.
  
  Ultimately, your most effective initial marketing technique is utilizing your passion. Get out there and network. Meet with anyone and everyone you can. Every forest fire starts with a spark. You never know when you are going to meet and inspire a key influencer that, by making introductions or speaking about your organization, opens doors that were previously hidden or closed.

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  What advice do you have to help me grow my idea?
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  by JeremyAmes 

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  08.11.08 | 11:03 AM

  First of all, I think this is a fantastic idea. In my experience I’ve seen little effort given to inspiring disadvantaged youth by exposing them to different occupations and interests. Now on to the marketing question…
  
  Stories sell. Right now you have a great idea, but lack the emotional story to really hook people that are considering donating their time and/or money. It would go a long way if you were able to kick start your idea by helping coordinate a couple of donor gifts on a shoestring budget. This could help provide the stories, pictures, etc. that could really create a compelling, emotional display of the good The Generation Project can do in the community.
  
  Once you have a couple of success stories to share, there are several ways you could market. I think you have a great opportunity to bring in contributions from small business owners. Not only are they potentially great contributors, they also tend to be well networked. You won’t need to spend a lot of money marketing if you can build a good donator referral network. Here are some thoughts …moreabout where you could reach them:
  
  • Contact your local rotary club or chamber of commerce. If you’re convincing, they may allow you to speak for a few minutes in front of their membership.
  • Contact an organization like your local chapter of EO (www.eonetwork.org). Find out who is on the Board and see if you can sell one or more of the board members on making a personal contribution of time. If you can hook the key influencers, it may open an opportunity for you to speak to the entire group.
  
  I also see an opportunity in finding charitable organizations that appeal to the same demographic. One organization that comes to mind is Summer Search (www.summersearch.org). They work with students in low income areas and have an extensive donor network. They may be able to help you with marketing ideas and/or collaboration to get your project off the ground. They also do an excellent job of selling their story as part of their marketing efforts.
  
  Ultimately, your most effective initial marketing technique is communicating your passion one-on-one. Get out there and network. Meet with anyone and everyone you can. Every forest fire starts with a spark. You never know when you are going to meet and inspire a key influencer that, by making introductions or speaking about your organization, opens doors that were previously hidden or closed.

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  by thegenerationproject 

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  08.05.08 | 08:44 PM

  Thanks so much for the comments, scientist_entrepreneur! You are so right that it takes rich, formative experiences like those you enjoyed with your neighbor to help kids find the passions that will guide their future academic success.
  
  Thanks for the well-wishes. Let's stay connected as we launch...

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  by thegenerationproject 

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  08.04.08 | 05:53 PM

  I honestly just got chills reading your post. That type of experience is EXACTLY what we are aiming for with The Generation Project. Your students, and millions like them all across the country, have the potential to do amazing things but because they were born in rural Louisiana, the Bronx, or Watts, didn't experience the educational opportunities they deserve. By engaging donors in creating rich educational experiences like the trip you made with your students, we can bridge the gap, empowering kids to empower themselves. I am so impressed by what you did for your kids. Your students were very lucky...and, like most of us who teach, I'm sure you felt even luckier to be their teacher.
  
  Thanks so much for the question. Let's definitely stay in touch as The Generation Project gets off the ground.
  
  **If anyone else has related questions, please let us know!

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  by willrobinsoniii 

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  08.04.08 | 05:21 PM

  I was a TFA member in New Orleans from 01-04 and the coolest thing I did (which I thought about formalizing into a non-profit) was take kids from rural Louisiana on an educational roadtrip through the south and up to NYC. We hit all the civil rights museums in the south, SPLC, Montgomery, Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Wrightsville beach, D.C., Philadelphia, etc. The basic idea was that my students had no hope because they hadn't been exposed to the world outside their rural town. We were only 45 minutes from New Orleans, but most of them hadn't visited (they were 15+). There was a sense that it didn't matter if they worked hard or not - they would still end up working at wal-mart if they were lucky and decided not to break the law. The solution was to show them this big world out there that they could access if they chose. It was an awesome experience that I wish all kids could have. It's why I like the spirit of your idea. I would donate a similar trip to a kid and I could get 10 friends to do the same. Could your website help us organize such an adventure?

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