News

What’s new with big bang? Plenty!

Why bigBANG? Enter the world of innovative solutions to NEO’s most pressing social needs. Participate in a hands-on workshop with respected business author and proefssor Peter Senge. Network with a community that values social innovation.

Tickets and day-of-event details will be available soon at bigbang.csvp.org.

As bigBANG! draws closer, it keeps getting better! Peter Senge, a renowned author and MIT organizational leadership scholar, will headline the day. Dr. Senge’s highly interactive workshop will guide an exploration of the interplay between innovation and leadership. Earlier in the day, Fast Pitch presentations will showcase innovative approaches being taken by vetted NEO nonprofits. Cleveland’s food trucks will even provide tasty lunches! In the evening, VIPs will be invited to a cocktail reception with Dr. Senge. Look for ongoing developments by following bigBang on its website, Facebook, or Twitter (#bigBANGcle).

The very latest news includes major support from the Sherwick Foundation (Seed Sponsor), the Doll Family Foundation (Program Sponsor), the Harvard Business School Club of Northeast Ohio (Scholar/Associate Sponsorships), St. Luke’s Foundation (Morning Kickoff Sponsor), and Fathom (Social Media Lounge Sponsor). Circle October 28 on your calendar to join the explosion!

Look for an invitation soon by postal mail or email if we have your address. Contact us if you’d like to be added to the list.

MedWish Volunteer Day!

On Saturday June 4^th, a number of partners participated in bite-sized volunteer opportunity. Dominique River, CSVP partner and board member, commented that “volunteering at MedWish was a really great experience. We should have another opportunity in the fall to get other members involved and get them excited about all of the great work this organization is doing.” Although, sorting medical supplies with limited information on their labels proved particularly difficult, this volunteer opportunity provided CSVP partners the chance to continue their engagement with our most recent Investee.

lindadominique Mary Packing Boxes Will and Dick at Work

Meet the new CSVP Interns

Will Curto

Major: Political Science and International Studies
Favorite thing about working at CSVP: I am thoroughly enjoying the great real-world experience managing projects and events, meeting with partners, donors, and Investees and working with outcomes measurement and evaluation.
What CSVP project are you most excited about?: I will be developing two case studies on past investments and working on creating frameworks to ease data collection for future case studies.
Future plans: I am looking for employment either in management consulting or in a management training program in any industry (commercial insurance, manufacturing, transportation, etc). I plan on getting an MBA after I have a few years of experience.

*As a side note, every employer I've talked to has been very interested in the venture philanthropy concept (I founded the venture philanthropy club at Denison) and it continues to provide very useful, business-minded experience.

Ellie Thompson

Major: Sociology/Anthropology and International Studies
Favorite thing about working at CSVP: I get to be closely involved on myriad projects. Over the past few weeks I have been involved in drafting grant proposals, planning events, meeting with partners, and creating the newsletter. I love that each day there are so many different projects to work on!
What CSVP project are you most excited about?: The bigBANG! conference on October 28th. So far, participating in planning bigBANG! has been an interesting experience. I am excited about what the committee has planned and I am enthusiastic about its potential to spark socially innovative thinking in greater Cleveland community.
Future plans: In September, I will be joining the Peace Corps in Peru!

Get to know your cohort: Rob Martens

We snagged some time with Rob Martens after a lead partner lunch to talk about some of his favorite things.

(Profiled 6/16/11)

Throughout his life, Rob’s career aspirations were related to technology and engineering, he says of his current work with his solar energy company that “it just sort of all came together.” Even in college, Rob had a unique interest in technology and renewable energy. For his senior research thesis at Miami University, Rob wrote a critical analysis of the United States Energy program. Although he experienced many fascinating curves in his career path such as his work as an engineer in the Navy, working with Lincoln Electric, his work with dot com startups in the 1990s, and working in e-business consulting with Key Next, a subsidiary of Key Bank, Rob confessed that his solar energy design and installation company is something he would love to continue doing for the rest of his life. He noted, “I love creating things and every system we make is a new, different, and unique design… I am an action-oriented person and in this business I feel like I am doing something positive, really getting things done.”

As the Lead Partner for the engagement with Family Connections, Rob shared some insight. Of being a Lead Partner, Rob professed, “It can be scary; the responsibility is really on you”. He noted, though, that the support from other Lead Partners and speaking with CSVP Partner, Kevin Shaw, in particular, was a great resource in helping him feel more confident about the potential success of his work. When asked his favorite aspect about being involved in CSVP, Rob replied “the engaged people” and their commitment to strong philanthropic work in the Cleveland community.

Rob beamed while speaking about his family, sharing the accomplishments of his three children. Claire will be in 7^th grade this fall. His son, Charlie, who is 16, will attend the High Mountain Institute, a program geared towards rigorous academics and the cultivation of leadership skills in Leadville, CO. His eldest daughter, Claire, will attend Berkeley as a first-year student in the fall.

Rob revealed that he enjoys hobbies such as cycling, photography, and traveling. He will soon take a trip to Greece, Turkey, and Italy!

Partner Profile: Shelly Saltzman

This month, we checked in with Shelly as she prepares to open the Citizens Leadership Academy in August. A cyclist and foodie, Shelly is a resolute educator and an engaged civic leader.

(Profiled 5/24/11)