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Postcard from New York City: Making Good Ideas Happen

On Monday in the sweltering heat, more than 100 people gathered on a rooftop overlooking the Williamsburg Bridge to Make Good Ideas Happen (hosted by All Day Buffet and Behance). At the event, three nonprofit organizations presented their goals and asked participants for resources, advice, practical ideas, and connections that they could offer to help them reach those goals. Three Idealist staff members were part of the action; here's their report!


By Flickr user itomi There were three blank boards up on the wall, one for each of the featured organizations: City Year, StartingBloc, and Sustainable South Bronx. After hearing a two-minute speech from each organization, and chatting with representatives about what kind of advice they were looking for, everyone got the chance to brainstorm ideas, connections, and solutions. These were then written on index cards and posted up on the boards.

The three nonprofits were looking for a variety of things, including help with website design, advice about expanding their programs nationally, feedback about branding, and spaces to hold large events. City Year, for example, was wondering what they could do to get more young people to stop at their table when they are tabling at career fairs next to large corporations that offer high-salary jobs. In response, some participants helped them brainstorm design concepts for eye-catching graphics and video to display. Minds worked, conversation buzzes, and the boards filled with ideas and action steps.

Everywhere else on the rooftop, people were chatting with strangers and friends about social change websites, community gardens, fundraising, art projects, and more. We left feeling productive, energized, and hopeful—and truly glad we had spent the last two hours on the rooftop, sweating, instead of inside the air-conditioned bar below.

The event demonstrated the importance of getting people together in the same space to exchange ideas and resources. For more opportunities to connect with like-minded people, and really make things happen, check out the New York Idealist Network and other Idealist Groups throughout the world.