By volunteering, you'll be introducing yourself to a whole new network of friends and business contacts. Phone people directly and ask them if they have time to meet you and give you some advice. For example, if you want to be a writer, phone local writers and ask if they could meet you for coffee to give you some tips on becoming a writer. Most people like giving advice and will spare an hour of their life to meet you. Just make you to choose a public location that is relatively close by.
Newspapers report on people and what they are doing.
If you read about someone doing something that interests you, contact them directly. The reporter who wrote the article can probably help you get in touch with the person. Start a club that meets weekly or monthly in your home. Then, send invitations for others to join. Invite friends to join and ask them to invite their friends, co-workers, relatives, neighbors and others to join.