Idealist.org Silicon Valley - Start-up Meeting Feedback

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Back to Idealist.org, Silicon Valley - Startup Meeting | Meeting Notes
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==Rebecca==
 
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 5
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 5
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 5
**The venue was good: 5
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 5
**I’d recommend this to my friends: 5
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward? 
**Our group (Arts and Education) talked about the need to post information about our respective organizations, our needs/wants from the group, and any events we have organized.
**Reach out to others in the community by hosting workshops around each of our areas/interests. For example, I am a teacher and work for Amnesty International, so I could host a workshop about human rights, or a particular human rights issue. 
**Several groups talked about securing a more permanent/stable venue
**Plan to meet outside of the larger group as well to collaborate on individual projects, to socialize, and to build a sense of community by fostering face to face interaction. 
**Thanks again for hosting this incredible meeting! I was so energized last night that I could barely sleep!
==Ginamarie H==
Thanks again to you and the others for taking the initiative to have the Idealist meeting here in San Jose! 
*Here is how I've rated today's meeting:
**I had fun: 3 I think you all did a great job in making the event as fun as it could be. I'm naturally a more quiet person, so meeting new people is something I'm still learning how to do. I'm sure the next time we meet and discuss common interests more in depth it will be more fun. It's always getting past that first time that's the hardest for me! :) And I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your dedication to making this project better. It really motivates me to continue working with you and the others to accomplish something great for this community.
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 4 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 3 (not yet but I'm sure there will be more of a chance once we get together again in the future)
**The venue was good: 5
**I'd like to attend the next meeting: 4 
**I'd recommend this to my friends: 5 (if not bring someone else to the next meeting if possible)
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
**I'd like to see that everyone is kept in the loop as far as planning goes (just as you've done in the past- that helps me a lot to mentally prepare for our next meeting). I'd also like to see the contact info of the others who have attended today's meeting (who also don't mind having them put up publicly). I'm currently trying to type up the notes from our specific group, Law and Politics and Human Rights, so that I can email it to my group, but don't have one of our member's contact info because she had to leave earlier then expected. 
**I would like to continue our discussion of various community issues that are of concern in this group, and hopefully begin working with others to accomplish actual projects. If people have already named an actual project or issue that they'd like to address and have begun pursuing that, is it possible we could have them let us all know through the Wiki or email, so that others can maybe join them or collaborate? 
*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward? 
**Keep in contact... 
*Please post additional comments & suggestions below:
**The pictures are really great! I felt the meeting was well-organized. Great job and thanks again for the experience. 
**If you have any other needs or questions of me, please feel free to contact me! Oh, and I don't mind you putting my contact email online for others to see.
==Lynn A==
Many of us have planned and carried out meetings before, and it’s clear that a good bit of work went into this meeting. Kudos! 
The open format was good.
==Elaine M==
Absolutely fantastic!
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree) 
**I had fun: 5 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 5 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 5 
**The venue was good: 5 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 5 
**I’d recommend this to my friends: 5
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward? 
**I would like to see us have more opportunities to mingle with other interest groups in a similar way as we did with the main one yesterday! I appreciate that we had some time to do that a little yesterday. I would like to explore each topic area in more detail, so that I can try to locate the golden thread between all my interest areas. Perhaps then, I can greate some sort of prioroty in the midst of all the possibilities.
*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward? 
**Continue bringing our thoughts and feelings about our desires to make a difference to ACTION. We need to keep action focused! 
*Please post additional comments & suggestions below: 
**I think that the time allocation for the meeting was ideal! I think that we have all decided to put aside the 3 hours and if we happen to fininsh early, we end up still having down time to connect within the designated time allocation. I hope to attend the social afterwards sometimes. Please don't shorted the time allocation. I think we will need the time anyways if we end up exploring other interest areas.
With gratitude,
Elaine
==Michelle==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree) 
**I had fun: 3 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 3 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 2 
**The venue was good: 2 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting:4 
**I’d recommend this to my friends: 3
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward? 
**post e-mails, get people who are in the field to educate us 
*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward? 
**broaden resources 
*Please post additional comments & suggestions below: 
**Thank you for taking the lead! :)
==Lakshmi Krishnan==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree) 
**I had fun: (4) 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: (4) 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: (2) 
**The venue was good: (4) 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: (5) 
**I’d recommend this to my friends: (5) 
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward? - 
**we need to follow up, keep each other informed by posting the info on the wiki, emailing everyone, getting the groups to work more on their issues, probably make a yahoo/n10 group, call for more meetings, collate and circulate every groups work
*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward? 
**get evryone to post views on every issue, pick the most possible solutions/ideas that can be implemented, find resources, connect people, make it a project and get it running through the group
*Please post additional comments & suggestions below: 
**we need to get to more concrete ideas in the next meeting that have utmost chance of turning into action
==Aaron W==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree) 
**I had fun: 4 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 4 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 4 
**The venue was good: 4 
**I'd like to attend the next meeting: 5 
**I'd recommend this to my friends: 5
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward? 
**It strikes me that the session could go in the direction of less formal. That is, the discussion direction of the breakouts seemed a little vague. If this is a networking event, why not have a luncheon with a speaker, or a happy hour? The activities were too choppy. It seemed like the discussions were all over the place, and when we finally got going, the facilitators interrupted with another assignment. Otherwise, maybe the breakouts could have something more open-ended to work on.Maybe something looser where we have 30-minute breakouts with a series of 4 possible discussion questions: What have you done, what are you working on now, where do you hope to go in the future, and what are some possible suggestions from others in the group. The idea of coming up with project ideas to collaborate on seemed a little forced (the butcher paper assignment). After all, we are all in various contexts and stages of employment, and it presumes everyone in the group should work on a project together, which seems unlikely. I am happy just to talk with others about what they are involved in and what their hopes are for the future, maybe over a sandwich hearing a speaker. The mission of the group could be not to actually produce a project, or do specific work in the community, but to foster networking and community among those who do. Projects would then develop more organically. By the way, what is the "group"? Is it Idealist.org or this thing vaguely referred to as "Silicon Valley Commons"? The guy who was on the phone over the PA wasn't properly introduced. I am imagining he is a director at the national Idealist.org? Still unsure. The branding and mission seems to need work. 
*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward? 
**Creatively and effectively craft its branding, leadership, and mission. Again, perhaps forum mission over project producer mission could be a better way to go. Your audience or membership seems to be folks in a variety of stages of employment, but many contract workers and nonprofit startups with maybe 1/3 fulltime workers in nonprofits (Im guessing). Some (like me), are looking for new ideas, but the likelihood of me doing a collective project is pretty slim. Right now the identity of the group is pretty vague. Leo, I hope you take this as constructive criticism. You have my fullest support and I think that this kind of work and these kinds of conversations are much needed in the Silicon Valley. By the way (re: another email) I am also in support of a chapter that focuses its mission on the South Bay Area and doesn't displace it by diluting its efforts with another geographic mission. If you look at the Commonwealth Club, for example, the Silicon Valley is consistently getting hosed in favor of our culturally world class neighbor. Public forums and cultural events, and the ideals of nonprofit are lacking in this area, unless you're talking about high technology. I would also be in favor of continuing to hold meetings in working class and immigrant communities, areas that have been disaffected by the politics and investment patterns of the Valley. I'm pleased that you choose the East side, the neighborhood of my formative years. Other sites could include, The National Hispanic University, the Mexican American Cultural Plaza, and the California History Center at De Anza College.
==Anna Almendrala==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 3
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 3
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 3
**The venue was good: 4
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 4
**I’d recommend this to my friends: 5
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
**Talk more about ourselves, our backgrounds, and our goals.
*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
**Get more specific about our goals and the steps we're gonna take to get to them.
==Aaron Chavira==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 4
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 5
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 3
**The venue was good: 4
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 5
**I’d recommend this to my friends: 5
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
**Get to know each other a bit better
**Start assessing projects we want to work on (based on local, regional, inter'l need)
**Spread the word. There are many people that are compatible with this type of org, but they may not have been comfortable going to a first (start-up) meeting, or might have missed advertisements. 
The health and enviro group is planning on meeting this weekend, to talk about current orgs in the area in the h & e field, to get to know each other better, and begin to assess future projects.
==Michael Kwan==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 3
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 4
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 4
**The venue was good: 5
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 5
**I’d recommend this to my friends: 4
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
**I'd like to hear some proposals for serious projects to work on
**Working groups developed for certain projects
*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
** Network with the SF and bay area groups 
** Provide a way for sub-groups to network with other sub-groups
*Please post additional comments & suggestions below:
**If we were to have discussion groups again, I'd prefer a facilitator for each group
==Marcelo Jaramillo==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 4
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 4
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 3
**The venue was good: 4
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 5
**I’d recommend this to my friends: 4
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
**Narrow the scope of each individual group so that we can get things done.
**Have figured out pre-existing groups within our areas to work with.
*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
**Stay focussed and organized. 
**Recruit dynamic new members.
*Please post additional comments & suggestions below:
**It was a good start, but only that, a start.
==FirstName LastName==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 
**The venue was good: 
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**I’d recommend this to my friends:
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==FirstName LastName==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 
**The venue was good: 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 
**I’d recommend this to my friends:
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
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*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
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==FirstName LastName==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 
**The venue was good: 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 
**I’d recommend this to my friends:
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
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*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
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==FirstName LastName==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 
**The venue was good: 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 
**I’d recommend this to my friends:
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
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*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
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==FirstName LastName==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 
**The venue was good: 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 
**I’d recommend this to my friends:
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
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*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
**Replace this text with your comments; add bullet points as needed
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==FirstName LastName==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 
**The venue was good: 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 
**I’d recommend this to my friends:
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
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*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
**Replace this text with your comments; add bullet points as needed
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==FirstName LastName==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 
**The venue was good: 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 
**I’d recommend this to my friends:
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
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*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
**Replace this text with your comments; add bullet points as needed
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==FirstName LastName==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 
**The venue was good: 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 
**I’d recommend this to my friends:
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
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*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
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==FirstName LastName==
*Please rate the following on a scale of 1-5 (1=strongly disagree, and 5=strongly agree)
**I had fun: 
**I met good people I can work with in the future: 
**I learned new things to help me change my world: 
**The venue was good: 
**I’d like to attend the next meeting: 
**I’d recommend this to my friends:
*What are the key things we need to do in the next month or so to move our group forward?
**Replace this text with your comments; add bullet points as needed
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*What are the key things we need to do in the mid- to long-term to move our group forward?
**Replace this text with your comments; add bullet points as needed
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*Please post additional comments & suggestions below:
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