March 27, :00- 2:00 Harms Advanced Technology Center

10:00 Welcome and Introductions 10:15 Introduction to the Opportunity – J. Frances 10:30 Overview of Social Entrepreneurship- M. Rezac 10:45 Examples of Social Entrepreneurship- Tables Spin Process 11:05 Social Entrepreneurship Story 11:15Regional Social Entrepreneurship: Purpose to Practice – Intentional Dialogue 12:15 Lunch 12:45 Foundations: Our Common Wealth 1:45 Social Entrepreneurship Story

Joan Frances

Exploring social entrepreneurship as a link between economic development and social services that fosters resilience and self- determination in rural Nebraska.

 Inform and educate diverse groups on the concepts of social entrepreneurship.  Develop collaborative understanding and agreement about whether social entrepreneurship is a viable framework for pursuing new levels of collaboration, engagement, and community investment in the Panhandle.  If “yes” design the infrastructure for regional technical assistance and financial supports for social entrepreneurship.

Learn how to be “Innovative Ecosystems”

March 27: Session I – Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship and Regional Innovation May 8: Social Entrepreneurship: Foundations of Innovative Thinking and Social Entrepreneurship Structures June 12: Elements of Success September 17: Moving Forward: Determination of Regional Potential, Structures, Fiscal Capacity, and Technical Assistance needs

Matt Rezac, Sherwood Foundation

At your table share examples of social entrepreneurship from Nebraska and across the country. Recorder(s): Write each example on a separate large sticky note with the name of the person who brought it up.

Social Entrepreneurship Story

You can design, shape and build the ecosystem around you. In ways that create new ideas, better solutions, and improved quality of life. There is often deep value lurking in what at first seems frivolous, messy and surprising. -The Rainforest Blueprint

 Avoid “design” by a small group of people behind closed doors  Pull together all the elements needed to launch and sustain an effort, thereby avoiding a fragmented process  Develop innovative strategies that can be implemented and spread quickly because there is shared ownership.  Increase resilience and the ability to absorb disruptions by distributing power fairly.  Build the capacity to rapidly adapt any of the elements to changing circumstances

Why is Social Entrepreneurship as a regional initiative important to the Panhandle?

What rules must we absolutely obey to succeed in achieving our purpose?

Who else needs to be engaged for us to meet our purpose?

How might a regional initiative which requires a diverse, innovative group be organized to distribute control to achieve our purpose?

What will the regional initiative do? What will we offer to our region and how will we do it?

Ogallala Commons

Do together what no one community can do alone.

1) weaving a collaborative network of diverse partners, 2) building an education outreach with annual conferences, workshops, and templates, 3) fostering a sense of place to instill meaning and inspire stewardship for our landscapes and hometowns, and 4) rebuilding resilient communities to sustain people and the land

 A set of assets that every community is endowed with.  The foundation for building new careers and enterprises.  Both local and regional assets that can be enhanced, preserved, and invested in to create more resources over a long-term horizon.

 Gifts of the natural world and human society that have monetary and non-monetary value in supporting life and well-being for both human and natural communities.  Wealth we inherit or create together, which we desire to pass on, as undiminished and regenerative as possible, to our children and future generations  A sector of the economy that compliments but is also distinct from the market and government sectors  Communal assets that increase or decrease depending on management

Cody Store

Community Research 1. Spread the word, seek information- and bring it back to the group 2. Watch for examples and opportunities for social entrepreneurship. Next Meeting: May 8, 2014 Foundations of Innovative Thinking