Chicago Twestival 2010

Catalyst Ranch Chicago ,IL

TWESTIVAL COMES BACK TO CHICAGO March 25 - 2010!

Posted on: 4 March 2010 (2 weeks ago) at 1033 - Comment

TWESTIVAL COMES BACK TO CHICAGO March 25 - 2010!

Chicago Twestival on Facebook (Group) and (Event)!

This event is for both people involved with Twitter & Social Media and people who want to know more about Twitter & Social Media.

Here’s your chance to connect with great people and help a non-profit during a night of social media conversations and connections!

You can follow Chicago Twestival on Twitter at: http://www.Twitter.com/ChiTwestival

$10 donation (online) (for Concern Worldwide) general admission includes drinks (alcohol/non-alcohol) - links for registration and more details coming soon!

There will also be an after-party so you can continue the fun & networking.
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IN ADDITION TO NETWORKING!

You can enjoy open networking (of course) AND…

You’ll also have the opportunity to join break-out mastermind groups lead by Concern Worldwide & community leaders to talk about how YOU can get more active in Chicago, network with like-minded people and make valuable connections!

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On Thursday 25 March 2010, people in hundreds of cities around the world will come together offline to rally around the important cause of Education by hosting local events to have fun and create awareness. Twestival™ (or Twitter Festival) uses social media for social good. All of the local events are organized 100% by volunteers and 100% of all ticket sales and donations go direct to projects.

In 2010, we turn our focus to education and 72 million children in the world who don’t have the opportunity to go to school. @Concern Worldwide has been selected by the Twestival global team and local organizers to be the recipient because of their comprehensive and well respected approach to education.

The global charity: Concern Worldwide: http://www.concernusa.org/

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From http://www.concernusa.org/

Follow Concern Worldwide on Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/Concern

“Concern Worldwide US, Inc. is an affiliate of Concern Worldwide and supports the Concern network by recruiting staff, supporting program development, creating public awareness of humanitarian issues and financially supporting programs.

Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. ”
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We’d like to extend a VERY special thank you to Our sponsors:

Helios Realty (http://www.heliosrealty.com)

More coming soon! Want to get involved? Contact mjcarter (at) tweetnetworking.com

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$10 donation (online) (for Concern Worldwide) general admission includes drinks (alcohol/non-alcohol) - links for registration coming soon!

CHICAGO: Why Would A Brick & Mortar Company Sponsor A “Twestival”?

Posted on: 9 September 2009 at 1242 - Comment

WHY WOULD A BRICK AND MORTAR BUSINESS SPONSOR A “TWESTIVAL”?

The platinum sponsor for Chicago’s Twestival is OfficePort, a great space that is bringing the “Coworking” movement to Chicago.

It’s great to see a brick and mortar business not only embrace social media but also sponsor community and social media causes; we wanted to let you know more about why they support Twestival.

We interviewed Shaul Jolles, co-founder of OfficePort.

Why Are You Embracing Social Media?

“Social media is all about collaboration; the instant exchange of information and support from the community is amazing.

That type of collaboration is what OfficePort has done and is doing successfully offline; our “Coworking” space fosters community interaction and networking—not just “another day at the office”(here’s the Chicago Tribune’s write up). Both online and offline it’s great to connect with people at the exact moment you need the help instead of having to wait a week to “set up a coffee meeting”. The entrepreneur and business communities can thrive when they’re provided this type of environment.

We love Twitter (and Facebook for that matter) because you can update your status with a question and get immediate answers and solutions-– it’s quick, effective collaboration. Instead of waiting for voice mails to be returned you can read your Tweets; at OfficePort you can walk to another port and ask a fellow entrepreneur questions.

Social media is a natural extension of coworking and people involved in social media inherently “get” the concept.”

Why did you come to Chicago?

“We’ve seen the concept of coworking work elsewhere and want to create that success in Chicago also. The main thing we want to do: Build organic entrepreneurship with real collaboration (not made up bureaucratic entrepreneurship).

While starting my own business venture in Chicago we experienced a lot of red tape when it came to getting a space, licenses and setting up internet and phone services. OfficePort is sensitive to these hurdles and want to cut through the “usual” problems Chicago businesses can face and make life easier for them.

OfficePort gives the small businesses the same tools as the big guys and gets people into business with the least red tape as economically as possible. We also get people working the same day and collaborating the same day.”

Why did OfficePort sponsor Twestival?

“In addition to embracing social media we love the cause; http://www.OptINnow.org – it’s great that they are helping entrepreneurs that are battling poverty and providing them the opportunity to achieve their dreams.”

CHICAGO’S TWESTIVAL:

When: Thursday, September 10th,5:30-8:00pm

Where: Catalyst Ranch, 656 W Randolph, Chicago, IL

REGISTER & MORE INFORMATION HERE!

CONNECTING!

OfficePort’s Facebook Page

OfficePort on Twitter

Chicago Twestival’s Facebook Page

Chicago Twestival on Twitter

Tweet, Trust, Transform (Chicago Twestival)

Posted on: 4 September 2009 at 1624 - Comment

OptINnow(TM) is Chicago (Local) Twestival’s cause!

Follow OptINnow on Twitter!

Follow Chicago Twestival on Twitter!

CHICAGO’S TWESTIVAL:

When: Thursday, September 10th,5:30-8:00pm

Where: Catalyst Ranch, 656 W Randolph, Chicago, IL

REGISTER & MORE INFORMATION HERE!

They are a new initiative from Opportunity International that enables you to “opt in” and become part of a global movement to transform the lives of entrepreneurs throughout the developing world – right from your computer. At OptINnow.org, you can look through client profiles and personally select an entrepreneur whose loan you wish to fund. Your gift goes directly to the people you designate, helping them to build businesses that support their families, create jobs for neighbors and end the cycle of poverty. As the loan is paid back, the money is recycled again and again, changing many lives for years to come. With donations as low as $25, even schoolchildren and college students can become involved in this movement to end poverty faster.

We at OptINnow are very proud to be involved as the highlighted charity at this year’s Chicago Twestival. Twitter has proven to be a key tool for us in raising awareness around the P2P microfinance platform, and we are excited for the opportunity to partner with Twitter in bringing the social networking community together to help change the lives of those who need it most. The world’s poorest of the working poor.

During Twestival Chicago 2009, OptINnow will be highlighting the Jacqueline Syokwaa Trust Group of Nairobi, Kenya. A Trust Group is a group of 8 to 30 local entrepreneurs, mostly women, who join together and apply for a single large loan. They use one another as “social collateral” and meet weekly for sessions ranging from business practices to family relations to leadership training. Trust Groups allow Opportunity International to reach people living in the most extreme poverty. Because Trust Group members guarantee each other’s loans, the loan-repayment rates far exceed those of commercial institutions.

OptINnow’s current campaign goal is to raise $10,000 for small business loans to the Jacqueline Syokwaa Trust Group, named after a school proprietor in the slums of Kiambiu Town, just outside Nairobi. Jacqueline needs a loan from OptINnow to serve the increasing number of children who want to come to her primary school. She believes that education is the best way for her neighborhood kids to have a better future. Jacqueline’s determination to expand her school has inspired the entire Trust Group to work hard in their various businesses and to give back to their communities. Several provide food and other necessary services to the school.

About Jacqueline Syokwaa Trust Group

Jacqueline Syokwaa, one of the leaders of this Trust Group, is theis the owner of a small primary school in her village slum of Kiambiu. This highly populated and steadily growing village is located slightly outside of Nairobi. Jacqueline is taking a loan from Opportunity to serve the increasing number of children looking to take classes in her school. Her determination is an inspiration to the entire Kiambiu village.

Her fellow group leader, Joab Odhiambo Ongondo, is a fishmonger in the Kibera Slums. He normally gets his fish from Nyanza Province on the border of Lake Victoria, but transportation fees to and from there have increased considerably. With a loan from Opportunity, Joab will be able to get increased numbers of fish at half the price from a source in Tanzania.

This Trust Group has 38 members, 22 of whom are women. and thirty- four members currently have active loans with Opportunity. The group was formed in October 2008,, so most of them are now repaying their second loans. The members come from three different areas in Nairobi: Kibera Slums, Kiambiu Town Slums, and the City Carton Slums. One third of the Trust Group members come from Kibera Slums, which is the largest slum in all of Africa. The City Carton Slums are named so due to the large amount of structures made out of paper cartons.

Your support of this Trust Group will help lift its members out of a life of poverty and into a brighter future. Thank you.

Your donation on OptINnow will provide support for this Trust Group so they can work their way out of poverty and create a more prosperous future for themselves, their families and their community.

Go to optinnow.org/backtoschool to make a donation and help more kids in Nairobi, Kenya have hope for a brighter future.

Thanks!
Andrew Koehler
OptINnow Partner Relationship Manager

Chicago Twestival Local!

Posted on: 26 August 2009 at 1702 - Comment

Chicago Twestival Local is proud to announce our event on Thursday, September 10th, 2009.

Registration links and full information coming soon–but to get things kicked off, save the date!

Our Charity:

OptINnow.org - an amazing organization helping make global change.

They want to let you know a little about them:

“We’re working to end global poverty. Faster. How? By providing those who live in chronic poverty with one vital thing they need to transform their lives: Opportunity.

But that’s not all. Along the way we hope to transform additional lives, like yours. That’s why we’ve made it so simple for good people everywhere to come together, to fund small loans, to witness big and lasting impact, and to truly change the world. And with your help we’ll get there.

We are not for profit. We are part of Opportunity International; one of the largest and most well respected microfinance organizations. Since 1971 we have been providing loans, business training and other financial services to entrepreneurs in some of the poorest parts of the world.”

THE EVENT!

When: 5:30-6:00-Registration 6:00 - 8:00: Twestival event with mastermind groups

Where: Catalyst Ranch, 656 W Randolph, Chicago, IL

You’ll enjoy open networking, conversations and connections in a fun environment. In addition to open networking you will have the opportunity to join in mastermind groups. These will be 5-6 people sitting at a table for about 7 minutes to ask each other questions about social media and share their experiences.

Mastermind groups will also be able to help OptINnow.org by suggesting ways they can increase their outreach, new avenues to take in social media to spread the word and also get directly involved with the organization.

Beer & Wine (along with non-acohol) beverages will be served.

Registration page and more announcements coming this week; please contact the Chicago organizer, Mark J. Carter mjcarter (at) tweetnetworking.com if you have any questions!

Re-post Chicago information

Posted on: 11 February 2009 at 2311 - Comment

DATE: 2/12/09

TIME: 6:30-8:30 pm

WHERE: Catalyst Ranch, 656 W Randolph, Chicago, IL (West Loop near Randolph & Halsted)

COST: $10 donation at the door which includes beer, wine and networking!

DRESS: Casual to Business Casual

Group & Event (& registration) info: http://www.ChicagoTwestival.com

This event is designed both for people in Social Media AND people interested in learning about social media. If you’re on Twitter you’ll get to meet your “friends” in a fun, social open networking session. If you’re wondering about Twitter you’ll have plenty of people to talk to about it!