From October 1, 2010 through October 10, 2010 Dreams for Kids will be running a special online event, the “10 Campaign”

Dreams for Kids empowers at-risk youth and those with disabilities in a leadership curriculum which unites them to their peers and provides them with the tools they need to be active members of their own communities and help solve the world’s most pressing issues.

During the 10 Campaign Dreams for Kids will be raising money to send children to leadership conferences.  These conferences are unique because in addition to instilling leadership principles and training the children will create a shift in their own lives by creating social change in their own communities.  As part of their leadership training the kids will create fundraising campaigns so instead of just receiving charity they get to be the change in the lives of others.  After the  initial fundraisers Dreams For Kids will provide ongoing support for future fundraisers and service projects that the leadership conference  graduates want to create.

$50 of support sends one child to a leadership conference.

WHAT IS THE 10 CAMPAIGN?  HOW CAN YOU HELP?

We would love your support and want to make it as easy as possible for you to help (and to spread the word to a few friends).  Here’s what you can do:

Ask 10 of your friends to donate $10 between October 1st and October 10th.  This can be done any way you’d like: via texting, Twitter, Facebook, email, blogging  and more.  You can do it all in one day or you can ask one friend to donate $10 for each of the 10 days.

TEXTING:

Companies and individuals will be serving their communities and asking for 10 people to each pledge $10 by texting DREAMS to 85944 on their mobile phones.

ONLINE DONATIONS:

Check out the Dreams For Kids 10 Campaign video here. From that page you can donate online.

Thank you for any help with this great cause!

If so – there’s a global event coming up that needs your help!

TweetsGiving is a global celebration that seeks to change the world through the power of gratitude.

Scheduled for November 24 – 26, 2009, the 48-hour event created by 501c3 US nonprofit Epic Change will encourage participants to express their thanks using online tools and at live events. In honor of the people and things that make them grateful, guests will be invited to give to a common cause at events held across the globe.

In 2008 Tweetsgiving raised over $10,000 to build a classroom in Arusha, Tanzania. Imagined and built entirely by volunteers in six days, TweetsGiving was launched 2 days before the US Thanksgiving holiday, and quickly became the #1 trending topic on Twitter!

TWEETSGIVING 2009 – AND YOU!

Now Epic Change is looking for both city organizers and volunteers across the globe to help out with events in your city.

As on organizer you have the freedom to design your event in a way that makes the most sense for your community; Epic Change just asks that you include a way for attendees to show gratitude.  Epic change will support you as an organizer and/or volunteer with helpful ideas and strategies for running your event and answering any questions you might have.

CLICK HERE for answers to the question “What do I need to do to become an organizer?”

WHAT CAUSE WILL BENEFIT FROM TWEETSGIVING 2009?

Proceeds will again, in part, benefit the school in Tanzania, where a dormitory/orphanage, library, school cafeteria and additional classrooms are much needed. In addition, TweetsGiving 2009 seeks to fund new Epic Change partners and fellows in other parts of the world.

For more information and to get involved with the online community or volunteer to help with an event visit the official Tweetsgiving site by clicking here!

This is a great opportunity to give back and create gratitude in your community.

Going into this Thanksgiving season, what are you grateful for?

What would you like to get involved with to create change this year?

Looking forward to talking!

WHEN: Thursday, September 10th

5:30-6:00: Registration

6:00-8:00: Twestival Event! (Social Networking & Mastermind Groups)

WHERE: Catalyst Ranch, 656 W Randolph (West Loop)

In September 2009 100+ cities around the world will be hosting Twestival Events which bring together social media communities for an evening of fun and to raise money and awareness for local Charities. Chicago’s chosen charity is OptINnow.

(You can follow OptINnow on Twitter here: @OptINnow)

(You can follow Chicago Twestival here: @ChiTwestival)

$10 donation (for OptINnow) at the door general admission includes drinks (alcohol/non-alcohol) and food!

The Chicago Twestival Local is for both people involved with Twitter & Social Media and people who want to know more about Twitter & Social Media; TweetNetworking is proud to be the organizer for the event.  (We’d like to extend a VERY special thank you to OfficePort; Chicago Twestival’s platinum sponsor who is not only covering all the costs but also funding entrepreneurs for OptINnow.)

You can follow OfficePort on Twitter here: @OfficePort

People will enjoy networking and making new connections in a relaxed, social setting AND there will be (Optional) Mastermind groups!

During the event you’ll have the option of sitting down with 4-5 people to ask questions about Twitter, exchange ideas and make some valuable connections (in addition to the social networking).  Joining in one of these groups is optional and our facilitators will check with people throughout the night to set them up; each one will last 7-8 minutes.

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For event information & registration online click here!

Are you on Facebook?  Here’s the event info on Facebook!

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A WORD FROM OptINnow:

“Our mission is simple. 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.

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.”

We had a great turnout of high-quality networkers interested in making valuable connections at AND after the event–so attendees had the opportunity to answer a few questions while networking–their answers are below.

If you were at the event: Here’s your chance to connect with people even if you didn’t have time to talk at length while you were there!

If you weren’t able to attend the event: Be sure to check out the information below; you can find new people to connect with based on what causes/non-profits they’re involved with, what professional and social media connections they’re looking for and the types of people they can best help!

Thank you to EVERYONE listed below for taking the time to connect in person and continue the connections afterwards; looking forward to more conversations and connections in Boston and online…

BOSTON TWEETNETWORKERS:

RICK ALLEN
Web Publisher
Boston College
http://www.bc.edu/socialwork
rallen@epublishmedia.com

http://www.Twitter.com/epublishmedia

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
Higher education web design/publishing, writers, publishers

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Electronic publishing, social media, graphic design, writers

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
Creative commons, non-profit, higher-ed

TODD CLAYTON
President; CoreBlox
todd.clayton@coreblox.com
WEB SITE: http://www.chatterboxhq.com
BLOG: http://www.chatterboxhq.com/blog

http://www.Twitter.com/tclayton
http://www.Twitter.com/chatterboxapp

MICK DARLING
Founder / CEO
Tomorrowish LLC
http://www.tomorrowish.com
mick@tomorrowish.com

http://www.Twitter.com/mickdarling

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
Meta-tweeters, people interested in modifying, adding or mangling how twitter is used for fun or profit.

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Technologists, developers, Social media innovators.

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/apsinkus = Great business insights
http://www.twitter.com/cmajor = Social media maven
http://www.twitter.com/girlgamy = Social media maven

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
Progressive politics, Transparency in business and government.

JAYNA DINSMORE
Social Media Marketer
New England Job Show
http://www.littlemisssocialmedia.com
JaynaDinz@gmail.com

http://www.Twitter.com/LilMissSocMedia

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
Companies looking to implement social media tools as part of their marketing efforts.

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Social Media Gurus who can share meaningful applications and business intelligence for implementing social media.

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/BostonMike
http://www.twitter.com/CC_Chapman
http://www.twitter.com/NEJobShow
http://www.twitter.com/JonMahoney12

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
Social Media Marketing  Eco-Friendly practices in personal and professional environments

THOMAS EDWARDS
Dating & Lifestyle Consultant
The Professional Wingman
http://www.theprofessionalwingman.com
http://www.projectinfinity.me/blog
thomasejr@gmail.com

http://www.Twitter.com/URwingman

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
People who are looking to improve themselves – everyone!

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Local (Boston) peeps

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/garyvee = Inspirational
http://www.twitter.com/mashable = Informative
http://www.twitter.com/bostontweet = Underrated
http://www.twitter.com/gradontripp = Social cause

I am into personal development, relationship building, developing style, networking and finding love. If you’re into that, follow me.

JOHN HAYDON
Blogger
John Haydon – Inbound social web systems
http://johnhaydon.com
johnscotthaydon@gmail.com

http://www.Twitter.com/johnhaydon

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
Non-profits looking to use social media for marketing and fundraising.

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Anyone interesting.

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/joewaters
http://www.twitter.com/scottyhendo
http://www.twitter.com/amyrsward
http://www.twitter.com/dannybrown
http://www.twitter.com/staceymonk

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
#12for12k

DOUG HELFERICH
Intern
CareerNumbers
dhelf17@gmail.com

http://www.Twitter.com/letsgoduke

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
Entrepreneurs,politics,business,finance,sports

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Entrepreneurs,politics,business,finance,sports,VCs

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/ericpratum = Entrepreneur
http://www.twitter.com/bluedevilmsn = Politics/duke
http://www.twitter.com/theropolitans = Baseball
http://www.twitter.com/krystyl = Social media
http://www.twitter.com/juliaroy = Social media

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
entrepreneurs,politics,business,finance,sports

CORT JOHNSON
DartBoston
Moderator
WEB SITE: http://www.dartboston.com
BLOG: http://cortlandtjohnson.com
cortlandtjohnson@gmail.com

http://www.Twitter.com/cortlandt

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
Young people in Boston who are trying to make it happen

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Young passionate entrepreneurs, social media people, hackers, bioscience, people who are fun and positive!

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/stuartcfoster = Social media rockstar
http://www.twitter.com/alexa = Social media rockstar
http://www.twitter.com/justinobey = Best social events and sports leagues in Boston
http://www.twitter.com/jakecacci = DartBoston evangelist

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
Helping young passionate entrepreneurs in Boston connect to the people who can make their start-ups successful

J. KIELY, JR.
Photographer
Lightchaser Photography
http://www.lightchaser.com
photo@lightchaser.com

http://www.Twitter.com/lightchaserfoto

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
PR, communications, artists, corporate communications, documentary project producers, photojournalists, people with passion

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Passionate people

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/tedvilla = full of energy and great ideas

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
Education, art, journalism, documentary photography, photojournalism

SARAH MERION
Owner
www.sarahmerion.com
sarahmerion@gmail.com

http://www.twitter.com/sarahmerion

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
EVERYONE SHOULD FOLLOW ME

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
People who are interested in making things happen; people in Boston and New York

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/BostonTweet
http://www.twitter.com/URwingman
http://www.twitter.com/BostonTweetUp
http://www.twitter.com/EliseJarvi

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
All causes.  Contact me, I want to help you.

ERIN O’BANNON
Student    Boston University
http://ErinsExpedition.blogspot.com
erinkobannon@gmail.com

http://www.Twitter.com/Erin_O

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
Public relations, BU, cycling, fashion, image consulting, personal styling

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Fashion, Boston, image consulting, personal styling

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/deanelmore = BU dean of students, really fun guy
http://www.twitter.com/Bostontweet = knows everything that’s going on in Bean town

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
Habitat for humanities,Pan Mass challenge, Livestrong

APOLLO SINKEVICIUS
Founder
LeanStartups.com
http://leanstartups.com
apsinkus@gmail.com

http://www.Twitter.com/apsinkus

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
Founders of startups in the execution stage of their ventures.

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Entrepreneurs with heavy “scar tissue”.

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/tsummit = If you want to know about stealth startups before anyone else
http://www.twitter.com/JeffreyJDavis = COO of multi-national company who does not allow his legal department to dictate what he tweets
http://www.twitter.com/sgblank = One of the creators of lean startups and customer development

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
Entrepreneurship

TED VILLA
Producer/Founder
exUrban, Inc.
http://exurbaninc.com
ted.villa@gmail.com

http://www.Twitter.com/tedvilla

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
People looking for marketing help, nonprofits, profits.
I am a marketing person, passionate about helping folks take advantage of opportunities in the market place.

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Designers, writers, photogs, devs — front end, flash, backend, marketing people, etc.

Up to 5 of your Twitter friends that people should be following
http://www.twitter.com/lightchaserfoto = Heck of a guy, great photog
http://www.twitter.com/eproulx = Passionate advocate of advertising pro employment
http://www.twitter.com/johnhaydon = Great guy super bright about using social media
http://www.twitter.com/hennartonline = Passionate fun and always positive
http://www.twitter.com/parkhere = Fantastic designer and gre

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
Education

TYLER WATKINS
Student
Boston University School of Communications
twatkins@brandeis.edu

http://www.Twitter.com/canadianboi

WHO should be following you on Twitter (types of professions/causes)
PR Professionals, Event Planners and Promoters, GLBT Activists, GLBT allies, Musicians, Entertainers

The types of people YOU want to follow/find on Twitter
Social Marketing Professionals, PR Professionals, LGBT professionals, LGBT entertainers, Performance Artists,

http://www.twitter.com/BigGayNews = From Bradley Traynor is a leading provider of LGBT news and current events
EDGE on the Net offers online publications related to LGBT nightlife and entertain in cities across the globe. Also available at EDGEBoston.com locally.

What CAUSES are you interested in (so like-minded people can follow you/vice-versa)?
LGBT current events, LGBT entertainers, public relations, event planning, classical musicians, media relations, social marketing

If you’re interested in helping children’s charities–here are a few things they need on their “Wish List” and ways you can get involved!

• Associate Board members. Young professionals interested in serving on our new board and organizing events, spreading awareness, identifying areas of needs, gaining board and nonprofit experience
• Corporate sponsors for Extreme Recess events, adaptive sports for kids with disabilities.
• A national corporate sponsor for Dream Leaders youth service program, uniting diverse youth to each other and to service at home and around the world.
• An IT firm/individual to provide ongoing in kind service, help build out social networking and micro finance addition to our site.
• Business partnerships; enrollment of employee volunteer/ giving/ matching grants programs.
• Individual event volunteers
• Holiday gift drives. Host groups in US and global cities for Holiday for Hope, the largest holiday event for homeless kids in the world.
• Hosts to organtize social events for fundraising and enrollment.
• Volunteer facilitators for Dream Leaders in our Dream Conferences and workshops held throughout the year.
• Leads in US cities for expansion of programs.
• Volunteer article/blog writers.

Want to get involved?

Contact

dreams@dreamsforkids.org

Shelly Gonsch 1-866-729-5454