Third Sector Connector Blog

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

Since our launch in September, 2009 (was it really just five months ago?), we’ve gathered your suggestions and feedback so that we can improve the site. We’ve listened, and within the next few weeks, we’ll have a new-and-improved Third Sector Connector site to accompany the launch of our Nonprofit Local 2.0 service for communities. Alongside the many creative ideas for site enhancement, we’ve also been fielding some additional questions about why we’re focused on local, grassroots and community-based nonprofits and NGOs. We realized that we had shared our mission and vision, but that we hadn’t yet articulated our shared values, not only for our site, but for the sector as a whole. That stimulated this post and the creation of our “Third Sector Connector Creed,” which you’ll find below:

Third Sector Connector Creed

• We believe that local nonprofits and NGOs are capable of creating amazing outcomes within our communities, and that we don’t do it alone or in side-by-side silos.
• We believe every local organization is part of an interwoven network of organizations with unique-yet-related missions that together act as a “connection and communication backbone” within neighborhoods and communities.
• We believe that with a strong backbone to support them, every local organization stands shoulder-to-shoulder and on the shoulders of others who are also serving the community.
• We believe that strengthening one organization also benefits every organization in the network, and ultimately benefits the community as a whole.
• We believe that one way to strengthen organizations is to put information and resources in the hands of Board members, staff, and program volunteers so that they have a “capacity-building toolkit” at the ready.
• We believe that there is an amazing, yet overwhelming body of information, advice, and collective wisdom already “out there” and that new resources and tools are being created every day.
• We believe that Third Sector Connector can help get those resources and tools into your hands so that you can use them to drive change.
• We believe that the World Wide Web and social media have “flattened” our world and that nonprofits and NGOs can reach across the globe to learn new ways of thinking and doing, and to simultaneously strengthen governance, leadership, and infrastructure.
• We believe that local connections and collaboration are critical to building strong community-based programs and creating healthy, vibrant communities.
• We believe that as we grow and add new members we can collectively create a resource that has increasing value, reach and impact for local organizations over time.
• We believe that we’re just scratching the surface of finding new ways to connect and build capacity for the Third Sector, and that it is an exciting time for coming together.
• We believe that together we can change the world.

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