Launching the Go-To networking event for Social Entrepreneurs in Boston

Last month over 30 people from diverse backgrounds, but with a common interest in supporting organizations making significant social impact, gathered at Tantric India Bistro in Boston for the first monthly meeting jointly hosted by Tantric, TIE Social Entrepreneurs Group and NetSAP Boston. The TIE Social Entrepreneurs Group’s mission is to create a supportive peer-network of thought leaders, entrepreneurs, non-profit and business professionals dedicated to effective social impact. TIE Social Entrepreneurs Group working together with Mary Sen, proprietor of Tantric and a staunch supporter of social causes, and NETSAP, the Network of South Asian Professionals, hopes to make the First Monday of the Month at Tantric as the “Go To” networking venue for people interested in meeting other folks with a similar interest in organizations creating innovative social impact.

The theme of the first meeting was “Bringing hope to areas of Conflict” and, in keeping with the theme, four innovative organizations working in different areas around the world presented their work. 

• Ted Barber, co-founder of Prosperity Candle, led off with a short description of their work in bringing marketable skills to women entrepreneurs in areas of conflict.  http://www.prosperitycandle.com
• Ruha Devanesan and Valerie Schenkman spoke of their work with Peacetones. Working around the world in areas of conflict, they help local artistes to setup their own businesses, publish their work and make it available online for purchase.  http://www.peacetones.org
• Kyle Dietrich and Kate Fedosova, founders of Peace in Focus, described their work helping teach critical life skills and healthy relationships to kids who have grown up in areas of conflict. See their photos and work at http://www.peaceinfocus.org
• Gerry Frank presented the work of EDWON, Empower Dalit Women of Nepal, where the organization has been working with communities in the remote reaches of the mountainous country that are generally considered to be ‘untouchable’ or Dalit.  http://www.edwon.org

Ted Barber, Prosperity Candle speaks about their work

The next monthly meeting, on April 5^th, presents organizations sharing their work on “Preventing Human Trafficking/Slavery” around the world. Confirmed organizations and speakers are:

• Eric Goodwin, Founder and Central Team Member and Tiffany Chen, Central Team Member. http://humantraffickingstudents.webs.com
• Beatrice Fernando, President, Nivasa Foundation http://www.nivasafoundation.org
• Urmi Chakrabarti, Counselor, MataHari/Eye of the Day. http://eyeoftheday.org
• Elizabeth Goldberg, Chair, Board of Directors, The Emancipation Network. http://www.madebysurvivors.com
• Shanti Muthu, Bachpan Bachao Andolan which means “Save Childhood movement”. www.bba.org.in

If you are interested in meeting others, supporting social impact and building your network, come to the next event. Get engaged, volunteer or help these organizations.

What: Social Entrepreneur Mondays@Tantric
When: Monday, April 5, 2010 6:30 PM
Where: Tantric India Bistro, 123 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116
Cover Charge (paid at the door): $10 includes appetizers.

See our photos from the March Meetup and details of the Meetups here.

Register for the next meeting at : http://www.meetup.com/Social-Entrepreneurs-Group-Boston/

Attendees networking at Tantric during event

Lokvani posted a detailed write-up of our last event here.