Cool Tools for Social Impact (Plus Trivia's Back!)

I don't know about you, but I'm fascinated by AI. And frightened, too.

Perhaps the scaredy pants part goes all the way back to being a 10-year-old in 1968 in a darkened theater on Bainbridge Island, WA, and watching 2001: A Space Odyssey. I was a little freaked out as astronaut Dave tried to shut down Hal 9000, who was singing "Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do," and I remember even now wondering, "What in the fuck did I just see?" (Okay, not certain the F* bomb was active in my vocabulary then, let alone the question of what a 10-year-old was doing watching THAT movie - before the days of helicopter moms, I guess.)

AI's here to say and it's moving exponentially. We'll be exploring AI and its intersection with social impact in relevant news items (such as today's pop-up primer) and through deeper dives in upcoming issues. My bet: I think AI will redefine, or perhaps reemphasize, what it means to be human. And that - being human - is the foundation of what it is to create a social impact business.

Until then, Godspeed, friends.

Russ

P.S. Have an interesting way you've seen AI intersect with social impact? Let me know!

Cool Tools & Resources

• A Pop-Up for Artificial Intelligence. Did the New York Times chart new territory by launching a "pop-up" newsletter? In five parts over this week, ON TECH: AI will make you an expert in AI. (For subscribers only, though you might have a friend who would share 😉, plus I'm guessing the gate will come down once the original run is finished.)

• Reason to B. This is the last week of #BCorpMonth. What's a B Corp, you say? Try our B Corp Basics online class - a fast-paced introduction to get you up to speed.

• Let's build the world we wish to see. Have an idea to better your community or improve the environment, but need a 501(c)3 to secure funding? Check out SocialGood, a fiscal sponsorship and support services organization created to help you bring your world-changing ideas to life.

Quick Hits

• "Bill Gates drinks it - and invests in it, too." Let's turn the idea of being stuck in neutral on its head by actively seeking out neutral - carbon neutral. No better way to begin your day than by pouring a bowl of cereal with Neutral Milk.

• Just for fun. Who’s the most notable person from your hometown? We drilled down to some seriously dinky towns and had a great time playing around with this one.

Trivia Time

Time to play social impact trivia, friends! Who coined the term "social entrepreneur"?

• Anita Roddick
• Paul Polman
• Bill Drayton

Find the Most Meaningful Work of Your Career

Our partner One Work has you covered with meaningful work that goes beyond a paycheck, a cubicle, or a weekly team Zoom call. Check out this week's jobs featuring a theme of "People v. Profit," where you'll meet a law firm with an interesting and impactful business model (no, seriously!), along with other purposeful job opportunities:

• ATTICUS - a law firm (LOVE the brand name) that provides free advice through a find-a-lawyer service that helps people find the right lawyers for cases about disability benefits, workers' compensation, and injuries. Client Experience Associate, REMOTE.

• GOOD STUFF - Put on your personal brand on this brand strategy and design firm where more than 80% of staff and clients are women. Project Manager, Sausalito, CA.

• MODERN ENERGY - Join a company on a mission to accelerate the transition to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy. Capital & Investments Associate, Durham, NC.

There's more! Check out One Work's full roster of purposeful jobs with mission-driven companies and organizations.‌

Trivia Answer

"Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry."

Bill Drayton introduced the term "social entrepreneur" to the world when he founded Ashoka, in 1980. Ashoka is a highly regarded international nonprofit that identifies, inspires, and supports social entrepreneurs around the world.

While they didn't invent the term social entrepreneur, Dame Anita Roddick and Paul Polman have both made significant contributions to the world of social and environmental impact; Roddick, founder of the Body Shoppe International, as a longtime supporter of human rights and environmental activism, and Polman, former CEO of Unilever, as a corporate leader in business sustainability.

"Be courageous. It's one of the only places left uncrowded." Dame Anita Roddick

Have an interesting social impact tool, idea, or trivia question you'd like to share? Reply to this newsletter or hit me up at rstoddard@oliverrussell.com