6th Annual Craigslist Foundation Boot Camp Empowers Community Volunteers From Across the Nation
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 1, 2009 — Craigslist Foundation announces its 6th annual Boot Camp for nonprofit organizations and individuals interested in making a difference in their communities nationwide. It will be held on Saturday, June 20th, 2009, on the University of California, Berkeley campus. This year, the all-day program focuses on skills for connecting, motivating and inspiring greater community involvement and impact. Boot Camp '09 will place a special emphasis on community-building and the opportunities for collaboration among individuals, businesses, government, philanthropists, and nonprofits. Boot Camp precedes the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering & Service, in San Francisco.
"People are re-inventing themselves as a result of our current economy, and they are looking for ways to do that while helping their neighbors," said Lynn Luckow, Craigslist Foundation Interim Executive Director. "This year's theme, 'Connect. Inspire. Act,' echoes President Obama's recent call to service. People are answering the call but often need a little more ammunition. Boot Camp gives volunteer newcomers as well as veteran community leaders the tools they need to make a significant and immediate impact on their communities."
Randi Zuckerberg, leader of marketing, political and social change initiatives for Facebook, will be one of the keynote presenters. Craig Newmark, customer service representative and founder of craigslist.org, will also deliver a keynote on the importance of transparency and accountability.
Boot Camp has drawn more than 10,000 passionate people since its inception in 2004. More than 1,500 are expected to attend this year.
"President Obama's call to service is an exciting endorsement of the mission many of our nonprofit leaders share," said Craig Newmark, founder of craisglist. "Craigslist Foundation recognizes the vital role these dedicated individuals play in strengthening our communities. Boot Camp encourages leaders from all industries to learn from and augment each other's efforts."
Boot Camp '09 will match nonprofit professionals, social entrepreneurs and passionate individuals with the people and resources that can support their missions. Twenty-four workshops will be led by experts on topics such as fundraising, future technology, advocacy and lobbying, community building, marketing and messaging, strategic planning, and measuring success and impact.
"Nonprofit Boot Camp gave me opportunities to learn how to best structure my new nonprofit in advance of actually filing for 501(c)(3) status. There were also opportunities to network with others and to learn about various aspects of operating a nonprofit. There was no wasted time." 2008 Boot Camper
The intentionally low registration fee of only $75 includes workshops by leaders in social change, one-on-one coaching, and facilitated networking. Another unique hallmark of Boot Camp is that attendees are encouraged to float from one session to another as often as needed to maximize their learning experience. For some, this means leaving a presentation after 20 minutes to join another -- a practice Craigslist Foundation embraces to put the power in the hands of each participant.
"Boot Camp has always been much larger than any one organization and was conceived as a hub for bright minds to share, interact and learn from one another," said Luckow. "Every decision we make -- from speaker selection to workshop topics -- is based on the feedback we have received from the inspired and driven community that makes this event possible."
After Boot Camp, Craigslist Foundation will host podcast recordings of the workshops online to give everyone a taste of the Boot Camp experience, even if they weren't able to make it to Berkeley on June 20. Donations and sponsorships from all sectors of the community pave the way for Boot Camp's success each year. Craigslist Foundation gratefully acknowledges craigslist, DLA Piper, Center for Nonprofit and Public Leadership - Haas School of Business, Green960, KRON4, Nonprofit Suite, Yelp, and all of its 2009 Boot Camp sponsors. In addition, volunteers throughout the city have contributed hundreds of hours to make the event a success.
"This event exceeded my expectations. I found a whole community of like-minded people that I suddenly felt a part of. Thank you for helping me to connect." 2008 Boot Camper
Anyone interested in registering for Boot Camp should visit www.craigslistfoundation.org/bootcamp. A full list of confirmed speakers, workshop topics and the day's agenda are viewable on the site. Additionally, prospective Boot Campers can stay apprised of the most current Boot Camp news by following Craigslist Foundation on Twitter (@craigslist_fndn), Facebook (Group: Craigslist Foundation) and LinkedIn (Group: Craigslist Foundation Boot Camp).
ABOUT CRAIGSLIST FOUNDATION
Founded in 2000 by Craig Newmark and others, Craigslist Foundation connects people with the resources they need to build stronger communities. Our free and low cost events and online resources promote community building at all levels. Craigslist Foundation is a publicly supported, non-endowed 501(c)3 operating foundation and, as such, does not award grants. Instead, the organization focuses on producing events and resources that create the greatest possible community impact.
ABOUT CRAIGSLIST
In 1995 craigslist.org was born: a free, down-to-earth and self-monitored online bulletin board that revolutionized the ease and speed with which people could communicate, exchange goods and services and create community. Originally started in the Bay Area, craigslist has become a hub for the wired community and one of the ten most visited web sites, spreading to 300 cities and over 50 countries across the globe. Each month, craigslist engages over 15 million people and receives more than 5 billion page views. With no advertising, no commercialization and only word-of-mouth promotion, craigslist has become a phenomenon. And it's still 99.9% free.
