In addition to clarifying the purpose of the project, we also will need to clarify the scope of the project. The Tutor/Mentor Connection is based in Chicago. David Braden is based in Denver. I'm based in Seattle. Other potential Network Weavers are based in other cities.

I have spoken with David, and our preference would be to emphasize network weaving that focuses on our own cities. One of the reasons is that this would make use of the knowledge that we already have of our cities. It would provide the ability to use real-world, as well as Internet based, networks to do our work. And, it would also make for a much more realistic sized project to start with.

There is another reason, however. Both David and I are interested in learning how to do what David refers to as "Three Dimensional Networking." See http://www.aboutus.org/3DN_Intro duction for an introduction. As I understand it, this means that we not only focus on making connections within one particular sector, such as tutoring/mentoring, but that we also learn how to facilitate connections across sectors that strengthen all of them.

Let me offer a specific example. There is an organization called Washington State CASA (see http://www.washingtonstatecasa.o rg/) that provides Court Appointed Special Advocates for Abused and Neglected Children. They are about to engage in a major volunteer drive.

Some of the volunteers that would be interested in being Special Advocates would probably also be interested in being Tutors and Mentors (and vice versa). The programs that handle the Advocacy programs would probably be interested in connecting with Tutoring/Mentoring programs. Perhaps at some point, these programs could even partner to secure grant funding to provide continuity of services -- starting with court intervention and leading to ongoing support through a tutoring/mentoring program.

And, while we're thinking along those lines, what about other possibilities that could be woven in? For example, what about involving local businesses that would like to have an open house to share with young people the experience of what it is like to work at that business. Perhaps this could be arranged through a local Chamber of Commerce. Since I know the Seattle area, I already know some of the Chambers of Commerce (such as the Rainier Valley and Central Area Chambers) that might be interested in this sort of thing. In the process, not only would young people and businesses become aware of one another, but people who work at those businesses might become interested in becoming advocates or tutor/mentors. And, businesses that have such a program in place might well be more open to hiring young people who had gone through a tutor/mentor program and visited their open house.

I want to make it very clear that I do not think we can accomplish all these sorts of things at once! But, if we work within a specific regional area and have the intention of weaving things together across sectors, I think that it is possible for us to eventually accomplish some very interesting things.

So, Daniel (and others), what are your thoughts about having David, myself, and other Network Weavers focus on our own geographic areas for this project?