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Today we had the fortune to visit with two great organizations in idyllic, wintry Western Mass - EnlightenNext (What is Enlightenment? Magazine) and the Orion Society/Orion Magazine.

Located about 1/2 hour apart, these two non-profit organizations are major influencers in our national and international social justice and environmental dialogue, through their respective magazines (What is Enlightenment? and Orion Magazine) as well as the many other programs, organizations and people that they touch on a regular basis.

Right on the Housatonic River in Great Barrington on Main Street, one feels at home when approaching Orion’s main office. Orion’s Mission is to inform, inspire, and engage individuals and grassroots organizations in become a significant cultural force for healing nature and community. They accomplish their mission by way of their programs, websites, magazine, and gatherings of people brought together to explore important issues of the day.  For more info: www.orionsociety.org

EnlightenNext, publishers of What is Enlightenment? Magazine, is based in a beautiful retreat center in Lenox, with views of the Berkshires in all directions. EnlightenNext is helping to define the contours of new human consciousness and culture. Founded by spiritual teacher Andrew Cohen, they are an international organization with a new and positive direction for life in the twenty-first century. For more info: www.enlightennext.org

Based at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) promotes the entrepreneurial pursuit of social impact through the thoughtful adaptation of business expertise.  Led by Prof. Greg Dees, the academic pioneer of the field of social entrepreneurship, CASE engages in research and educational activities that provide individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills they need to pursue social impact entrepreneurially. Additionally, CASE provides thought leadership to help define and build the field of social entrepreneurship.

The Social Impact Club, Duke’s chapter of Net Impact (www.netimpact.org), is a student-led organization whose mission is to provide resources and support to Duke MBA students interested in effecting positive social change. With a current total of 250+ student members, SIC has been able to reach much of Fuqua’s student body through a variety of events.

Building on the growing interest in social sector careers at Fuqua, the Social Impact Club in conjunction with CASE and Duke’s Sanford Institute of Public Policy conducted a Week-in-Cities trip to Washington, D.C., from January 6 -8.  Students met with social entrepreneurs and international development organizations as they explored opportunities to generate a social return on investment.  One of the panels on this trip focused on Corporate Social Responsibility, in which social sector leaders from Environmental Defense SustainAbility, and BetterWorld Telecom participated.  This panel was characterized by mutually beneficial conversations where students learned more about the innovative visions of each organization, as well as opportunities for internships and full-time careers.

 For more information: www.caseatduke.org

A few hundred folks turned out last night to celebrate the work of 55 leading  for-profit and non-profit organizations who all share one common bond - dedicating their efforts to make the world a better place. We had a table that included customers and partners including Coop America, the Nature Conservancy, the US Green Building Council and the Social Venture Network, which made the night even more exciting for us.

In addition to seeing all of award recipients get recognized by the hundreds at the dinner - the moment of the night (unexpected to me) was clearly a speech by the new Chancellor of the DC Public School System, Michelle Rhee. Her passion and urgency for reforming the disgraceful DC public school system garnered her a standing o for at least a minute, maybe two.  She paid homage to many of the organizations being recognized for the major part they are playing in helping children and education in the US and around the world.

 A GREAT NIGHT all around - congrats to all of our customers and partners that were recognized - for more info: http://www.fastcompany.com/social/

In service,

Matt