The document provides a historical overview and organizational details of the Houston Inventors Association (HIA) and its offshoot, the Young Inventors Association of America (YIAA). It describes how the HIA began in 1983 and established programs to educate inventors. The YIAA program began in 1988 to provide invention education for students and has grown significantly. The YIAA program allows students to develop inventions and present them for judging, with top projects advancing to regional competitions. The program has been successful in improving students' self-esteem and engagement, especially for at-risk youth. The report evaluates opportunities to further develop the YIAA into a sustainable world-class program through strong organizational structure and community partnerships.
Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play important roles in addressing issues around the world. IGOs like the United Nations provide forums for discussion and help facilitate international cooperation, while NGOs work on issues like human rights and the environment. Both organizations undertake various projects in areas such as education, healthcare, and economic development. However, some NGOs face issues like corruption, providing poor services, and lack of transparency that can undermine their important work.
The document summarizes several international funding resources, including the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, NAFSA, Institute of International Education, Fulbright Program, Rockefeller Foundation, National Endowment for Democracy, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, UNESCO, Social Science Research Council, and International Research & Exchange Board. It provides brief descriptions of each organization's mission and focus areas as well as links to their websites for more information.
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to low and middle income countries for economic development projects. It was founded in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference to help reconstruct economies damaged by WWII. The World Bank aims to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity through investments in areas like education, health, infrastructure and private sector development. In Nepal, the World Bank supports over 25 projects with $2.4 billion in commitments focused on poverty reduction, healthcare and education reforms, and policy reforms in fiscal management and the financial sector.
Christian Social Stock Exchange - A Strategic FrameworkJohnny Moi
Developing a strategic framework and Center of Excellence (CoE) for the world's first Christian Social Stock Exchange (Executive Business Plan). Looking for a Sponsor.
Philippine's celebration on the international year of cooperatives 2012Jo Balucanag - Bitonio
The document summarizes the Philippine International Year of Cooperatives 2012 celebration from October 2011 to October 2012. The celebration aims to increase public awareness of cooperatives and their contributions to sustainable development goals. It also wants to strengthen the cooperative movement and influence policymakers to create an environment conducive to cooperatives. Specific strategies and goals are outlined to engage media, model best practices, conduct awareness activities, advance cooperative agendas and policies, and advocate for supportive legislation.
Ice-cream is a delicacy known to most of us and it is enjoyed daily around the world, even in colder climates. It is commonly based on cream or milk and sometimes eggs to form a custard like base. Sweeteners are added, once in the form of fruit, now largely replaced by sugar, but the tasty ice cream Raipur we enjoy today has not changed hugely from the early efforts of frozen dessert makers.
Source(s):http://www.mEntal.net.in/
Marcus P. Nance is seeking an IT position and has over 5 years of experience in various IT roles including IT technician, project team leader, and infrastructure technician. He has an educational background that includes recent CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications as well as degrees from Rush Medical College and Chicago State University. His experience includes large scale computer and equipment installation and migration projects at hospitals and other organizations in Chicago.
Marcus P. Nance is seeking an IT position and has over 5 years of experience in various IT roles including IT technician, project team leader, and infrastructure technician. He has an educational background that includes recent CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications as well as degrees from Rush Medical College and Chicago State University. His experience includes computer installation, network upgrades, asset management, and troubleshooting for organizations such as Lurie Children's Hospital, Wells Fargo, IBM, and Dell.
Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play important roles in addressing issues around the world. IGOs like the United Nations provide forums for discussion and help facilitate international cooperation, while NGOs work on issues like human rights and the environment. Both organizations undertake various projects in areas such as education, healthcare, and economic development. However, some NGOs face issues like corruption, providing poor services, and lack of transparency that can undermine their important work.
The document summarizes several international funding resources, including the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, NAFSA, Institute of International Education, Fulbright Program, Rockefeller Foundation, National Endowment for Democracy, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, UNESCO, Social Science Research Council, and International Research & Exchange Board. It provides brief descriptions of each organization's mission and focus areas as well as links to their websites for more information.
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to low and middle income countries for economic development projects. It was founded in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference to help reconstruct economies damaged by WWII. The World Bank aims to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity through investments in areas like education, health, infrastructure and private sector development. In Nepal, the World Bank supports over 25 projects with $2.4 billion in commitments focused on poverty reduction, healthcare and education reforms, and policy reforms in fiscal management and the financial sector.
Christian Social Stock Exchange - A Strategic FrameworkJohnny Moi
Developing a strategic framework and Center of Excellence (CoE) for the world's first Christian Social Stock Exchange (Executive Business Plan). Looking for a Sponsor.
Philippine's celebration on the international year of cooperatives 2012Jo Balucanag - Bitonio
The document summarizes the Philippine International Year of Cooperatives 2012 celebration from October 2011 to October 2012. The celebration aims to increase public awareness of cooperatives and their contributions to sustainable development goals. It also wants to strengthen the cooperative movement and influence policymakers to create an environment conducive to cooperatives. Specific strategies and goals are outlined to engage media, model best practices, conduct awareness activities, advance cooperative agendas and policies, and advocate for supportive legislation.
Ice-cream is a delicacy known to most of us and it is enjoyed daily around the world, even in colder climates. It is commonly based on cream or milk and sometimes eggs to form a custard like base. Sweeteners are added, once in the form of fruit, now largely replaced by sugar, but the tasty ice cream Raipur we enjoy today has not changed hugely from the early efforts of frozen dessert makers.
Source(s):http://www.mEntal.net.in/
Marcus P. Nance is seeking an IT position and has over 5 years of experience in various IT roles including IT technician, project team leader, and infrastructure technician. He has an educational background that includes recent CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications as well as degrees from Rush Medical College and Chicago State University. His experience includes large scale computer and equipment installation and migration projects at hospitals and other organizations in Chicago.
Marcus P. Nance is seeking an IT position and has over 5 years of experience in various IT roles including IT technician, project team leader, and infrastructure technician. He has an educational background that includes recent CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications as well as degrees from Rush Medical College and Chicago State University. His experience includes computer installation, network upgrades, asset management, and troubleshooting for organizations such as Lurie Children's Hospital, Wells Fargo, IBM, and Dell.
The VASK Volunteers programme mobilizes volunteers to contribute to peace and sustainable development worldwide. It recruits action-oriented volunteers to support VASK's community development programs in areas like sustainable development, disaster management, education, and job creation. VASK volunteers contributed 187,000 hours of service last year on diverse projects like tree planting and community events. VASK is committed to diversity and inclusion among its 4,500 members nationwide and seeks to remove obstacles to professional growth for all groups.
PROJECT REPORT ON NGOS (GOONJ & SAVE THE CHILDREN)Sheryl Mehra
This study provides the opportunity to know the perspective of the students about the NGOs as a program with the detailed overview about the Ngo’s which are in operational in India.It provides is brief introduction about the organization- GOONJ & SAVE THE CHILDREN.
The document provides results from the Scout Experience: Ready for Life project implemented in Tijuana, Mexico from 2012-2015. It reports that over 10,000 children and youth benefited from 83,000 hours of scout programming and activities focused on character, education and leadership. Three sustainable Scout Groups were created in high-crime neighborhoods that are now led by community volunteers. Young people completed over 900 hours of community service and 19 community projects. The project generated a violence prevention model and tools to monitor social impact while strengthening Scouts of Mexico's institutional capacity.
This document is the annual report of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation for 2012. It provides an overview of the Foundation's grants and activities that year across its three program areas: promoting international arts engagement, protecting reproductive rights, and improving the performance of public institutions in New York. A total of $4.78 million was appropriated to 53 grantees. The report describes the goals and strategies within each program area, and provides details on several specific grants made to organizations such as Art21, Bang on a Can, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Global Philanthropy Report. Perspectives on the global foundation sectorDominique Gross
Report: Perspectives on the global foundation sector
seeks to develop a knowledge base to address the size,
scope, and practice of institutional philanthropy across
the globe. This inaugural report represents a first step
in an attempt to understand worldwide philanthropic
practices and trends; provide comparative analysis across
countries and regions; begin to develop a picture of the
magnitude of global philanthropic investment; and help
create an evidence-based discussion on global philanthropy.
We hope to publish the report biennially, adding additional
countries and reporting increasingly comprehensive
data within countries in future editions. Importantly, national
collaborators are publishing more in-depth reports
on philanthropy in their individual countries.
SE_scoping_090215_lo_British Council PhilippinesJustine Ong
This document provides an overview of a study conducted on social enterprise activity in the Philippines. The study included a desk-based review of relevant literature, policies and plans, as well as interviews with 40 stakeholders across the social enterprise sector in Metro Manila, Cebu City and Davao City. The purpose was to map and assess the current social enterprise landscape in the country by identifying skills needs, barriers to growth, and challenges faced. Key findings and recommendations on developing the social enterprise sector in the Philippines are presented.
NGOs play an important role in corporate social responsibility by creating public awareness, pressuring companies and governments, and initiating strategic changes. They focus on issues like human rights, labor rights, and the environment. NGOs vary in their level of operation from local community groups to large international organizations. While some distrust large companies, most people express some level of trust in NGOs. NGOs can cooperate with companies on CSR projects or apply pressure through advocacy, sharing information, and encouraging boycotts when needed. The media is also an important tool for NGOs to influence public opinion on CSR practices.
The document discusses the changing nature of non-profits and their future. It notes that traditional non-profits defined themselves negatively compared to for-profit businesses, but the lines are now blurring as social good organizations emerge from both sectors. The future nonprofit will not be defined by being "non-profit" but by focusing on social good and having sustainable funding models, incorporating practices from both non-profit and for-profit worlds. Traditional non-profits are becoming dinosaurs as they realize their models are unsustainable long-term.
York University has developed a plan to intensify research over the next decade through extensive consultation. The plan contains 21 recommendations clustered into five areas: growing a scholarly culture, investing in people, supporting research growth, leadership in advocacy, and building future research. York has seen strong growth in research publications over the past decade through long-term planning and community engagement. Examples of successful research intensification include a $33.3 million grant for vision research that will enhance 25 research teams and recruit 13 new faculty members. York supports partnerships through its innovation office, which engages with startups, approves funding agreements, and launched five companies in 2016. While the return on research investments is difficult to quantify, York researchers have made contributions in fields
The document summarizes Oak Foundation's mission and history. It commits resources to address issues of global, social, and environmental concern, particularly those impacting the disadvantaged. It was established in 1983 and has since made over 3,600 grants across the globe. In 2015 it made 326 grants totaling $201.87 million to 308 organizations in 39 countries to support issues like child abuse, the environment, housing/homelessness, and human rights.
This module discusses the roles of national and global sectors in promoting community development and solidarity. It defines national sectors as public and private organizations within a country, including NGOs and people's organizations, that work to advance social and economic welfare. Global sectors refer to international organizations that operate across borders to influence relations between states and issues affecting people internationally. Some benefits of these sectors include poverty alleviation, disaster relief, and strengthening relationships between communities and countries.
The annual report summarizes the activities of the Digicel Foundation over the 2012-2013 year. It highlights that:
- The Foundation invested over $1.75 million in 108 projects directly impacting more than
Global responses to COVID-19 - perspectives from the Latin American private s...David Ferreira
As the global community for investors for impact, AVPA, AVPN, EVPA & IVPC (LatImpacto) have launched the “Global Responses to a Global Pandemic webinar series: Sharing Philanthropy's Response to COVID-19”.
This 4-part series will share lessons and philanthropic responses from across the world by shining a virtual spotlight on regional examples to similar challenges. Through this webinar you will have the opportunity to:
• Explore the diverse roles grant makers can have in responding to the pandemic
• Share examples of responses
• Hear from voices on the ground
The possibility to start conversations and share peer learning with a global audience which can be continued over the coming months. Hear practitioner stories from 4 continents.
Hudson Institute - 2015 Index of Philanthropic FreedomCatalyst Balkans
The document summarizes the Index of Philanthropic Freedom 2015 published by the Center for Global Prosperity at Hudson Institute. It measures and ranks 64 countries based on their legal/regulatory environment for philanthropy through indicators on nonprofit registration/operations, tax policies, and cross-border financial flows. The Index aims to identify best practices and policies to improve philanthropic freedom and strengthen civil society worldwide. It represents the first systematic effort to quantify and compare countries' environments for giving by individuals and organizations.
Convergence Center for Policy Resolution was established to solve seemingly intractable social and policy problems through trust, agreement, and cooperation between conflicting groups. It convenes diverse stakeholders through a five-stage process to build trust, develop shared solutions, and take action on critical issues like education, nutrition, long-term care, and US-Pakistan relations. Convergence is seeking $5 million over multiple years to complete current projects, start new ones on economic mobility and incarceration, expand operations, and train others in its collaborative methods.
This document discusses the importance of early childhood investments for building a strong workforce and economy. It summarizes evidence that:
- Many US students lack proficiency in core subjects and skills needed for jobs. Early childhood programs can help address this by laying the foundation for skills development from a young age.
- High-quality early education like pre-K has been shown to improve early literacy and math skills, and decrease special education needs and grade repetition, yielding long-term benefits.
- Investments in early childhood programs have been found to provide high economic returns through increased skills and productivity, with some programs yielding over $10 in returns for every $1 spent.
The document provides details about the application process for the "Best Society (in a Charity or Civic field)" award. It outlines the application form sections on organization, events, finance, publicity, civic/charity activities, and other details. The application will be evaluated based on the application form, portfolio, interview, and overall impression. Adjudicators will mark each application and the total possible marks are 200. Concise and well-organized responses that directly answer the questions are appreciated. The application form requests specific details about the society's structure, membership numbers, aims and objectives, activities undertaken, and challenges faced over the past year.
Eller Partnership Presentation 03 06 09 Fina La Bmpbphilippi
This document discusses poverty reduction efforts and cross-sector partnerships. It notes that over 2.6 billion people live on less than $2 per day. The Millennium Development Goals aimed to reduce extreme poverty by 2015 through partnerships between governments, NGOs, and businesses. However, partnerships often fail due to cultural and organizational differences between sectors. True partnerships require understanding different perspectives and empowering local communities.
This document presents a three-year strategic plan for the Young Social Pioneers program from April 2012 to March 2015. The plan was developed with input from program participants, staff, mentors, and advisory board members. It outlines the program's mission, values, and desired outcomes, which include developing young leaders of social change in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. A SWOT analysis is presented. The plan identifies six main goals: 1) develop young leaders, 2) promote identity/branding and fundraising, 3) increase research/evaluation, 4) leverage partnerships, 5) benchmark programming, and 6) enhance strategic vision and organizational excellence. An action plan with specific objectives and tactics is provided to accomplish each goal over
More Related Content
Similar to YIAASummaryReporttotheGlobalPartnershipSummitinNovember2002.doc
The VASK Volunteers programme mobilizes volunteers to contribute to peace and sustainable development worldwide. It recruits action-oriented volunteers to support VASK's community development programs in areas like sustainable development, disaster management, education, and job creation. VASK volunteers contributed 187,000 hours of service last year on diverse projects like tree planting and community events. VASK is committed to diversity and inclusion among its 4,500 members nationwide and seeks to remove obstacles to professional growth for all groups.
PROJECT REPORT ON NGOS (GOONJ & SAVE THE CHILDREN)Sheryl Mehra
This study provides the opportunity to know the perspective of the students about the NGOs as a program with the detailed overview about the Ngo’s which are in operational in India.It provides is brief introduction about the organization- GOONJ & SAVE THE CHILDREN.
The document provides results from the Scout Experience: Ready for Life project implemented in Tijuana, Mexico from 2012-2015. It reports that over 10,000 children and youth benefited from 83,000 hours of scout programming and activities focused on character, education and leadership. Three sustainable Scout Groups were created in high-crime neighborhoods that are now led by community volunteers. Young people completed over 900 hours of community service and 19 community projects. The project generated a violence prevention model and tools to monitor social impact while strengthening Scouts of Mexico's institutional capacity.
This document is the annual report of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation for 2012. It provides an overview of the Foundation's grants and activities that year across its three program areas: promoting international arts engagement, protecting reproductive rights, and improving the performance of public institutions in New York. A total of $4.78 million was appropriated to 53 grantees. The report describes the goals and strategies within each program area, and provides details on several specific grants made to organizations such as Art21, Bang on a Can, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Global Philanthropy Report. Perspectives on the global foundation sectorDominique Gross
Report: Perspectives on the global foundation sector
seeks to develop a knowledge base to address the size,
scope, and practice of institutional philanthropy across
the globe. This inaugural report represents a first step
in an attempt to understand worldwide philanthropic
practices and trends; provide comparative analysis across
countries and regions; begin to develop a picture of the
magnitude of global philanthropic investment; and help
create an evidence-based discussion on global philanthropy.
We hope to publish the report biennially, adding additional
countries and reporting increasingly comprehensive
data within countries in future editions. Importantly, national
collaborators are publishing more in-depth reports
on philanthropy in their individual countries.
SE_scoping_090215_lo_British Council PhilippinesJustine Ong
This document provides an overview of a study conducted on social enterprise activity in the Philippines. The study included a desk-based review of relevant literature, policies and plans, as well as interviews with 40 stakeholders across the social enterprise sector in Metro Manila, Cebu City and Davao City. The purpose was to map and assess the current social enterprise landscape in the country by identifying skills needs, barriers to growth, and challenges faced. Key findings and recommendations on developing the social enterprise sector in the Philippines are presented.
NGOs play an important role in corporate social responsibility by creating public awareness, pressuring companies and governments, and initiating strategic changes. They focus on issues like human rights, labor rights, and the environment. NGOs vary in their level of operation from local community groups to large international organizations. While some distrust large companies, most people express some level of trust in NGOs. NGOs can cooperate with companies on CSR projects or apply pressure through advocacy, sharing information, and encouraging boycotts when needed. The media is also an important tool for NGOs to influence public opinion on CSR practices.
The document discusses the changing nature of non-profits and their future. It notes that traditional non-profits defined themselves negatively compared to for-profit businesses, but the lines are now blurring as social good organizations emerge from both sectors. The future nonprofit will not be defined by being "non-profit" but by focusing on social good and having sustainable funding models, incorporating practices from both non-profit and for-profit worlds. Traditional non-profits are becoming dinosaurs as they realize their models are unsustainable long-term.
York University has developed a plan to intensify research over the next decade through extensive consultation. The plan contains 21 recommendations clustered into five areas: growing a scholarly culture, investing in people, supporting research growth, leadership in advocacy, and building future research. York has seen strong growth in research publications over the past decade through long-term planning and community engagement. Examples of successful research intensification include a $33.3 million grant for vision research that will enhance 25 research teams and recruit 13 new faculty members. York supports partnerships through its innovation office, which engages with startups, approves funding agreements, and launched five companies in 2016. While the return on research investments is difficult to quantify, York researchers have made contributions in fields
The document summarizes Oak Foundation's mission and history. It commits resources to address issues of global, social, and environmental concern, particularly those impacting the disadvantaged. It was established in 1983 and has since made over 3,600 grants across the globe. In 2015 it made 326 grants totaling $201.87 million to 308 organizations in 39 countries to support issues like child abuse, the environment, housing/homelessness, and human rights.
This module discusses the roles of national and global sectors in promoting community development and solidarity. It defines national sectors as public and private organizations within a country, including NGOs and people's organizations, that work to advance social and economic welfare. Global sectors refer to international organizations that operate across borders to influence relations between states and issues affecting people internationally. Some benefits of these sectors include poverty alleviation, disaster relief, and strengthening relationships between communities and countries.
The annual report summarizes the activities of the Digicel Foundation over the 2012-2013 year. It highlights that:
- The Foundation invested over $1.75 million in 108 projects directly impacting more than
Global responses to COVID-19 - perspectives from the Latin American private s...David Ferreira
As the global community for investors for impact, AVPA, AVPN, EVPA & IVPC (LatImpacto) have launched the “Global Responses to a Global Pandemic webinar series: Sharing Philanthropy's Response to COVID-19”.
This 4-part series will share lessons and philanthropic responses from across the world by shining a virtual spotlight on regional examples to similar challenges. Through this webinar you will have the opportunity to:
• Explore the diverse roles grant makers can have in responding to the pandemic
• Share examples of responses
• Hear from voices on the ground
The possibility to start conversations and share peer learning with a global audience which can be continued over the coming months. Hear practitioner stories from 4 continents.
Hudson Institute - 2015 Index of Philanthropic FreedomCatalyst Balkans
The document summarizes the Index of Philanthropic Freedom 2015 published by the Center for Global Prosperity at Hudson Institute. It measures and ranks 64 countries based on their legal/regulatory environment for philanthropy through indicators on nonprofit registration/operations, tax policies, and cross-border financial flows. The Index aims to identify best practices and policies to improve philanthropic freedom and strengthen civil society worldwide. It represents the first systematic effort to quantify and compare countries' environments for giving by individuals and organizations.
Convergence Center for Policy Resolution was established to solve seemingly intractable social and policy problems through trust, agreement, and cooperation between conflicting groups. It convenes diverse stakeholders through a five-stage process to build trust, develop shared solutions, and take action on critical issues like education, nutrition, long-term care, and US-Pakistan relations. Convergence is seeking $5 million over multiple years to complete current projects, start new ones on economic mobility and incarceration, expand operations, and train others in its collaborative methods.
This document discusses the importance of early childhood investments for building a strong workforce and economy. It summarizes evidence that:
- Many US students lack proficiency in core subjects and skills needed for jobs. Early childhood programs can help address this by laying the foundation for skills development from a young age.
- High-quality early education like pre-K has been shown to improve early literacy and math skills, and decrease special education needs and grade repetition, yielding long-term benefits.
- Investments in early childhood programs have been found to provide high economic returns through increased skills and productivity, with some programs yielding over $10 in returns for every $1 spent.
The document provides details about the application process for the "Best Society (in a Charity or Civic field)" award. It outlines the application form sections on organization, events, finance, publicity, civic/charity activities, and other details. The application will be evaluated based on the application form, portfolio, interview, and overall impression. Adjudicators will mark each application and the total possible marks are 200. Concise and well-organized responses that directly answer the questions are appreciated. The application form requests specific details about the society's structure, membership numbers, aims and objectives, activities undertaken, and challenges faced over the past year.
Eller Partnership Presentation 03 06 09 Fina La Bmpbphilippi
This document discusses poverty reduction efforts and cross-sector partnerships. It notes that over 2.6 billion people live on less than $2 per day. The Millennium Development Goals aimed to reduce extreme poverty by 2015 through partnerships between governments, NGOs, and businesses. However, partnerships often fail due to cultural and organizational differences between sectors. True partnerships require understanding different perspectives and empowering local communities.
This document presents a three-year strategic plan for the Young Social Pioneers program from April 2012 to March 2015. The plan was developed with input from program participants, staff, mentors, and advisory board members. It outlines the program's mission, values, and desired outcomes, which include developing young leaders of social change in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. A SWOT analysis is presented. The plan identifies six main goals: 1) develop young leaders, 2) promote identity/branding and fundraising, 3) increase research/evaluation, 4) leverage partnerships, 5) benchmark programming, and 6) enhance strategic vision and organizational excellence. An action plan with specific objectives and tactics is provided to accomplish each goal over
Similar to YIAASummaryReporttotheGlobalPartnershipSummitinNovember2002.doc (20)
1. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
YOUNG INVENTORS ASSOCIATION:
Building A World Class Program
SUMMARY REPORT
Delivered to the
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT ON LEARNING, EMPLOYABILITY, and
CITIZENSHIP
November 2002
Greg J. Micek, J.D.
Betty Karlson
Young Inventors Association
3. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
YOUNG INVENTORS ASSOCIATION of AMERICA --
BUILDING A WORLD CLASS PROGRAM
Table of Contents
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF YOUNG INVENTORS ASSOCIATION of AMERICA
and its parent HOUSTON INVENTORS ASSOCIATION
Houston Inventors Association(1983 - 2002)
● Historical Overview
● Organizational Definition & Structure
Young Inventors Association(Showcase) (1988 - 2002)
● Historical Overview
● Organizational Performance
3. OPPORTUNITIES
● Characteristics of a SuccessfulOrganization Model
● Challenges Faced by the YIAA Program
● Partnership Opportunities
● YIAA Organizational Composition& Structural Recommendations
● YIAA Relationship with Volunteers
● Budgeting Process
● Fundraising Activities
● Summary and Conclusions
4. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
● The concept for an inventors' association in Houston began at a special
conference sponsored by the US Patent Office and the University of Houston.
Held at the university in November 1983, it was attended by more than four
hundred people. It was there that Houston businessman and attorney Greg
Micek was given a mandate to go forward to establish an inventors group.
During the next two years, Mr. Micek helped maintain a productive relationship
with the patent office and the university, and volunteered the use of his offices
for dozens of monthly meetings for local inventors. Today, the Houston
Inventors Association (HIA) is a Texas non-profit corporation. From the
beginning, founders acknowledged the need for high quality educational
information for members and the public at large, as well as a priority for outreach
to children. HIA's mission is to provide education, technical assistance, and
supportto creative thinkers in the greater Houston area and across the nation.
● The early Young Inventors Club programs, set up as a subordinate project
reporting to the HIA Board and operated under its 501 (c) (3) sanction, have
grown into an independent organization - the Young Inventors Association of
America (YIAA). With 15 years of success in three elementary school districts in
Texas, the impact of an expanding regional program is significant. When
integrated into the curriculum for one grade level, over 32 children in 100
classes can participate, totaling 3,200 children. The program has been pivotal
for average and "C" students who may not excel in a structured academic
environments yet are gifted at creativity and invention. Often the program is the
only avenue of "success" for at-risk children. Participants typically experience
significant improvements in self-esteem.
● The Young Inventors program is designed as a multi-week program conducted
at schools during after school time for one day per week, or it may be
incorporated into the formal curriculum. Using a written guide designed
especially to facilitate the program, a teacher coordinates the invention process
activities and is assisted by volunteers. Students research, design, and build an
invention or product which they enter for judging in their school's "invention
convention."
5. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
The positive financial, social, and community-wide impacts of a creative, vibrant
Young Inventors Association are substantial. The YIAA organization can take
advantage of its "Growth" level for many years. Such a structure will allow the
YIAA to build positive support, accumulate human and financial resources, and
implement a successful fundraising development program to capture substantial
existing funds targeted toward helping children via education and science. In
addition, parents of young inventors provide a well-motivated and enthusiastic pool
of potential volunteers who can contribute substantial growth, energy, money, and
manpower to the organization. Outstanding opportunities for community
development and positive public relations effects are possible to accrue quickly, not
just for one year but over the anticipated long and expansive life of the youth
association, improving the lives and self-esteem of thousands of creative young
people.
6. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
2. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW -
YOUNG INVENTORS ASSOCIATION of AMERICA (YIAA)
and its parent organization
HOUSTON INVENTORS ASSOCIATION (HIA)
Historical Overview - Houston Inventors Association(1983-2002)
● From a single conference in November1983 at the University of Houston, local
interest and supportfor the invention process has expanded into an established
non-profit organization and regular public monthly meetings. The conceptfor a
Houston inventors' association began with support from the university and the
US Patent Office and continued with the mentoring of Greg Micek, a Houston
businessmanand attorney.
● From the beginning, founders acknowledged the need for high quality
educational information for members and the public at large, as well as a priority
for high ethical standards of conductand outreach to children.
● Mr. Micek served as first presidentof the association until 1988. His vision
included four founding principles: 1) the association exists for the benefitof its
members,2) it will remain a volunteer organization, 3) it will maintain "purity of
interest" - that is, the association functions as a non-profit organization with no
financial gain for individual members or the organization as a whole, and 4) the
organization's focus and format are concerned with the needs and issues of its
members as a group, never as individual inventors.
Organization Definition and Structure
● The Houston Inventors Association(HIA) was incorporated as a non-profit
organization in Houston, Texas in March 1986. Its articles were amended in
1989 to clarify its purpose as educational, and to specifyits intention to comply
with IRS guidelines for non-profits in Section 501 (c) (3) of its code. The
founding directors of the organization included Greg J. Micek, Jim Harness,
James L. Head, Ms. Tina Hinds, and Kenneth A. Roddy,all of Houston, Texas.
● HIA's mission is to provide education, technical assistance,and supportto
creative thinkers in the greater Houston area and across the nation.
7. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
● The organizing purpose stated in the HIA bylaws is to support the Association's
missionthrough:
1. Fostering and promoting the invention professionwith the highest
standards of professionalism,
2. Establishing mutually beneficialrelationships among those involved with
the invention process,
3. Providing a forum for membereducationand assistance,
4. Participating in the economic developmentof the Houston business
community, and
5. Assisting members,employers,and employees indeveloping beneficial
invention policies.
● Membership is by application and approval upon payment of an annual fee. This
fee has increased over the last ten years from $25 initially to a current annual fee
of $45. Since 1995,the fee has been prorated on a monthly basis. Annual
membership as tracked by the organization follows a distinct seasonality.
Cumulative paid membership is typically lowest in January and increases
throughout the year to a Decemberpeak.
● Membership in the Associationcan be effectedforthree categories: Individual,
Proprietorship,or Corporation. All categories share the same dues amount. No
categories are defined forHonorary (special recognees)or Spouses/Families.
● Membership geographytypically includes the five-county Houston metropolitan
area, but may also include participants from Clear Lake, the NASA area, The
Woodlands,and sometimes Austinand Dallas.
● General membership meetings are held on the fourth Wednesdayof each month
currently at the Bayland Community Center in southwest Houston. There is no
charge for members,and a nominal fee for guests. Light buffetrefreshments
are available at cost. The meeting includes HIA announce- ments, light
business,"show and tell" for a particular invention, and a keynote speakerwho
presents a topic program for the evening. Attendance has reached 200
attendees depending on the program topic.
● Private "review" meetings are held on the third Wednesday. These closed-door
sessions allow serious inventors the opportunity to have their inventions seen
and evaluated by experienced peers,without risk of public exposure. Attendees
are required to sign non-disclosure agreements.
8. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
● Workshop meetings are held on the second Wednesdayat the Bayland location.
These are intended to be educational in nature and focus on a specific partof
the invention process. By attending these sessions overa period of
approximately two years, one can learn the details of the entire inventing
process necessaryto take a new idea successfully from conceptto market.
● In December1999,the HIA joined a nationwide organization of inventor groups,
the United Inventors Associationof the USA. This organization assists with
public relations and promotional activities, helps identify and educate the public
about unscrupulous businesses and firms, and provides various avenues and
opportunities for government affairs interaction, especially with the U.S. Patent
Office.The national Associationis affiliated with Inventors Digest magazine.
● As part of its community outreach program, HIA has provided speakers and
programs for the Scouting "Blue and Gold" banquets.
● HIA implemented its web-site www.inventors.org in 1999. By the end of that
year, site "hits" averaged 60 - 70 per day. The site has attracted approximately
35,600 hits during the 28-month period since then, including the first four months
of 2002. Annual hits have averaged 14,228 per year, with hits per month of
1,270 and daily hits averaging around 40. Web-site contentincludes basic
organizational information, meeting schedules,and connections to other sites of
general interest to inventors.
9. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
1. HISTORICALOVERVIEW - YIAA and HIA (continued)
Historical Overview - Young Inventors Association(Showcase) (1988 - 2002)
● Annual young inventors' competitions have beenheld in Texas since 1988. The
young inventors' program began with a conceptfor after schoolscience
activities. It included a young inventors competitionin the Houston Independent
SchoolDistrict City Science Contest.
● The early program began with enthusiasm in the Alvin ISD,and was included in
the curriculum. Donna Stavinoha of Walt Disney Elementary Schoolprepared
10 lessonplans, which became the basis for a teacher/student guidebook. Jean
Barrow, also of Alvin ISD, played a major role in the early program's successful
implementation.
● In 1990,Ms. Iris Story, a science PTA coordinatorfor the Spring Branch
IndependentSchoolDistrict, saw a newspaperarticle on the Young Inventors
Showcase and took the initiative to becomeinvolved with the program. She
followed up with Gene Horstketter of the HIA and helped "sell" the program to
the Spring Branch ISD district science supervisor.
● In 1995,"Butch" Graham served as the deputy director of the HIA School
Outreach Program. He spoke at the Brookside Intermediate School's science
club and encouraged the club to hold its first invention convention.
● By 1999,the program was underway at ten schools and involved over 500
young inventors from fourth through eighth grades.
● The most recent regional Young Inventors Showcase competitionheld in April
2002 was the 15th yearly event.
● The Young Inventors Club programs have been set up as a subordinate project
reporting to the HIA Board, and operated under its 501 (c) (3) sanction. The
Young Inventors programs have been administered as an activity of an HIA
working committee,the School Outreach Committee.
● The Young Inventors "Convention" program is designed as a multi-week
program conducted at schools during after schooltime for one day per week, or
it may be incorporated into the formal curriculum. Using a written guide
designed especiallyto facilitate the program, a teacher coordinates the invention
10. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
process activities and is assisted by volunteers. Students research, design,and
build an invention or product which they enter for judging in their school's
"invention convention."
● The highest level performers in individual schoolor district "invention
conventions" are chosento participate in the regional "showcase."
● Currently, the regional Young Inventors "Showcase" is a competitionopento
schoolchildrenin grades K through 8. First, second,and third prizes are
awarded for every grade level. Two patent applications are awarded as grand
prizes to those students with the most "patent-able" invention or idea.
● In 1999,the HIA board elected Iris Story as chair for the Regional Young
Inventors Club programs. She functions in a part-time executive directorrole.
Her responsibilities include promoting the programs to area schools and
teachers, preparation and distribution of the teachers' guide books,mass mailing
of program literature to schools,assisting with "invention convention" site
judging and coordination, and directing the annual Regional Young Inventors'
Showcase.
Organizational Performance
● The YIAA program has been especiallyappealing for average and "C" students
who may not appear to excel in a structured academic environment yet who may
be gifted at creativity and invention. Program concepts include brainstorming,
problem identification, and problem solving. Organizational and presentational
skills are also developed. The children learn to use a methodical approach to
projectdevelopment,and how to turn negatives into positives.
● Significantly improved self-esteem is a major benefit for many of the children
who participate in the program. Often the programs are the only avenues of
"success" forat-risk children.
● The program has been taught in many differentsettings including school
classrooms,Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,gifted and talented programs,after-school
programs,schoolday units, young inventors clubs, science clubs,"Odysseyof
the Mind" teams, and in self-directed programs.
● The program has been most successfully implemented in grades 3 through 5. It
seems particularly appealing to elementary aged children and/or teachers.
11. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
● The Young Inventors Showcase has received significant television and
newspaper coverage in several prior years. Houston TV hostess Debra Duncan
interviewed Showcase winners who were awarded patent applications. A
feature story "Those Amazing Kids" was filmed. The media has expressed
renewed interest in airing a new show about the kids.
● The potential impact of the program is significant. If implemented as an after-
schoolprogram in 20 out of 50 schools in the district, more than 400 children of
elementary schoolage could participate. If it were integrated into the curriculum
for one grade level, then over 32 kids in 100 classes would participate, a total of
3,200.
● The Spring Branch Council of PTA's has been very supportive. Their newsletter
is a significant promotional tool for the program, and has helped the program
succeed and expand in the SBISD.
● Brookside Intermediate Schooloffersthe program through its after school
science club and over 90 students participate.
● Katy ISD has offered the program as part of its gifted and talented activities.
● The 2002 YIAA Showcase had about 80 kids. Previous years' attendance has
included as many as 125 young inventors.
● Budgeted expensesforthe Young Inventors Showcase totaled about $5,100 in
1999. Much of this amount was funded by a donor grant and in-kind vendor
donations. Expenses forthe 2002 Showcase appears to be about $4,125,but
could reach as much as $6,450 in the next few years.
● Corporate donors for the 2002 YIAA Showcase include: Albertson's,CamLyn
Entertainment, Camp Invention, Churches Fried Chicken, CiCi's Pizza, Coca-
Cola, HEB, Hollywood Video,Kroger,Lundeen and Arismendi,LLP,
McDonald's,Randalls, US Patent and Trade Office,WashingtonMutual,
Whataburger, Inc. Corporate sponsorship included in-kind support, products,
and product discounts/coupons.
● Other donors for the 2002 YIAA Showcase include: Andy Arismendi,
Experimental Aircraft AssociationChapter 712,Greg Micek, and Spring Woods
High SchoolOdysseyof the Mind Team.
12. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
3. OPPORTUNITIES
Characteristics of a SuccessfulOrganization Model
● Organizations are living, breathing entities that must be program driven and
constantly connected to their communities to survive.
● A strong passionfor the vision of the organization provides the energy to
accomplishits mission year after year.
● A complete organization is composed ofits programs,its board of directors,its
management, its administrative and supportsystems,and its financial
resources. As priorities and resources within an organization shift, its systems
change. Each of these systems may function and expand at differentrates as
the organization matures.
● The vibrancy of the organization at any point in its life cycle is the reflectionof
the maturity, efficiency,and smoothinteraction of its systems.
● Organizations may be successfulat any point on the life cycle chart as long as
they match their resources and the skills of their board members,staff,
volunteers, and members to the organization's changing needs.
● A successfulorganization is governed so that the maturity of each of its systems
is matched as consistently as possible.
Challenges Faced by the YIAA Program
Program Participation
1. Convincing principals to approve the use of schoolfacilities for after-
schoolprograms
2. Convincing principals and science coordinators to include the program
in the curriculum
3. Expanding the interest and involvement of teachers
4. Expanding the interest and involvement of student participants
Public Relations and Community
5. Increasing broad public awareness of the program's successes,
including building a national presence
13. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
6. Increasing parent interest in the program to initiate action within the
schools,increase the volunteer pool,and expand community interest
7. Partnering/coordinating with other school/educationalprograms, such
as "Communities in Schools" CIS programs that provide funded after-
schooltutoring and programs for at-risk children across grade levels
Staffing/Volunteers
8. Establishing a separate specific structure to support the YIAA mission
9. Recruiting and training volunteer facilitators (usually parents)
10. Securing a more sustainable pace of program implementation to avoid
staff burnout
Financial Resources
11. Increasing teacher funding incentives (currently $150)
12. Increasing cultivation of corporate, foundation, and individual sponsors
supportof YIAA programs and Showcase events
Partnership Opportunities
● Publish and distribute annually directories of MemberCreative/Professional
Activities/Skills
● Join and becomean active memberof the "Community of Science," a worldwide
web community of nearly half a million research and developmentprofessionals.
They provide access to significant grant information, research, patents, and
worldwide business opportunities. Their web-site is www.cos.com.
● Participate in industry exhibitions, sponsorships
● Promote inventiveness/young inventors to business organizations and the
community
● Restructure and redesignsome of YIAA's programs,projects,and services to be
revenue based. Examples of fee-basedprograms and services could include:
● YIAA Inventors Conference
● YIAA "First Course in Inventing"
● YIAA Survey Course
● YIAA "Inventors CertificationProgram"
● YIAA Audio Conferences
● YIAA Invention Marketing "Institute"
● YIAA Position Papers
● YIAA ResearchPrograms
● YIAA Directory of School/Business Partners
14. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
● YIAA Directory of Inventing Talent
● YIAA Inventors Job Bank, with YIAA News and Professional
Postings
● YIAA "Inventors Day"
● YIAA "Inventors Bill of Rights"
● Identifyappropriate fundraising venues and assignments for volunteers and for
the YIAA Board, after reviewing budgetneeds and market research. Require a
basic level of training in fundraising techniques and the cultivation process forall
volunteers at all levels, including board members.
● All social and appreciation events and fundraisers aimed toward individual
appeals should be assigned to the volunteer group to administer via committees,
as are all individual "membership" solicitations.
● Typically, the volunteer support group will solicit individuals for memberships,
man-hours, and social participation at all types of events, socials, "thank you"
donor parties, inventor parties, retail sales, retail shops,book sales, etc.
● All foundation and corporate grant solicitations should be assigned to the YIAA
Board. Significant "homework" and documentationpreparation must be done
before the YIAA organization can begin grant solicitations. For a wide variety of
corporate grants available, stewardship documentation must be detailed to
insure monies are not used by or funneled to individuals.
● Typically, the YIAA Board (or its representative) will prepare and submit
foundation and corporate grant applications, and make public appeals for
endowments,planned giving, etc. In general, the YIAA Board will not solicit
individuals for memberships,man-hours, or social participation at events.
● Work from one central, shared, easily accessible database to void "donor double
dipping."
YIAA Organizational Composition& Structural Recommendations
1. Establish a nine-membersteering committee,with representatives from
each schoolthat has participated, certain key dignitaries from the
community/and or media, key parent volunteers, corporate executives,
affiliated organization executives/volunteers,etc. to becomethe backbone
of supportfor the new YIAA organization.
2. Have the steering committee develop a"charter" of beliefs and priorities
which emphasize dedication to "the mission," teamwork, respect,
15. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
motivation, appreciation. Have it neatly printed, framed,displayed and
reviewed at all meetings.
3. Allow the steering committee to establish itself as the board of directors for
YIAA during a reasonable transition timeframe.
4. Establish and define job descriptions forall staff positions. The "executive
director" position should be the first staff positionto be implemented.
5. Plan and execute an "announcement" event, that includes recognitionand
appreciation for as many people and past achievements as possible,which
will not include solicitation for anything, and which will publicly acknowledge
past good works by all - a "We made it to the new millenium" celebration.
6. Sponsorand advertise an interesting contest to name the new organization,
and provide an unusual prize. Announce the winner at the "announcement"
event.
YIAA Relationship With Volunteers
7. Establish rapport with volunteers in all stations. With such transience in the
young inventors "memberbase," a significant portion of the volunteer base
may be easily lost, or feelunappreciated. This creates significant lost
revenue and resources forthe organization, and increases expenses for
advertising and marketing to overcome the impact in the community.
8. Identify/contact/invite participants, parents, and supporters to establish a
sense of "ownership" of the new YIAA organization.
9. Identify and list specificand reasonable areas of service for a volunteer
group. Develop volunteer requirements and "job descriptions" for:staffing
a retail sale shop, planning and implementing fundraiser events, maintaining
a central database, providing administrative assistance to the YIAA
Executive Director, planning and implementing appreciation events,
coordinating a "young inventors" alumni association, helping write and
publish a combined "invention convention" newsletter, etc.
10. Establish an ongoing volunteer appreciation processwhich identifies the
specificappreciationpreferred by each individual volunteer, and which
ensures that such appreciation is consistently and persistently delivered in a
timely and personal way.
16. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
11. Acknowledge creativity and sincerely considervolunteer input and
suggestions. Maintain a balance of freedom,responsibility,and information
flow in all projectassignments.
12. Establish an on-going volunteer and sponsorship partnership with local
organizations such as bar associations,business service organizations,
other non-profits,and scientific interests.
Budgeting Process
1. Adopta two-year planning timeframe for an operating budget, and a five-
year timeframe for a fundraising plan.
2. Adoptreasonable growth objectives.
3. Ensure that governing rules define multiple membership types,including
individual, child, adult, family, sustaining, honorary and others with
appropriate dues structures.
4. Implementa fundraising plan comprisedof projects which conserve
manpower, have high revenue to cost ratios, and which have a high
likelihood of successfully reaching each year's contribution goal.
Fundraising Activities
5. Have a YIAA representative attend the National Science Foundation
Regional Grants Conference to be held in Charleston, S. C. October15-16
2002 or in Albuquerque, N. M. in Spring 2003,and pursue grants from that
agency.
6. YIAA should join the "Partners in Education" (PIE) organization as soon as
possible. Their phone is 703-836-4880. Their web-site is
www.partnersineducation.org.
For more than 30 years, Partners in Education has helped develop school
volunteerism, community service,and business partnerships across the US.
It is the only national membership organization devoted solely to the mission
of providing leadership in the formation and growth of effective partnerships
that ensure successforall students.
17. YIAA - Building a World Class Program Report p.
17
Karlsson
7. Pursue the 2002 SBC National Telecommunications Partnership Awards.
Two grand prize winners will receive $10,000 grants. Application is
available at the PIE web-site.
8. Pursue the researchand preparation necessary to identify potential grants
from the numerous foundations and corporations which have given to youth
scientific educational endeavors.
Summary and Conclusions
The positive financial, social, and community-wide impacts of a healthy, thriving
Young Inventors Associationare substantial. The YIAA organization can take
advantage of its "Growth" maturity level for many years. Such a structure will allow
the YIAA to build a positive support structure, accumulate human and financial
resources,and implementa successfulfundraising developmentprogram to
capture the substantial funds targeted toward helping children via education and
science. In addition, parents of young inventors provide a well-motivated and
enthusiastic poolof potential volunteers who can contribute substantial growth,
energy, money, and manpower to the organization. Outstanding opportunities for
community developmentand positive public relations effectsare possibleto accrue
quickly, not just for one year but over the anticipated long and expansive life of the
youth association, improving the lives and self-esteem ofthousands of creative
young people.