Help Fund the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC - 2025

Tutor/Mentor Connection (1993-present), Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC (2011-present)

I started the Tutor/Mentor Connection in 1993 and the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC in 2011. Please contribute to help me continue.

(scroll down to bottom of this page to find PayPal button and/or mailing address)

This entire website is full of reasons for helping me help volunteer-based tutor, mentor and learning programs grow in every area of persistent poverty.  It's also a resource for any type of problem-solving!

This is a graphic showing a map of Chicago with a message from Dan Bassill saying "I've been trying to help tutor/mentor programs grow in these areas for 25 years."

The image shown above is from a visual essay titled "Tipping Points".  
It visualizes the strategies that I'm sharing and that I ask you to support with your contributions and by sharing my posts.

Rather than trying to be a single leader in a huge city, the T/MC, and now T/MI, have sought to provide an information  platform that all leaders can use to LEARN, EDUCATE, and INNOVATE ways to support long-term, mentor rich, volunteer-based tutor, mentor and learning program growth in more places and to solve other complex social, political and environmental problems facing this country and the world.

With your help, I can continue.

If someone you know has become ill and needs money to pay bills, they set up a "Go Fund Me" page and ask for contributions.  So, this is my "fund me" page.  I (Daniel Bassill) have been self-funding most of this work since 2011, supported by a small group of continuing donors.

Please send a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 or more to help me continue in 2025 and beyond.

Thank you for your help!

Mail contributions to:

Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
c/o Daniel Bassill
932 N. Salem Avenue
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Thank you for helping me help others.
Note. The Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC is not a 501-c-3 non profit, so your contributions are not tax deductible. They will be used to support social benefit and the lives of thousands of young people born and living in high poverty areas of Chicago and other places.

June-July 2025 T/MI News

June-July 2025 - Issue 242

Tutor Mentor Institute LLC newsletter heading with blue background

Seek out youth programs in your areas. Give them your support!

There are terrible things happening across the United States and around the world. My daily media is filled with these stories. To me, this drowns out needed calls for support for youth-serving programs in Chicago and other places.

As we head through summer toward the new school year, use the resources in my newsletter and website to find and support organized, on-going, volunteer-based tutor, mentor and learning programs. They all need your help.

At the same time, use other resources that I share to find ways to support people in your community who need help and to close the gaps that are dividing us from each other.

These resources can be used by anyone, in Chicago, or around the world.

Please share this so others in your city can find and use these resources!

Visit Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC Website

These are social media posts from Chicago youth serving programs

This was posted on LinkedIn by Chicago Scholars, celebrating alumni who have been part of their program. It is one of many posts I see on my feed every day from Chicago area youth-serving programs.

Use this list to find many other Chicago area youth-serving programs who have accounts on LinkedIn.

This was posted on Facebook by Diamond in the Rough Youth Development Program, Inc.

Use this list to find other Chicago area youth-serving programs who have accounts on Facebook.

Find lists of Chicago area programs using Twitter and Instagram, plus my list of tutor/mentor program websites at www.tutormentorexchange.net

One thing anyone can do to help kids living in high poverty areas is get to know existing youth serving programs and help them attract attention from media, donors, volunteers, parents and students. You can do it by sharing links to their websites or by liking and boosting their posts on social media. If you're able, you can even volunteer and/or donate.

Scroll through this set of Tutor/Mentor blog articles to see how I've highlighted work of other Chicago area volunteer-based tutor, mentor and learning programs. Do you have someone in your community hosting a website and encouraging others to draw users to it the way I do?

Independent Sector's annual report on the "value of volunteer time"

The Independent Sector is one of the leading resources in the philanthropic sector. One of its annual reports provides an estimated national value of each volunteer hour. Read the report at this link.

Visit the blog article section on the Independent Sector website and find leadership articles that focus on the disruption and chaos caused by actions of the current administration. click here

Are you aware of the City of Chicago's violence reduction dashboard, created by the University of Chicago's Urban Crime Lab? The graphic below shows one page from the website.

A few weeks ago I watched an introduction to this dashboard and its many interactive features. It's a publicly available tool launched to support efforts to reduce gun violence through transparent, real-time data. This link points to the Urban Crime Lab page that includes a video of the webinar and many other resources. View the dashboard at this link.

I wrote about the webinar and shared other screenshots on this Mapping for Justice blog article. Use your own blog to share resources like this.

Reimagining leadership in the Nonprofit Sector

I saw this message on BlueSky recently: "Nonprofits are being called on to do more with less in an impossible environment. With deepening polarization, an affordability crisis, and labour force shortages, it's time to reimagine leadership in our sector". It points to a PDF at this link.

In the mid 2000s I added another report form the Ontario nonprofit network, titled: The Constellation Model of Collaborative Social Change. view it here

These are two of many resources that can be found in the collaboration and community building sections of the Tutor/Mentor Library. Make sure your staff and volunteers are making time to learn from these.

Most of the information shared in this newsletter and on the Tutor/Mentor Connection/Institute, LLC website and blogs is focused on sharing information across networks that can be used to solve complex problems. This article, from The Weaving Lab, was found on LinkedIn. It describes the network building process, its challenges and its opportunities.

If you read the post on LinkedIn you'll see a comment that I added, sharing the 4-part strategy concept map, which you can see at this link. Once I've finished upgrading the www.tutormentorexchange.net website I will add a link to this article in a sub-section focused on innovation and knowledge management. It already has many articles that I've collected over the past 20+ years.

Below are resources to use. 
View latest links added to tutor/mentor library, click here

Resources & Announcements
(New additions are at top of this list)

* Knowledge Alliance - research and evidence to support education policy - click here

* TutorCruncher - resources for tutoring companies - click here

* UCLA Center resources - Guide to Learning Supports pdf - click here; and, here

* Every Hour Counts - network of intermediaries building after school systems - click here

* MyChiMyFuture - Chicago youth programs map and directory. click here; visit the website - click here

* Chicago Mentoring Collaborative - click here

* Chicago Learning Exchange supports Out-of-School-Time community in Chicago - click here

* ACT Now - Championing Quality Afterschool Programs in Illinois - click here

* Trust Talks - podcast by The Chicago Community Trust highlights the Trust's strategic priority to close Chicago region's racial and ethnic wealth gap - click here

* Chicago Community Area Hardship Index (2019-2023) - click here

* To & Through Project website - click here

* Center for Effective Philanthropy - click here

* Forefront -Illinois' statewide association of nonprofits, foundations and advisors. click here

* AfterSchool Alliance resources - click here; New report - click here

* Chicago Public Schools locator map - click here

* National Mentoring Resource Center - click here

* Proven Tutoring clearinghouse - click here

* Chicago STEM Pathways Cooperative - click here

* South Side STEM Asset maps - read about using maps - click here

* Incarceration Reform Resource Center - click here

* Prison Policy Initiative - click here

Recent Tutor/Mentor Blog articles that point to Tutor/Mentor Connection archived files:

(Do you have a blog? Share it on social media)

Changes to this website - click here

Still judged by the color of their skin click here

It takes a villageclick here

Mapping Strategy, Ideas and librariesclick here

Poverty and racism in America - understand the issuesclick here

What are your volunteers learning?click here

Reaching youth in high poverty areasclick here

 

Bookmark these Tutor/Mentor Resources

* Lists of Chicago area, volunteer-based tutor, mentor programs - click here

* Homework help and volunteer training resources - click here

* Resource Library - click here

* Strategy essays by Tutor/Mentor - click here

* Work done by interns in past - click here

* Maps and Map-Stories from past 30 years - click here

* Political Action resources - click here

* Featured collections on Wakelet - click here

* Tutor/Mentor Institute Videos - click here

* About T/MI articles on blog - click here

* History of T/MC - T/MI articles - click here

* Create a New Tutor/Mentor Connection - click here

* Reaching out to Universities to adopt the Tutor/Mentor Connection strategy - click here

* Chicago Youth Serving Organizations in Intermediary Roles - click here to view a concept map showing many organizations working to help improve the lives of Chicago area youth. Follow the links.

Thank you for reading.

Please share this newsletter with people you know who work in non-school youth serving programs, or in sectors that should be strategically supporting such programs, such as business, philanthropy, education and public policy. If they are not receiving these newsletters then we have no way of engaging them. Also encourage friends, family, co-workers to sign up to receive this newsletter. 

I encourage others to duplicate what I'm doing. Write a blog and share your own vision, strategy and challenges. Share your link and I'll add it to this list in the Tutor/Mentor library.

View current and past newsletters at this link

To subscribe, just Click here.
(If you subscribe, don't forget to respond to the confirmation email).

Please help fund Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC.
Visit this page and add your support.

Tutor/Mentor Connection, Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC 

 Serving Chicago area since 1993 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | http://www.tutormentorexchange.net

Connect with Dan (tutormentor) on one of these social media platforms.

Twitter (X)

LinkedIn

BlueSky

Viewing on your phone?

home page view

 If you are viewing the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC website your phone you do not see the full website, which is pictured here.  Instead you will need to scroll on  your phone from section-to-section, starting with the featured content in the middle of the home page, then moving down the left side of the site, then the right.

For more information about "getting started" visit this page

This change is described in this blog article

July2019-eNews

July 2019 - Issue 180

Ideas and Resources for Youth Serving

Organizations and their Supporters

The ideas shared in this monthly newsletter can be used by youth organization leaders, resource providers, political leaders, universities, volunteers and youth to help mentor-rich programs thrive in all of the neighborhoods where they are most needed.
Volunteer Recruitment for Fall 2019
Many youth programs are already deeply involved in recruiting volunteers for the coming school year. Are you prepared? Do you need more ideas. Visit this page on the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC web site and use the tips for recruiting volunteers.
 
Are your volunteers doing all they canto help kids in y our program move through school and into jobs and careers? Read about expanded role volunteers can take.click here
The Fund Raising Challenge
It takes 12 years for a youth to move from first grade to high school graduation and many more years beyond that before he/she is securely in a job and able to raise a family. Not all youth programs are designed to provide continued support for this many years. Not many donors provide flexible on-going funding to support such programs. Where are you talking about this?
 
Read articles about philanthropy on Tutor/Mentor Blog - click here.
How Are Youth Programs Telling Their Story?
Are you using Twitter? A Blog?
I created this graphic to draw attention to some of the Chicago youth tutor and/or mentor programs who were posting information on Twitter. Then I put it in a blog article to encourage others to do the same. See it in this article.click here
 
Scroll through many similar articles -click here
 
What if hundreds of people were doing what I am doing? Would that help draw volunteers and donors directly to more programs?
Resources and Events
Browse Resources on Tutor/Mentor Connection.org web site
This graphic shows home page of T/MC web site. Use the top menu to access the links library and my list of Chicago Tutor and Mentor programs.
 
You can search for a topic, or sort the list of links by most recent, oldest, title, etc. Learn to use it and you have an extensive resource. I show a few recent additions below.
* Resources to find Chicago Tutor and/or Mentor Programs -click here

* Homework help & learning resources in Tutor/Mentor Library -click here

* Resources for fund raising -click here
 
* Chicago Organizations in Intermediary Roles-click here
 
* Civil Liberties - resource map (recommend other links). -click here
 
* Hashtags I follow on Twitter. Use to expand your own network -click here
 
There's a lot in each monthly newsletter. Bookmark it, or use this ARCHIVE page to find this and previous issues.
* Illinois Conference on Volunteer Administration, Aug 9, in Chicago.details
 
* Strengthening Chicago Youth web site,click here;blog -click here
 
* MENTOR Illinois, New Ex Director. Annual Breakfast moved to November. -click here

* To & Through Project web site -click here
 
* Incarceration Reform Digital Resource Center -click here

* City of Chicago, CPS, links -click here
 
 
Help Fund the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
Keep this resource available to you and others.Click here
Recent articles on Tutor/Mentor blog:
 
Tipping Point: Growing and Supporting Future Leaders -click here
 
Make long-term, mentor-rich programs available in more places -click here
 
I host an in-depth web library. See how I shared sections using Twitter -click here
 
Look deeper to understand complex problems -click here
 
Recent additions to Tutor/Mentor Library
 
"Four Pathways to Greater Giving" - Bridgespan report - annotated -click here
 
"You Cant Be What You Can't See", by Milbrey W. McLaughlin. Story of CYCLE, a Chicago program -click here
 
Chicago Public Schools Data - Annual Regional Analysis Reports - click here
I've not written this newsletter since April due to my being laid up with an injury. I'm almost fully recovered and thank you for those who offered well-wishes.
 
While I try to send this only once a month, I write blog articles weekly. In each newsletter I post links to a few of the articles published in the past month or earlier.I encourage you to spend a little time each week reading these articles and following the links. Use the ideas and presentations in group discussions with other people who are concerned about the same issues.
 
Encourage friends, family, co-workers to sign up to receive this newsletter. Click here.
(If you subscribe, don't forget to respond to the confirmation email)
 

August 2019 Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC eNews

August 2019 - Issue 181

Build Support for Youth Tutor and Mentor Programs as School Starts Again

The ideas shared in this monthly newsletter can be used by youth organization leaders, resource providers, political leaders, universities, volunteers and youth to help mentor-rich programs thrive in all of the neighborhoods where they are most needed.
 
Help Recruit Volunteers
This graphic was created for the Tutor/Mentor Connection by volunteers from the Junior League of Chicago....in the 1990s! It's still a powerful message. You don't need to be Superman to be volunteer, or to help attract volunteers to youth programs in your city. Visit this page on the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC web site and find tips for recruiting volunteers.

Use Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, etc to draw attention to your program. If I see your posts I'll try to share them with others.
 
Resources for Volunteers, Youth
Every youth tutor and/or mentor program will be hosting training and orientation sessions during September. The best programs will be providing volunteer coaching, training and support throughout the year.

The Tutor/Mentor Connection started building a library of resources in the 1990s and shares that freely with anyone who visits our web library.

Here are sections to visit

* Homework help - click here
* Training resources - click here
* STEAM learning - click here
* Youth As Leaders - click here

View this video to see how to navigate the library.
How Can We Do This Better?
 
When we start thinking we can't get better we've already started down a path to doing less than we need to be doing.

While there are some really great youth programs in Chicago and other places, there are too few of them and they reach too few kids.

Below are links to articles where I use this graphic. These and other articles on the Tutor/Mentor blog are intended to stimulate conversations in many sectors.

*Building communities - click here
* Increasing talent - click here
Influencing What Leaders Do
 
Every time YOU or someone else says "be a volunteer" or "be a donor" you need to point to on-line directories listing places where people can volunteer. You also need to point to places where people can find information showing where help is most needed and ways to make a difference.

The Connection/Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC web sites provide these resources.

Visit this page to see roles leaders can take to help programs grow in many places.
In the sections below are links that I point to often, and that I've added recently.
 
* Resources to find Chicago Tutor and/or Mentor Programs -click here

* Resources for fund raising -click here

* Blog article showing links to sections of Tutor/Mentor web library -click here

* Chicago Organizations in Intermediary Roles-click here

* Civic Engagement - resource map (recommend other links). -click here

* Hashtags I follow on Twitter. Use to expand your own network -click here
* Strengthening Chicago Youth web site,click here; blog -click here

* MENTOR Illinois, Annual Breakfast will be held in November. -click here

* To & Through Project web site -click here

* Incarceration Reform Digital Resource Center -click here

* City of Chicago, CPS, links -click here


Help Fund the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
Keep this resource available to you and others. Click here
 
Recent articles on Tutor/Mentor blog:

Youth Development - Role of Leaders - click here

Using Maps in Planning, Media, Blogs - click here

Can Cities Reduce Violence Without Addressing Other Issues?  -click here

Understanding Impact of Social Capital - click here

Library of Visual Essays on Tutor/Mentor site -click here
Recent additions to Tutor/Mentor Library

A story about network building (see graphic above). video - click here

"History of the Afterschool Movement in America" - video - click here

"How are Programs Building Students' Social Capital - key trends - click here

"Four Pathways to Greater Giving" - Bridgespan report - annotated - click here

"How to Challenge the White Walkers of NonProfit Life - article - click here

Browse the library to find many more links of value to you.
About this newsletter.
While I try to send this only once a month, I write blog articles weekly. Throughout the newsletter I post links to a few of the articles published in the past month or earlier.I encourage you to spend a little time each week reading these articles and following the links. Use the ideas and presentations in group discussions with other people who are concerned about the same issues.

If the newsletter does not format correctly in your email, or if you want to return to it for future reading or to share with others, use this link.

Encourage friends, family, co-workers to sign up to receive this newsletter.Click here.
(If you subscribe, don't forget to respond to the confirmation email)

September 2019 Tutor/Mentor eNews

September 2019 - Issue 182
Learning Resources for Youth, Volunteers, Educators, Donors, Policy-Makers
The ideas shared in this monthly newsletter can be used by youth organization leaders, resource providers, political leaders, universities, volunteers and youth to help mentor-rich programs thrive in all of the neighborhoods where they are most needed.
 
If you are a consistent reader, consider a contribution to help fund the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
Across the country schools have started and volunteers are connecting with youth in organized non-school tutor, mentor and learning programs. The big question each week is:

What do I do?

In this blog article I talk about creating a "learning" organization. That means your volunteers, youth, donors, etc. are regularly digging into online libraries of information for ideas that they apply to weekly tutor/mentor sessions, and that also apply to helping youth programs have all the talent and resources each needs to support on-going youth and volunteer involvement. The links in this monthly newsletter point to some of those resources and to web sites and blog articles which are entry points to a vast on-line library of information and ideas.
These links are a starting point
The Tutor/Mentor Connection started building a library of resources in the 1990s and shares that freely with anyone who visits our web library.
Here are sections to visit

* Homework help -click here
* Training resources -click here
* STEAM learning -click here
* Youth As Leaders -click here
* Blogs to learn from -click here
* Philanthropy issues -click here

View this video to see how to navigate the library.

Understand the Issues. Read the Research.

The 2019 Illinois KIDS COUNT Report was released recently by Voices 4 Illinois Kids. The report shows significant racial and ethnic disparities in economic status, education, health and housing for Illinois Kids. You can download the report at this link.

This is not new information. I've been collecting research articles and commentary for nearly 20 years, and hosting them in the Tutor/Mentor Connection/Institute, LLC web library.

I have more than 300 links in this section and just started updating it this week. That means I open each link to make sure it works, and see what it's pointing to.

I encourage others to do the same.In a section below I list some of the web sites I found on the first page of this part of the library.
Influencing What Leaders Do
As volunteers become part of organized tutor, mentor and learning programs our first job is to coach and mentor them, to help them become consistent, and effective volunteers.

However, at the same time we need to coach them to go back to their workplace, homes, colleges and faith groups to educate others on the value of organized tutor/mentor programs, the need for k-12 programs to operate in every high poverty neighborhood, and the need for consistent, on-going, unrestricted operating funds.

That's what this graphic visualizes. While part of the information we share is intended to be used by those directly involved, part of it is also intended to influence what resource provider, media and policy-makers do.

Open this link to find a series of articles using this graphic.
In the sections below are links that I point to often, and that I've added recently.
* Resources to find Chicago Tutor and/or Mentor Programs; use to find programs in other places, too. - click here

* Resources for fund raising - click here

* Social Justice, Poverty, Inequality, Housing resource links - click here

* Blog article showing links to sections of Tutor/Mentor web library - click here

* Web Annotation - blog articles - click here

* 2020 Presidential Campaign - research issues and candidates - click here

* Civic Engagement - resource map (recommend other links). - click here

* Strategy visualizations -click here

* Hashtags I follow on Twitter. Use to expand your own network - click here
.
* Strengthening Chicago Youth web site,click here;blog - click here

* MENTOR Illinois, Annual Breakfast will be held in November. - click here

* To & Through Project web site - click here

* Incarceration Reform Digital Resource Center -click here

* City of Chicago, CPS, links - click here

* Chicago Mentoring Collaborative - conference was held Aug 28.click here for updates

* Chicago Organizations in Intermediary Roles-click here
NOTE: can you help me update this map. Who are other intermediary organizations in Chicago area?


Help Fund the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
Keep this resource available to you and others. Click here
Recent articles on Tutor/Mentor blog:

Yummy's story. New for you? Not for me. click here

Building Systems of Support for Urban Youth. What's it Look Like? click here

Looking Back 21 Years - Webheads and Tutor/Mentor Connection - click here

For Profit or Purpose-2006 article -click here

Connecting Leaders of Youth Tutor/Mentor Programs - click here

A Bridge Too Far. My Vision Since 1993 - click here

Library of Visual Essays on Tutor/Mentor site -click here
Articles on Page 1 of Research Section of Tutor/Mentor Library
 
‘Our Kids,’ by Robert D. Putnam - NY Times Book Review - click here

21st Century Skills Every Student Needs - 2017 article - click here

America's Public Schools Highly Segregated - see maps - click here

Bridging and Bonding Social Capital - What is Difference? - click here

Browse the library to find many more links of value to you.
About this newsletter.
While I try to send this only once a month, I write blog articles weekly. Throughout the newsletter I post links to a few of the articles published in the past month or earlier.I encourage you to spend a little time each week reading these articles and following the links. Use the ideas and presentations in group discussions with other people who are concerned about the same issues.

If the newsletter does not format correctly in your email, or if you want to return to it for future reading or to share with others, use this link.

Encourage friends, family, co-workers to sign up to receive this newsletter.Click here.
(If you subscribe, don't forget to respond to the confirmation email)

Tutor/Mentor Connection (1993-present); Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC (2011-present) Merchandise Mart PO Box 3303, Chicago, IL  60654

October 2019 Tutor Mentor eNews

October 2019 - Issue 183

School Has Started. Youth and Volunteers are Meeting in Non-School Programs. What's Next?

The ideas shared in this monthly newsletter can be used by youth organization leaders, resource providers, political leaders, universities, volunteers and youth to help mentor-rich programs thrive in all of the neighborhoods where they are most needed.

If you are a consistent reader,consider a contribution to help fund the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
This map shows non-school tutor and/or mentor programs operating in the far North part of Chicago. There are nearly 2100 youth, age 6-17 in the Rodgers Park area.

Is anyone asking, "Are there enough programs?"

The Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC) was created in 1993 to help leaders ask and answer this question. Since 2011 the T/MC has been part of Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC.

Over the past 25 years a huge library of information and ideas has been collected to help leaders make sure that a growing number of youth have access to well organized programs.

Browse that library at http://www.tutormentorexchange.net

View the full map, and my list of Chicago area youth tutor and/or mentor programs at https://mappingforjustice.blogspot.com/2018/08/use-this-map-and-list-to-find-volunteer.html
Resources for Volunteers, Youth, Staff and Parents
These are sections on the Tutor/Mentor web library with resources that can be used weekly in organized tutor/mentor programs and independent learning.

Here are sections to visit

* Homework help - click here

* Training resources - click here

* STEAM learning - click here

* Youth As Leaders - click here

* Blogs to learn from - click here

* Philanthropy issues - click here

View this video to see how to navigate the library.
Chicago's Mayor Launches
#EveryYouthConnected Initiative
This graphic shows a Tweet I posted on October 11th as I attended a planning meeting at Chicago's Cultural Center, where Mayor Lori Lightfoot launched her #EveryKidConnected initiative (which may have become #EveryYouthConnected by the end of the event.)

I was one of at least 200 who attended and many were people I've known from 1994-2015 Tutor/Mentor Leadership & Networking Conferences.

I wrote about the event on the Tutor/Mentor blog, showing my concern that this not be just another new initiative and that the ideas and resources of the Tutor/Mentor Connection be included in the planning.

To stay informed, and get connected, search the #EveryKidConnected hashtag on Twitter and follow updates that I'll post on my blog.
Talent, Ideas & Experience - Needed At Every
Youth Tutor and/or Mentor Program
Helping every non-school program throughout the city and suburbs attract and retain talented staff and volunteers can be one of the best ways to help young people move through school and into careers and adult lives.

Is there a role that colleges and universities can take in preparing young people for careers in non-school programs, and in supporting them through their career? Is there a role they can take in educating alumni to generously and consistently support these programs? I think so.

Browse articles in this section of the Tutor/Mentor Blob and use as thought-starters.
In the sections below are links that I point to often,
and that I've added recently.
* Web resources to help you find Chicago Tutor and/or Mentor Programs; use to find programs in other places, too. -click here

* Resources for fund raising -click here

* Social Justice, Poverty, Inequality, Housing resource links -click here

* Blog article showing links to sections of Tutor/Mentor web library -click here

* Web Annotation - blog articles -click here

* 2020 Presidential Campaign - research issues and candidates - click here

* Civic Engagement - resource map (recommend other links). -click here

* Strategy visualizations -click here

* Mapping for Justice blog -click here

* Hashtags I follow on Twitter. Use to expand your own network -click here
* Strengthening Chicago Youth web site,click here;blog -click here

* MENTOR Illinois, Annual Breakfast will be held on November 12th. -click here

* To & Through Project web site -click here

* Incarceration Reform Digital Resource Center -click here

* National Mentoring Partnership - training events -click here

* City of Chicago, CPS, links -click here

* ChiHackNight - civic technology meet-up; every Tuesday in Chicago  -see agenda

* Chicago Organizations in Intermediary Roles-click here NOTE: can you help me update this map. Who are other intermediary organizations in Chicago area?

Help Fund the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
Keep this resource available to you and others. Click here.
What are all the things we need to be thinking of is we want youth tutor mentor programs in all high poverty areas of Chicago.
Recent updates:

The Concept Map Library has a new page. click here

If you've been following the Tutor/Mentor blog, or @tutormentorteam on Twitter, you've seen many concept maps that have been created since 2005. The entire collection is available on one page, using the link above.

Use these as thought starters, and create your own versions, to share your own resources and blueprints for helping every youth in your community get the support she needs to move through school and into adult lives.

The Resource Links library has been updated! Over the past 3 months, every link (more than 2000) was opened to make sure it works, or updated if needed. New links are added weekly.

Follow @tutormentorteam on Twitter and see ideas and resources that I'm highlighting. See how I point to Chicago Tutor/Mentor programs with my Tweets.
Sample Articles in Tutor/Mentor Library

* The Fading American Dream. Raj Chetty at Metropolitan Planning Council Luncheon - click here

* Wealth Inequality in America - Brookings.edu -click here

* Upswell - a social sector community sponsored by The Independent Sector - click here

* Zooniverse - people powered research -
click here

* Digital Promise Research Map -click here

* The Fracturing of Gangs and Violence in Chicago - 2019 UIC research - click here

* How are Programs Building Student's Social Capital? - click here
About this newsletter.

While I try to send this only once a month, I write
blog articles weekly. Throughout the newsletter I post links to a few of the articles published in the past month or earlier.I encourage you to spend a little time each week reading these articles and following the links. Use the ideas and presentations in group discussions with other people who are concerned about the same issues

Why?
Read this article
to understand purpose of Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC and this newsletter.

If the newsletter does not format correctly in your email, or if you want to return to it for future reading or to share with others, use this link.

Encourage friends, family, co-workers to sign up to receive this newsletter.Click here.
(If you subscribe, don't forget to respond to the confirmation email)

 

Nov. 2019 Tutor Mentor eNews

November 2019 - Issue 184

 

Supporting Youth & Volunteers is One Job.

Finding Donors is Another.

The ideas shared in this monthly newsletter can be used by youth organization leaders, resource providers, political leaders, universities, volunteers and youth to help mentor-rich programs thrive in all of the neighborhoods where they are most needed.

If you are a consistent reader,consider a contribution to help fund the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
Adopt a Tutor/Mentor Program

By now youth and volunteers are meeting weekly in organized volunteer-based tutor, mentor and learning programs. Providing weekly coaching and support is an on-going role of staff and, in many programs, of senior volunteers.

However, now non profit program leaders are also focusing on finding money to pay bills and support program operations.

In the links below we point to sections of the Tutor/Mentor library that provide fund raising tips and that talk about roles your volunteers can take to help expand your donor rolls.

View this Role of Leaders article on Tutor/Mentor blog. Many need to take this role throughout the year.

Building a Learning Organization

While there are many resources available to youth, volunteers and donors, what are you doing to motivate them to spend time weekly looking at these? That's what happens in a "learning organization". If you can create that culture you dramatically expand the number of people helping your organization succeed.

Read homework help article on Tutor/Mentor blog and find links to web library.

Read blog articles on Tutor/Mentor blog about "learning organizations". There are many, written since 2005. Bookmark this link and use for discussion over coming year.
Raising Operating Funds. Everyone's Job.
Giving Tuesday will be December 3, 2019. Are you prepared?
 
Here's some resources for non profits and for donors.
 
Giving Tuesday web site search page.
Enter city, state, organization type, then click the search button. For Chicago you'll find a long list of organizations.
 
#ILGIVE web site -click here
The search feature on the #ILGIVE web site enables you to search for organizations by category or by name. For each organization there is a "profile page" that donors can use to send contributions. It's formatted the same for every program listed. This feature is not on the Global Giving site.


How might this be improved? Read article on Tutor/Mentor blog.
In the sections below are links that I point to often, and that I've added recently.
* Web resources to help you find Chicago Tutor and/or Mentor Programs; use to find programs in other places, too. - click here

* Resources for fund raising - click here

* Philanthropy articles on Tutor/Mentor blog - click here

* Social Justice, Poverty, Inequality, Housing resource links - click here

* Blog article showing links to sections of Tutor/Mentor web library - click here

* Web Annotation - blog articles - click here

* 2020 Presidential Campaign - research issues and candidates - click here

* Civic Engagement - resource map (recommend other links). - click here

* Strategy visualizations -click here

* Mapping for Justice blog -click here

* Hashtags I follow on Twitter. Use to expand your own network - click here
* Giving Tuesday, December 3 -click here

* Strengthening Chicago Youth web site,click here;blog - click here

* MENTOR Illinois. - click here

* To & Through Project web site - click here

* Incarceration Reform Digital Resource Center - click here

* National Mentoring Partnership - training events -click here

* City of Chicago, CPS, links -click here

* Chicago Public School Locator -click here

* Issue Lab, by Candid - Free research from social sector organizations -click here

* Resilient Chicago: A Plan for Inclusive Growth -click here

* ChiHackNight - civic technology meet-up; every Tuesday in Chicago - see agenda

* Chicago Organizations in Intermediary Roles - click here
Recent Tutor/Mentor blog articles:

* Movement Building. Afterschool Conference and more - click here

* Can You Help Tutor/Mentor Programs Grow? - click here

* Influencing Change. - click here

* Using Celebrity Power More Effectively - click here

* Tutor/Mentor articles on Tumblr - this is a collection of key concepts - click here

* Tutor/Mentor Exchange on Wordpress - click here

* Join me on Twitter - click here

The Resource Links library has been updated! Over the past 3 months, every link (more than 2000) was opened to make sure it works, or updated if needed. New links are added weekly.
Sample Articles in Tutor/Mentor Library

* American Poverty is moving from the cities to suburbs - click here

* Combating Inequality: Rethinking Policies - click here

* Ideas for Project Based Learning - click here

*The Price of Real Change - Chronicle of Philanthropy article - click here

* What Does Youth Civic Engagement Have to do With Inequality? article

* Catalyzing Networks for Social Good. A Funder's Guide -click here

* Strategic Doing - a new way to collaborate - click here

* Nepris - skills based on-line tutor/mentor platform - click here
Two Ways to Support Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
Since 2011 I've invited friends and supporters to contribute to Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC by making a gift to recognize my December 19th Birthday.

I'll be 73 and a gift of $7.30 lights one my birthday cake.Visit this page and use PayPal to send your gift.
Since 2011 the Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC) has been supported through Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC, which is not a 501-c-3 non profit. However it continues to depend on contributions from those who support the work I'm doing.

Click here if you'd like to add a year-end contribution.
About this newsletter.

While I try to send this only once a month, I write blog articles weekly. Throughout the newsletter I post links to a few of the articles published in the past month or earlier.I encourage you to spend a little time each week reading these articles and following the links. Use the ideas and presentations in group discussions with other people who are concerned about the same issues

Why?Read this article to understand purpose of Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC and this newsletter.

If the newsletter does not format correctly in your email, or if you want to return to it for future reading or to share with others, use this link.

Encourage friends, family, co-workers to sign up to receive this newsletter.Click here.
(If you subscribe, don't forget to respond to the confirmation email)
 

Strategy Visualizations by Interns

 

Projects done by interns to help clarify and share our strategies - Page 2 of many

Many of the ideas that we share are in the form of pdf essays that were originally created using Power Point.  Many of the graphics and maps are included in blog articles to illustrate strategies that we hope others will support and/or adopt.  

Since 2005 interns from different universities have been converting some of these to flash animations, which help viewers build a better understanding of volunteer-based tutoring/mentoring programs, and the information that is shared by the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC. Please view these and apply the ideas. Share the presentations in your network. Invite students in your own school, college or tutor/mentor program to create their own interpretations.

See additional Strategy Presentations by intern: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 View strategy videos created by interns.

Note:  Several of these projects were created using Flash animation, which no longer is supported by most browsers. If you want to view the presentation, download a swfplayer from a site like this. A YouTube video has also been created to show the animation.

 


This animation can be viewed on this YouTube site.

It can also be seen in this Video

This STRATEGY MAP animation was built using this concept map as the original idea.

Visit this forum to see how projects are introduced to interns and how they are coached to complete them.

We are hope

This graphic is from an intern project completed in Feb. 2012. Parts of
it were included in this video.

Volunteer
This animation can be seen in this YouTube video.   

This 2010 presentation, created by a University of Michigan Grad student, explains how volunteers grow as a result of longer-term involvement in a tutor/mentor program.  Note: you may need to download swfplayer to view animation. http://www.tutormentorexchange.net/images/flash/vol_leadership.swf

View this presentation video to see the many resources available in the Tutor/Mentor Connection Learning Library. See Flash Animation using link below. Note: you may need to download swfplayer to view animation.

http://www.tutormentorexchange.net//images/flash/resourcesmap.swf

year-round strategy

Year Round Strategy of Tutor/Mentor Connection. See in YouTube video.

See  new version in this 2017 YouTube Video.

This Flash Animation presentation was created by an intern from South Korea, via IIT, in 2010 It illustrates the Tutor/Mentor Connection's Quarterly Events strategy. Creating year round visibility

You may need to download swfplayer to view the animation.

  • Role of Many Leaders - video version

    Flash animation version, This was created in 2010 by an intern from South Korea.. Illustrates the power of individuals, businesses, faith groups and colleges. Download swfplayer to view.


This Learning Path concept map can be seen here.

in 2015, Wona Chang, an intern from South Korea, created this video to guide you through the map. 

(Wona originally created this using Prezi, and created a Korean language version, too. That is no longer available)

push pull flash

 

View video of this presentation.

Download swfplayer to view animated view of this push pull graphic., shown in this blog article.  

 

 

 

 



This graphic was created  in 2007 by one of our first interns from Hong Kong borrowing from ideas in this PDF  essay.  The animation is no longer available, but you can see it's development in this 2007 blog article.

 

 


 

See video of this Flash animation.


 

 

This is a revised version of the animation created in 2007. The new version was created by In Hee Cho in 2011.  Flash animation is no longer available.

Return to page 1

Concept Maps; Visualization

"AND? IT'S ALL CONNECTED," - A SYSTEMS THINKING APPROACH
click here
This site is described as "a work under development presenting my (Gene Bellinger's) current understanding which has evolved from my four decade journey from systems thinker to storyteller." 
If you're interested in solving complex problems visit this link then read through the pages. Purchase a subscription if you choose, but it's not required to build an understanding. You need a password to log in and view.

A 2025 UPDATE OF GENE BELLINGER'S SYSTEMS THINKING LIBRARY
click here
This site is related to the "And, It's all Connected" site.  It is named "Gene's 2nd Brain" which is (as he says) "where I attempt to organize everything I touch that seems meaningful. Well, at least to me."  This site uses an interactive concept mapping/visualization tool to organize hundreds, if not thousands, of links.  Spend some time becoming familiar with it. Re-visit often. Create your own version. No password needed.


A BETTER WORLD BY DESIGN
http://betterworldxdesign.com/about.html
From the web site: "Each year, Better World by Design brings a global community of innovators to Providence, Rhode Island to reach across disciplines and unite under a common goal: building a better world. Presenters share engaging stories, workshops teach creative skills, and discussions re-frame perspectives. Better World is an immersive experience that deepens our understanding of the power of design, technology, and enterprise to engage our communities and sustain our environment."

A BLOG THAT COMMUNICATES VISUAL THINKING IDEAS
https://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/visual-thinking-synthesis.html
This site provides a lot of ideas and information for why and how people can integrate visualization into their thinking and communications. These are concepts the Tutor/Mentor Connection seeks to incorporate into its efforts

A COLLECTION OF KUMU SYSTEMS THINKING PROJECTS 
https://blog.kumu.io/introducing-projects-in-the-wild-5528050de844
This blog article is titled "Projects in the Wild" and hosts a growing list of projects that use KUMU to "design simple, thoughtful solutions that help us work in complexity".  This should be a great resource for any who are using KUMU or any form of concept mapping tools, or who are trying to solve complex problems.  

ACTION PLANNING FOR TEACHERS (AND MENTORS)
http://www.nefstem.org/teacher_guide/prep/index.htm
From the web site: "This guide for classroom action research was created by teachers for teachers. The resources here were designed to support reflective and systematic improvement of teaching.  Use the tabs at the top of each page on this web site to explore the stages of action research. The planning steps are outlined visually, and can be used by leaders of volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs as well as by teachers in traditional public schools."

AID TO NETWORKS - MONITOR INSTITUTE BY DELOITTE
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/blog/monitor-institute-blog.html?icid=nav2_social-innovation-blog
From the web site: "Monitor Institute by Deloitte works with social impact leaders to help surface and pioneer "next" practices—breakthrough approaches for societal challenges. As part of Monitor Group and now at Deloitte LLP, the team has catalyzed progress on some of the pressing issues of our time."

AN INFORMATION VISUALIZATION CLASS - WHAT TO LEARN
https://ella.sice.indiana.edu/~katy/S637-S08/
This link is to the 2008 Information Visualization course being taught by Dr. Katy Börner at the University of Indiana. It provides a detailed outline of the learning, with numerous links to on-line resources, that her class will go through to build expertise in this area. 

AN OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SOCIAL MEDIA RESEARCH TOOLS
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2015/07/10/social-media-research-tools-overview/
In this article,  "Wasim Ahmed presents a quick look at some of the tools available to social scientists for analysing social media data and also reflects on the limitations of the platforms and the methods used for this type of research."

APPLY SYSTEMS THINKING IN STRATEGIC PLANNING
http://hainescentre.com/rollercoaster/
This is one of many articles available on the web site of the Haines Centre for Strategic Management®. 

APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY COMMUNITY INTERNATIONAL
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AICInternational/
Appreciative Inquiry Community International is a Facebook group that will "connect, share, combine and co-develop the practices based on Appreciative Inquiry and other strength based practices and aim to spread these practices."

BETWEEN FRIENDS-THE VALUE OF THE "SOCIAL GRAPH."
https://www.technologyreview.com/2008/02/19/221950/between-friends-2/
This 2008 article from "Visual Matters" site offers some ideas describes a social graph, a representation of a person's network of friends.

BOSTON DATA COMMONS - INTEGRATES VISUALIZATIONS
https://datacommon.mapc.org/
From the web site:  "The MetroBoston DataCommon provides a wealth of information about the region’s people and communities through a variety of topics -- from arts and education to the environment and transportation. A resource for all those seeking to understand how the region is changing, it helps residents, stakeholders, planners, city and town officials, educators and journalists explore data and make informed decisions. We invite you to explore its data, community snapshots and create your own visualizations and reports.

CAMBRIDGE DOUGHNUT PROJECT - OUTLINED USING KUMU.IO
https://www.kumu.io/lstabler10/cambridge-doughnut-project-plan-sandbox#flowchart
From the website: "This collaborative model originated with the Cambridge Doughnut Project Plan by Lauren Stabler https://kumu.io/lstabler10/cambridge-doughnut-project-plan and contributions by Brian Dowling through New Community Paradigms"
The concept map created, using Kumu.io, demonstrates a unique community engagement planning process, and the potential of concept mapping tools like Kumu.io.  

COLLECTING MEANINGFUL DATA ABOUT YOUR NETWORK - USING SNA
click here
This is an article that talks about using data and network analysis to understand networks. Here's the introduction: "The effectiveness of any collaborative effort — whether it’s a network or an organization — depends primarily on the strength of the connections that exist between the participants involved. Social network analysis (SNA), using mapping tools like Gephi or Kumu, is the most effective method currently available for visualizing that connectivity and for evaluating a collaboration’s effectiveness. However, SNA is only useful if it is constructed with meaningful data and applied with the “so what” in mind.

CONCEPT MAPPING. WORLDWIDE MAPS
http://www.2wmaps.com/
From the web site: "The WWMAPS project organizes cultural exchange relations and construction of structures of knowledge between students from geographically distant countries and language. The difficulties of communication and distance are both solvable through the use of concept maps, made with appropriate software and shared in a network environment. Software and network environment are both provided by CmapTools, a free program very easy to use."

CONCEPT MAPS AID KNOWLEDGE MODELING AND SHARING - CMAP TOOLS
https://cmap.ihmc.us/
From the web site: "Concept maps are graphical tools for organizing and representing knowledge in an organized fashion. Learn what concept maps are, how to construct them, and use them."    Note: The Tutor/Mentor Connection and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC have been using CMap tools since 2005 to visualize strategy and resources available to visitors of our web sites.  We're looking for partners to help map concepts of the T/MC. See Leadership Commitment Strategy Map - http://tinyurl.com/tmc-strategy-map

CONCEPT MAPPING AND MINDMAPPING INTRODUCTION
https://www.patreon.com/posts/concept-mapping-15313656
This article by Howard Rheingold is a useful introduction to concept maps and mind mapping. 

CREATE CONCEPT MAPS (OR MIND MAPS) USING ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE - TRY WHIMSICAL
https://whimsical.com/
The Whimsical platform offers quick, easy tools to create mind maps, concept maps, flow charts, wireframes, etc.  There is a FREE starter version but then there are fees for use.  This video shows an Artificial Intelligence tool that can be used in creating mind maps and concept maps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbJwXWN2SHg


CYNEFIN MODEL - LOOKING AT COMPLEX PROBLEMS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynefin_framework
This model of complex problem solving is one that can be applied to our efforts to surround inner city kids with learning and mentoring that leads to long-term benefits for kids, industry, and communities.  This link goes to a Wikipedia definition.

DATA STORY-TELLING TOOLS - 30 BEST - 2017 ARTICLE
https://medium.com/@ToTheVictor/nicar30tools-da83db0f3dc6
This article point to tools many of us might use to tell effective stories. 

DATA VISUALIZATION BY CLEVERFRANKE - EXAMPLES OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE  
https://www.cleverfranke.com/
View the video on the home page to see the range of data visualization work done by this company.  Visit http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/mobility/explore#/ to see website created for CMAP in Chicago.

DATA VISUALIZATION AND INTERACTIVE TOOLS ON HANYS (HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK STATE) WEBSITE
https://www.hanys.org/data/
This section of the HANYS website shows data visualizations created to support the mission of the Healthcare Association of New York State.  

DATA VISUALIZATION EXAMPLES FROM ACROSS THE WEB CREATED WITH TABLEAU PUBLIC.
https://public.tableau.com/en-us/gallery/?tab=viz-of-the-day&type=viz-of-the-day
These are examples of products created using Tableau data visualization software. 

DATA VISUALIZATION EXAMPLES FROM STAMEN - 2016 WORK
click here
This article points to data visualization projects Stamen worked on in 2016 and demonstrates the wide range of ways data can be visualized.

DATAINTERFACES - FORMATS FOR DATA-RICH SCENARIOS
http://www.datainterfaces.org/category/projects/
From the web site: "DataInterfaces is a research laboatory that merges the competences of communication design, complex systems science, and computer science in the creation of interfaces betwee data and people."

DEMONSTRATION OF USE OF CONCEPT MAPS
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/about/conceptmap.html
This site is one of the largest non-commercial training and development sites on the web. In this section the site uses a concept map to help visitors navigate the information on the site.

EDUCATION AROUND THE WORLD - GREAT WEBSITE
http://visualdata.dw.com/specials/bildung/en/enrollment.html
This site includes graphs and interactive charts that offer insight into the rates of literacy among men and women in various regions around the globe and examines school enrollment and educational expenditures in individual countries. Nearly all of the data is based on statistics collected by UNESCO.  Excellent example of uses of visualization technologies.

E-LEARNING TUTORAL ON VISUALIZATIATION
https://www.visual-literacy.org/
From the web site: "This e-learning site focuses on a critical, but often neglected skill for business, communication, and engineering students, namely visual literacy, or the ability to evaluate, apply, or create conceptual visual representations. After this tutorial, students should be able to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of visual representations, to improve their shortcomings, to use them to create and communicate knowledge, or to devise new ways of representing insights. 

EVERY SINGLE COGNITIVE BIAS IN ONE INFOGRAPHIC
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/every-single-cognitive-bias/
This is just one of many infograpics on this site. Take a look.

EVIDENCE SHOWING VALUE OF VISUAL PORTFOLIO MAPPING
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/every-single-cognitive-bias/#mce_temp_url#
This article shows research done that provides "empirical evidence that visualization directly and positively impacts business outcomes."

EXAMPLES OF DATA VISUALIZATION FROM 2012 GLOBAL VOICES CITIZEN MEDIA SUMMIT
https://summit2012.globalvoices.org/2012/07/visualizing-data-at-global-voices/
This blog and the audio provide many ideas for using visualization of data to share ideas.

GAPMINDER PROVIDES FACTS ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WORLD
https://www.gapminder.org/tools/#$chart-type=bubbles&url=v1
From the website: "Gapminder is an independent Swedish foundation with no political, religious or economic affiliations. Gapminder is a fact tank, not a think tank. Gapminder fights devastating misconceptions about global development. Gapminder produces free teaching resources making the world understandable based on reliable statistics. Gapminder promotes a fact-based worldview everyone can understand." The website has a huge library of information that is visually shared. Take time to get familiar with it.

GENETIC ATLAS OF HUMAN ADMIXTURE HISTORY - MAPPED USING GOOGLE MAPS
https://www.gapminder.org/tools/#$chart-type=bubbles&url=v1
This map demonstrates a creative use of GIS mapping and data visualization. It shows research done to understand human DNA and its history, and how humans have spread around the globe over the past 4000 years. See related article in NY Times.

GLOBAL PRIORITIES FLOW CHART - HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
http://globalprioritiesproject.org/2015/09/flowhart/
Want to make a difference in the world? Where to start? This flow chart offers a lot of ideas to consider.

HOW SYSTEMS MAPPING CAN HELP YOU BUILD A BETTER THEORY OF CHANGE
https://blog.kumu.io/how-systems-mapping-can-help-you-build-a-better-theory-of-change-4c85ae4301a8
Applying systems thinking and concept mapping to planning process and to communicating your theory of change is the focus of this article.

IDEA MAPPING SUCCESS
http://ideamappingsuccess.com/
From the web site: "Idea Mapping is a powerful whole-brained visual thinking tool that enhances memory, note-taking skills, thought organization, planning, creativity, and communication.  It uses color, keywords, lines and images to connect thoughts associatively.  Idea Maps are the natural expression of the way the brain processes information associatively. (See more examples on this site and many more on the Idea Mapping Blog)"

INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION - SYSTEMS THINKING + YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN BOTSWANA
https://piercegordon1.kumu.io/system-thinking-youth-unemployment-in-botswana
This presentation uses the Kumu.io software to create an  interactive visual presentation showing challenges facing young people in Botswana as they try to find employment.

INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS THINKING - YOUTH EMPOYMENT MAP - SHOWING BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN ENGLAND
https://youthfuturesfoundation.org/our-work/identify/youth-employment-system-map/
This interactive casual loop diagram map was created by the Youth Futures Foundation in 2021 to map the youth employment system in England.  From the website: "It provides a visual representation of the barriers and opportunities young people from marginalised backgrounds face as they seek good jobs."

INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FOR SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS
https://www.insna.org/
This is a web site for researchers interested in social network analysis (SNA). We can learn much about SNA by browsing the various sections of this site.

KNOWLEDGE VISUALIZATION
http://knowledgevisualization.blogspot.com/
This blog show some interesting visualizations with links to other web sites. Last updated in 2006. Articles still relevant.

KNOW-WHY-NET IMODELER - VISUALIZATION AND ANALYSIS OF INTERCONNECTIONS
https://www.know-why.net/
From the web site. "KNOW-WHY.NET is an international platform for sharing models from different fields. The models are developed and presented using the iMODELER, which is arguably one of the leading tools available for the visualization and analysis of interconnections. The basic iMODELER is free, but there is also a more powerful paid full version available. The models can be explored directly in your browser."

KUMU - A POWERFUL CLOUD-BASED VISUALIZATION PLATFORM
https://kumu.io/tour
Kumu is a powerful, flexible concept mapping platform, capable of mapping complexity of all kinds. Visit the website to learn about all the features. Join the FREE Kumu community.

MAPPING COMPLEXITY USING KUMU
https://csl4d.wordpress.com/2014/06/25/wicked-solutions-major-influences/
This 2014 article titled "Wicked Solutions: Major Influences" offers tips for using KUMU to map complex relationships. The KUMU platform has made many enhancements since then.

MAPPING COMPLEXITY USING KUMU - SEE LINKS IN TUTOR/MENTOR BLOG ARTICLES
https://tutormentor.blogspot.com/search/label/Kumu
Some of the articles posted on the Tutor/Mentor blog have updates at the bottom, with new links found after the original article was posted.  This link points to articles about KUMU and other concept mapping tools.

MAPPING WICKED PROBLEMS - BLOG 
https://www.wicked7.org/category/wicked-problem/
This website has many blog articles that use concept maps to visualize ultra complex problems.  Most focus on questions like "What are the most urgent issues facing society?  How did we get there? What are the root causes? What must be done now?".  

MIND MAPS USED FOR BIBLE STUDY - BLOG
http://petrabthg.blogspot.com/2011/12/effective-bible-study-with-mind-mapping.html
Browse through articles on this blog and see how concept maps/mind maps are used to outline passages in the Bible and create deeper understanding.  Hope to find people in faith communities using mind maps to visualize strategies for helping the poor climb out of poverty.


NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD INDICATORS PROJECT
https://www.neighborhoodindicators.org/activities/issues
From the web site: "The National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership (NNIP) works to build local capacity, plans joint activities, and works in conjunction with affiliated organizations.

In recent years all NNIP partners have built advanced information systems with integrated and recurrently updated information on neighborhood conditions in their cities. Creation of this capacity, which did not exist in any U.S. city two decades ago, represents an important technical and institutional breakthrough." 

NETWORK MAPPING - OPTIMICE.COM
https://www.optimice.com.au/
This site illustrates a way to map who you're connected with and provides many other ideas on social network analysis.

OPEN INDICATORS CONSORTIUM (OIC) - ARCHIVE
https://www.neighborhoodindicators.org/activities/projects/open-indicators-consortium-weave
From the web site: "The Open Indicators Consortium (OIC), which operated from 2008 to 2014, was founded by partners from across the United States who came together to support and guide the development of the Weave software and its application as a high-performance open source data analysis and visualization platform free to all. The consortium’s goal was to transform publicly available data into visually compelling and actionable indicators to inform public policy and community-based decision makers.  An independent firm took over the development of the software in 2016.

ORGNET - SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS SOFTWARE AND SERVICES
http://www.orgnet.com/about.html
From the web site: "Valdis Krebs, Founder and Chief Scientist, at Orgnet, LLC is a management consultant, researcher, trainer, author, and the developer of InFlow software for social & organizational network analysis."  This site provides a wealth of understanding about concepts of social network analysis, as well as services that can be purchased for doing this work.

PARTICIPATORY COMMUNITY MAPPING AS COLLECTIVE SENSEMAKING - 5 PART INTERVIEW W ALDO De MOOR
https://greaterthanthesum.com/aldo1
https://greaterthanthesum.com/aldo5/
This set of articles on the Greater than the Sum website, provide valuable insight into participatory mapping as a crucial methodology for social intervention. My link points to the 5th article in the series, and to the first.


PARTNER- TOOLS TO ASSESS PARTNERSHIPS/COLLABORATION
Greater than the Sum - first article/
From the web site: "PARTNER is a social network analysis tool designed to measure and monitor collaboration among people/organizations. The tool is designed for use by collaboratives/coalitions to demonstrate how members are connected, how resources are leveraged and exchanged, the levels of trust, and to link outcomes to the process of collaboration."

PLANET SCHOOL - MIND MAPPING VISUALIZATION
https://www.mindmeister.com/106237621/planet-school-the-idea/
This mind map was used to describe the Planet School strategy.

PREZI - ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE. BLOG ARTICLE
https://peterpappas.com/2009/02/prezi-engage-your-audience-with-a-zooming-nonlineal-presentation.html
This blog article describes a web based collaboration and visualization tool called Prezi.

Note:  Visit this page to see how interns use Prezi to share Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC ideas. http://www.tutormentorexchange.net/definition-of-issues/ideasanimation/intern-strategies

REDESIGN NETWORK - DESIGNDIALOGUES
https://designdialogues.com/design-business-as-agents-of-world-benefit/
From the website: "The Redesign Network works internationally across a wide community of great people. We create successful and enduring information resources for complex practices and work. Redesign advocates systemic design for practice and services, based on understanding the patterns and meaning of human activity. adapting innovative methods from interpretive and empirical traditions." 

ROOT CAUSE OF POVERTY - SOME RECOMMENDED READING
http://tutormentor.blogspot.com/2012/04/increase-in-homicides-what-is-root.html
In this Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC blog article I've aggregated some links to articles showing "root cause analysis" and thinking. If we can understand the basic causes that lead to acts of urban violence and to kids under-performing in school and life we might have a better chance of mobilizing resources to remove these causes.

SERVICE DESIGN TOOLS
https://servicedesigntools.org/
From the web site: "Service Design Tools is conceived as an open platform of knowledge, to be shared with the design research community."

SMITHSONIAN OPEN ACCESS - DOWNLOAD, SHARE AND REUSE MILLIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN'S IMAGES
https://www.si.edu/openaccess
This looks like a great resource for creators and communicators.  The Smithsonian has made available more than 4.5 million 2D and 3D digital items from their collections that anyone can share and reuse, right now, without asking.  Take a look. 

SOCIAL CHANGE ECOSYSTEM MAP
https://buildingmovement.org/our-work/movement-building/social-change-ecosystem-map/
From the website:  "This is a framework that can help individuals, networks, and organizations align and get in right relationship with social change values, individual roles, and the broader ecosystem. Download the map, accompanying materials, and more from the website."

SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS TOOLS - LIST INCLUDES FREE AND OPEN SOURCE
http://www.butleranalytics.com/20-free-and-open-source-social-network-analysis-software/
If you're interested in understanding groups and networks, this list of tools you might use can be valuable to you.

SOCIAL NETWORK MAPPING - NODEXL - TUTORIAL
https://mappingforjustice.blogspot.com/2015/09/mapping-social-media-networks-nodexl.html
This blog article includes links to various sites where you can learn how to use NodeXL, a free, open source tool, to map participation in social networks.

STANFORD UNIVERSITY DSCHOOL (DESIGN)
https://dschool.stanford.edu/field-notes
Browse the different sections of this web site to see all the ways the Stanford University dSchool "helps people unlock their creative potential and apply it to the world."

STRATEGY MAPPING - STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
https://www.valuebasedmanagement.net/methods_strategy_maps_strategic_communication.html
This web site illustrates the value of using concept maps in communications of strategy.

STUDIO BOOMWEHMEYER - EXPLORES DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AROUND SOCIETY, CULTURE AND CRAFTSMANSHIP.
http://boomwehmeyer.com/
From the web site: "This website functions as archive for objects, making and academic processes.  Working together with a variety of  partners, academies and institutes studio BoomWehmeyer explores different perspectives around society, culture and craftsmanship. The studio work stems from an active mentality to work together on the expanding consciousness and roles of designers in today’s rapidly transforming, technological, social and cultural landscape. Many projects are grounded in research and maker-ship as core ingredient in their activities."

SYSTEMS THINKING AND VISUALIZATION TUTORIAL
http://systems.open.ac.uk/materials/T552/
From the web site :"The Systems Group at the Open University is committed to the study, application and development of systems ideas. We aim to help people make sense of -- and intervene in -- complex and interconnected situations. We work with a wide range of issues and settings including: environmental decision-making for sustainable development; information systems management; organisational change in both public and private sectors; and integrated waste management." This link points to examples of different kinds of systems maps that the Open University Systems Group has developed over the years. It's an interactive site that helps users explore the ways in which different kinds of 'diagramming' can be used in a systemic inquiry.

SYSTEMS THINKING TOOLS - A REFERENCE GUILD (PDF)
https://thesystemsthinker.com/systems-thinking-tools-a-users-reference-guide/
From the web site, "Whether you are new to systems thinking or merely need a guide to available tools, this collection introduces you to dynamic, structural, and computer-based tools – from stocks and flows to causal loop diagrams and management flight simulators."

UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL NETWORKS - VISUALIZING NETWORKS
https://cambridge-intelligence.com/use-cases/social-networks/?goback=.gde_1314427_member_5811084457679028224#!
From the web site: "Network dynamics dictate the spread of information, news and ideas. They can help identify someone’s tastes, opinions and activity. If we can understand a person’s network, we will have a much deeper knowledge of them than if we assessed them in isolation.

By studying a social network we can find influential people, anticipate peaks in demand for products or services, generate more targeted marketing approaches and predict illegal activity. On a more personal level, we can also build communities, identify vulnerable and isolated people and help people find new connections." Read the White Paper on this site.

UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL NETWORKS ON TWITTER
click here
This article talks about how social network analysis can help build an understanding of the different ways people group and interact on Twitter. For those working to draw people from social networks to a specific interest area, or a product/service, this offers a building block of understanding.

URBAN DESIGN COURSES ON RACE AND JUSTICE - NEEDED
click here
This CityLab article says "Black students at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design say there are no design courses that consider race and justice. Here’s an outline for one."  Visit the site and use the ideas.

USING CMAPTOOLS TO CREATE CONCEPT MAPS
click here
This article, titled "Visual Connections for Museums" demonstrates uses of cMap Tools to create concept maps. Read the article and dig into the maps. 

USING NETWORK ANALYSIS AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR PLANNING & ANALYZING A CONFERENCE
click here
This article shows how network analysis, using #nodeXL, was used in planning a conference and in understanding participation after the event. This is one of many related and interesting articles on the #ScottPublicHealth blog.

USING NETWORK ANALYSIS TO UNDERSTAND GIT HUB NETWORK
https://sbaack.com/blog/scraping-the-global-civic-tech-community-on-github-part-2.html
This article not only provides an understanding of people/organizations who use the GitHub web site, but also demonstrates how this type of analysis might be applied to help build  understanding of groups focusing on other social/economic/environmental and health issues in the world.

UX MAPPING METHODS COMPARED: A CHEAT SHEET
https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ux-mapping-cheat-sheet/
From the article: "Empathy maps, customer journey maps, experience maps, and service blueprints depict different processes and have different goals, yet they all build common ground within an organization." This article describes all four types of mapping, using visualizations to illustrate ideas.

VENSIM - SIMULATION SOFTWARE FOR IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF REAL SYSTEMS.
https://vensim.com/
From the web site: "Vensim is used for constructing models of business, scientific, environmental, and social systems. Ventana Systems also provides strategic management consulting using dynamic simulation models."  The site contains many articles and resources.

VISUAL COMPLEXITY - AGGREGATION OF NETWORKS
http://www.visualcomplexity.com/vc/about.cfm
From the web site: "VisualComplexity.com intends to be a unified resource space for anyone interested in the visualization of complex networks. The project's main goal is to leverage a critical understanding of different visualization methods, across a series of disciplines, as diverse as Biology, Social Networks or the World Wide Web."   The goal is that "this space can inspire, motivate and enlighten any person doing research on this field."

VISUAL LANGUAGE AND ROBERT HORN
http://pictureitsolved.com/resources/principles/robert-horn-and-visual-language/
This article introduces Robert Horn, who, "In his most recent book, Visual Language: Global Communication for the 21st Century, Robert Horn defines visual language as the integration of words, images, and shapes into a single communication unit. " Follow the links and learn more.

VISUALLY RECORD A CONVERSATION
https://visualthinkery.com/project/visually-recording-a-conversation/
This article on the Visual Thinkery site provides steps for visually recording a conversation.  It's part of the creative process ideas shared on the site.

VISUALIZATION METHODS - A TABLE OF CONTENTS
https://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html
This web site offers a comprehensive map of the various types of visualization methods with links to each example

VISUALIZATION MODELS - SUSTAINABILITY
https://computingforsustainability.com/2009/03/15/visualising-sustainability/
This 2009 site has collected over 280 graphics that visualize sustainability strategies. As you look to communicate ideas this provides numerous examples of ways to do this.

VISUALIZATION OF UNIVERSAL BASIC INFORMATION (UBI) INFORMATION
https://basicincome.stanford.edu/research/ubi-visualization/
At this link you will find an interactive concept map, using a format like KUMU, to show information related to Universal Basic Income (UBI).  This  uses a hub (UBI) and spoke (related information) design.  Created by Stanford University Basic Income Lab.
Note: Tutor/Mentor Connection has been using concept maps since 2005 to visualize information in this library and seeks a university partner who will adopt the T/MC and rebuild this library using a format similar to what Stanford has done.

VISUALIZATION, COOL GRAPHICS - LIST OF WEB SITES
https://coolinfographics.com/links/
This web site provides an extensive list of other sites with great graphics and visualizations. 

VISUALIZATIONS USED TO COMMUNICATE SDGS GOALS, STRATEGIES, CHALLENGES
https://www.glesi.org/
This site illustrates an effective use of visualization to communicate challenges to achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Global Development Goals by 2030.  Finding talent to do work like this is a challenge for most NPOs and social entrepreneurs. Offering talent is a role many volunteers could take.

WE ALL COUNT - SEEKS TO INCREASE EQUITY IN DATA SCIENCE
https://weallcount.com/
From the website: "We All Count is committed to increasing data literacy -- and particularly data equity literacy for everyone. We make tools, write articles and foster communities that everyone can benefit from" If you're interested in the push for better equity in data science, you should take some time to browse through this site to see what it offers.

WEAVE THE PEOPLE - NETWORK BUILDING PLATFORM
https://weavethepeople.com/blog/
This looks like a powerful tool for helping build stronger and longer-lasting networks and for doing the network analysis and visualization needed to understand the networks you're building.  Editor note:  I've not used it myself so would like to hear from others who find this and use it.

WEBQUEST NEWS AND ACTIVITIES
http://webquest.org/
From the web site: "A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. The model was developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in February, 1995 with early input from SDSU/Pacific Bell Fellow Tom March, the Educational Technology staff at San Diego Unified School District, and waves of participants each summer at the Teach the Teachers Consortium at The Thacher School in Ojai, California. This site is the most complete and current source of information about the WebQuest Model."