Rebel for a Cause is Live – Let’s Connect!
It’s official. We’ve announced to the world that we’re here at RebelforaCause.org with a press release and our very own Twitter and Facebook accounts. Both John and I want to spread the word about our Rebel project, but we also want to hear from you.
Help us complete our mission by telling us who the rebels are that have made an impact in your communities. What social entrepreneurship information would you benefit from hearing about here on Rebel for a Cause?
Starting with Bill Strickland, Read Your Way to Rebel-Hood
In a previous post we listed many of the graduate-level programs available to aspiring social entrepreneurs. While I’ll never discourage a rebel from pursuing a formal education, I’ll always encourage self-education and personal development through reading.
Regardless of the non-profit organization you hope to create or become part of, there are easily-accessible resources available that will make you a better rebel and business person. Some of those resources are listed in our Recommended Reading List on Amazon.
What to Do and What Not to Do When Starting a Non-Profit
Creative Commons Image Credit: Stuck in Customs
Every entrepreneur learns how to start a non-profit organization through hard work and, unfortunately, by making mistakes. Take advantage of the lessons other social entrepreneurs can teach you. You may be the first to walk the road you are paving toward your cause, but you aren’t the first to walk the road to non-profit success.
Here’s the Rebel for a Cause do and don’t list for starting a non-profit:
Don’t let people discourage your from your goal. Rebels are never discouraged by naysayers.
Do create a community of evangelists. You can’t do this on your own. Rebels need help spreading the word. Read More
Four More Things to Know About John
On the About the Authors page you may have read the “five things you don’t know about John Melia” entry. Today, I thought I’d share five more.
1. I’m campaigning to fill the open seat in Florida’s House of Representatives for District 19. Election day is November 2. Don’t forget to vote!
2. Bill Strickland of the Manchester Craftsman Guild is my hero. He is a rebel for a cause we should all aspire to mimic.
3. Every year I organize the Thaw Out Open in St. Augustine, Florida, to raise awareness and funds for charity. Money raised at this year’s event (held March 12 & 13) will go to the Wounded Warrior Project and The Bosselli Foundation.
4. I’ve been featured in Fundraising Success Magazine and named one of the Top 100 Irish Americans of the Year by Irish American Magazine.
What else would you like to know about me (John Melia)? As we move along in the book writing process, I will share more about my career and thoughts on running a non-profit.
List of Schools Offering Social Entrepreneurship Programs
To become a rebel, a degree isn’t required. Anyone with the heart and the ambition can create social change.
But for those with academic ambitions, there are dozens of advanced academic programs that offer courses in social entrepreneurship or social enterprise. Below is our list, but we know we’ve missed many. Let us know which schools and programs need to be added to our list of schools offering social entrepreneurship programs. Read More
Five Lessons the Winter Olympics Can Teach a Rebel
Every rebel faces opposition when they start out fighting for their cause. Opposition is integral to the title; without obstacles you wouldn’t be a rebel.
Ask any Olympic athlete and I’m sure they’d tell you they’ve had their own fair share of opposition too. As we see it, rebels have a lot to learn from Olympic athletes. Here are five lessons you can take to heart.
Who are the Rebels You Love?
We want to hear from you. Who are the professionals, the volunteers, the co-workers, the authors, or the everyday people who are making a difference in your community and in our world?
Rebel for a Cause is about recognizing those who make change despite the obstacles. We can’t complete our mission without your help. Read More
Featured Rebel – Wounded Warrior Project
It’s no coincidence that Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is our first featured rebel. Rebel for a Cause’s very own John Melia founded WWP in 2003 after his military career shifted into veteran advocacy.
John knew firsthand what it felt like to return home injured after duty. He also sympathized with those young men and women who returned only to sit in a hospital bed unsure of what was next in their lives. Read More
Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Volunteer Match
Looking for volunteer opportunities in your area? Online volunteer matchmaking services run far and wide. Here are four sites we recommend for those getting started in the volunteer matchmaking process.
1. President Obama wants YOU to volunteer. Serve.gov posts an abundance of well-written information on volunteering and organizing your own volunteer event. The site also has a search option that allows you to find existing volunteer opportunities based on your areas of interest and zip code. However, the search results can be overwhelming, since the links take you to other websites…many other websites. Read More
The Girl Effect (on the World)
Be prepared for inspiration …
