The Catalyst Approach

Our efforts in helping people to connect around shared interests and to affect their neighborhoods in positive ways begin with a paradigm shift – a fresh way of seeing the way that we do community organizing. 

A catalyst is something that causes or initiates a reaction. It is an agent that precipitates an event and speeds significant change. It can be a person, event, or idea. A relational catalyst is someone who develops an idea, shares it with others, leads by example, and helps to see it through. He or she is a bridge, a connector, a visionary, a networker, and a global citizen seeking meaningful change. We are building a community of these catalysts.
Our approach is centered on empowering local emerging leaders and members who can begin the journey of seeing themselves as catalysts – agents of social change – who activate their passions, while learning and growing along the way, and partnering with others on the same journey. If a single catalyst can impact a community, then thousands of catalysts can change the world.

 

 

The Relational Infrastructure

Imagine our city. Now remove the buildings. What remain are the people. Catalyst is developing the relational infrastructure that connects us to each other.

A member or organization in the community can access other members or groups simply by navigating the relational infrastructure. Catalyst provides the context that brings people together.

The rest is up to you.