Summary

Our world can seem fragmented and disconnected. Each of us may have our own mission but sometimes we fail to see how our missions are connected. In an age of social media and mobile technology, it can appear on the surface that our Web connections are, in fact, keeping us connected. But are these connections nurturing actual relationships and tangible partnerships in the real world?

The intersection of online tools and offline connections is where we can experience understanding for one another and impact in our communities.

We are now experiencing a generational transition of global and local leadership. At a time when systems seem to be failing, we need an influx of innovative leaders and problem solvers. Mortgage foreclosures are revealing problems in the banking system. Budget shortfalls are revealing battling paradigms about effective education. Debates on marriage equality and the controversies involving clergy are breaking down confidence in religious systems. Greenhouse gases and climate changes are revealing breakdowns in our ecosystem. Even government dictatorships are starting to see their own demise. The world is ripe for emerging leaders who will be empowered and equipped to tackle the tough issues.

The Catalyst Network of Communities fills these gaps.

We have several priorities: to improve connectivity among people and organizations, to encourage greater collaboration, to facilitate the sharing of resources, and to support and develop emerging leaders.

You can think of us as many things. We are a social change engine. We are an incubator of relational catalysts and a home base for social change projects. We are a social impact organization. We are a social enterprise that creatively repositions resources to advance community-sustainability. We are a community of catalysts. We are a values-based relational network. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization but we prefer the term citizen organization because we’re less about being “non”-anything and we’re much more about the people among us who want to make a positive contribution in this world.

We see cities experiencing a greater sense of community, collaboration, and citizenship through meaningful relationships. We are creating a citywide relational infrastructure that offers innovative tools, systems, and resources for individuals and organizations to empower them to connect around shared interests and to affect their neighborhoods in positive ways.