I was at the RSA's Coffeehouse Challenge Awards last night, which has been project-managed by a colleague on the GIB's interim steering group, Gerard Darby. The basic premise of the Coffeehouse Challenge is to go back to the RSA's roots, which was coming up with ideas over a cup of coffee (how the RSA itself was started).
It was an interesting event, with big corporate sponsorship (Starbucks, T-Mobile) and big media partner (BBC Action Network, or iCAN as was), and lots of interesting ideas emerging from communities. Some of these were actively being taken forward, and developed into some useful local initiatives.
Obviously, the mere mention of the dreaded Starbucks can send people running for the hills (indeed, the mug from my goody bag was summarily rejected by a colleague this morning), and there was a nice moment when the President of Starbucks UK & Ireland said that there was plenty of scope for expansion for the event as "we have quite a few more than 90 branches" [90 groups met for the challenge this year]. I can second that: if I held a challenge near my home in west London, the main challenge might be which Starbucks to choose from the high street (there are 3).
Anyway, minor griping aside, this is a good intiative, and I'd rather see Starbucks involved in something like this than not. Similarly, T-Mobile, who also had the added kudos of giving some of the winners some money to help start the project up. Perhaps this is something GIBbers could get involved with next year, as a kind of meet-up with a purpose? It's certainly on the same page, and may give concrete-ness to building a community round an idea (as well as brainstorming an apposite solution for the community)...and then the person leading the project will need training and support, so could join the SSE's programme. See how all the pieces of the jigsaw fit together....
A hearty congrats to all involved....
I just wanted to let you know (and ask your advice) about a new Coffeehouse Challenge we're starting in the Greater Philadelphia/Central Pennsylvania region this month. It's in honor of Ben Franklin's 300th birthday, but is basically the same program as the RSA Coffeehouse Challenge, presented by the Ben Franklin 300 non-profit (my group) and Starbucks, and developed with Gerard Darby's input and advice. So if there are any Global Ideas Bank readers in that region, please do consider joining in on this side of the pond - and please do also let me know if you have any ideas about a better way to spread the word than this comment! More information will go up on our launch (Jan. 24, 2006) at www.benfranklin300.org/chc - meanwhile, you can contact me with any thoughts/suggestions etc. Thank you - Nicola
Posted by: Nicola Twilley | January 19, 2006 at 05:18 PM