Blog about Pro Bono Lab

 

"I am therefore very happy and proud to have been introduced to this brand new initiative. I went home grateful and satisfied. I would like to wish you this feeling and more satisfaction in your work and life. Keep an eye on the developments of Pro Bono Lab Eindhoven. This is part of a global initiative and is poised to grow and flourish.

Nicolette Kleisterlee

 

Look around you, listen to the news. In our world, in our country and in our own city or village, poverty, pollution, inequality, injustice and so on demand attention every day. So overwhelming that it can give a feeling of powerlessness.

That is not necessary, because you and I can do something about all these social issues. With Social Innovation, our little effort becomes a lot of fun.

Making a difference together

Often, we do not know how we ourselves as individuals can do our bit to alleviate and even solve the problems in the world and in our own environment. We can do so much more than we currently think. Together, we are truly able to contribute to the GlobalGoals. Every little bit of knowledge, time and manpower helps to make your own environment a little bit more beautiful, even without money!

Esther pro bonoLast Monday, 17 October 2016, I discovered and experienced for myself how it IS possible! With completely unknown people with different backgrounds and disciplines, I worked together on results that can really help various foundations in Eindhoven. The innovative social platform Pro Bono Lab Eindhoven connects charities, highly educated professionals and the business community to work on social issues. Via Stefanie Kollen of www.ditislicht.nl I came into contact with Esther Schoustra, director of Together for Eindhoven and initiator of the Pro Bono Lab in Eindhoven. As Esther told me, many charities do not have the luxury of hiring advice on marketing, administration, tax, legislation, fundraising etc. etc.

Her dream is to bring this knowledge and these professionals together to contribute to a better world. The first steps have been taken. With results!

Working for a good cause

I myself was part of the group that gave strategic advice to Carina Verhulst and Esther van de Graaf, both directors of Stichting Circulo. With this advice, their request for help became more concrete. The next Pro Bono Lab group will use this request for help to set to work in a concrete and decisive manner.

During the day, Esther de Graaf told why she puts her time and energy into Circulo. Watch her personal and vulnerable story here: https://youtu.be/OQI6qnkTvy8 This touches...

Vulnerable people live in the neighbourhood, as she herself was one of them. What happened to her could have happened to us, today. If people can count on other people in the neighbourhood, it gives them a feeling of safety and security. That is what Circulo wants to bring about.

Grateful and fulfilled

Helping Circulo with new insights and also with strict legal and numerical advice is very rewarding work for all Pro Bono members. This way, the work gets an extra dimension: you make a difference for a good cause, for the environment, for your own fellow man. Our efforts, of both experienced and young professionals, really make a difference, without being paid for it.

Young professional speaking: https://youtu.be/uepY3eeC04c

At the end of the day, the first Pro Bono Lab Member certificates were awarded. I am very proud to be part of this new initiative and to have been able to contribute to making the world a nicer place, even if it is only a little bit.

The heart of any organismPro bono Nicolette

The Pro Bono Lab connects the social heart of people with organisations. As a professional, I have experienced that we can really make a difference to our environment if we work together on platforms. That gives strength, energy and above all realistic hope for a better future.

My dream is that organisations, in addition to having the cool head to calculate their profit figures, will increasingly let their warm hearts speak for themselves and become more relevant to all of us. Not as a contribution to a good cause, but as part of general business operations. Every organism, person and organisation will contribute in its own way to the GlobalGoals.

There is still much work to be done on Mother Earth to secure the future of our world. This is vital for the future of our children.

I am therefore very happy and proud to have been introduced to this brand new initiative. I went home grateful and satisfied. I wish you the same feeling and more satisfaction in your work and life. Keep an eye on the developments of Pro Bono Lab Eindhoven. This is part of a worldwide initiative and is poised to grow and flourish.

It is realistic to make the impossible really possible!

Text courtesy of Nicolette Kleisterlee.