I just left my second session of the day.  It was led by Kris Prendergast from the Social Enterprise Alliance, and it focused on the feasibility of and reasons for developing a trade association for social enterprises.  Prendergast pointed out the larger role that trade associations can play in advancing a field.  Associations can help build emerging fields.  She referenced, as an example, the U.S. Green Building’s work.  Prendergast noted that there already are associations that serve social investors, such as Investor’s Circle.  She also referenced Net Impact.

Participants agreed that associations can play an important role in combining efforts and energies. A trade association enables the sharing of best practices, and can prevent the duplication of efforts.  An association can advocate for a unified language, and can play a larger policy role.  An association can provide for the sharing of news on what is happening in a field.  An association can also facilitate alliances with other organizations and associations. One participant underscored that there is great potential for cross-pollination among associations.  And another participant noted that an association is only as strong as its members.

Kris Prendergast also highlighted the important role that a trade association can play in convening individuals and groups, especially in conference settings, to discuss important issues and to make valuable contacts.  One participant continued that SoCap08 has enabled her to develop contacts in New York City that she will follow up with when she returns to the area.  This led a participant to discuss the importance of leveraging connections made in conference settings, and to highlight the potential in this area for a social enterprise trade association.

An important question was raised: Who is the audience for a trade association for social enterprise? Is it for-profit entrepreneurs?  Nonprofit entrepreneurs? Investors? Philanthropists?  An important question, no doubt.

Toward the end of the session, a participant discussed the Harvard Start-Up Alumni Network of which he is a part.  He said that members communicate via an email thread, providing information to those that ask for it.  He called the information provided as “validated” by the group members.  The Network has worked so well that the group has decided to segment out the model.  People interested in social ventures can receive information specifically tailored to their needs and interests.

The Harvard Start-Up Network discussion brought up the role that education can play in a trade association.  It was clear from the discussion that there is a need for web-based education related to social enterprise.  It was suggested that perhaps this education can come in the form of an email listserv, much like with the Harvard Network.  Prendergast noted that the Social Enterprise Alliance administers a listserv geared exclusively toward nonprofits.  The group wondered whether such a service should be launched for all social ventures, regardless of sector.