With the emerging use and popularity of social media, today’s social entrepreneurs can find cost-effective and creative ways to be efficient in meeting its blended social and economic values. Social media and online communities present the opportunity to gain a competitive edge. This Thursday, April 26th at Oxfam Headquarters in Washington, DC, Creative Cause is sponsoring a "Professional Development Series for Social Entrepreneurs" who are building communities for change.

Co-hosted by Net Impact DC Professional Chapter and Care 2, this insightful panel of speakers represent four sustainable organizations that have figured out how to channel individuals into real action more efficiently.

• John Hecklinger, Global Giving http://www.globalgiving.org
• Stacie Mann, Network for Good http://www.networkforgood.org
• Neil Takemoto, Cooltown Studios http://www.cooltownstudios.com
• Justin Perkins, Care2 http://www.care2.com

This panel In Cool Town Studio's case it's working potential buyers into co-designing beta communities or businesses on the front end to besustainable and more user-centric; with Global Giving it's connecting individuals directly with overseas development projects, with Networkfor Good it's connecting individuals with nonprofits and each other using peer to peer fundraising, and Care2.com is connectingindividuals with other individuals and nonprofits based on their interests in social and environmental issues and causes.

This event is ideal for students and professionals in social enterprise, social marketing, health communication, nonprofit, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development who want to get a better handle on online media for social impact. And best of all meet and greet like minded blended value professionals at the top of the hour networking reception starting at 6pm. To RSVP and get more information, please visit www.acreativecause.eventbrite.com.

In support of social responsible organizations, we use DC Central Kitchen/Fresh Start Catering for our catering needs. Learn more about DC Central Kitchen at http://www.dccentralkitchen.org.