Social capital is a powerful tool for networking, advancing, and implementing change - but only for those lucky enough to have a seat at the table.
Social capital dates back to 'The Old Boys Club,' an informal network for social and business relationships where opportunities were fostered, and deals were sealed with a handshake and a cigar. Now, a new Dayton collective, The Social Capital Project, aims to make the idea work for local women.
“For far too long, women and underrepresented groups weren't given a seat at this table of opportunity. They weren't even in the room,” Angela McArthur, co-founder of The Social Capital Project.
The Social Capital Project aims to provide a seat to women and underrepresented groups through deliberate, organized opportunities, coaching and support. By providing an inclusive and welcoming space where ideas can be shared freely, local professionals will leverage combined experience to pave opportunities for advancement and drive true and meaningful change in individual lives and communities.
Grounded in the same mission, six founding partners came together to create an organization that advocates and advances women and underrepresented groups through networking, coaching and fundraising.
“We believe that collectively we can have a big impact on advancing positive change in our community,” McArthur said. “We have assembled a group of influential women who, in a safe, come-as-you-are environment can bond, reflect, share, support each other, and inspire action across our community and the Dayton region.”
The collective, currently a core of more than 20 women, brings a variety of professionals who recognize the crucial importance of social capital and how shared time, resources and connectivity can result in influence and innovation at scale.
The Social Capital Project offers three programs to members:
- The Quotient – a coaching and advocacy program to advance women in leadership by leveraging members’ collective influence, power and networks. Provides support to women & underrepresented groups to help them grow in their respective industry and navigate the professional world. The Quotient engages in and leads coaching and mentoring programs with different institutions in Dayton throughout the year.
- The Collective – A network of influential thought leaders and advocates who contribute their own social capital, resources, referrals and time while benefiting from their counterparts who donate the same. Intended to serve as a space of confidence, knowledge-sharing, inspiration, education and action. The Collective comes together quarterly and on an adhoc basis for invite-only events including a bi-annual Sunday Supper and two to three cocktail hours to expand the collective’s network.
- The Coefficient – The collective’s initial phase of founder support and angel funding resources to provide early phase founder support and angel funding for early-stage idea and business in the community. Funds are leveraged through the collective’s The Social Capital Project Foundation, where they deliberately work with and provide resources in our local community that is contributing to or advancing change.
“It’s all about connection,” McArthur said. “Knowing and supporting each other to drive change in our community and region - and to have fun.”
