We see more clearly now than ever before where Pollen can grow and continue to improve. Pollen is so much more than a website, it is the Pollen membership that makes the platform unique. The free-form nature of the survey provided an incredible opportunity to listen closely to the buzz of the energized network of compassionate individuals that bring Pollen together every two weeks. The sheer number and quality of voices that stepped forward to offer a vision for Pollen’s future humbled our team. We have rounded up a summary of those intelligent, direct, and optimistic ideas below. We invite you to read through the collective response, and then continue to offer us your wisdom, passion, and ideas. Thank you for giving us candid access into the mind of the Pollen hive. With your help, we are excited to make Pollen all it can be. As always, contact us (jamie@bepollen.com or meghan@bepollen.com) with your ideas.

Pollenites want to create a stronger mechanism to harness the Pollen network to do more good in the region by acting together.

Though jobs postings are the #1 thing members currently value about Pollen, many stated that doesn’t mean that’s the #1 thing they want to get out of the platform.

Members want opportunities to meet in person under the Pollen banner. They want a physical space to share ideas and continue the online movement. Pollenites lean towards a structure that balances casual meetups with small events, and one large event a year. Many survey responses asked for Pollen events to foster conversation through creative, nontraditional programming.

One bold member suggested this:

Pollenites want to come together to create innovative civic engagement efforts. Members are looking for coordinated opportunities for the Pollen community to serve and give back. Pollenites wondered if Pollen should present a platform for action, where ideas could lead to forums and discussion, and then move offline into real projects.

⦿ Pollen Mentorship Program
Members foster growth in all stages of career development, including support to our community youth

⦿ Pollen Sponsored Service Projects
Members recognize deserving causes to support collectively

⦿ Pollen Board of Research 
Members form a group that explores and reports upon effective strategies for achieving various mission goals. 

⦿ Pollen Match Making Service
A bartering of an hour of one pollenite’s expertise for an hour of another’s, with the goal of learning a new skill or getting professional feedback.

⦿ Pollen “Speed-Dating”
A way to network young professionals by pairing them in short bursts of time with high ranking movers and shakers.

EXAMPLE: A social incubation fund and prize where members vote on a topic of local importance, then gather great Pollen hive minds on the topic, and hash out an action plan to be published and delivered to relevant issue actors for potential initiation. Members can then get involved to help the cause with their time, expertise, or dollars.

Members want more original content that zeros in on personal and professional growth. Pollenites find life stories interesting, but want that balanced with practical tips on career transitions and “making your own path”.

Pollenites also want more multimedia content including infographics, videos, podcasts, webinars, and photos. And, as always, Pollenites are ready to get involved! They want more PGC, “Pollenite Generated Content”. Want more PGC? Have an idea? Submit today.

⦿ Cross Sector Collaboration 

⦿ Leadership Across and Between Generations

⦿ Issues of Diversity

⦿ Economic Disparities

⦿ Problem Solving and Innovation

⦿ Education

⦿ Philanthropy

⦿ Personal Empowerment

⦿ Hot Local Issues

⦿ The Arts

⦿ Civic Engagement

⦿ Design and Design Thinking

⦿ Profiles, Profiles, Profiles

If the sky is the limit, members would take Pollen to the moon and back. The responses to this question were   refreshingly brilliant, witty, and optimistic. Members took the question seriously, especially with the   hoverboard suggestion. Hoverboards for all! It won’t take unlimited resources to deliver some of these ideas. The Pollen team will absolutely try to meet the following requests:

Longer timelines, better writing, and more community discussion.

Building the networks of professionals of color, young professionals, building networks around particular social justice issues, etc.

⦿ Unique, innovative events

⦿ Free professional education services

⦿ Hoverboards

⦿ Revamping of design

⦿ Seed funding for nonprofits in line with Pollen’s mission

⦿ Local TED-type talks amongst the Pollenites themselves

⦿ Payment for writing 

⦿ Pollen store with branded merchandise

⦿ A glossy magazine 

⦿ More of everything

⦿ Promote “Pollen Certified” businesses or organizations

⦿ National circulation

⦿ A pony

Another bold Pollenite suggested this:

Thank you, Pollenites.

This article was originally published at BePollen.com.