PRO BONO ADVENTURES OF ARMIN: WEEK 20

20 weeks of Pro Bono Adventures and yet I keep learning new things about pro bono every day. This week I discovered the competencies map . This tool was designed by Taproot based on input from key stakeholders regarding what information they needed to better understand common nonprofit needs – and what professional expertise might be available to deliver each project type. It is a fantastic tool if you are company and want to support a nonprofit using pro bono but are not sure how to scope the need of the nonprofit. Also, if you want to find research the pro bono projects that are most relevant for the professional skills available in your organization, this tool is very helpful.

Integrating pro bono into college curriculum

Earlier today, I had a call with the founder of the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) in Berlin. He is currently working on making pro bono a stronger part of their MBA programs. Hearing about their plans, I went through the resources on Taproots website. Taproot is already working with business schools. The goal of such partnerships is to create a new generation of professionals who are committed and equipped to use their unique professional skills for the common good. A publication on Pro Bono: An Emerging Trend in American Professional Schools points out that when integrated into the curriculum it can enhance not only student’s resumes and skills, but also make the studies more interesting, relevant and meaningful. It shows that Pro Bono goes both ways – not only supporting nonprofits but also individuals.

Pro bono as a global movement

Finally, there is exciting news on the global pro bono front. Pro bono leaders from Japan, China, Singapore, Costa Rica, Sweden and France have RSVPed for the Global Pro Bono Summit that the BMW Foundation and Taproot are organizing. This event will give pro bono intermediaries like Taproot around the world the platform to learn from each other and hear about new pro bono models, and best practices.

Join the pro bono movement today but donating your professional skills today.

Armin Pialek is the first Fellow in a pilot joint venture between Taproot and the BMW Foundation. He is working to first bring pro bono to Germany, and then to replicate the model to engage Fellows to develop pro bono with Taproot and the BMW Foundation around the globe.