Every entrepreneur can use a support network of other entrepreneurs to guide them through issues on anything from accounting to marketing, and likewise, every young person can use a support network of other youth who are passionate about saving the world. In meeting other like-minded youth, we will be inspired to join more movements and make a better use of our summers AND school years. A great way to get started is by joining service clubs at school (once the school year starts), volunteering with local city events or at the local library, and attending events. But of course, most of you have probably done that already, which is why I'm launching the inaugural Social Startup Summit this August on Monday August 16, 2010 from 9am-4:30pm in San Jose. It's a great way for youth to network with other youth and collaborate on starting social change projects.

So let me ask you this. Are you a student? Do you spend your weekends volunteering, planning charity dinners, and collecting cans of food for those in need? If you're the girl who responds to invites to the mall with, "Nope, sorry, I've got a shift volunteering at the hospital then" or the guy whose fundraising skills almost rival your COD skills, you should DEFINITELY join The Social Startup Summit as a student delegate!

What are we all about? With a focus on creating socially-responsible ventures, The Social Startup Summit is a one-day, high-impact social entrepreneurship boot camp for high school students. Students come and pitch ideas for community service project (so YOU choose YOUR favorite cause and rock it!), get in groups of 5 for the best pitch ideas, and work the whole day to develop a website, online media presences, and do final pitches to judges at the end of the day. The best pitch's team wins pro-bono consulting, free web and graphic design, and a grant to jumpstart the project.