Green Initiatives is hosting some really interesting talks this Thursday and next week, tackling the challenges nonprofits face and how their organizational models will change in the future. This is a big topic, especially in China where there is a lot of doubt about organizations that claim to be nonprofit. On Thursday, Green Initiatives will host special guests Chitra Hepburn, who has served as an executive at several environmental consulting firms, and Alan Coyne, co-founder of Hope Orphan School in Mombasa. They'll also play a TED Talk by Dan Pallotta, author of Uncharitable. Further details inside.

*** "We're trying to help people to ask better questions and get better answers. We want to encourage people understand nonprofits better and understand their challenges," says Nitin Dani, founder of Green Initiatives. One example of a challenge is how nonprofits get a lot of flak for paying out high salaries for top executives, but if they don't give out higher salary packages, they'll have difficulty attracting top talent. But the question arises -- if nonprofits want to pay out high salaries or run their organizations like a business, why don't they operate as a social enterprise? "I think social enterprises are the future, but no matter what you do, no matter what you are -- a social enterprise, NGO, business, whatever -- I think transparency is key. And as we evolve, despite being a business, social responsibility and social impact needs to be a key part of our DNA." If you want in on this discussion, you can attend Green Initiative's event on Thursday that runs from 6.30-9pm at Roca Gallery in Xujiahui. They will be covering similar ground next week with a Mandarin-language version that will feature directors and VPs of social enterprises. That happens next Thursday from 6.30pm-9pm at URBN Hotel. It's 30rmb to attend either of these events if you register ahead of time on the Green Initiatives website, including beer and other beverages.