Fast Company readers -- and Company of Friends members in particular -- are hands-on, show-me-the-money types: They love to read about people and companies that are developing innovative business practices, but sometimes reading just isn't enough. Using tools provided by FC (including a special CoF Action Pack that goes out to cell leaders in conjunction with each issue), CoF associates are conducting field trips to organizations that we have featured in the magazine. In effect, they are becoming their own on-the-scene reporters, learning straight from the source's mouth how particular fast companies operate.

Last September, about 10 members of the Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina cell gathered to tour Micell Technologies Inc., a pioneer in the development of environmentally friendly dry-cleaning technology ('The Greener Cleaners,' July 2000). Participants spoke with executives from the Raleigh-based company about Micell's franchising model, its technology-development process, and its talent-retention strategies. 'They showed us their research lab and their stain-technology department,' says Felicia Wdowiak, 33, a services coordinator for the OEM-operations division of Nortel Networks, who is one of two coordinators of the RTP cell. 'They even did a test demonstration of a new stain repellent.'

The Raleigh group also formed a long-lasting relationship with the company. Starting in December, about 25 cell associates partnered with people from Micell to test a new stain-and-water repellent. 'They sent us each a jacket that's been treated with the product, and we're giving them ongoing feedback about it,' Wdowiak says. 'This project gives Micell a savvy local test population. And for us, it's fun to participate in the testing of something new.'

In October, meanwhile, associates from the Washington, DC cell took a five-hour drive to Pittsburgh in order to learn more about the Bidwell Training Center and the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, two organizations founded by social entrepreneur Bill Strickland ('Genius at Work,' September 1998). The CoF members spent about five hours meeting with Strickland, touring the center and the guild, and talking to teachers and students. 'We were able to talk to anyone we wanted to talk to,' says Larry Brown, 43, a free-agent CPA and the coordinator of the DC cell. 'There was nothing 'textbook' about this. It was very real-world.'

The DC cell's planning team is using what it learned in Pittsburgh to spur a voluntarism project with an organization called Byte Back. Working with other social-service organizations, Byte Back provides training to unemployed and underemployed adults and to at-risk young people. 'To me, it's just intuitive that people should apply business skills to nonprofits,' says Brown.

Coordinates: Company of Friends, http://www.fastcompany.com/cof/