August 12, 2014 | 8:30 – 10 am | Sign up now!

Join us for a candid conversation with Patty Stonesifer, the President and CEO of Martha’s Table. We’ll talk a about Patty’s phenomenal career path and her much-discussed transition into nonprofit leadership with Martha’s Table. The focus of our conversation will be on the state of hunger in the Washington D.C. region and Patty’s vision of ending hunger for all children...

Read more

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank with EPIP. CAFB has unfortunately cancelled our volunteer work date due to a low supply of food. You can help CAFB restock their supply by donating now...

Read more

This guest post was authored by Pickett Slater Harrington, Manager, Program and Practice, Independent Sector NGeners Rock!, The Boat I’ve spent a number of years working alongside NGeners – talented, intelligent, energetic and emerging social sector leaders that range in age from late Generation Xers to Millennials. Here are four characteristics that I’ve seen displayed by NGeners throughout the years that lead me to the conclusion that NGeners Rock! 1. NGeners are non-linear, systems thinkers NGeners have an uncanny ability to think at multiple levels of complexity and make connections between what sometimes seem like different and conflicting ideas. NGeners see the value in working across sectors to learn, adapt, and apply lessons. This stems from a strong desire to change systems, not just the symptoms. This approach lies not just in the way they work, but in the way they think. 2. NGeners build connections and networks purposefully When it comes to network building, NGeners ask the question, “To what end?” They know that the true power of networks is not in sheer numbers, but in the ability to move people to action. To the NGener, it’s not just about how many 1st level contacts you have on LinkedIn or the number of people in your social network, it’s about how you connect and mobilize people to create change. NGeners network purposefully with the end result of social change in mind. 3. NGeners have a failure fearlessness A hallmark of younger generations is a willingness to break with tradition […] Read more

You’re invited to NTEN’s inaugural Leading Change Summit in San Francisco This September, you’re invited to change the way you create impact. Join NTEN in San Francisco on September 3-6 as they launch the Leading Change Summit (LCS)! This is not your typical event. Designed for anyone managing a team, budget, project, or organization, the Summit will challenge you in one of three tracks to accelerate your career development: Impact Leadership: Dynamic executive directors and leadership teams will learn how to plan and implement effective programs through a data-informed approach. Digital Strategy: Savvy online marketers, communicators, and fundraisers will use the Web to drive innovation and engagement. The Future of Technology: Cutting-edge technologists will strategize how to adapt to the evolving role of technology in their work, and what the changing demographics of the U.S. mean for hiring and collaboration. Expert facilitators will lead each track, and will work to connect and leverage the skills, knowledge, and experiences of attendees needed to strategize how to move forward on challenges they face in their work. Lead facilitators include Beth Kanter, John Kenyon, Tracy Kronzak, Tanya Tarr, and Bridget Marie Todd.  Confirmed keynotes include Alexandra Samuel from Vision Critical and Matt Groch from Mission Measurement. View the growing lineup of #14LCS speakers and facilitators on the LCS website. For attendees, the LCS experience begins when you register. Attendees will select one of the three tracks at registration and participate with this cohort before, during, and after the Summit. Event Details Cost: $550 for NTEN Members / […] Read more

July 11, 2014 | 5:30-7:30 pm | Sign up Now!

There’s no place like Washington, D.C. in the summertime! To celebrate this great city and all it has to offer, join us for an evening of fun, food, and cold drinks at Truckeroo! Truckeroo is a food truck festival that takes place just across the street from Navy Yard metro station. We’ll sample some of the best food D.C. has to offer, bask in the glory of summer and maybe even play a few games of corn hole!

Read more

This guest post was authored by Danielle Vabner.

I still remember the day my family relocated to the quaint New England town of Sandy Hook, Connecticut. It was a sticky summer day in July of 2005. Sandy Hook was the epitome of the “suburbs”: beautiful, spacious homes, endless amounts of trees, and friendly residents. To many, it was the ideal place to raise a family.

 

Read more

by Caitlin Fisher, co-chair of EPIP Boston I’ve spent the past few years learning about network theory and communities of practice in my role as deputy director of the Prime Movers fellowshipprogram at Hunt Alternatives. For those unfamiliar with this concept, a community of practice by definition it is a group of people informally bound together by shared expertise and passion for a joint enterprise — and it promises to radically galvanize knowledge sharing, learning, and change...

Read more

If you attended the final plenary of the JAG Unity Summit on Friday, June 7th, then you had the opportunity to participate in a live poll with Rahsaan Harris and your fellow JAG friends and colleagues. We extend our thanks to everyone who participated in the poll and we hope the following thoughts and ideas will inspire you to action.    Rahsaan asked the audience if they understood the term “intersectionality”. Eighty-four percent (84%) responded “yes”, and sixteen percent (16%) responded “no”. When asked “what one word describes the key barrier to intersectional action and collaboration?”, respondents answered with a variety of words, many choosing “fear” and “ego(s)”. Some other answers included: scarcity, pride, money, resources, ignorance, selfishness, competition, misunderstanding, and greed. Finally, we had many interesting and unique responses to “Use six words to describe the potential of JAG’s future work”. There were so many great phrases, we will re-print them all here: new paradigm for power, allocation, representation intersectionality interracial power cooperation success inclusion connecting leaders to infiltrate and disrupt COF is JAG. JAG is COF opportunity for all to reach potential powerful and vast and equity focused unity struggle unity; the struggle continues infinite opportunities to connect powerful communities radical transformation underlying notion “charity”/philanthropy overcoming fear thru repeated effective interaction collaboration shared fate deep impact cross sectoral Inclusive collaboration, shared vision, analysis of equity shared vision, power, change, engagement, authenticity & freedom collaboration across identities to create equity Prosperity is possible for all! from many one equal […] Read more

Highlights Check out our Eventifier and Storify pages, which capture highlights from the JAG Unity Summit. We especially love this one put together by our friends at the Women’s Funding Network.   Follow the conversation on social media #JAGUnity2014 for the 2014 JAG Unity Summit #EPIPleaders for EPIP’s Measuring a Leader framework   20 Years of JAG Watch the JAG video that played at the Summit, highlighting 20 years of advancing equity together Read more

We interviewed Bob Pullin, Chief of Digital Engagement with the Ford Foundation, to learn more about their new, innovative Un-Survey and the thinking and technology behind it. 1. Please provide a brief professional description of yourself. I’m responsible for digital engagement for the Ford Foundation, focused on using technology to help build relationships with our core audiences mostly through the web site and social media. Prior to coming to Ford I worked on technology strategy, design management and information architecture at a small design and technology company called Corsair. At Corsair we worked with a few philanthropy clients including Rockefeller Foundation and the Gates Foundation. 2. On the Ford Foundation website, there is something called the Un-Survey. What is it about? The Un-Survey is one part of the research for our website redesign. It is intended to help us continue to build empathy with our audiences and give us a better understanding of kinds of information they want from us. The Un-Survey is giving ideas for content and functionality to offer in the next version of the website that we wouldn’t have thought of without it. 3. What kind of thinking went behind the development of the Un-Survey? The Un-Survey was conceived as an experiment to see if we could turn the traditional survey model on its head in a productive way. Instead of us asking our Web visitors questions, we’re inviting them to ask us questions. Our hope was that this will unearth what’s most important to our partners, peers and others—without our preconceived ideas leading the way. […]

Read more