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 want to see you in Washington DC June 6 – 8 because we are one community. Being My Brother’s Keeper is an expression of agape love. The Greek word agape, to treat with affectionate regard, refers to self-giving and selflessness. This love helps you empathize with others, allows you to see their humanity, and inspires you to fight for their well being. It helps you realize… I am, because you are (Ubuntu). That is the spirit of UNITY. The JAG partners are gathering because we recognize each other’s struggles and we work to ensure each other’s success. I am an heterosexual African American male and I recognize what challenges and privileges that brings. To make a just and equitable world, I must be willing to fight for the future of my gay Latina sisters, my trans Asian American brothers, and all others. That’s why we can’t rest until the Nigerian school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram are home safely (#BringBackOurGirls). We should push for comprehensive immigration reform (#CIR) and for the right of all to marry who they love (#marriageequality). We should cheer efforts to bolster Black male achievement (#mbk). That’s why our gathering in Washington DC is important. You don’t want to miss it. #EPIPleaders Rahsaan Harris, PhD   Read more

Join us for EPIP Unites at the JAG Unity Summit on Friday, June 6th from 8:30am to 5pm when we will be hosting our annual national conference in conjunction with the Summit. We’re pleased to announce the following confirmed workshop sessions for Friday, June 6th: Friday, June 6th, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Dataviz for Philanthropists! Tips, Tools, and How-tos for Communicating Better with Charts with Johanna Morariu and Ann Emery of Innovation Network Hear how data visualization – or dataviz – can get your colleagues to pay attention to your organization’s most important data and improve your communication power with audiences you’re hoping to inform or sway. #FundSouth—Grantmakers for Southern Progress with William Cordery of the Marguerite Casey Foundation and Lavastian Glenn of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Hear about grassroots movements taking place in the South in response to recent attacks on social justice, such as the Zimmerman verdict and the erosion of voting rights for underrepresented communities. Taking Charge of Your Professional Growth with Samantha Alarie-Leca of The West Foundation This session will discuss tangible steps for cultivating self-awareness, soliciting mentors, and intentionally becoming the driving force behind your own professional growth. Workplace ‘-isms’ and Expressing Your Authentic Self with Surabhi Pandit of Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and Eboni Wells of The Skillman Foundation This session will discuss how to balance breaking down barriers of workplace ‘isms’ (based on race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and other identities) while asserting our authentic selves. Friday, June 6th, 3:30 […] Read more

View our program line-up Summit Program Schedule   Register Here Click to Register   Book Your Hotel Room The JAG Unity Summit will take place at: Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel 999 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001 (202) 898-9000 Please call the hotel directly at (202) 898-9000 or visit the hotel website to make your room reservation. To guarantee the special group rate of $169 per night plus applicable taxes, you must make your reservation no later than May 12, 2014. Please identify yourself as a Joint Affinity Group (JAG) Summit attendee. Read more

JAG Unity Summit Register by April 15th and Save!  Member – Early Bird: $475 Non-Member – Early Bird:  $550 After April 15th:  Member – Regular Registration: $625 Non-Member – Regular Registration: $700 Register now online at:  https://www.greenmoonsolutions.com/jag2014/ Who is JAG? JAG consists of seven identity-based JAG partner organizations – Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE), Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP), Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP), Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP), and Women’s Funding Network. We represent a national network of more than 2,500 members and more than 20,000 philanthropic, nonprofit, and corporate professionals of all ages: AAPI, Black, Latino, Native, women, men, LGBTQ, and people with disabilities. To learn more, visit:  www.jointaffinitygroups.org Read more

This post was originally published on GrantCraft’s blog, and was authored by Jen Bokoff, Director of GrantCraft and EPIP member. We think it’s extremely useful information in preparation for the JAG Unity Summit. Don’t forget to register, if you haven’t already. Space is limited. 

TIPS FOR “NETWORKING” AT A CONFERENCE by Jen Bokoff

I’m asked all the time how I approach networking at conferences. To be completely honest, “networking” can feel like a dirty word to me because it connotes the transactional business card swap where success is defined by the number of cards in your conference tote bag. Instead, I like to label networking done correctly as “connecting,” where success is defined by the quality of interactions and the potential for sincere follow up.

 

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Dear EPIP Friends and Colleagues, Recently I was in a conversation with other parents about whether or not it was our responsibility to place our kids in diverse schools. Many of us agreed on the importance of teaching our kids to appreciate the diversity of cultures and languages in our society as well as how to work, play and live with people who may seem different. Regardless of their backgrounds, kids in a diverse school all work together towards the same goals: learning a lesson, storming the castle during recess, or enjoying a lunchtime meal. As I reflect on that conversation, I am reminded of the upcoming JAG Unity Summit and its purpose of creating shared strategies for advancing equity, assessing equity work and developing a new vision and plan for collaboration. Like those pre-K kids, we can work together, regardless of our backgrounds, to achieve the same goal of ensuring that our work in philanthropy moves toward more equity and inclusion so that all of the communities we serve have the same chance to succeed in life. I hope that you will join your fellow EPIP members in Washington, DC this spring for the JAG Unity Summit. EPIP will have our own day of programming on June 6th, so you’ll still have a chance to meet new voices in philanthropy and reconnect with old friends in the field. Be sure to stay for the rest of the Summit so you can spread your network and ideals for a new […] Read more

EPIP Unites at the Unity Summit is a one day gathering in Washington, DC designed specifically for EPIP members. It is planned for Friday, June 6th between 9:00AM – 5:00PM, one day before the Unity Summit is scheduled to take place. We invite you to submit ideas for sessions that will speak to the EPIP membership, while also keeping in mind our participation with other JAG members at the Unity Summit on the following day. For more information on the Unity Summit, visit our website at: http://www.epip.org/2014-national-conference/ EPIP Unites has 2 Program tracks: Track 1: “Measuring a Leader” – Professional Skill-Building How can we develop the skills necessary to be effective leaders? This track corresponds with EPIP’s Measuring a Leader skill set checklist. For more information, please visit: http://www.epip.org/our-leadership-moments/measuring-a-leader/ Possible topics for exploration: • Leadership and management training • Communication in professional settings and public speaking • Strategic and analytical-skill development • Self-evaluation Track 2: “Doing Good” – Knowledge Development How will the social sector adapt to meet 21st century challenges and opportunities? This track corresponds with EPIP’s “Doing Good in the 21st Century” project developed together with La Piana Consulting and from a generous grant from the Blue Shield of California Foundation. More information can be found at: http://www.epip.org/doing-good-in-the-21st-century/ Possible topics for exploration: • Innovation in the social sector • Solutions to social, racial, gender and health inequities • New technology and new methods for applying these technologies • Methods for cross-sector collaboration • Generational shifts We are looking […] Read more

EPIP and JAG EPIP is joining forces with JAG to host a game-changing conference on equity this Spring from June 6-8, 2014. JAG Wants to Hear from YOU This isn’t just a call for sessions, but for ideas. We want this to be the most engaging event on equity you’ve ever attended. Think of it as a place to host some mind-blowing peer-to-peer exchanges where you can learn, share, and collaborate. Your input ensures these exchanges are tailored to meet your needs. Let’s unite! How does it work? Fill out the short application questionnaire Be prepared for us to pair you up with others in JAG who may have similar ideas Work with us to craft a session, workshop, or other way, to learn, share, and discuss Connect your idea to one or more of the three summit goals listed above Priority will be given to proposals that: bring together issues, grantmaking strategies, and practices, raise underrepresented perspectives and include a diverse range of speakers, build interaction, and offer alternative ways to learn, share, and discuss If there’s no easy match with these priorities, don’t worry. Send it in and we can work with it. Deadline: Submit your proposal by January 15, 2014. The planning committee will contact you by February 24, 2014 if your proposal is selected. To Apply Click on this link to complete the on-line questionnaire. for more info: “Call for Ideas” Overview and Questionnaire – link to PDF form “Call for Ideas” Suggestions for Programming Content – link to PDF JAG Volunteer Opportunities… Sign-up Today! […] Read more