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Entries in Interpersonal (2)

Saturday
Feb192011

Philanthropology

As a recent addition to the steering committee of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) — Bay Area Chapter, I’ve promised to promote membership and involvement in this helpful professional development organization.

The mission of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy is to strengthen the next generation of grant-makers, in order to advance effective social justice philanthropy.

Programs

EPIP works toward its mission through the following programs:

  • We organize unique Networking opportunities for our constituents through local chapters and national meeting spaces (both virtual and in-person).
  • We develop the Leadership skills and analysis of our members for successful engagement in the workplace and the broader philanthropic field.
  • We build an Advocacy voice for our generation aimed at transforming philanthropy, and strengthening the pipeline for young people into social change careers.

Membership

EPIP members are professionals at foundations, government and corporate grant-making entities, and philanthropy support organizations (such as regional associations of grantmakers, affinity groups, and financial advisory firms). Some members are foundation trustees, or donors involved in giving circles and other forms of organized giving.

Feel free to contact me if you’re interested in becoming a member!

Philanthropology: EPIP 2011 National Conference

The 2011 Conference theme statement is Philanthropology - Understanding Foundations, Democracy and Power Across the Generations. Philanthropology is EPIP's unique curricular resource for learning philanthropy.

The conference is organized into four main learning tracks, according to the modules of Philanthropology:

Understanding Philanthropy

Exploring the history, trends, knowledge and systems that shape the foundation community

Social Impact

Sharing cutting-edge ideas and practices that help philanthropy to effectively bring about social change

Managing Power Dynamics

Successfully navigating the roles, relationships, and perspectives of trustees, foundation professionals, and grantees

Generations in Philanthropy

Gaining insight into the lessons-learned, strategies and challenges of foundation leaders across generations

Each track will be composed of workshops developed and delivered by EPIP, our members, colleagues and partner organizations

In addition to workshops, plenary sessions will anchor the tracks with high-level keynote speakers, panelists and performances, including:

Ana Marie Argilagos, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of International and Philanthropic Innovation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Daniel Lee, Executive Director, Levi Strauss Foundation

Emmett D. Carson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Gabriel Kasper, Practitioner, Monitor Institute

Jennifer Ladd, Co-Founder, Class Action

Nat Williams, Executive Director, The Hill-Snowdon Foundation

Pamela David, Executive Director, Walter and Elise Haas Fund

Pamela Freeman, Associate, Class Action

Rob Collier, President and CEO, The Council of Michigan Foundations

Sherece West, President and CEO, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

Sterling Speirn, President and Chief Executive Officer, W. K. Kellogg Foundation

Suzanne Immerman, Special Assistant to the Secretary / Director of Philanthropic Engagement, U.S. Department of Education

Terry Odendahl, Chief Executive Officer, Global Greengrants Fund

Urvashi Vaid, former Executive Director, The Arcus Foundation

Registration 

Be sure to register TODAY for the full conference and 10th Anniversary Gala!

Check-out this video of highlights from EPIP 2010 National Conference:

 

Tuesday
Nov232010

Communities in Common

Out and Equal Workplace Advocates

Out & Equal is proud to announce a new guest writer series, "Communities in Common." This series profiles observations, experiences and events of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members of culturally diverse communities.

Adam Bad Wound | November 23, 2010

Adam C. Bad Wound is a sociologist of philanthropy and civil society, as well as a donor to Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. As November is National Native American Heritage Month, Adam shares his experiences and thoughts on LGBT youth in American Indian and rural communities.

I come from Montana’s Big Sky Country, where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. I was raised near three rivers, with crystal clear waters and lush emerald banks, surrounded by ruby willows, under the warm golden sun, sparkling bright in the sapphire sky. My youth was precious, picturesque, and prismatic.

However, many of my hardest memories are of colorless isolation, as I struggled to find my identity in a world that seemed to be black-and-white in so many ways. At times, being a queer American Indian felt like the worst of all possible situations.

According to 2009 Census figures, there were approximately 3.15 million American Indians in the U.S., out of 307 million people – roughly 1% of the population. From 1999 to 2004 (when I was 19-24), American Indian/Alaska Native males in the 15 to 24 year old age group had the highest suicide rate, roughly 28/100,000, compared to 17.5/100,000 for white, 12.8/100,000 for black, and 9/100,000 Asian/Pacific Islander males of the same age. Furthermore, a 2007 study found that LGBT youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.

Taken together, it’s hard for me to reconcile these figures, but easy to understand them personally. Geographic and social isolation were harsh realities of my youth, at times to the point of desperation. In light of recent cyber-bulling events, I can certainly understand how some youth – from any background – might feel trapped in a dark place.

To youth in American Indian and rural communities, I encourage you to remember that LGBT people come from everywhere. My journey has taken me from the mountains, to the plains, Great Lakes, Atlantic Coast, and Pacific Coast. I’ve come to know firsthand that LGBT people come from the middle of nowhere to the middle of San Francisco.

Finally, although it’s been said many times recently, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Although our community is small, there are plenty of resources for support, online and offline. I’m thankful to have embraced my spirit for its natural way, in part by attending gatherings, researching information, and connecting online. Doing so might not change your immediate situation, but it might add a splash of color to a dark night.

Just remember: somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue.

More resources to support LGBT and American Indian LGBT youth include:

 

 

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See the original post and other guest writer contributions: http://www.outandequal.org/communitiesincommon/