April 29, 2010 | Read Time: 1 minute
If the Council on Foundations wants its annual meeting be a must-attend event, it needs to “blow up the conference model and start experimenting with new approaches,” writes Sean Stannard-Stockton.
Mr. Stannard-Stockton was among a group of conference bloggers assembled by Kris Putnam-Walkerly, a consultant who writes the blog Philanthropy 411.
A donor adviser and Chronicle contributor, Mr. Stannard-Stockton praised the council’s emphasis on social media but had several pieces of advice for how the membership group could improve its annual gathering.
They include the addition of moderated debates of specific topics between nonprofit leaders; 20-minute presentations on important topics from energetic and inspiring people; three-hour working groups on tough topics that the nonprofit field needs to confront; and 15-minute presentations by grantees nominated by council members.
Lee Draper, chief executive of the Draper Consulting Group, called the conference, with its focus on growing economic inequality and global threats, “exceptional.”
But he says he couldn’t help thinking that the arts should have been a bigger topic of discussion. Artists tackle issues of injustice, disparities, racism, and unsustainable consumption in their work, said Mr. Draper, and they ought to have been provided a chance to share their perspectives.
Other bloggers wrote about the Council’s “long-overdue” inclusion of Indian Philanthropies and Tribal Giving, the focus this year on social-justice grant making, and generational tensions among foundation officials at the event.
What did you think about the Council on Foundations conference this year?
