Connecticut’s 12,000 nonprofit organizations are being challenged by growth within the sector, overlap and duplication of services, increased federal regulation and increased need for financial assistance.

On January 27, 2006 Connecticut nonprofit, government, philanthropic and business leaders will convene to assess the condition of the Connecticut nonprofit sector, discuss collaborative strategies for change, and identify issues that must be brought to the attention of our nation’s leaders.

Join Robert Egger, executive director of the D.C. Central Kitchen and author of “Begging for Change,” for a challenging discussion on how we operate within the nonprofit sector and what or how we may need to change in order to survive and thrive. His keynote address will focus on the American nonprofit sector's need to reassess and restructure its systems due to internal shortcomings: flawed funding strategies, a lack of systems for strategic planning and communication, and a lack of unity; and external changes: the needs of aging baby boomers, globalization and a younger generation (future leaders) with changing views on philanthropy. As Robert notes in his book, "We have to question why we keep doing the things we do even when they don't work."

CONNECTICUT PERSPECTIVE

Connecticut Stakeholder Panel: Reaction and Response to "The Challenge"
We have again assembled a strong panel of key stakeholders representing Connecticut's nonprofit, business and government sectors. Mr. Egger will be joined by Rev. Richard Schuster, executive director of St. Lukes Lifeworks; Theresa Hopkins Staten, director of conservation and load management and community programs at Northeast Utilities; Toni N. Harp, State Senator, State of Connecticut General Assembly. The panel will be moderated by Anita Ford Saunders, APR, Anita Ford Saunders Communication, and panelists will react and respond to Robert's call for change offering insightful comments from their own unique perspectives on the sector's present condition, future challenges and changes that Connecticut nonprofits must consider in order to survive and thrive. Ample time will be allotted for audience questions and comments.

Luncheon Address

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal will share his view of the state of the Connecticut nonprofit sector and the challenges to be faced now and in the future.

FACILITATED, INTERACTIVE DISCUSSIONS

Nonprofit Congress
The nonprofit sector is convening across thecountry—state by state—debating and crafting a national agenda as a Nonprofit Congress (www.nonprofitcongress.org).  The Symposium isConnecticut’s opportunity to help forge and shape the voice of the Nonprofit Congress. Robert Egger, Co-Chair of this national effort, wants to bring your voice and vision for the future of Connecticut's and America's nonprofits to our nation's leaders. Building on the keynote presentation and panel discussion, the facilitated discussions will challenge you to break away from the status quo and become open to a new direction. Engage in lively discussion with Connecticut colleagues fostering ideas that will make an impact and become part of the agenda for the Nonprofit Congress.

We need your voice and your vision for the future of Connecticut’s and America’s nonprofits!

SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE