Article Archives >> Lead Stories >> October 1-15, 2006

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Nonprofit Congress Sets
Priorities for Activity in Sector
Delegates focus on advocacy, effectiveness
and developing public support

Nearly 400 delegates from nonprofits in 47 states met at the first Nonprofit Congress in Washington this month to set priorities and support a new “movement” to unite nonprofits and strengthen the charitable sector.

They voted to focus on three broad areas of activity, which were among six recurring themes developed from 117 town hall meetings in 43 states and the District of Columbia during the year. The three priorities on which they committed to work were advocacy and grassroots community activities, improving organizational effectiveness, particularly in the areas of accountability and leadership, and promoting public awareness and support for the sector.

Each state delegation identified specific actions to address the priorities. Among the proposals were:

The New Hampshire delegation will hold a nonprofit forum for presidential candidates in 2008.

The Montana delegation will create principles and practices for charitable organizations within the state.

The California delegation will launch a public relations campaign to reframe the image of nonprofits in the state.

The Michigan delegation will increase advocacy training so that nonprofits will understand that it is their right and responsibility to advocate for their constituents and their communities.

Delegates from Vermont and Oregon will establish and build state associations of nonprofit organizations.

In three lengthy and intense working sessions, the participants discussed the priorities, proposed activities on a nationwide basis, and met in state delegation groups to decide the approaches that fit best within the context and resources of their states. State associations of nonprofits will play a central role in the ongoing process.

The other three key areas which did not make the final cut included enhancing collaborative and cooperative efforts within the sector, developing more effective partnerships with government and business, and effecting social change.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jody Williams, founding coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, told the gathering how, through constant communication and encouragement of local groups operating in pursuit of an overriding goal, she was able to coordinate the effort to obtain an international landmine treaty and then implement its provisions. Her message was simple: talk is cheap. You must work at your goal every day

Audrey Alvarado, executive director of the National Council of Nonprofit Organizations which created the Congress, said that the experience would not be lost on the delegates. Robert Egger, of the D.C. Central Kitchen who was co-chair of the conference, said it was “just the kind of message from a powerful, dynamic woman that the delegates needed to hear.”

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The participants at the Congress were clearly enthusiastic and involved in the program, and most of the state delegations vowed to meet again in their home areas to continue the work they had agreed upon in Washington. The success of the effort will be measured by how much they can expand the circle and how much they can accomplish by the time the Congress reconvenes in the spring of 2008.

Article Archives >> Lead Stories >> October 1-15, 2006