Patagonia (www.patagonia.com), the outdoor clothing and gear company, provides support for environmental work through grants to nonprofit organizations. Patagonia funds only environmental work, and is most interested in making grants to organizations that identify and work on the root causes of problems and that approach issues with a commitment to long-term change. The company funds work that is action-oriented; builds public involvement and support; is strategic in its targeting and goals; focuses on root causes; accomplishes specific goals and objectives that can be effectively measured; and takes place in countries where Patagonia has retail stores or an international office. The company does not fund organizations without 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscal sponsor; general environmental education efforts; land acquisition, land trusts, or conservation easements; research (unless it is in direct support of a developed plan for specific action to alleviate an environmental problem); environmental conferences; endowment funds; or political campaigns. Most grants are in the range of $3,000 to $8,000. Patagonia accepts proposals for programs that fit its grant guidelines during the months of April or August. Only one proposal from an organization will be considered per year. Please Note: Organizations based in a community in which Patagonia has a retail store or an international office should submit their request to the store. Retail store applications are accepted year-round. Visit the Patagonia Web site for complete program information and grant application procedures. Deadlines: April 30, 2006 and August 31, 2006.

[via AmericaSpeaks' Network News] On March 7, 2006, over 900 people gathered at Pittsburgh�s David L. Lawrence Convention Center to provide the region�s nonprofit sector with two essential tools: a strong link to the civic affairs agenda and a roadmap showing new pathways that will better connect Southwestern Pennsylvania nonprofit and civic leaders with each other. Sponsored by the Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania and the Forbes Funds and utilizing AmericaSpeaks� innovative 21st Century Town Meeting process, the 2006 Nonprofit Summit participants identified and voted on priorities, collective strategies, alignment with other sectors� agendas, and specific actions to take � all in the service of advancing the region�s next renaissance. Calling the conference �a confluence of passion and pragmatism,� Gregg Behr, president of The Forbes Funds and chair of the Summit, was pleased with the outcome. �Where else but right here in Southwestern Pennsylvania could the nonprofit community come together to express its collective voice in such a creative and bold way? The results of this historic Town Meeting will be used to frame the direction of the region�s nonprofit sector for years to come� he said. For a limited time, you can read about the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review�s article on the Nonprofit Summit by visiting: http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_430975.html

The National MultiCultural Institute is holding its annual conference, The Illusion of Inclusion: Beyond Rhetoric to a Sustainable Future, May 18-21, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, MD. The conference website is: www.nmci.org/conferences/current/spring2006/keynote.htm. The keynote speaker for the conference will be Lani Guinier, JD, the first black woman to be a tenured professor at Harvard Law School. Her most recent book, The Miner�s Canary, is about the experience of people of color as a warning or �canary� signaling larger institutional inequities. The conference will be followed by several two- and four-day workshops from May 18-21. For a full list of workshops, visit www.nmci.org/conferences/current/spring2006/topic.htm. For more information and to register, visit the conference website. Special Group Discount of 20% for groups of 3 or more.

Policy Consensus Initiative (www.policyconsensus.org) recently invited a group of civic leaders from New Orleans to meet with PCI to share their perspectives on what is needed to begin the recovery and restoration process. In addition to an extensive catalogue of resource needs, they cited the need for collaboration. To PCI’s question about what has to occur to bring about collaboration they answered: Collaboration can begin when the necessary parties are willing to come to the table to establish a common goal and begin working together to achieve it. Given the magnitude of the disaster, they need local, state, and federal governments at the table. The civic leaders believe that this is the time to get people galvanized so that all the necessary parties are willing to come together to develop solutions. PCI left New Orleans with the view that there needs to be a convener of stature to lead the recovery and restoration efforts. The civic leaders who met there believe the federal government needs to play that role. PCI says this is an example of a situation where collaboration is not yet possible. Using collaborative governance to address a problem of this nature requires all affected governments and agencies to be ready to find mutual agreement on purpose and objectives. The necessary partners for recovery and restoration in Louisiana first need to agree upon a framework for combining their efforts. For more news on collaborative policy-making, click on the link below.
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[via AmericaSpeaks Network News] AmericaSpeaks partnered in May 2005 with Maine Governor Baldacci to convene Maine Tough Choices, a 21st Century Town Meeting on health care policy that took place at two sites in Maine linked by teleconference technology. A new article about this process titled �Using Public Engagement to Inform the Future of Health Care in Maine: Talking About �Tough Choices�� recently appeared in the Winter 2005 issue of the Maine Policy Review. The article was written by Ronald E. Beard and Tish Tanski, Mainers who were key members of the Tough Choices project team. To read the article visit the Maine Policy Review�s website at: www.umaine.edu/mcsc/MPR/V14N1.htm.

Once again the National MultiCultural Institute (NMCI) is considering recipients of the 2006 Leading Lights Diversity Awards. The Leading Lights Diversity Awards celebrate exemplary leaders in the nonprofit sector whose demonstrated courage, innovation and commitment to diversity light a path to a more inclusive society. Founded in 1983, the National MultiCultural Institute (NMCI) is proud to be one of the first organizations to have recognized the nation’s need for new services, knowledge, and skills in the growing field of multiculturalism and diversity. We believe non-profits have often led the way to a more civil society and it is in recognition of their pivotal leadership roles in our communities that NMCI is proud to recognize non-profit organizations for leadership in the area of diversity with the Leading Lights Diversity Awards. Annually, three awards are presented to organizations that serve as role models for enhancing diversity and encouraging respect and inclusion within their organizations and with the diverse communities they serve. Individuals through their work in and on behalf of non-profit organizations are also eligible for recognition. Award recipients are selected from the following non-profit sectors: Education; Human Services; Health Care; Arts & Culture. A fourth award, recognizing an individual or organization that has been at the forefront of addressing an emerging critical issue related to multiculturalism, will be periodically awarded. The deadline for applications is April 14, 2006. Award announcements are made on May 1, 2006 and the Awards Ceremony will be held on May 18, 2006 at NMCI’s Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

The SFU Centre for Dialogue recently sponsored a discussion on The Business Case for Multiculturalism: The Future is Now. The city of Kamloops, BC serves as a pilot site to test whether the dialogue format is effective in increasing local engagement on multiculturalism issues in smaller communities in BC. A Kamloops Daily News, February 17, 2006 article about the dialogue reads: “Developing a work environment inclusive of all cultures is one way Kamloops businesses can weather a shortage of skilled labour,” said SFU Chancellor Emeritus and chairman of HSBC Investments Canada. Part of Multiculturalism Week 2006, this dialogue was sponsored by Kamloops Immigrant Services, Simon Fraser University’s Dialogue Programs and the BC Ministry of Attorney General, Settlement and Multiculturalism Division. To read more about this dialogue and Multiculturalism Week, please see:
www.ag.gov.bc.ca/sam/multiweek/index.htm

The World Urban Cafes are an innovative series of discussion and performance events on urban issues, taking place before and during the World Urban Forum (WUF) and World Youth Forum (WYF) to be held in Vancouver in June 2006. The World Urban Cafe events unite and engage diverse youth and their communities, while showcasing their ideas, action projects, and culture. To date there have been 68 Caf�s on 4 continents, with over 20,000 participants. World Urban Cafes have set a new standard for community engagement, having engaged some of the most marginalized communities in the world. From the slums of Delhi and Nairobi, to aboriginal communities in Columbia, to the downtown eastside of Vancouver, World Urban Caf�s are allowing the voices of these communities to be heard at the World Urban Forum. To find out about upcoming World Urban Cafe events, visit www.eya.ca/wuf. To take part in an online World Cafe, go to www.takingitglobal.org/themes/urban.

The Massachusetts legislature recently provided $11 million for anti-gang grants through the Senator Charles E. Shannon, Jr. Community Safety Initiative. The Executive Office of Public Safety (http://www.mass.gov/eops/) is the lead agency for implementation of this anti-gang effort. To enhance the effectiveness of this initiative, EOPS will make available up to $250,000 in Byrne/Justice Assistance Grant funds to gather and share knowledge on youth violence and to work with Local Action Research Partner grantees and Shannon CSI grantees to improve overall program success and outcomes. A separate solicitation seeks Local Action Research Partners to provide strategic, analytic, and research support to individual Shannon CSI grantees. Information on the intended roles and relationships among EOPS, Shannon CSI grantees, Local Action Research Partner grantees, and the Statewide Youth Violence Research Partner will be available at the EOPS Web site and at an information session for potential research grantees. EOPS recognizes that the Shannon CSI grant program is a significant new investment and represents a unique opportunity to study a variety of interventions applied by a diverse set of grantees in response to the problem of youth violence. The goal of this solicitation is to assure that the state learns as much as possible from this historic investment. The state anticipates working in close partnership with the chosen grantee to further develop and refine project goals. Specific areas of assistance will include the facilitation of collaboration and learning across sites; convening of expert panels; training to Shannon CSI grantees and Local Action Research Partners; and production of interim publications and a final report. Due to the Byrne/JAG funding guidelines, state and local government agencies are automatically eligible. Any other organization wishing to apply should contact the EOPS Deputy General Counsel to receive instructions on how to be certified as eligible to receive federal grant funds. For more information on the Senator Charles E. Shannon, Jr. Community Safety Initiative and/or to download the complete grant solicitation, visit the EOPS Web site. Deadline: April 14, 2006.

The Research Center for Leadership in Action (www.nyu.edu/wagner/leadership) at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University has announced its newest program, the New York City Social Justice Fellowship. The fellowship originates from the NYC Community Fellows Program that was founded by the Open Society Institute (www.soros.org) in 1998. At the end of last year, OSI chose RCLA to carry on the legacy of this program. In the tradition of the original OSI program, the New York City Social Justice Fellowship will continue supporting innovative public interest projects that address critical issues such as immigrants’ rights, environmental justice, health, the arts, workers’ rights, civic participation, education, and equitable economic development. The program provides support to social change agents who are passionate, insightful, and resourceful about making concrete improvements in
disadvantaged and marginalized communities, with an emphasis on addressing
structural barriers and enhancing social equity. The fellowship also seeks to encourage public and community service careers; expand the number of role models available to youth in inner-city neighborhoods; promote initiatives and entrepreneurship that empower communities; address not only direct needs but systemic barriers and policies in need of change; and create vehicles for fellows to effectively document, reflect, and share their learning. The program provides each fellow with a stipend in the amount of $42,500 over fifteen months and project support in the amount of $2,000, as well as contributions toward health insurance and tuition reimbursement up to $13,000. Each fellow participates in a personal and professional development plan, attends technical assistance workshops, receives support from RCLA staff and its network of faculty and citywide partners, and participates in a growing network of program alumni. The fellowship program seeks applicants from diverse backgrounds and at all stages of life who wish to employ their skills in creating innovative public interest projects aimed at transforming and empowering communities. The program takes a special interest in supporting people from disadvantaged communities and communities of color. Guidelines and applications for the 2006-07 fellowship class are available at the RCLA Web site. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2006.

echSoup (www.techsoup.org), the nonprofit technology Web site, has announced that the Philanthropy and Volunteerism Program of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (www.wkkf.org) will provide a limited number of scholarships to attendees of the TechSoup NetSquared Conference (www.netsquared.org), May 30-31, 2006, in San Jose, California. The two-day TechSoup NetSquared conference builds upon six months of intense online discussion on the NetSquared Web site about how nonprofits and non-governmental agencies can best use new-generation Internet tools such as blogging, podcasting, and tagging to better reach and mobilize their constituencies. The conference provides opportunities for the NetSquared community to meet face-to-face, share knowledge, and learn about new tools and their use in a nonprofit setting. In addition, participants will chart the future direction of the NetSquared community and its effort to help nonprofits around the globe adopt these tools. Scholarships will be provided to people at NGOs and nonprofit organizations who are already using blogs, podcasts, or other new-generation Internet technologies, and to nonprofit staffers who would like to learn how using these tools can help extend their organization’s reach and impact. Scholarships will cover travel, lodging, and conference registration for individuals representing a nonprofit organization. For detailed information on the scholarships and/or to access the online application form, visit the TechSoup NetSquared Conference Web site. The deadline for scholarship applications is April 12, 2006.

The Perspectives Group (www.theperspectivesgroup.com) will be offering four more opportunities to take the IAP2 5-day Public Participation Certificate training this year. This training is designed for professionals working in the fields of community development, nonprofit and government public services, and public understanding and outreach. It is also designed for industry communications and public affairs or public relations, advocacy and lobbying organizations, private and government groups, and any individual/organization required to deal with the public about complex or potentially contentious issues. Upon completion of the full week of training, participants will receive a certificate from IAP2. Upcoming dates and locations are: Alexandria, VA on April 3 � 7; July 10 � 14; September 18 � 22 and December 4 � 8. The full week of training is $1,475, or $295 per day. The Course is broken up into 3 sections: Planning for Effective Public Participation (two days), Effective Communication for Public Participation (one day), and Techniques for Public Participation (two days). Please note that the Planning course is a prerequisite to the Communications and Techniques courses. For additional information go to www.theperspectivesgroup.com/resource/trainingpro.html to download the brochure, or contact Crystal Sarno or Kristie Bergeron-Hale at The Perspectives Group at 703-837-1197 or email .

AmericaSpeaks convened two meetings on national health care policy in March on behalf of the Citizens� Health Care Working Group. On Saturday, March 4, we brought together more than 500 participants in Los Angeles for the day-long meeting. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa welcomed participants and shared his perspective on health care in America. Throughout the day participants identified the values they associate with health care and weighed in on suggested improvements to our health care system. Topics included preferred models of health care coverage and components of a benefits plan, difficulties in accessing care, methods of financing coverage, and the tradeoffs participants are willing to make. USA Today covered and wrote about the LA meeting. For a limited time you can view the article at www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2006-03-14-health-debate-usat_x.htm. On Monday, March 20, more than 150 residents of Albuquerque, New Mexico met for a very successful three hour meeting on the same topic. The diverse participants included several local decision makers, including State Senator Dede Feldman, four New Mexico State Cabinet Secretaries, representatives from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor�s offices as well as staff from the offices of Senator Dominici, Senator Bingaman, and Congresswoman Wilson. Once again participants identified shared values and participated in small group discussions on benefits, access, financing, and tradeoffs in health care. The suggestions gathered during these meetings will be used to create recommendations to improve our health care system that will be sent to Congress and President Bush.

AmericaSpeaks is still seeking facilitators for all of the health care meetings (Hartford, CT on April 6; Las Vegas, NV on April 11; San Antonio, TX on April 19; Fargo, ND on April 22; Lexington, KY on April 25; Cincinnati, OH on April 29; Little Rock, AR on April 29; Sioux Falls, SD on May 6). If you�re interested in serving as a volunteer table facilitator for the Cincinnati meeting on April 29, please sign up online by selecting the Cincinnati registration link at the Working Group�s community meeting site www.citizenshealthcare.gov/register. Any questions should be directed to Diane Altman Dautoff at or by phone at (206) 320-1169. If you are interested in serving as a facilitator for any of AmericaSpeaks� other health care meetings, please contact Mike Ravvin at , or (202) 775-3939 x1007.

If you teach or train adult learners, then SFU’s upcoming workshop LEARNING TO LISTEN, LEARNING TO TEACH: An introduction to Dialogue Education may be of interest. This intensive, interactive four-day workshop that will transform your approach to teaching. Over 3,500 graduates in 60 countries, in the academic, non-profit, government and corporate sectors, have applied dialogue education extensively to their work. Participants will learn a structured and accountable method of organizing, designing and facilitating and discover how to make educational events effective, engaging and successful. Opportunities to design and teach short lessons and receive feedback and coaching will unlock the power of dialogue in educating adult learners. The workshop will be held from Monday, May 1 – Thursday, May 4, 2006, 9-5 pm. The course fee: $1400, four-day program (text, course materials and refreshments provided). The workshop will be held at SFU’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 580 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC (entrance on Seymour St). For more information or to register, email or call 604.268.7925.

The Department of Peace Campaign State Coordinators and District Leaders, in conjunction with The Peace Alliance, will be initiating eight Regional conferences across the United States over the coming months. These regional conferences offer a great opportunity to deepen your connection to this work and your relationship to the communities of citizens working for peace who are already active and thriving across the country. Each conference will have it’s own unique flare depending on the region putting it on. Powerful speakers, meaningful connections with fellow activists, peace leadership training and so much more. Youth are also invited to attend, and will have an opportunity to meet with their state coordinators and congressional district team leaders, particularly as our university initiative continues to emerge. Lynn McMullen, our National Campaign Coordinator, will be at each event. For more information about the conferences in your area, visit www.thepeacealliance.org. For a list of regional conference areas and dates, click on the link below.
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