NPO Conversation : December 11, 2012

We invite leaders of nonprofit organizations to join us each quarter for a brown-bag lunch discussion about issues, ideas, and concerns in the nonprofit and philanthropic community.

The meetings are a time for us to “talk shop” and move beyond the usual conversation between foundations and nonprofit organizations. Each session focuses on a particular topic. Guests will learn a little about GMA and a lot about their peers’ perspectives on important issues.

Topic for the next NPO Conversation:  NEW Rules of Engagement

Regardless of the population you serve – the elderly, disenfranchised, students, artists – or your focus area – the environment, the arts, health, civic engagement or education, you are most likely considering ways for your organization to engage more people, more often and more deeply.

We’ve encountered some novel approaches to building constituents.   Some involve a change of locale –taking it to the streets, venturing outside home territory, expanding the setting.  We’ve all seen the popularity of free outdoor orchestral performances  and bike tours throughout parks. Some efforts concentrate on attracting young adults, such as museums offering free “first Friday” events to cultivate museum patronage and  environmental groups teaming up with employers for clean-up days to attract more environment stewards.

For this NPO Conversation, we’d like to learn of your past, present and future efforts with engagement.

What has worked, what hasn’t?  What are your goals?  Come share your hopes for richer engagement with us and with your peers.

Attendance is limited to seven organizations with one representative per organization, preferably the executive director or director of a major program. The lunches are held in GMA’s ninth floor conference room at our 77 Summer Street offices.

Advance registration is required.  To register, please call Susan Haff, tel. 617/391-3092 by December 5.