2008 Nonprofit Congress Energizes Crowds
At 8:30 on a Monday morning, most people are far from inspired about their work. But for 500 nonprofit leaders from across the country, inspiration abounded at that early hour on June 2, 2008, when the Nonprofit Congress National Meeting, convened by the National Council of Nonprofit Associations, kicked off in Washington, DC.
The opening plenary session pulled attendees into an emotional journey, alternately uplifting and heart-wrenching. Speakers included a mother and daughter from a public charter school in Washington, DC, and a former resident of Friends of Guest House in Alexandria, VA sharing stories of how their lives were transformed by the work of local nonprofits—and how the speakers themselves now continue this transformation by helping others.
Following the emotional opening were sessions in which presenters shared what their organizations had done over the past year to advance the top priorities of the nonprofit sector: organizational effectiveness, advocacy and grassroots activities, and public awareness. An afternoon round of workshops delved into the essentials of nonprofit work, including leadership transition, board culture, fundraising, and marketing.
The closing plenary session featured state delegations of nonprofit leaders announcing their action plans for the next year. One by one, state delegation spokespeople stood and declared their plans to cheers and applause from the crowd. “Madame Chairperson,” some began, recognizing emcee Melissa Flournoy. Others heralded “the free state of Maryland,” “the great state of Montana,” and “the noble state of North Carolina.”
State delegations also traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with their Members of Congress and advocate for the sector. Many intrepid Lobby Day participants arrived before the doors opened to the Dirksen Senate Building, and by mid-morning the crowd was over 100 strong, huddled in state groups to strategize and practice their pitches. For more on Lobby Day, see Ann Beltran’s recent post on the Nonprofit Congress blog.
Other highlights of the meeting, which ran from June 2-4, included the lively workshop “Why Bad Presentations Happen to Good Causes” by recognized communications expert Andy Goodman, and an engaging session on nonprofit political engagement by Robert Egger of DC Central Kitchen and the V3 Campaign.
But the greatest inspiration from the National Meeting, it seems, came not from the educational sessions and plenary speakers. The best part, said one attendee, was “being with like-minded individuals who are genuinely interested in working with their communities.” Others listed “the opportunity to meet and talk with colleagues,” and “the people I met” as their own highlights of the National Meeting. “It helped me realize the importance of our mission,” added another. “We are not alone.”
The Nonprofit Congress continues with state leaders taking ideas learned and plans developed by their delegations back home to continue the movement. Audrey R. Alvarado, Executive Director of NCNA, stated that “the delegations pledged to stay true to the values we hold as a community of nonprofit organizations, and they remain committed to raising their collective voices for positive change across the country.”
Save the date: the third annual Nonprofit Congress National Meeting will take place May 14-16 in New Orleans, LA!
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