Nonprofit Congress

Wash, DC (August 24, 2006) – Hundreds of nonprofit leaders from across the U.S. will represent their respective states as delegates to the Nonprofit Congress National Meeting, October 16 – 17, 2006 in Washington, D.C. Over 400 individuals from 48 states and the District of Columbia applied to be delegates for this unprecedented initiative to unite nonprofits and strengthen the charitable sector.

At the National Meeting, this diverse network of local leaders will identify and address the challenges that all nonprofits face in meeting and advocating for community needs. Their work will be informed by data gathered from over 100 Town Hall meetings in 40 states and the District of Columbia.

All delegates will attend on behalf of a nonprofit organization, whether as an employee, board member, or volunteer. The organizations they represent will reflect the broad interests of the nonprofit sector and mirror the geographic and issue diversity of charitable organizations. Delegates from small and midsize nonprofits will make up the largest contingency at the National Meeting since more than 70 percent of all charitable organizations have annual budgets of less than $1million. Additionally, delegates will bring forward the concerns of traditionally underrepresented groups.

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Meet the Delegates

Charles Weathers, South Carolina

Chair, Strategic Planning and Community Development, The South Atlantic Episcopal District, AME Zion Church

Mr. Weathers oversees a network of constituents, clients, and supporters that reaches every corner of the state, including the efforts of more than 160 churches, many of which are in rural communities.

“I believe I am a strong ambassador for my state because our work has traversed ethnic, religious, cultural, economic, and social barriers. I have a passion for the challenges our nonprofits face, challenges in many cases which could be avoided and or managed more effectively if nonprofits took a more assertive effort to solve the root causes of problems, rather than simply treating the symptoms.”

Carly Brown, Oregon

Graduate Student, Portland State University and Board Secretary, Multnomah County Friends of the Library

Ms. Brown is studying nonprofit management through Portland State University’s Public Administration graduate program. She is also a part-time employee, board member, and volunteer for nonprofit organizations in the area.

“As a delegate for the Nonprofit Congress, I will share my passion for mission-based organizations with other delegates from across the country. I have the networks, experience, and enthusiasm to represent Oregon’s diverse and progressive nonprofit organizations at the National Meeting and look forward to identifying a collective vision for the sector’s efforts.”

David Styers, Wasington, D.C.

Senior Director, National Partnerships, Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network

As a delegate to the National Meeting, Mr. Styers represents 360 local Volunteer Centers, which represent tens of thousands of nonprofits and the millions of volunteers that serve them.

“I hope the Nonprofit Congress will stress not only the critical impact nonprofits have on local communities but also the critical need and importance of volunteers as a fuel to power their engine. Desired outcomes would be increased attention and financial support for stronger volunteer programs.”

Modesta Putla, Nebraska

Executive Director, Asian Community and Cultural Center

Through her organization, Ms. Putla provides special services for Asian seniors, offers language and training for new citizens, prepares young Asians for future leadership, and sponsors cultural activities that allow members of her local Lincoln community to discover Asians’ unique & diverse culture.

“I am confident my representation will reflect my state's nonprofit organizations and the underserved Asian population.”

The Honorable Tim Wooldridge, Arkansas Senate

Senator, District 11 in Northeast Arkansas

Senator Wooldridge is the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center Foundation in Paragould, AR. He is an Associate of Crowley’s Ridge College and serves as an active board member for Arkansas Coalition for Excellence, Arkansas’ state association of nonprofits.

“As a state legislator and director of a nonprofit, I recognize the importance of a partnership between the two, especially as nonprofits augment funding shortfalls for many community-based healthcare and education-related needs and services. I look forward to attending the Nonprofit Congress to learn how others are meeting these challenges.”

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For a complete list of Nonprofit Congress delegates, visit http://www.nonprofitcongress.org/delegatelist.htm. Registration is still open for nonprofit leaders and their supporters who would like to participate in this initiative. More information about the National Meeting, including registration and a list of supporters, is available at www.nonprofitcongress.org/nationalmeeting.

The Nonprofit Congress is an unprecedented effort to unite nonprofits and strengthen the charitable sector. In the best spirit of democracy, the Nonprofit Congress is bringing together nonprofits from across the country to: identify the values that all nonprofits share; develop a vision and priorities for the nonprofit sector; and exercise a collective voice. The effort has received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Alliance of Nonprofits, Risk Retention Group, and the Nonprofits’ Insurance Alliance of California.