And in the blink of an eye, Day 1 of the CEP 2019 Conference in Minneapolis has come to a close. Highlights included a highly interactive and engaging opening plenary with political philosopher Michael Sandel, a special Twin Cities’ welcome from local public radio producer Molly Bloom, reflective and spirited opening remarks from Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and much more.
Speakers and attendees alike shared thoughts and insights on Day 1’s happenings in the Twittersphere using the hashtag #CEP2019. Here are some of today’s highlights:
After CEP’s Vice President of Programming and External Relations Grace Nicolette kicked off the conference, Molly Bloom, host of the award-winning children’s podcast, Brains On!, shared a few key lessons from her work with kids, and how a learning mindset can foster better leaders and partners —
Opening up #CEP2019 with advice for philanthropy from kids, via @Brains_On podcast: Keep asking questions. Don't be afraid to not be an expert. Care when you share.
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) May 7, 2019
Advice from kids to Philanthropy: 1) keep asking questions 2) don’t be afraid not to be an expert 3) care when you share #CEP2019
— Bernadine Joselyn (@brjoselyn) May 7, 2019
And, to value lived experience as much as we traditionally value academic expertise! #CEP2019 https://t.co/M1YDbNw0gY
— Jen Bokoff (@jenbo1) May 7, 2019
"By keeping asking questions, you can go deeper to a core you might not even know was there." Molly Bloom of @Brains_On sharing tips learned from the show's work with children. #cep2019
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 7, 2019
Following Bloom’s words were stirring remarks from CEP Board Chair and President of the Heinz Endowments, Grant Oliphant. Oliphant asked attendees to face the tough questions confronting philanthropy in the current moment, and emboldened philanthropic leaders to rise to the occasion and use their voices on behalf of justice and the future of the planet.
Philanthropy is not a big bowl of money and answers … at its best it is a container for compassion, hope and change @go_grant #CEP2019
— Felix Dresewski (@felixdresewski) May 7, 2019
Always.Honest.Raw. Eloquent. Call to action. https://t.co/JElMPKtYJp
— Jara Dean-Coffey (@jdeancoffey) May 7, 2019
Leadership:
It’s not about you.
It’s all about you.
Be you. @go_grant #cep2019— Kristen Cambell (@kcambell) May 7, 2019
It’s not about you: listen and engage. And, paradoxically, it’s all about you: we’re more powerful in #philanthropy than we sometimes think we are. Finally, be you: we must connect and bring our stories to the table – and accept our smallness and our power. @go_grant #CEP2019
— Pam Foster (@pamfoster31) May 7, 2019
@go_grant kicked off #CEP2019 with thoughts on the nexus of power & purpose in #philanthropy. Also shared this powerful quote for framing our work – pic.twitter.com/gSAm8pB90C
— Carol Gaudino (@clgaudino) May 8, 2019
Next was the opening plenary from political philosopher and bestselling author Michael Sandel. Sandel led an interactive plenary, facilitating open debate among audience members about the role of values and morality in a world increasingly dominated by money and market economy. He asks, “What is the moral dilemma of buying and selling certain goods? Are there some things money shouldn’t be able to buy?” A thought-provoking debate on the floor ensued.
Michael Sandel exploring the role of money and markets in a just society at #cep2019 pic.twitter.com/VZTFCAFdei
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) (@CEPData) May 7, 2019
Should you use tradeable refugee quotas to increase care for refugees? Issue licenses to shoot rhinos to raise funds for conservation? Are these appropriate uses of money and markets? Philosophical debate on the floor at #CEP2019.
— Linda Baker (@Lindasbaker) May 7, 2019
Michael Sandel asks if we should worry about drifting from a market economy to a market society. Yeah we should. #cep2019
— Phil Buchanan (@philxbuchanan) May 7, 2019
Divisive question posed in the room: would you (philanthropy) fund an intervention that pays kids $2 to read a book? #CEP2019
— Jen Bokoff (@jenbo1) May 7, 2019
The “generous virtues” are not like commodities that are depleted with use. They are more like muscles that grow with exercise. Michael Sandel #PublicPhilosopher #CEP2019
— Bernadine Joselyn (@brjoselyn) May 7, 2019
Are generosity, altruism, benevolence limited commodities, to be economized, bought & sold? Do we each only have so much good in us? Michael Sandel thinks not. Virtues are not commodities. They are muscles, which grow strong with use. #CEP2019
— Kathy Reich (@kdreich) May 7, 2019
Michael Sandel: Markets are not value neutral ways of allocating goods. They’re also expressive. Particularly when they extend beyond material goods to things like family relationships, civic life, education and learning. #cep2019
— Jessica David (@JDinRI) May 7, 2019
Day 1 concluded with a “Clips and Conversations” event, in partnership with Media Impact Funders, featuring the award-winning documentary, Time For Ilhan. The film tells the story of Representative Ilhan Omar’s underdog candidacy for the Minnesota State House of Representatives, prior to becoming the first Somali-American woman elected to Congress. Leading us in conversation was Norah Shapiro, the film’s director, Vince Stehle, executive director of Media Impact Funders, and Shawn Escoffery, executive director of the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Foundation. The panel led a discussion that covered funding and maximizing new voices through film, taking chances to drive change, and why philanthropy should help amplify the voices of marginalized communities and support narrative change. For those who would like to watch Time for Ilhan in its entirety, it’s available to stream on Amazon.
For funders, “lack of accountability” can also be translated as “independence to follow the courage of your convictions.” @SEscoffery & @VinceDaily remind us that funders supporting documentary film is a great approach to maximize this strength & include new voices. #CEP2019
— Kevin Bolduc (@kmbolduc) May 8, 2019
Learning from last #CEP2019 session of the day: nonprofit leaders and activists, who drive societal change, often do and say controversial stuff. That’s part of change. Funders need to prepared to weather the storm and help nonprofit leaders to be prepared #CEP2019
— Felix Dresewski (@felixdresewski) May 8, 2019
New (eh, old, but constantly resurfacing) Jen Bokoff fixation: best facilitation/moderation/Q&A styles for eliciting “really real talk.” @VinceDaily sets a great example. #CEP2019
— Jen Bokoff (@jenbo1) May 8, 2019
That’s a wrap on Day 1! Remember to follow along tomorrow and Thursday through the hashtag #CEP2019 to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Several plenary sessions will also be livestreamed as well. You can see the livestream schedule here.
Sarah Martin is writer, development and communications, at CEP.
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