RBF Programs » The Pocantico Center» Pocantico Conferences January - June, 2005

REALIZING RIGHTS: THE ETHICAL GLOBALIZATION INITIATIVE
January 13 - 15, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.eginitiative.org/

Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization (EGI) convened select diverse advisors, staff, board and partners in an intensive two-day retreat at Pocantico in January, 2005 to debate and coordinate efforts to promote a more ethical globalization. Chaired by Mary Robinson, the retreat strategically advanced program efforts in the areas of equitable trade and development policy, the right to health, and more humane international immigration policies.

MUSEUM OF MODERN ART CHIEF CURATORS RETREAT
January 20, 2005
Sponsored by The Museum of Modern Art
http://www.moma.org/

On January 20, Glenn Lowry, director, and the senior curators of the Museum of Modern Art convened to explore critical issues required to shape the direction of the Museum over the next five to ten years.  The day-long meeting was divided into 6 sessions dealing with 1) Collections & Acquisitions 2) Education 3) Exhibition Programming 4) Research & Publications 5) P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center and 6) International Programming. Two principle goals emerged from the discussion: the need to focus attention on educational programs and on contemporary art.  In order to achieve these goals it was agreed to form a pan-institutional task force on education and a pan-curatorial working group on contemporary art both of which are charged with making a series of recommendations within the next six months.

THE AARON DIAMOND AIDS RESEARCH CENTER SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
January 28- 30, 2005
Sponsored by The Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center
http://www.adarc.org/

The Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center held its annual Scientific Advisory Board Meeting on January 28 -30, 2005 at the Pocantico Conference Center. Dr. David Ho, Director and CEO of Aaron Diamond convened the meeting. The objective was for our Scientific Advisory Board, comprised of experts in the fields of Virology, Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis, to advise the CEO and the research faculty on scientific topics or issues relating to the purposes and research agenda of the Corporation. The Board provided independent assessment of the substance and caliber of the research capabilities and results of the Corporation, and provided scientific information and recommendations that will help advance the science of each faculty member. This meeting was an essential element in providing the organization with the means to move forward in the fight to rid the world of this pandemic.

PARTNERSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN AFRICA
February 6 - 7, 2005
Sponsored by the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa
http://www.foundation-partnership.org/

The Partnership for Higher Education in Africa met at the Pocantico Conference Center from February 6-7, 2005.  The Partnership was established in 2000 by the presidents of Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and The Rockefeller Foundation; its goal is to assist higher education institutions in six African countries-Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.  Foundation staff and the Partnership facilitator met at Pocantico to assess ongoing initiatives and to plan next steps to meet strategic plan objectives.  Partnership foci include information and communication technologies and higher education, building higher education as a field, regional approaches to capacity building and research, and establishing a roundtable for leaders of African higher education.  Participants prepared discussion papers in advance of the meeting, which served to lead the discussion. Although the Partnership meets several times a year, there is never sufficient time to cover the agenda fully.  The February workshop gave us the time we needed to review activities underway and plan for the future.  

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
February 10 - 13, 2005
Sponsored by the New York University School of Law and the Council on Foreign Relations
http://www.cfr.org/

The New York University School of Law and the Council on Foreign Relations convened an International Conference on Comparative Criminal Procedure at Pocantico. With a grant from the Ford Foundation, the conference brought together leading experts on the criminal process from the People's Republic of China to meet with counterparts from the United States, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan to discuss the hotly-debated issues in criminal procedure law and its development in China. The goal of the conference was for international experts to learn from the experience of their foreign colleagues by hearing overviews of criminal procedure developments in the countries represented and to discuss and deal with problems of the Investigative Stage, the Indictment Stage, and the Trial Stage of criminal procedure. The format of the conference was a roundtable discussion, moderated so that participants could focus on specific questions and problems through open exchange. Frank discussions tackled issues of the Presumption of Innocence, Detention of Suspects, the Role of Defense Lawyers, Pre-Trial Discovery, and the Role and Independence of the Courts. The PRC will soon be reforming its Criminal Procedure Code, and members of the PRC delegation will play a key role in any changes that may be made. The conference served as an important venue for them to learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions. Finally, the conference concluded with suggestions for continuing cooperation, including convening another meeting at a location in Asia, publishing articles and papers based on the findings at the conference, and collaboration between members of the group.

RULE OF LAW AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AUTHORS' MEETING
February 17 - 19, 2005
Sponsored by the International Peace Academy
http://www.ipacademy.org/

The International Peace Academy's Security-Development Nexus Program held a meeting of the authors of its edited volume on the rule of law in conflict management on February 17-19, 2005. The meeting gathered together the volume's authors and external discussants, consisting of researchers, academics and practitioners working in the fields of international development, rule of law and conflict management in a diverse range of institutions. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and further refine not only the contents of individual chapters, but also the design, aim and overall coherence of the volume. Each author presented his/her draft chapter and productive discussions followed. Based on the proceedings, the authors will revise their chapters in early 2005. The volume will be published by Lynne Rienner Publishers in late 2005 or early 2006.

CLIMATE DIALOGUE III
February 23 - 25, 2005
Sponsored by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change
http://www.pewclimate.org/

The Climate Dialogue at Pocantico brings together senior policymakers and stakeholders from 15 countries to explore options for advancing the international effort against climate change. While the Kyoto Protocol has now entered into force, the longer-term challenge remains the same: engaging all the world's major emitters in a sustained effort that fairly and effectively mobilizes resources and technology to protect the global climate. The dialogue, convened by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, provides an off-line opportunity for a core group from government, business, and NGOs to examine issues central to future negotiations. In their third session, February 23-25, 2005, dialogue participants further discussed specific options for strengthening multilateral climate efforts; considered the results of computer modeling projecting the cost, emissions, and technology impacts of selected options; and began to shape the potential dialogue outcome. A fourth and final session will be held in September. The dialogue is co-chaired by Pew Center President Eileen Claussen and Ged Davis, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum. It is supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the United Nations Foundation, the Wallace Global Fund, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

KNOWLEDGE LAB ON DONOR ENGAGEMENT AMONG RACIAL AND ETHNIC COMMUNITIES
March 14 - 16, 2005
Sponsored by the Coalition for New Philanthropy
http://www.givingforum.org/

New Ventures in Philanthropy and The Coalition for New Philanthropy sponsored a Knowledge Lab on "Engaging Donors in Racial, Ethnic, and Tribal Communities" at the Pocantico Conference Center. The objectives of the lab included: (1) developing a core of knowledge about culturally appropriate ways to engage and involve donors in racial, ethnic, and tribal communities; (2) learning more about specific successful approaches, practices, and tools for engaging donors of color that can be shared with a wider audience; (3) deepening participants' understanding about how to sustain donor engagement activities; and, (4) begin to build a network of practitioners. Approximately 30 practitioners from around the country attended the lab, representing ethnic and tribal funds, community foundations, community nonprofits, and regional and national associations of grantmakers. The first and most important outcome of the lab was a profound sense of the value and the richness of the knowledge and experiences the participants shared with one another. This helped to build a strong foundation of relationships to carry out the ambitious plan that came out of the lab for how to advance the field. New Ventures in Philanthropy and the Coalition for New Philanthropy will continue to work together to help lab participants implement their plan successfully.

INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY
March 7 - 9, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund

In the wake of the November 2004 election, three leading independent magazines - Mother Jones, The Nation, and The American Prospect - convened the leadership of independent media organizations from the worlds of print, radio, television and the internet to assess the political, technological, and demographic changes to come in the next decade and to begin developing collaborative capacity and direction to better foster a more broad-based level of civic engagement during that time period.  Several working groups emerged from the conference, which have been tasked with refining the ideas generated at the meeting, and preparing implementation plans for a follow-up meeting, to be held in St. Louis May 13-14, 2005. Most importantly perhaps, a new spirit of cooperation emerged from the meeting at Pocantico Conference Center, which will provide a sturdy foundation upon which to build future action.  

BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSITY
March 11 - 13, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.biodiverse.org/

From March 11-13, 2005, Biodiversity Project convened 25 leaders in biodiversity science and social change communications to explore new strategies that will convey the threats facing biodiversity, but will also achieve breakthroughs in the public's understanding of the myriad benefits biodiversity affords to humans and all life on Earth. The aim was to introduce some of the most influential proponents of biodiversity policy and public education to powerful new tools that have the potential to engage the public in biodiversity as never before. Experts in social marketing, public opinion research, filmmaking and advertising brainstormed with decision-makers from major zoos, aquariums, natural history museums and such key policy groups as the Endangered Species Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Wilderness Society and the National Wildlife Federation. The communications experts shared case studies in issue framing, values-based communications, and behavior change, as well as insights from the emerging field of conservation psychology. Discussions focused on ways to deploy these strategies so that more Americans would make biodiversity a priority both for their concern and their action. Recommendations around four key challenges emerged:  how to reach out to conservative voters; how to promote individual behavior change; how to shift the discourse about biodiversity to be more inclusive and compelling; and how to identify structural changes in the environmental movement that can become catalysts for public action. Participants left with new networks in place, ideas for additional tactics to advance biodiversity they could start applying right away, and a commitment to move forward with strategies they are confident will truly provide breakthroughs.

EUROPEAN-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ON DEMOCRACY EDUCATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND MUSLIM AFRICA
March 18 - 20, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.ccd21.org/

The March 18-20 European-American Conference on Democracy Education in the Middle East and Muslim Africa brought together 30 experts from Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Jordan, Nigeria and Senegal as well as representatives of U.S., German and Dutch organizations to identify barriers to and opportunities for the advancement of democracy education in the region. The conferees drafted a report containing 19 action recommendations to be presented to the April Santiago Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies. The Conference was organized by the Washington-based Council for a Community of Democracies, with support from the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy and the American Forum for Global Education. The Council for a Community of Democracies was charged by Conference participants to maintain a network to seek implementation of the recommendations.

PHASE II OF RENEWABLE ENERGY: THE CHALLENGE OF MOVING TO MAINSTREAM SUCCESS
March 22 - 24, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.cleanegroup.org/

A group of twenty-one energy advocates from state government, nonprofit organizations, industry and finance came together to address new strategies and opportunities for combined efforts to advance renewable energy in the US. Meeting participants discussed what would be needed in the next few years to ensure commercial success of clean energy technologies such as the emerging role of state funds, corporate engagement, market development activities and other sub-federal actions. The group identified key challenges including renewable portfolio standards (RPS) implementation, biofuels program development and siting issues around clean energy technologies. The need to develop a unified marketing message for clean energy and green power programs was discussed, along with support for investigating new cooperative efforts between renewable energy and energy efficiency policy making and implementation. The key outcomes from the conference were the formation of subgroups to address several critical opportunities for action: collaborative meetings for key implementers of state RPS programs to ensure success; development of data supporting the linkages between renewable energy development, job and economic development; development of renewable energy and energy efficiency linkages; development of public/private investment collaboration for finance; and, development of new marketing strategies for the renewable energy industry. This meeting began a new collaborative effort among the participants to address these opportunities that will continue into the future.

PIPER DONOR COMMUNITY RETREAT
March 29 - 31, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.proteusfund.org/

Reflecting on an eight-year history of supporting state public financing programs, members of the Piper Fund donor community met to explore the themes and questions that will guide its future grantmaking strategy amidst a vibrant and crowded state democracy reform landscape.   Funders, practitioners and academics celebrated victories and evaluated models to expand support for public financing, strengthen coalitions, and ensure commitment to program implementation and protection.  Looking forward to its fall meeting, the Piper community recommitted itself to ongoing and rigorous state assessments, understanding the role of public financing in the context of other electoral reforms and public policy decisions, and pushing the reform community to communicate an ambitious and visionary agenda that will reinvigorate funder commitment to democracy programs by expanding its appeal to voters and opinion leaders.

PEACE AND SECURITY FUNDERS GROUP ADVANCE
April 3 - 4, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.peaceandsecurity.org/

As Peace and Security Funders Group, of which Rockefeller Brothers Fund was a founding member, approached its sixth anniversary, its Steering Committee and other leaders gathered at Pocantico. The purpose was to assess whether and how the changes in the world's security environmental and PSFG's five hundred percent growth had changed or should change its mission and methods of operating. The goal was to make a strong organization even stronger, and to guarantee its continued growth. Priscilla Lewis and others had earlier started an ad hoc committee to evaluate PSFG's communications tools-principally its brochure and Web site. At Pocantico, PSFG's leadership launched a more ambitious process, which is ongoing, to develop a new strategic plan for discussion at PSFG's 2005 annual meeting of members in Seattle.

NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP AND BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS SUPERINTENDENTS WORKSHOP
April 5 - 8, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.nthp.org/

These two meetings are held every other year at a National Trust Historic Site to provide an interactive learning environment for both the host site and the other building and site staff. The focus of this year's Building and Site Superintendents meeting was on sustainable building and how it relates to historic preservation. Sustainable initiatives already being practiced at Pocantico served as a model for the discussion. The Collections Management workshop focused on a number of timely issues including collections management policies and the protection of collections during construction projects.

SHELBURNE MUSEUM BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
April 15 - 16, 2005
Sponsored by the Shelburne Museum
http://www.shelburnemuseum.org/

The board of trustees of the Shelburne Museum met at the Pocantico Conference Center to engage in a strategic planning session aimed at capitalizing on the museum's recent successes in education, campus planning, fundraising, and public relations. The setting at Pocantico, and the assistance of the Fund's curatorial staff, was a major factor in the board's success in laying the ground work for the museum's plans to address the opportunities and challenges presented by the new century.

EXPANIDNG OUR APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
April 19 - 21, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.buildinggreen.com/

To build a high-performance, green building in a cost-effective manner, an integrated design process, in which the project collaborates on all aspects of the design, is essential. Today's green buildings typically represent only an incremental improvement over conventional practice, while the state of the planet demands more radical gains. In this context, a group of leading sustainable design practitioners and thinkers gathered at the Pocantico Conference Center to explore various approaches to building and an integrated design process that might lead to revolutionary, rather than evolutionary, gains, including place-based design, living systems analysis, and integral thinking.

REGIONAL GREENHOSUE GAS INITIATIVE
April 25 - 27, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.rggi.org/

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cooperative effort of nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States with the charge of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, convened a workshop on developing a regional strategy for a market-based emissions trading system and requirements on electric power generators to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. During their meeting at the Pocantico Conference Center, state environment and utility regulatory agency heads made progress towards an agreement on program design. The productive working session brought together agency heads from every environment and energy agency in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Delaware to explore the development of the proposed program in detail. The state agency heads discussed key policy elements of the potential program and identified areas for further analysis by the Staff Working Group. Among the issues discussed were a range of potential cap levels, various methods for setting state emissions budgets, and the role of offsets and energy efficiency in the program.

FORUM ON DEMOCRACY & TRADE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP MEETING
April 28 - May 1, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.forumdemocracy.net/

The Forum on Democracy & Trade, a national network of state and local-level public officials engaged in global trade debates, held its national network meeting at the Pocantico Conference Center. Forum participants reviewed current trade negotiations involving the United States, trade disputes and proposed changes to international dispute resolution processes, and also looked at domestic implementation of existing trade agreements. This was a return visit for several of the public officials, as the original idea for creating a state/local Forum on trade policy issues was first vetted at a Pocantico Conference in March, 2002.

INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM CENTER BOARD RETREAT
May 3, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.ifcwtc.org/

The International Freedom Center (IFC) convened its second board retreat to reflect on its mission and consider how to best move forward. During the retreat, the IFC team assessed its progress, refined its positioning, and identified ongoing efforts to achieve its goals. The group also began a serious exploration of the next phase of board development. In particular, the group focused on the Center's relationship to the Memorial and Memorial Center. As an integral part of the World Trade Center site, the Center will serve as a gateway and complement to the Memorial. At the retreat, the team pursued thoughtful dialogue about the challenges faced but also the tremendous potential of the Center as a world-class cultural institution on this hallowed ground.

FOUNDATION EXECUTIVES GROUP MEETING
May 12 - 13, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund; The Ford Foundation; The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; The Rockefeller Foundation; The Commonwealth Fund; The MacArthur Foundation; the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of NY; The Atlantic Philanthropies; W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Pew Charitable Trusts; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Charles Stewart Mott Foundation; David and Lucille Packard Foundation; Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. http://www.fordfound.org/; http://www.mellon.org/; http://www.hewlett.org/; http://www.rockfound.org/; http://www.cmwf.org/; http://www.macfound.org/; http://www.sloan.org/; http://www.carnegie.org/; http://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org/; http://www.wkkf.org/; http://www.pewtrusts.com/; http://www.gatesfoundation.org/; http://www.mott.org/; http://www.packfound.org/; http://www.ddcf.org/

Sixteen foundation presidents gathered for their annual meeting to discuss issues of mutual concern. It was chaired by Paul Brest, president of the Hewlett Foundation. This year's topics included international and foreign policy issues with remarks by Richard Haass, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations; a panel on climate change led by RBF president Stephen Heintz; and a session on policy advocacy led by Rebecca Rimel, president of the Pew Charitable Trusts, and Patty Stonesfier, president of the Gates Foundation. In addition, a panel on governance issues focused on recent Congressional activities and the panel on the nonprofit sector.

IMPROVING FOUNDATION EFFECTIVENESS AND GOVERNANCE
May 13 - 14, 2005
Sponsored by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
http://www.hewlett.org/

Immediately following the Foundation Executives Group (FEG) annual meeting, several FEG members were joined by a broader group to discuss ways to improve foundation effectiveness and governance. Diana Aviv, the president of Independent Sector, began the meeting with a discussion of the importance of self-regulation in the foundation community. Specific topics included the role of membership organizations in educating members, increasing effectiveness by improving transparency and accountability, and relating to state regulators. The meeting concluded with a discussion of how foundations move forward in this climate.

INTERNATIONAL REPORTING PROJECT (IRP) VIDEO INITIATIVE RETREAT
May 15 - 17, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.internationalreportingproject.org/

In an effort to expand existing opportunities, 15 former IRP Fellows-all professional journalists from around the country whose expertise includes network and public television and radio, cable channels, photography, and online news-gathered at the Pocantico Conference Center to brainstorm about new and inventive ways to present international news to the public. Over the course of the retreat, they developed a web-based broadcast model that takes advantage of the strengths of traditional media but bypasses many of the current distribution bottlenecks. Their concept stresses collaboration, transparency, interactivity, outreach, and multi-purposing content on different platforms to reach the largest possible audience. IRP will release a detailed report on this video initiative in early summer, and is considering various follow-on activities.

PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP ADVOCACY NETWORK (PLAN) RETREAT
May 19 - 21, 2005
Sponsored by the National Women's Law Center (NWLC)
http://www.nwlc.org/

With the goal of encouraging effective civic engagement among NWLC's first class of emerging leaders, the retreat brought together a diverse group of 21 women who work on public policies affecting the lives of low-income women and families in their communities. Sessions were focused on advanced leadership skills, media relations, and coalition building. In addition, strategy sessions were conducted by leading women in the public policy arena. All of the sessions and activities were aimed at achieving the central goal of the PLAN project: fostering ongoing leadership and public policy development and networking opportunities for emerging leaders in low-income women's advocacy.

AN INTERFAITH CONSULTATION ON THE NUCLEAR WEAPONS DANGER
May 23 - 25, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund

A consultation of Muslim and Christian leaders and scholars was convened by the Islamic Society of North America, the Managing the Atom Project of the Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and the Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy. The group met to discuss what their traditions had to contribute to the question of the nuclear weapons danger at this time in history. The consultation produced a statement on the nuclear weapons danger that has now been signed by hundreds of Christians and Muslims. A copy of the statement and the list of endorsers can be found at www.cctpp.org/muslim-christian/nuclearweaponsdanger/statementendorsers.htm

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RETREAT
June 3 - 4, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the United Nations
http://www.unitednations.org/

The Secretary-General of the United Nations and fifteen representatives of the States members of the Security Council met at the Pocantico Conference Center for the seventh annual "Security Council retreat" convened by the Secretary-General. The 2005 retreat took place in a critical year for the United Nations in which the Organization is undergoing a major process of reform to help it carry out its mandate more efficiently and effectively. The retreat focused on the 2005 security agenda as it relates to the Security Council, and a number of sub-themes: from non-proliferation to terrorism and peace building; implementation of the Council's resolutions, especially as it pertains to sanctions; and a review of the working methods of the Council. The participants had a frank and productive discussion on these issues, and the retreat encouraged cooperation and collective action.
 

MEETING OF THE TRILATERAL COMMISSSION BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
July 7 - 8, 2005
Sponsored by the Trilateral Commission
http://www.unitednations.org/

The purpose of the annual meeting of the American Trustees and Executive Committee of the Trilateral Commission included: election of new trustees, members of the executive committee, and officers; selection of new U.S. members; selection of new Triennium Participants from the Americas; planning discussions concerning the annual plenary meeting of the whole Commission (which will take place in Tokyo in April, 2006); finalizing the planning for the 2005 North American regional meeting in Montreal; and discussing changes in the Commission's press and publication policies.

ARNOVA BOARD OF TRUSTEES RETREAT
June 10 -12, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
http://www.arnova.org/

The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations (ARNOVA) convened its annual board retreat at the Pocantico Conference Center. All 14 board members, plus the executive director and co-editor of ARNOVA's journal attended this retreat. Considering the changing focus of foundation funding and the growth of nonprofit infrastructure organizations and programs related to nonprofit education, the ARNOVA board of directors decided it needed to carve out a unique niche in the nonprofit world, and to do this with less resources. Thus, at this retreat the board looked at its strategic plan to determine which goals were still viable, the markets it wants to concentrate on, and how the organization can do a better job of positioning itself among these infrastructure organizations. The board also looked at ways it could enhance revenue and cut expenditures so the mission of ARNOVA is not jeopardized. What emerged was a set of action items to insure that ARNOVA would maintain a pivotal role in building the field of nonprofit studies.

CAMPUS LEADERS TODAY, COMMUNITY LEADERS TOMORROW (CLT2TM)
June 14 -16, 2005
Sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society
http://www.odk.org/

This signature program Omicron Delta Kappa of provided 23 current and recent university students from around the nation an understanding of how nonprofit boards are organized and managed. Faculty from the nonprofit field provided instruction on the need for nonprofits, how they are governed, what are the legal foundations of nonprofits, and the essential expectations of nonprofit board membership. A field experience in New York City gave the participants a first-hand interaction with nonprofit board members and executives.

IMPLEMENTING THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S COUNTER TERRORISM TASKFORCE
July 13-15, 2005
Sponsored by the International Peace Academy (IPA)
http://www.odk.org/

The International Peace Academy organized a retreat on "Implementing the Secretary-General's Counter-Terrorism Strategy," bringing together, for the first time, the UN Secretary-General's newly established Terrorism/Implementation Task Force. This Task Force, which is composed of representatives of all units in the larger UN system relevant to the fight against terrorism, will serve as a coordinating and information-sharing body of an advisory nature, and help ensure the implementation of the UN's comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy announced by the UN Secretary-General in his keynote address to the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security on 10 March 2005 in Madrid. The retreat provided a first opportunity for Task Force members to inform each other of the terrorism-relevant activities their respective departments, directorates, and offices pursue. The Task Force engaged in an in-depth stock taking exercise and jointly defined an agenda and procedures for the months to come. In this process, many important and action-oriented ideas were generated on how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN's counterterrorism work. Finally, the retreat provided an opportunity for Task Force members to establish personal relationships thus facilitating cooperation among different departments, agencies and offices in the future.

STRATEGIES FOR ADVANCING CORPORATE ENVIRONEMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
July 18 - 20, 2005
Sponsored by the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES)
http://www.ceres.org/

Ceres convened leaders from the environmental, investor, and labor communities to discuss the obstacles and opportunities for improving corporate social and environmental performance. The group had an extensive discussion of the level of commitment required from a company in order to have a productive working relationship with its stakeholders, including shareholders and advocates for environmental and social concerns. A consensus was reached that at a minimum companies need to make a public statement of their environmental standards, either using the Ceres Principles or other comparable statements, commit to engage with their stakeholders, and begin the process of preparing rigorous public disclosure of their environmental footprints. Further discussion explored the role of investors in raising environmental issues to the highest level of corporate managements and boards. There was recognition among the participants that such efforts were part of a broader effort to shift the focus of corporate strategy away from short-term profitability and towards long-term value creation. This was seen as a goal to pursue over several years, but in the near term, the group decided to remain strategically focused on climate change as an overarching business risk and opportunity.

AMHERST BOARD OF DIRECTORS RETREAT
June 22 - 24, 2005
Sponsored by Amherst College
http://www.amherst.edu/

The trustees and senior officers of Amherst College convened to discuss a range of measures that will enable Amherst College to broaden access for low-income students while sustaining the high quality of the liberal arts education that it provides.  The group explored the range of obstacles that low-income students face in gaining access to private higher education, particularly if those students also are first-generation college students.  Participants reviewed a report about a pilot telementoring program currently being tested at Amherst with support from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation through which 25 undergraduate mentors are taking 120 low-income high school students through every aspect of the college search, from researching colleges and universities to preparing applications and interpreting the financial aid packages they are offered.  The group agreed to monitor the progress of the telementoring scheme closely and to seek support for expansion and dissemination of the program at the end of the 2005-2006 academic year. 

FOUNDATION LEADERS RETREAT
June 25 - 26, 2005
Sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund

This informal two-day retreat of foundation leaders was designed to allow for a thorough follow-up discussion to the larger meeting of foundation leaders that was held in Washington on May 24, 2005 about the need for new philanthropic investments in progressive public policy infrastructure. The Pocantico gathering provided an opportunity for donors to candidly explore ways to both broaden and deepen the development of progressive ideas and the ability to promote those ideas in public discourse. The meeting produced a matrix and hierarchy of philanthropic needs and opportunities, and stimulated an interest in ongoing communications and sharing of experience among donors. The meeting was convened by Stephen Heintz; Tim Wirth, President of the UN Foundation; and Paul Brest of the Hewlett Foundation.