Statewide Symposium Set For Jan. 30

STORRS –– The first statewide symposium of government, business, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders and policymakers will convene on Friday, January 30, from 9 am to 3 pm, at the Aqua Turf in Southington.

The symposium, “The State of the Connecticut Nonprofit Sector 2004: A Shared Vision,” will examine the condition and mission of the state’s nonprofit sector, and how government, business, and the nonprofit sector can work together to create Connecticut’s future.

Designed to bring national and Connecticut leaders together, the symposium is open to nonprofit, government, business, and philanthropic leaders, as well as Connecticut citizens. The fee, which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials, is $95 ($80 for multiple attendees from the same organization). The symposium is presented by the College of Continuing Studies at the University of Connecticut, the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, and the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits.

Diana Aviv, president and CEO of Independent Sector, will address the national perspective. Independent Sector is a coalition and national forum for more than one million of America’s leading nonprofits, foundations, and corporations. This is Ms Aviv’s first speaking engagement in Connecticut as the new CEO of Independent Sector.

Dr Fred Carstensen, director of the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis, University of Connecticut, will address the Connecticut economic perspective. Dr Carstensen is a recognized expert in the field of economics and has conducted numerous studies on the role that nonprofits can play in Connecticut’s economy.

A Connecticut Leadership panel discussion will focus on Assessing Connecticut Needs, Leveraging Strengths. Panelists include: Kevin Sullivan, Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore; W. David LeVasseur, undersecretary, Office of Policy and Management; Michael Bangser, executive director, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving; Shelley Geballe, co-president, Connecticut Voices for Children; Reverend Bonita Grubbs, executive director, Christian Community Action, Inc; and Robin Hogen, vice president, public affairs, Purdue Pharma LP. Anita Ford Saunders, APR, Anita Ford Saunders Communications, will moderate the panel.

Dr Claire Gaudiani, author and senior research scholar at Yale Law School, will discuss “Philanthropy and the Economy.” Dr Gaudiani is the author of The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism, and former president of Connecticut College.

For registration and additional information, contact Linda Friedman at 860-486-9318, or Linda.Friedman@uconn.edu or visit the website at continuingstudies.uconn.edu/professional/nonprofit