The Catskill Chronicle

BETHEL, NY (February 21, 2012) – Following up on the highly successful premiere event last year, the 2012 Sullivan Nonprofit Summit will take place on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

This year’s summit will continue its focus on fostering leadership and collaboration among the region’s rural nonprofits to generate greater impact and support. And will also expand to encourage and acknowledge innovative ideas that have produced practical results, and can be used as a model by other nonprofits in the region and beyond.

Summit host and Bethel Woods CEO Darlene Fedun said, “Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is pleased to host for the second time the Sullivan Nonprofit Summit. As a nonprofit we take seriously our role as a cultural and civic center, where we celebrate the arts and their essential role in creating vibrant and engaged communities. The Summit is an example of our continuing commitment to serve as community convener and catalyst for innovative ways to inspire citizenship and re-vitalize our region.”

The Summit will include educational sessions, including “Building a Strong, Successful Board,” “Role of Nonprofits in Revitalizing the Region,” and “Pursuing Government Grants.” In addition, there will be a panel discussion with regional professionals. Nonprofit representatives will learn what is really working for nonprofits in the region and for the communities they serve. Speakers will also share stories and models of successful collaborative efforts among rural nonprofits and communities.

The featured lunchtime keynote speaker this year will be Doug Bauer of the Clark Foundation, which  focuses on helping individuals lead independent and productive lives, and supports nonprofits and programs in New York City and Cooperstown, NY. Bauer is also executive director of the Scriven and Fernleigh Foundations. His opinions and ideas on philanthropy have been featured in the Associated Press, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Contribute, the Financial Times, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, and on NPR and CNBC. Bauer co-authored, with Steven Godeke, “Philanthropy’s New Passing Gear:Mission Related Investing, A Policy and Implementation Guide for Foundation Trustees.” He serves on boards and committees for Children’s Health Fund, The Melalucca Foundation and Philanthropy New York (formerly NYRAG).

The afternoon of the Summit will focus on breakout sessions designed to give nonprofits in similar fields the opportunity to meet and develop potential projects for collaboration, and will also include the announcement of the Sullivan Regional Innovation Award.

Summit Steering Committee Co-Chair Amanda Langseder from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County said, “The Summit is itself, a great example of the power of nonprofit collaboration.  Committee members representing nearly a dozen organizations have pulled together to make this year’s Summit a surefire success.  The members of the committee meet regularly, giving of their precious time and resources.  This year’s event will be a comprehensive day of professional development, leadership training, networking and encouraging messages to all who take pride in working for a nonprofit organization.”

The Summit currently has four event sponsors: Catskill Hudson Bank, the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan, Jeff Bank and Sullivan County Community College.

For more information or to become a sponsor the March 7 Sullivan Nonprofit Summit, please contact Amanda Langseder at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County at 845-292-6180, ags97@cornell.edu.

To register for the Summit please contact Cinty at 845-292-6180, cn55@cornell.edu.