PFE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
UNPLUG. RECONNECT. RECHARGE.
“One talk, on one day, can change someone’s life.”
– Kymberlee Weil, Strategic Samurai
Cultivating relationships and dialogue is vital to a clearer understanding of our county, its issues and our potential.
Opening county-wide conversations encourages resource-sharing and increases collaboration. With storytelling and diverse perspectives we may strengthen bonds between funders, advocates,and leaders and ensure more shared vision for our communities.
How do we connect and build vision in Santa Barbara County?
What might we do better together?
Imagine initiating a conversation you’d like to host/co-host and continue with others who share your passion for the topic.
The PFE program centers around just that: Ignite Talks and Community Conversations where you, the participants,
and the Ignite Talk speakers and Conversation (co)hosts!
WHAT ARE PFE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS?
PFE Community Conversations are small group, topical discussions in the Sycamore Grove following PFE Ignite Talks.
These one-hour informal dialogues, outdoors in nature, will continue deeper exploration of Ignite Talk topics and open other focused ideas for listening to and learning from one another.
There will be two Community Conversation sessions – in the morning and afternoon- building on our visions for Santa Barbara County.
Conversations ideally will convene no more than 15 individuals and may contain as few as two.
There will be two sources for Conversation topics:
1) Selected Ignite Talk speakers will transition to host their topic as Community Conversations – for interaction and deeper group discussion of the topic presented
2) Selected Community Conversation topics will also be hosted by registrants/groups who submit topics in advance.
Are you an aspiring Conversation host/co-host?
PFE registrants are invited to submit a Community Conversation topic(s) you wish to host.
New this year, propose-in-pairs
You may partner with another funder, staff member, board member, foundation officer, or colleague from another
organization to co-host a Community Conversation. Funder and grantee partners are encouraged to submit as a pair.
Pose a fresh topic, or choose to continue/expand a discussion or focused-group you may have started with funders or colleagues over the past year. Consider too, how has your leadership, funding, programming or organization pivoted as a result of last year’s Partnership for Excellence or other resources and collaborations?
This is truly your best opportunity to connect, share and explore with your colleagues — take advantage of it!
After reviewing all submissions, 15 or more topics will be chosen.
Selected Conversation hosts/co-hosts will receive support, orientation and coaching.
On April 22, Conversation hosts will gather and facilitate small group discussions at one of two sessions in the morning or afternoon.
TIMELINE
CREATING YOUR COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
PFE Community Conversation submissions close Friday, March 13, 2020
If you have an idea to positively shift or disrupt our nonprofit sector for good, a compelling question or issue around which to gather resources and potential solutions, or a story of emerging collaboration with intersections for more collaborators, PFE encourages you to apply.
Have an idea but need some encouragement? Send a message to pfe@nprnsb.org to be followed up with before the application deadline.
Conversation Guiding Questions
- What collaborative conversation might you want time and space to explore with your nonprofit and funder peers?
- Which aspects of our work would benefit from a fresh look, more diverse perspectives or insights?
- Where have you created positive change? What worked or fell through and what have you learned that might benefit others?
- What is an opportunity you see for funders, organizations, systems or community members to explore together for better results and meaningful change?
- When you see colleagues, do you find yourselves raising ideas and needed changes around a specific community issue/opportunity?
- Do you wish for a gathering in your sub-sector (senior services, social justice, education, healthcare, etc.) to talk efficiencies and actions for better collaboration?
- Are you a group who has been meeting around change and would like to open your vision and discussion to PFE attendees?
- How has Partnership for Excellence changed or influenced your work, funding or leadership since last year?
Selection Criteria - What is PFE looking for?
- Highlights a clear idea, emerging trend or stimulating question
- Grounded in Santa Barbara County and/or impact related to past PFE participation
- Presents from a positive, creative point of view
- Shares strategies for integrating, specializing or partnering with other funders, organizations and stakeholders
- Sparks our diverse community perspectives and strengths
- Raises questions and invites further discussion
Sample Conversations Topics from 2019
- An Open Conversation on Race — Connie Alexander, Gateway Educational Services
- What Can Funders Provide Beyond Money? — Pam Lewis, Hutton Parker Foundation
- Joining Forces to Ensure Quality Youth Programs — Liliana Vega, 4-H Santa Barbara
- Community Singing Circle — Heather Stevenson, The Write Team
- Cross-Sector Partnerships that Last — Casey Summar, The Law Firm for Nonprofits
- Getting the Most Out of Board Meetings — Michael Baker, United Boys & Girls Clubs
- Managing CA Minimum Wage and Staff, Carlos Cortez, Los Padres Council Boy Scouts of America
- Impacts of Storytelling: Celebrating our Sector — Rachel Johnson, TEDxSantaBarbara
These are just a few examples. How do you hope to build vision in our community?