 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
|
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
BPP LEARNING COMMUNITIES
A New Beginning for the US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership:
Independence, Expansion and Leadership
BPP 9th Learning Community
Mesa, Arizona (Phoenix Area) - April 16 to 18, 2008
- Download a copy of the Participant's Binder
- View the meeting's Executive Report
- View all the session notes and materials
- View the meeting's photo gallery
*see below to link to specific sessions
On September 18, 2002 leaders from along and across the border gathered at the Hotel Lucerna in Cd. Juarez for the first learning community and the official launch of the US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. Many of those present were representatives of foundations that were well-established and staffed, but nearly half of those in attendance represented groups that were unincorporated, had yet to establish fully-functioning boards or were exclusively volunteer-run. Yet, despite the differences between organizations and people, at that meeting one felt a tangible excitement and camaraderie as individuals who were committed to growing border philanthropy met and learned about each other’s work; discovering shared strategies and optimism for improving quality of life along the U.S. / Mexico border. The room was brimming with feelings of hope and visions of a better future through working collaboratively across and along the border, with the possibility of one day establishing an independent, bi-national border entity that would serve as a powerful voice and source of positive change for this region of such tremendous potential. That day is now here.
Today the BPP is a network of 19 established border community foundations that are advancing an improved quality of life in over 20 border communities or regions. Since its inception, the BPP was envisioned as a program that would eventually grow out from under Synergos Institute’s management to become an independent, fully autonomous institution.
The 9th Learning Community provided an opportunity for BPP membership to share and celebrate accomplishments, and finalize the details of its transition to independence, including expansion of the membership and determining the programmatic foci for the immediate future. Specifically, the 9th Learning Community allowed BPP founding members to renew their commitment and stewardship of the BPP as a vehicle towards improving quality of life by providing the opportunity to:
- Reflect on and celebrate our shared journey and accomplishments as a partnership
- Further define and endorse the focus and structure of the future BPP
- Deepen the sustainability of founding BPP members and the work of the partnership
Day 1: April 16, 2008 - Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel
12:45pm Why the Border Matters: An Orientation to the context of the US-Mexico Border region and the work of the BPP
1:30pm Around the Border in 80 Minutes: Official Conference Opening and Plenary
4:00pm Creating the Intercultural Mindset: Successful Strategy for Change
7:00pm Celebration Dinner and Keynote Address, with Peggy Dulany, Founder and Chair of the Synergos Institute
DAY 2: April 17, 2008 - Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel
8:30am Discussion on the Proposed Plan for the Next Phase of the BPP
10:20am Capacity Building Breakout Sessions
1:30pm Afternoon Border Café
6:30pm Dinner hosted by the Arizona Community Foundation, Yuma Community Foundation and Cochise Community Foundation featuring Roberto Reveles, President and Founder of Somos American as Keynote Speaker
DAY 3: April 18, 2008 - Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel
8:00am Breakfast Keynote: Philanthropy and the Role of Public-Private Partnerships on the US-Mexico Border by Jeffrey Davidow, President of the Institute of the Americas at University of California San Diego, and former Ambassador to Mexico
9:30am Real Time Consulting Session
11:15am Phase III Session: Ratification and Commitments to Future BPP