Activate Your Impact 2023 took place on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. See below for #AYI23 program details and stay tuned for #AYI24!
Power in Partnerships
"If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.” - African Proverb
It’s a challenging world for nonprofits and the communities we serve. Although the road to recovery from the pandemic has been pitted by roadblocks and slowdowns, we have all learned that by working in partnership, we are more effective at overcoming these barriers and even at building something new and beautiful.
As we navigate the complexities of this time together, Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits invites you to our annual Activate Your Impact Policy Summit, at which we will explore this year’s theme--Power in Partnerships.
Join SVCN--in-person--as we explore how collaboration and alignment in the policy and advocacy context can advance equity, build power, and support growing thriving communities. Designed for nonprofits that want to take their advocacy efforts to the next level, our summit speakers will provide inspiration and practical guidance about how to fearlessly drive policies that advance social justice. As always, the summit will provide tools to help nonprofits further policies that will advance their missions.
Activate Your Impact 2023
Program and Speakers
Check-In, Networking, Breakfast
8:30am
9:05am
Organizing and Power
with Dr. Robert Ross (Keynote)
Robert K. Ross, M.D., is President and Chief Executive Officer for The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation established in 1996 to address the health needs of Californians. Prior to his appointment in September 2000, Dr. Ross has prior experience as Director of Health and Human Services Agency in San Diego County and as Commissioner of Public Health in the City of Philadelphia.
During his tenure as President & CEO at The California Endowment, Dr. Ross has provided leadership in supporting the vision of underserved communities and grassroots leaders for a healthier California and a healthier America. The California Endowment has provided advocacy and funded efforts in support of “Health For All” across the state, expanding health coverage for undocumented residents, farmworkers, and “Dreamers”, strengthening diversity in the health workforce, advancing wellness-driven school climate reforms, improving health advocacy for young men and young women of color, and providing leadership for health-oriented criminal justice reform.
Through the Endowment’s 10-Year Building Healthy Communities campaign, he has supported the engagement and leadership capacity of young people and community residents to fight for improved health and wellness at the community level. He also served as a founding board member of Covered California, the entity responsible for the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act in California. Most recently, he served as Chair of the Los Angeles County Task Force on Alternatives to Incarceration, developing a strategic roadmap for the County to reform the criminal justice system in support of health-focused strategies to reduce incarceration. In 2021, Dr. Ross worked in partnership with the Board of Directors to raise $300 million for a first-ever social bond by philanthropy in California, designed to invest in systems-change and movement-building support of grassroots activists in social justice.
Policy Spotlight: Post-Election Recap
9:45am
Presented by Bob Brownstein, Working Partnerships USA
9:55am
Establishing a Nonprofit Policy Program:
Part 1, How-To A to Z
Establishing a Nonprofit Policy Program is a practical workshop for nonprofits covering procedures, strategy, tactics, partnering, and organizing to advance your organization's and community's policy objectives. Part 1, How-To A to Z, will go over the basics of advocacy, and how to get your Board and staff ready to advocate, well within legal parameters.
Panel moderated by Gabriela Chavez-Lopez, Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley
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Featuring Panelists: Maria Noel Fernandez (Working Partnerships USA),
Victor Vasquez (SOMOS Mayfair), and David Low (Destination: Home)
10:50am
Establishing a Nonprofit Policy Program
Part 2, Nonprofit Experience Panel
In Part 2, Nonprofit Experience Panel, a panel of change-makers will discuss how their policy shops were established and have evolved, including how organized community members can and should inform your policy direction.
Presented by Kyra Kazantzis, Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits
Policy Spotlight: Early Childhood Policy
11:35am
Presented by Santa Clara County Board President Susan Ellenberg
Community Organizing and Movement Building -
A Funder’s Learning Journey
Nonprofits in Santa Clara County are engaged in advocacy and coalition work now more than ever. And, at the same time, it can be challenging to find resources for that work. In this fireside chat moderated by Michele Lew, Gina Dalma will share her insights on the philanthropic community's journey towards prioritizing support for social justice advocacy, power-building, and organizing work.
Moderated by Michele Lew, The Health Trust
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Featuring Gina D. Dalma, Silicon Valley Community Foundation
11:50am
Lunch
12:35pm
Policy Spotlight: Housing Justice Policy
1:20pm
Presented by Regina Celestin Williams, SV@Home
Community Based Advocacy: Purpose, Power, and Strategy
At this workshop on community-based advocacy models, we explore what goes into influencing policymaking decisions. We’ll show you step-by-step how to frame an issue, how to refine your “ask,” and how to develop an outreach and engagement strategy to accomplish your advocacy goals. Be sure to bring your questions and your curiosity for this interactive workshop!
Presented by Vaughn Villaverde, Asian Americans for Community Involved (AACI)
1:35pm
Policy Spotlight: Health Equity Policy
2:40pm
Presented by Ngoc Bui-Tong, Santa Clara Family Health Plan
Closing Remarks
2:50pm
