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"Four-dimensional sustainability," strategic collaboration and strategic management were among the key themes that kept more than 70 participants engaged in highly stimulating conversations during Weekend in Boca II, the Office Depot Foundation's Civil Society Leadership Symposium that took place from December 11-13 in Boca Raton, Fla. One participant referred to the experience as "an amazing learning and networking opportunity."
The lively and timely discussions were facilitated by Stephen Jordan, senior vice president and executive director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center; Jay Hein, president of the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research; and Mary Wong, president of the Office Depot Foundation. In addition, special presentations were made by Mark Dobosz, executive director of the SCORE Foundation; Barry Anderson, interim president of Gifts In Kind International; and the American Heart Association. A bus tour of Boca Raton and Delray beach focused on community development issues and gave participants the chance to observe similarities and distinctions between the two adjacent, but markedly different, communities.
Among the highlights of the presentations and roundtable discussions:
▪ An exploration of the essential elements of "four-dimensional sustainability" - economic viability, environment, social cohesion and cultural context.
▪ The importance of understanding the 80-20 rule: that one or two social improvements can lead to significant economic benefits.
▪ Identification of key elements of strategic collaboration, including articulating the value of civil society organizations to the government and business sectors; creating a "spider web of connection" and win-win partnerships; building nontraditional relationships between large corporations and small grassroots organizations, and vice versa; and encouraging funder-organized initiatives (corporate, foundation and government) to support consolidation and collaboration.
▪ Delineation of ways to enhance strategic management, such as having clear, achievable objectives and measurable performance indicators; focusing intently on programming; prioritizing "critical" services; and creating a diverse board of individuals with expertise in all the areas needed for effective strategic management.
A white paper that summarizes and builds on the discussions during Weekend in Boca II will be published in mid-2009 and will be available on this site at that time.
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