Susan Price is Vice President of the National Center for Family Philanthropy, and a featured keynote speaker at the upcoming SECF Family Foundations Forum in Charleston, SC, May 2-4. Click here for more information and online registration.
I recently returned from a week of storytelling camp. This is a great opportunity offered periodically by a family foundation trustee in Connecticut to a small group staffers from various nonprofits. The camp was led by Donald Davis, a nationally recognized storyteller from North Carolina, who believes that telling stories and listening carefully to others’ stories can further greater understanding and bridge divides among people. He urged us take our time in telling our stories because details paint a clearer picture for the listener. It reminded me of the time a few years ago when I participated in the Southeastern Council’s family foundation forum in Mobile, AL. I was surprised to see on the agenda that the first hour was listed as “Introductions.”
As a bit of a Type A personality who favors fast-paced programs, I couldn’t fathom how it would take that long for the participants to say their names and identify their foundations. Turns out, each one told a little story, combining various pieces of their family’s philanthropic history, their grantmaking and something about a recent success or current challenge. The introductions took up every bit of that hour. And it was the best part of the program! I was enchanted with the passion of the speakers, and Iearned so much about how they go about their work. I shouldn’t have been surprised. We know from research that family foundation representatives who attend conferences tend to rank “networking” a bit higher than “attending concurrent sessions or plenaries,” not because the formal program isn’t valuable, but because connecting with peers can have the biggest payoff over the long term. We want to hear the stories. Some of the best ideas come from other foundations who have “been there, and done that.” Connections made at a conference can last a lifetime. I can’t wait to attend this year’s forum to hear everyone’s stories—in the hall, at a meal, or during a session. Take your time telling them. I’m not in a hurry.
Susan C. Price
Vice President
National Center for Family Philanthropy
I recently returned from a week of storytelling camp. This is a great opportunity offered periodically by a family foundation trustee in Connecticut to a small group staffers from various nonprofits. The camp was led by Donald Davis, a nationally recognized storyteller from North Carolina, who believes that telling stories and listening carefully to others’ stories can further greater understanding and bridge divides among people. He urged us take our time in telling our stories because details paint a clearer picture for the listener. It reminded me of the time a few years ago when I participated in the Southeastern Council’s family foundation forum in Mobile, AL. I was surprised to see on the agenda that the first hour was listed as “Introductions.”
As a bit of a Type A personality who favors fast-paced programs, I couldn’t fathom how it would take that long for the participants to say their names and identify their foundations. Turns out, each one told a little story, combining various pieces of their family’s philanthropic history, their grantmaking and something about a recent success or current challenge. The introductions took up every bit of that hour. And it was the best part of the program! I was enchanted with the passion of the speakers, and Iearned so much about how they go about their work. I shouldn’t have been surprised. We know from research that family foundation representatives who attend conferences tend to rank “networking” a bit higher than “attending concurrent sessions or plenaries,” not because the formal program isn’t valuable, but because connecting with peers can have the biggest payoff over the long term. We want to hear the stories. Some of the best ideas come from other foundations who have “been there, and done that.” Connections made at a conference can last a lifetime. I can’t wait to attend this year’s forum to hear everyone’s stories—in the hall, at a meal, or during a session. Take your time telling them. I’m not in a hurry.
Susan C. Price
Vice President
National Center for Family Philanthropy
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