Colorado Conversations 2002: April 25

With a diverse group of Denver regional leaders in attendance, Colorado Conversations continued to provide engaging dialogues around Denver's most critical issues. At the fourth program series on Thursday, April 25th, Dr. Sara E. Melendez, president and CEO of Independent Sector, delivered a keynote address titled, "Have Non-Profits Become the Engine of Social Change?". She challenged the leaders of Denver to talk more about the importance of "The Sector" and its unique role in our democracy.

Dr. Melendez suggested that "The Sector", is unique to our society and IS the engine for social change. The role of "The Sector" is to be the social engineers or the incubators of new ideas and to provide the social risk capitol in our society. She added that "The Sector" provides the civic space for different groups to come together with similar issues to pursue the public interest.

"The Sector" Dr. Melendez stated, is a large component of our democracy.

Recently "The Sector" has received more attention because of the increasing amounts of revenue it has generated, the media attention it has attracted and the influence it has upon policy. "The Sector" employs 8% of the labor force, and welcomes volunteers from 44% of the population in the United States.

It also faces a variety of challenges in this day and age; like increasing need in the population, decreasing resources due to the depressed economy, decreased government spending on social services and increasing competition among agencies.

Small group discussions at Colorado Conversations focused on how "The Sector" can inform social change and increase citizen participation at the local and national level.

To further expand on the Denver Region's critical issues and how to begin addressing each in a collaborative and effective way, David D. Chrislip, author and Principal of Skillful Means will speak at the fifth and final Colorado Conversation session on Thursday, May 9th. He will be addressing "Redefining Community Leadership: New Ways to Get Things Done".

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Meeting 4 Notes:

View notes from the small group discussion