(CSC) gathered in Chicago last month before the official kickoff of the Points of Light Conference. The conversations were lively with folx reconnecting with peers and making new connections.
Although we stay connected via virtual meetings year-round, some of the best learning and inspiration comes from our in-person events. When we gather,
always flow from our guest speakers and peer conversations. I was scribbling fast notes to keep up with the great thoughts shared by our dynamic speakers, many of whom – like me – are Chicagoans and all of whom are doing good in the world, whether that is through academia, social entrepreneurship, filmmaking, storytelling or business.
More than 100 of us packed the room to hear from Dr. Nicholas Pearce, clinical professor of management and organizations at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and founder and CEO of
; and a panel moderated by Marianna Ruiz, executive vice president and executive creative director at Edelman, featuring Brenda Robinson, head of film finance and inclusion strategies at HiddenLight Productions, Diane Quon, producer at Quonco Productions, Mark Mitten, founding and managing partner of Mitten Media, and Nate Clark, global director of corporate social responsibility at John Deere and president of the John Deere Foundation.
Here are just a few of the top takeaways from our time together:
Pursue Purpose as a Pathway
Staying connected to your purpose, particularly as a CSR professional, is a daily pursuit. We must “connect soul to role,” said Dr. Pearce, and really do the work we are built for as individuals. And even when you have connected soul to role, rest is essential. It’s not a reward we earn after working until exhaustion; we have to work from and out of rest, not for it. On the days when your work feels like an uphill climb, when a program isn’t having the impact you hoped or the business integration you know matters isn’t materializing, that’s when you most need to reconnect to purpose.
Learn and Lead Locally
Real and sustainable change happens at the hyperlocal level, but only if we start by listening and learning from the community. As CSR and employee volunteer programs go to scale or become global, the voices of the local nonprofits and neighborhood leaders can get lost, leading to systemic inequities going unaddressed. Jahmal Cole shared some powerful reminders about why the grassroots connection is key and encouraged all of us to conduct community asset maps before seeking to partner or program in a geography.
Stories on the Screen = Social Impact
Films can make us think or act differently, and that’s especially true for documentary projects that introduce us to new places, people, and realities. As panelist Brenda Robinson said, “The first thing we [filmmakers] look at is how to you change minds and hearts with art.” CSC member John Deere is one company that has leveraged filmmaking for social impact (learn about America’s volunteer fire service in
), but even if your company never makes a documentary, there are some transferable storytelling lessons all of us can learn from. One that’s stuck with me: storytelling is about listening and learning, and that’s the foundation for high-impact social action, and it can come in many forms, like your internal corporate newsletter, a panel conversation, a first-person share from a colleague or nonprofit partner, or even a social media post.
New Corporate Service Council Chair, Anita Whitehead, president and chair of the KPMG US Foundation in conversation with Dr. Nicholas Pearce, clinical professor of management and organizations at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and founder and CEO of The Vocati Group.
In our time together, we also announced our next Corporate Service Council chair: Anita Whitehead, president and chair of the KPMG US Foundation. Since the CSC started in 2005, our chair companies have played a critical role in leading the council and ensuring that we continue bringing together top brands, purpose-driven leaders and subject matter experts.
I’m looking forward to gathering with all the forward-thinking and purpose-driven CSC members at our next events to keep the conversation going. And if you want to be in the room where all this inspiration and learning happens,
Building Collaborative Networks for Social Impact: Insights from the 2023 PreConference
“My challenge to all of us is this: to have the courage to reclaim a healthy public square that calls us to come together and to use our collective power to care for each other,” said Daniel O. Ash, president of Field Foundation of Illinois, at his opening keynote for the 2023 PreConference in Chicago, hosted by KPMG and sponsored by UPS.
It was an inspirational way to kick-off conversations with the
, reinforcing the value of their own efforts as leaders in societal-changing social impact work in communities around the world.
The day continued with informative breakout sessions, led by members of Points of Light’s Global Network Assembly. Sessions ranged from Disaster Management, facilitated by Chris Cameron of HandsOn New Orleans to Corporate Activation Goals & Strategies, facilitated by Jay Cranman of HandsOn Atlanta to Engaging Volunteers in
led by Rob Pabon of Chicago Cares. Attendees then moved to a second round of sessions with Assembly Chair Vanessa Diamond, Greater Richmond Community Foundation and Assembly Co-chair Julia Aramendi, Volies, building collaboration and offering opportunities for networking.
Day one ended with a fireside chat on “The Power of Networks as Change Makers,” which I had the privilege of facilitating with
(IAVE) CEO Nichole Cirillo.
“Networks are the key to resiliency,” said Cirillo. “The more people who use a network, the better and stronger it becomes.”
She went on to challenge perceptions of volunteerism sharing that, “volunteerism has shifted from civic duty to systems change Our younger generation is flipping the perception from civic duty to civic dissent.”
Cirillo emphasized how volunteering is finding the solution and delivering it to solve a societal problem. She also touched upon the importance of connecting the work to on the ground impact. We ended the day with her encouragement to take chances to reach one’s full potential.
“Failure is how we change and grow,” she said. And those words proved especially true later that same night.
“An excellent plan. What could possibly go wrong?”
— Kristina DaSilva, COO, HANDSON BROWARD, describing a moment in her career at Failure Night 2023.
Failure Night hosted by Tim Atkins at HandsOn Atlanta was a raucous gathering of Points of Light affiliates who came together to share their biggest failures, reminding us that failing is an essential part of learning and growing. The crowd represented, shoring up the presenters with warm laughter and understanding. Five brave leaders embraced vulnerability and shared their tales of failure, accompanied by valuable lessons learned:
I did my best to use humor with a healthy dose of humility to expose the hazards of ignoring stakeholder instructions and placing all your bets on hope.
Kristina da Silva, CEO at HandsOn Broward, shed light on the unpredictable nature of events, emphasizing that they often take on a life of their own, deviating from carefully crafted plans
Rosie Drumgoole, chief programs officer at Chicago Cares, imparted the vital message that neglecting self-care should never be an option.
Alana Jorge, operations director of Atados, divulged the consequences of picking the worst possible timing for an event—during the World Cup and elections, for example—reminding us timing is everything.
Stephen Davalos, vice president of external affairs at L.A. Works, demonstrated the repercussions of chasing grand ambitions while ignoring the subtle cues conveyed by the universe ultimately resulting in an overwhelming array of headaches.
Day two began with the group hearing “Bright Spot” stories from leaders worldwide as they showcased their impactful work, including that of Riakos Adams from
. More breakout sessions followed, ranging from Effective International Expansion and Engagement with Leila Saad and Stephen Joseph of Common Impact to How to Expand Your Impact and Reach Through Building up Your Network with Hannah Wojno & Kaynan Rabino from Ruach Tova.
PreConference ended with a historical first-ever shared luncheon between Global Network affiliate and the Points of Light Board of Directors. Board members, including Neil Bush, Nikki Clifton and Jeff Hoffman, mixed and mingled with affiliates. Lunch concluded with a fireside chat between Points of Light Board Member Michelle Gavin and Points of Light Interim CEO Diane Quest that focused on shared learnings from the Global Gathering in Brazil.
Gavin noted that it was a privilege spending time with affiliates and added, “It was like a cup of coffee in the morning. It was a jolt of energy that made me excited for the future of the organization.”
, who has given the last 13 years to supporting and building her community.
The event ended with palpable excitement, an invitation to Warsaw Poland February 4–10 in 2024 for the Global Gathering, and a reinforcement of the power the Points of Light Global Network, especially when its members connect and learn in person, together.
2023 Points of Light Conference Recap
The City of Chicago graciously welcomed more than 1,200 attendees to the 2023
on June 14–16. The annual gathering attracted social impact experts from nonprofits and corporations from around the world. With more than 50 educational workshops, inspirational leadership discussions and opportunities to connect with peers, conference offered something for every champion of social good.
“All of you represent a bright point of light for our country and for our future,” Neil Bush, board chair of Points of Light, said to attendees.
The Voices of Opening Plenary Spoke With Conviction
This year’s all-conference Opening Plenary featured global leaders and special guests, including influencers and entertainers who exemplified Chicago’s vibrant history and culture. Attendees enjoyed moving conversations that explored how our lives have changed amidst the complex challenges we’re collectively working to solve.
Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, co-founder of Chicago Mahogany Foundation opened conference by sharing his own story of how he found the motivation to learn the streets of his hometown — his father’s requirement that he know his way around in order to use the family car. That was Thomas’ first step into becoming a Chicago historian. He would go on to learn that Chicago’s diagonal streets are often former indigenous trails. He shared that Jean Baptiste Point du Sable was the first permanent non-Indigenous settler of the city, and how Ida B. Wells, known for her anti-lynching work, spent four decades in Chicago championing the Light of Truth Monument, righting wrongs by turning the light of truth on them.
, Community Builder at South Side Weekly, moved the audience to tears by sharing their poem Sequoia, which drew parallels between the striking features of giant redwoods and Black, Indigenous and people of color, and underscored the message that we must lead change today by leaning into the past.
agreed that, “In every community there is a social fabric that knits people together.”
“Your voice matters. Raise your voice. Listen, act and refine,” said
, board chair, Points of Light, added, “It’s impressive to me that more and more companies are embracing a culture of service. This is a crucial and important driver for the service sector.”
All that in just the Opening Plenary. The conference went on to highlight so much more.
Sessions for Every Social Impact Leader
Conference continued with more than 50 workshops designed especially for social impact leaders. There was something for every social impact expert. Some of the highlights included:
Deconstructing Privilege to Reimagine Equity, which explored how the United States’ roots in a frontier mentality, stealing land and developing a capitalistic economic system based on chattel slavery and examines how we have all been colonized within varying cultural norms. Presenters then helped the audience develop a strategic plan to aid in deconstructing dominating postures and lean toward reframing individual personal ways.
Engaging Older Adults in Service and Volunteerism posed the questions, why is it important to engage older adults in national service and volunteerism? What new information is out there that will help you be effective in recruiting and retaining older adults? How can you apply these learnings to your everyday work? Attendees learned how our society is aging, what older adults are looking for in volunteer and national service opportunities, and how to meet their needs.
Intersection of Skills Based Volunteering and Talent Development challenged attendees to unleash the superpowers of employees to develop skills-based volunteering programming that meets both their development and social impact goals. Audience members walked away with the next steps needed to build a skills-based volunteering programming with buy-in from stakeholders across their companies and their communities.
Some of the most valued sessions included two Civic Talks, one on Perspectives on Health Equity: How Hyper-local and Global Strategies Align, the other around Building Community Equity: Disaster Preparedness, Response and Resilience. The first of these all-conference sessions explored the complexities of health equity and connections to systemic racism and social, economic, environmental and cultural determinants of health. Attendees learned about frameworks for collaboration that drive systemic change, hyper-local strategies and actions that advance health equity.
The second conversation delved into disasters, particularly in low-income communities, the challenges of necessarily complex multi-organizational strategies for revitalization, and how a reactive versus proactive response from the public and private sectors can deter revitalization.
Throughout the entirety of conference, celebrating the diversity of Chicagoland, Points of Light partnered with
to bring a community-designed and driven service project where every attendee could engage. This activity had participants creating a special mosaic mural for the Belmont Cragin community. This project offered attendees an opportunity to learn more about the importance of place-keeping and how this public art piece supports the community’s branding initiative, highlighting local businesses and encouraging economic development.
Closing Plenary wrapped up the event by featuring inspirational stories from young civic leaders who demonstrate that age has no limit in addressing the issues facing our world, moderated by Tina Tchen, executive vice president and chief strategy and impact officer, Obama Foundation. The four panelists talked about their experiences in community building and social impact work.
Miracle Scott Hale described how her mother’s activism was an example she follows today. Christopher Eubanks, Jr. works with Urban Male Network and talked about why he gives back to his community to give others a way out.
“It’s all about your environment,” he said. “I had options and opportunity. So many people don’t.”
Nylana Murphy is a tribal member of the Navajo Nation and serves as a student mentor and an advocate for Native Students in STEM. She is currently a NASA intern at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.
“What really defines the road to success is your passion,” said Murphy.
JahkilJackson is the founder of Project I Am, a nonprofit organization he created when he was eight years old to build awareness around homelessness.
“Community really isn’t the environment around us, it’s the people,” he shared.
As she wrapped the session, Tchen pointed out the group’s four big takeaways for the audience: do something you love, ask questions, connect with others and try something new.
The culmination of were remarks from Emmy and Critics Choice Award winning actress, who currently stars on ABC Networks Abbott Elementary,Sheryl Lee Ralph. She engaged the audience with singing and words of inspiration.
“In these dark times, take time to be a light not just for yourself but for others,” she said.
Corporate Social Responsibility in the Spotlight
The Corporate Service Council Meeting welcomed Dr. Nicholas Pearce, CEO and founder of The Vocati Group, who urged audience members to, “Connect your soul to your role.” He encouraged them to stay the course because CSR work takes time, patience, perseverance and rest.
Attendees also heard from Jahmal Cole, CEO and founder of My Block My Hood My City.
His best advice: “Do an asset map of a community before you go in.”
He encouraged people to be thoughtful in assessing who the social impact leaders are in a given community and determine what resources they have versus what they need to fully support the community.
The session wrapped with Storytelling for Social Impact: Inspiring Action Through Film and Media, featuring Nate Clark, global director, corporate social responsibility & president, John Deere Foundation, John Deere; Mark Mitten, Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning documentary film producer; Diane Quon, producer, Quonco Productions; and Brenda Robinson, head of film finance and inclusion strategies, HiddenLight Productions.
“The first thing we look at is how do you change minds and hearts with art,” said Robinson.
The Business Summit covered Civility & Civic Engagement: The Opportunity for Business to Help Find Common Ground, Inside and Outside Your Company. The panel included Moderator Bruce Bond, co-founder and CEO of Common Ground Committee; Pamela Everhart, senior vice president, regional public affairs and community relations at Fidelity Investments; Nick Nottoli, director, reputation management and insights at Allstate; Clarita Santos, executive director of corporate and civic partnerships at BCBSIL; and Maryam Banikarim, founder and Managing Partner of MaryamB.
The group discussed how communities around the globe are increasingly faced with diverse political, economic and social pressures. Meanwhile, companies are stepping into uncharted roles as leaders and advocates in civic engagement and community-building. This session explored how businesses – especially CSR leaders – are using their resources, time, talent and voice to encourage civic action and thoughtful dialogue that illuminates common ground and unity.
That’s a Wrap for ‘23
Overall, the 2023 Points of Light Conference welcomed over 1,200 people, all of whom shared a purpose to change the world collectively, each by doing their own part. Attendees networked, shared their expertise and best practices, and listened and learned throughout. One attendee summed up their experience by saying:
“I always enjoy the inspiration I take home after being around so many like-minded individuals. I enjoyed our smaller group breakout sessions and the opportunity to hear from some inspirational speakers.”
6 Points of Light Conference Speakers You Don’t Want to Miss
2023. While we’re getting ready behind the scenes, changemakers from all over the world are gathering in Chicago for this power-packed event.
The Points of Light Conference is an annual gathering for changemakers who are passionate about civic engagement. The event includes over 50 workshops with actionable takeaways led by industry experts, as well as the opportunity to connect with 1,000+ fellow changemakers in the nonprofit, business and government spheres from all 50 U.S. states and nations around the globe.
This year’s preconference, which starts today, will feature two engaging days of networking, learning sessions and activities, for
Member-led discussions on cutting edge strategies.
Engaging talks by dynamic speakers.
Reflective sessions on building healthy, sustainable and impactful organizations.
Networking opportunities to spark new collaborations.
Failure Night, where we connect with each other and turn failure into triumph.
The main conference will start June 14, and here are some of the speakers you can expect to hear from if you’re attending, or if you choose to subscribe to
, you can catch the main stage sessions plus special content recorded especially for on-demand access starting June 20. Points of Light is proud to partner with these experts in social impact and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to present inspiring, educational and timely content that will help equip you and your organization to continue creating change.
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Emmy-Award Winner, Singer, Producer and Activist
From bringing characters to life on screen, performing on Broadway, producing, landing the title of national bestselling author with her literary debut, and her deep-rooted philanthropic endeavors which touch lives across the world, Emmy Award Winner, Tony Award nominee, NAACP Image Award nominee and Independent Spirit Award winner Sheryl Lee Ralph has become a staple in the entertainment industry, with an acclaimed career spanning over three decades. Sheryl can currently be seen starring on ABC’s smash hit comedy series Abbott Elementary opposite Quinta Brunson. Read more about Sheryl’s unique use of the arts in HIV/AIDS activism and other efforts.
Johnny Cupcakes, CEO & Brand Hysteria Expert
At the age of 19, Johnny Cupcakes was the founder of the world-renowned t-shirt brand, Johnny Cupcakes. Today, he is known for helping companies create blueprints for building brand loyalty, creating memorable experiences and inspiring innovation. With stores across the globe and high-profile collaborations with giants such as The Simpsons, Power Rangers, and Nickelodeon, Johnny was named America’s #1 Young Entrepreneur by Business Week, Top Innovator in Retail by The Boston Globe, and featured in INC magazine as the CEO of one of the world’s fastest growing independent businesses. Read more about how Johnny is helping some of the world’s largest companies rally toward real, sustainable change.
Neil Bush, chair, Points of Light
Neil Bush is an international business expert who is active in service. He serves as chair of the Points of Light board of directors, where he expands the vision of his father, President George H.W. Bush, to inspire, equip and mobilize people to action that changes the world. This work increases capacity for vital social services and for innovative solutions that lift individuals, strengthen families and renew communities. Read more about Neil’s involvement with Points of Light and other philanthropic efforts.
Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps
Michael D. Smith is the eighth CEO of AmeriCorps. He was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate in 2021. CEO Smith has dedicated his career to social justice and public service focused on reducing barriers and expanding opportunity for underserved children and communities. Before taking the helm of AmeriCorps, CEO Smith served as executive director of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and director of Youth Opportunity Programs at the Obama Foundation. He also served in the Obama White House as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of Cabinet affairs. Read more about how Michael is elevating unity through service at AmeriCorps.
Nikki Clifton, president, Social Impact and The UPS Foundation
Nikki leads UPS’s global philanthropy, social impact and community affairs efforts as part of the UPS Corporate Affairs, Communications and Sustainability team. She oversees the company’s efforts to respond to the world’s most pressing social, humanitarian and environmental needs. Nikki has been instrumental in UPS’s response to human rights and social justice issues, including spearheading and coordinating UPS’s anti-human trafficking awareness and education. Her Ted Talk, “3 Ways Businesses Can Fight Sex Trafficking,” has garnered more than 1.5 million views. Read more about how Nikki is helping to dismantle systemic racism through strategic internal and external engagement.
Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, Co-Founder, Chicago Mahogany Foundation
Chicago historian Shermann Thomas, or Dilla, as he is affectionately called, is a fascinating blend of modern historian, cultural worker and public employee. Dilla has become a Chicago social media sensation by going viral on TikTok. His 60-second history videos on everything Chicago have been viewed over 8 million times, and he has amassed a following of 150K followers across all platforms. Dilla has been featured on all manner of Chicago media and has also appeared nationally on both The Today Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Dilla is a proud lifelong resident of Chicago’s South side. Read more about how Dilla is exemplifying Chicago’s vibrant history and culture through media.
The Points of Light Conference starts on June 14, but you can still register for On Demand, which allows you to watch the main stage sessions and specially curated workshops beginning on June 21! Head over to the Points of Light Conference page to learn more and sign up.
3 Reasons to Attend the Points of Light Conference This Year
2023 is a gathering for changemakers, like you, who are passionate about civic engagement. With over 50 workshops with actionable takeaways led by industry experts, and the opportunity to connect with 1,000+ fellow changemakers in the nonprofit, business and government spheres from all 50 U.S. states and nations around the world… this opportunity is not one to be missed!
There are plenty of
The Points of Light Conference is known for being a power-packed event full of inspiration and education from industry-leading experts. Our Opening Plenary offers an engaging lineup of social impact experts to support and inform the individuals, companies and organizations all rallying toward real, sustainable change. Participate in workshops on advancing equity and inclusivity, training and engaging volunteers, successfully partnering with other organizations, measuring impact and more.
So Much to Explore at Conference
Conference Attendees: Last chance to register for the Idea Exchange Dinners, specially curated conversations hosted by Points of Light and Chicago Cares.
Civic Engagement Leadership Summit: A Theatre Stage Page Metaphor for Leadership
Civility & Civic Engagement: The Opportunity for Business to Help Find Common Ground, Inside and Outside Your Company
The Hidden Power of Purpose: A Special Screening and Discussion with AARP: This feature-length documentary film offers inspiring stories with the latest scientific research, interweaving insights from the world’s leading health experts whose work affirms that living a life of purpose and living longer are inextricably intertwined. Join members of the AARP Purpose Prize team following this special screening for a discussion about applying your lived experiences to find your purpose in life.
Enjoy moving conversations that explore how our lives have changed amidst the complex challenges we’re collectively working to solve. Hear from Sheryl Lee Ralph, Emmy-Award Winning Star of ABC’s Abbott Elementary, singer, producer and activist; Johnny Cupcakes, CEO and brand hysteria expert; Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps; Neil Bush, board chair, Points of Light; Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, historian and founder, Chicago Mahogany Foundation, and more.
Digital Offerings
This year, you have the chance to get real-time access to anything and everything about the 2023 Points of Light Conference with our complimentary app. Download it by clicking this link on your mobile device to view sessions at a glance, read details about each one and “favorite” those you plan to attend. You can also send messages and network with colleagues within the app, as well as view a venue map of the conference space.
Can’t attend in person in Chicago and still looking to ensure you’re up to date on the latest ideas and trends in social impact? Our on-demand option is perfect for you. You can choose from 20+ sessions including exclusive, new workshop content just for on-demand access, replays of our mainstage moments and access to top-rated sessions from our 2022 Points of Light Conference.
Enjoy learning and professional development — in your location of choice and on your schedule — while getting a taste of what the Points of Light Conference offers. If you are attending in person, you will have access to all of the on-demand content as part of your registration. Access to on-demand content will be available from June 21–Sept 30.
from June 14 to 16, 2023. With lake and city views and walkability to many attractions around town, you’ll be right in the center of all the action. Plus, Points of Light Conference attendees can unlock
just by showing their conference badge at select attractions, restaurants and events, from the Museum of Contemporary Art to the Chicago Cubs to the Hard Rock Café.
If you’re looking for things to do while you’re in Chicago, take notes from the experts. Three
are co-hosting this year’s event, and we asked them for input on some of their “can’t miss” Chicago foods, experiences.
Ready to get registered? Head over to the Points of Light Conference page to reserve your spot and get the education, tools and networking you need to reignite your passion so you can continue to drive real and sustained change.
Points of Light Conference 2023 Co-hosts Talk Inspiration, Impact and Ideas
, happening June 14 – 16, 2023 in Chicago, is a global gathering for people, like you, who are passionate about civic engagement. With more than 50 educational workshops, inspirational leadership discussions and opportunities to connect with peers, this conference offers something for every champion of social good.
Back in November, we chatted with
on everything from what inspired them to participate as co-hosts to this year’s special service project at conference.
What inspired you to co-host the Points of Light Conference in 2023?
Chicago Cares:
Chicago Cares believes service is a building block of a just and inclusive society and an essential part of how we gain civic literacy and build civic leadership. Service brings people power to the work of change and builds bridges across differences that are the foundation of a healthy society. Co-hosting the Points of Light Conference in Chicago is a concrete way we invest in service.
HandsOn Suburban Chicago:
It is an honor to bring together so many talented people who want to influence positive change in the world—having the opportunity to share Chicago its unique experiences, beautiful architecture, incredible cultures and fabulous neighborhoods and provide a memorable experience in the Windy City.
What are some of the KEY THEMES AND TOPICS that you’re excited to explore during the conference?
Chicago Cares:
Across the themes and topics, we are excited to talk about collective action! We believe service isn’t service if we do it alone. Service is a commitment to acting together. When we are more deeply bound to one another socially and civically, transformational change is possible. Many of the workshops and sessions encourage us to refocus on the work for collective impact. Where can we come together in new and different ways? Where can we take risks together and build our power together? What can service make possible? We anticipate powerful learning and rich dialogue together.
How have past conferences helped attendees to make a positive impact in their communities, and what is a success story that you can share?
HandsOn Suburban Chicago:
Being reinvigorated and refreshed, brainstorming and learning about ways different communities and cultures can use a similar idea with very different results, can be amazing. Sometimes the big lessons are to learn from mistakes or missteps of others, to ask additional questions, create bridges and explore ways to move forward. Last year during “Failure Night,” I was reminded of the importance of looking at all of the people involved in communication when making changes to a program. Thanks to the genuine sharing of one of our leaders, I was able to make a swift change before any potential miscommunications happened.
What are some of the unique features of the 2023 conference, and what sets it apart from other events in the civic engagement space?
Chicago Cares:
Whether it’s the Conversation Igniters, the Idea Exchange Dinners or the integration of arts and culture into the event, Chicago’s conference will be a one-of-a-kind experience for a one-of-a-kind city. Chicago has a rich history and legacy of innovative and powerful civic engagement. We are home to so many civic champions and leaders and so many cutting-edge and impactful organizations. As a result, the tapestry of civic engagement work is woven from a great diversity of stories, histories and activities which will be on full display at the Points of Light Conference. We encourage you to think of Chicago as another teacher from which you can learn. Each neighborhood and community has a story to tell and something to teach us about ourselves and our future.
Share one tip that can help attendees get the most out of the conference.
HandsOn Suburban Chicago:
Think broadly and join workshops outside of your everyday work. This expands new ways of thinking and meeting new people.
Tell us more about the community-designed and driven service project planned for the conference. What kind of activities will attendees participate in and how will this benefit the local community?
Chicago Cares:
Every Chicago Cares service experience is uniquely designed in partnership with local leaders to move community goals forward. We listen directly to our neighbors most connected to the issues and then influence how volunteers and companies serve and give to advance community goals. Chicago Cares and our partners Northwest Side Community Development Corporation in Belmont-Cragin have been working for years to increase public art that celebrates the culture and history of the community while inspiring community pride and new investment, particularly along commercial corridors.
How will the mosaic mural project at conference support the community’s branding initiative and encourage economic development?
Chicago Cares:
The mosaic that conference attendees will support was designed by community members and creates opportunities to draw people into the community to shop at local small businesses, engage with their neighbors and encourage activity along key commercial corridors. The project is an opportunity to support a community-driven, community-designed work of art that supports “place-keeping,” and economic development. Members of the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation corridor ambassador program will be on hand to share more with volunteers.
What advice would you like to offer those considering attending the conference?
HandsOn Suburban Chicago:
Take advantage of the incredible networking opportunities, as well as the knowledge of the people who come together worldwide. I treasure the talented people I have met who are willing to share, because we are all connected with similar visions.
If you haven’t yet registered for
in Chicago, head over to our conference page today! Don’t wait – regular registration ends May 31, 2023.
National Service – Bringing out the Best in America
Points of Light is proud to welcome AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith as a featured guest at the 2023 Points of Light Conference. Learn more about him and the exciting lineup we have planned. Register today!
In 1839, Alexis de Tocqueville came to the United States and reported back to his French contemporaries that Americans are a people who “confronted their problems and addressed them,” and that civic participation is foundational to their form of democracy.
Nearly 200 years later, as we navigate life in the shadow of a global pandemic that pulled back the curtain on deep and lasting inequities, Tocqueville’s words still ring true.
American people continue to show up for their neighbors, continue to volunteer for causes that matter and continue to embrace national service to not only strengthen their communities—but also improve their own lives–whether that’s by gaining skills that give you a leg up in your career, earning money for college or to pay back student loans, decreasing isolation, increasing longevity or improving physical and mental health.
As the CEO of AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteering, I witness this belief in the power of service every day, from all corners of the country. Each year AmeriCorps provides nearly $1 billion in funds to support hundreds of thousands of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers at nonprofits and municipalities that provide evidence-based solutions for children and families in nearly 40,000 locations.
In the period immediately following the earliest cases of COVID-19 in the US, Tocqueville would have seen that 19th-century American spirit of service alive and thriving. At one of our darkest moments, AmeriCorps members, along with countless volunteers, pivoted and provided vital support to more than
, including 2.5 million people at pandemic vaccination sites. And while these members and volunteers were critical, we knew we needed to come up with bigger solutions, which is why, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we launched
to create a pipeline to fill the enormous public health worker shortage, drive more equitable health outcomes, and create career opportunities for people with varying levels of formal education and experience.
The pandemic did not slow the challenges arising from climate change. In the wake of fires, floods, hurricanes and tornados in recent years, AmeriCorps members serving with
have stayed on the ground aiding emergency management response, assisting residents, removing debris and rebuilding homes. The work is not easy, but these members are tireless, well trained and eager to help build communities back better than before disaster. Recently, AmeriCorps members
, from storm surges, flash floods and tornado outbreaks. Members provided urgent help—mucking out homes, temporary roof repair, removing hazardous trees and supporting FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons.
As students and teachers converted to virtual learning in 2020, AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers were right alongside them, stepping up and showing up during one of the most challenging times in recent memory. As schools continue to grapple with learning loss, overcrowded classrooms, and growing childhood mental health challenges, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serving with the Foster Grandparents Program support students, teachers and families in providing the care and attention children need to thrive.
, who serves as a Foster Grandparent volunteer with Puerto Rico’s Cerebral Palsy Center. Guillermo supports children with developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, neurological disorders and multiple severe disabilities to live their best lives. His service helps students in underserved communities integrate into the school, offering tutoring and custom curated curriculums such as social work, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, special education, summer camps and more.
Research and results show that national service is one of the most effective tools we have as a country to build unity, open doors to education and employment and drive social change. In a world that can feel like we’re being torn further apart, or that our problems are eclipsing our promise, AmeriCorps is bringing us together. When you’re joining together to rebuild after disaster, to teach a child to read, to provide food to neighbors in need, ideology tends to go out the window and barriers fade. Through service, we see one another’s humanity.
During the pandemic we saw the number of volunteers decline who were serving formally with a nonprofit as so many community-based organizations had to shut their doors or work in a reduced or virtual capacity. But
. And the numbers of individuals that helped their neighbors—such as going to the grocery store for an elderly neighbor or creating a learning pod for children of essential workers and first responders—stayed strong and steady at pre-pandemic levels.
Tocqueville was right. There is something special about this country of ours. Everyday Americans of all ages, races and walks of like go out of their way to reach out, give back and lift up others. Our nation is stronger as a result—and the individuals who serve are stronger as well. There’s a role for everyone to play:
If you are a corporation, consider joining Employers of National Service and partnering with nonprofit organizations and state service commissions to provide matching dollars to increase benefits for national service members.
If you are a university, consider joining Schools of National Service to attract students with real-world service experience to your degree programs.
If you are running a volunteer center, such as a foodbank or a shelter, AmeriCorps can be a force multiplier to help you reach more people. Consider applying for a grant through AmeriCorps VISTA to bring on additional staff capacity or the Volunteer Generation Fund to help recruit, retain and manage volunteers.
Nonprofit organizations of any size can consider applying for an AmeriCorps State and National grant to make an even bigger impact on your mission.
Michael D. Smith is CEO of AmeriCorps and a featured guest at the 2023 Points of Light Conference. Learn more about him and the exciting lineup we have planned. Register today!
5 Points of Light Conference 2023 Sessions That Will Keep Your Social Impact Work on Trend
is a gathering for social impact professionals who are passionate about civic engagement. It empowers nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders to make a bold impact in their communities, providing the resources and inspiration to do so.
Join us June 14-16, 2023, in Chicago to experience more than 50 workshops with actionable takeaways led by industry experts, four keynote and panel discussions, compelling leadership discussions highlighting best practices and connection with fellow changemakers ready to collaborate and amplify your efforts.
Here are five sessions at this year’s conference that will give you winning strategies, shape the future of CSR, and help save $2 Trillion.
1. CLOSING PLENARY LUNCHEON: LET YOUR LIFE SHINE WITH SHERYL LEE RALPH
Join Sheryl Lee Ralph, Emmy-Award Winning Star of ABC’s Abbott Elementary, singer, producer and activist. She’ll talk about the power of using your voice and tapping into joy to overcome obstacles and facing challenges with positivity. She’ll share insights about the ways that people are looking within themselves for creativity, imagination and lasting energy to make real, sustainable change.
2. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT: THE LEADER AS A PERFORMER AND ACTIVIST
The Civic Engagement Leadership Summit is a dynamic session designed specifically for leaders of nonprofit organizations preparing their organizations for growth and mission success. Attendees will explore how to address complex topics through advocacy, theatrical leadership and the role of the arts as a platform for promoting the well-being and resilience of people and communities. Attendance will be limited, nonprofit leaders must apply after registering for conference.
3. CHANGE YOUR COMPANY, CHANGE YOUR WORLD: MAKING THE MOST OF EMPLOYEE NONPROFIT BOARD SERVICE
What does it mean to serve on a nonprofit board? Benefits to the nonprofit, employee and company can look different, and companies need to find clarity as they prepare their goals and develop a strategy for internal buy in with their nonprofit board service programs. Companies must have a clear vision of how board service helps both internally and externally with their greatest asset: their employees.
This session with Takita Battle will focus on benefits to companies and the nonprofits they work with as they collaborate. The time is now to start thinking and reimagining your Nonprofit Board service.
4. HOW CORPORATIONS CAN LEAD THE CHARGE TO ADVANCE EQUITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY AND SAVE $2 TRILLION ANNUALLY
Join Anu Gupta and Caroline Horste for this discussion on the benefits of building equity within corporations. Social scientists show that racial inequity costs our economy more than $2 trillion annually, and that number doesn’t account for the tremendous suffering it creates in our workplaces and communities.
At a time when diverse communities are drifting farther apart, businesses are uniquely positioned to heal the divides while strengthening their bottom lines. In 2022, BE MORE with Anu, a corporate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) e-training company, established an exclusive partnership with B Lab US & Canada to oversee their network-wide DEIB learning journeys. This partnership with B Lab represents the first full-scale, multi-national DEIB initiative available to all interested companies who have publicly committed to “being a force for public good.”
In this session you’ll learn how CSR professionals and impact-driven corporations can use this case study to adapt a strategic roadmap for partnerships.
5. TRENDS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Corporate Social Responsibility has never been more important or intrinsically linked to business success. Yet, the work is changing rapidly in terms of nomenclature, strategy and who a CSR professional needs to partner with.
Join Lacey Gaitan for this session looking at the
that are most significantly shaping the future of CSR and the everyday work of CSR & ESG professionals. We’ll explore social issues and advocacy, tying CSR to ESG, engaging employees in CSR decisions, equity/trust-based philanthropy, increased collaboration across the organization, growing emphasis on sustainability, increased reliance on data and storytelling and the new volunteerism landscape.
If you haven’t yet registered for the Points of Light Conference 2023, head over to our
is a gathering for changemakers, like you, who are passionate about civic engagement. It empowers nonprofit, NGO, government and business business leaders to make a bold impact in their communities, providing the resources and inspiration to do so.
But how specifically will this year’s conference – taking place in Chicago June 14-16, 2023 – tailor its content to meet each of these audience’s needs? Read on to learn more.
An Inside Look From Our Conference Planners
Our planning team works year-round on this innovative event. So we sat down with them to get a deeper look into the thought and insight that makes the Points of Light Conference the leading event for social impact leaders from around the world.
1. What are you most excited about as you’ve helped plan the content for this year’s conference?
This year’s theme, “Leading Change Together,” exemplifies everything that so many of us have dedicated our lives to doing. I’m excited about the richness of the content and activities we’re planning that offer deep learning about the ways that civic engagement advances social good. From moving keynotes and performances, to workshops, to intentional networking, to showcasing Chicago’s vibrant history and culture, the conference experience is a trifecta of inspiration, education and connection.
2. What will NGO attendees gain from conference?
This year’s conference is a drumbeat toward the expansion beyond volunteerism to include multiple avenues of civic engagement. Attendees will hear from leading voices in areas such as disaster resiliency, grassroots advocacy and volunteer programming. In an increasingly interwoven social sector, where a single challenge is multi-faceted, attendees will learn about best practices focused toward issues such as health equity and social sector leadership.
3. If you could recommend one session that nonprofit and NGO attendees shouldn’t miss, what would it be?
Climate change is already having an impact on our communities pushing us to reconsider strategies for resiliency and community sustainability. Disaster work gets at the core of what it means to address challenges via an equity lens. One of our Civic Talks will feature some of the leading voices in preparedness and response to disaster via an equity lens.
4. What insights will corporate attendees walk away with?
This year’s conference is the optimal opportunity to learn from peers and experts in corporate citizenship. In fact, I highly encourage leaders to consider bringing multiple members of your social impact team because of the diversity in workshops geared toward businesses — you simply can’t be everywhere at once! Some of the themes that attendees will learn more about include advancing equity through civic engagement, connecting skill-based volunteering with talent development, measuring the business and social impacts of both volunteering and giving, board service, and developing and strengthening public-private partnerships to achieve progress – just to name a few!
5. Tell us about one session that is especially compelling for corporate attendees.
One session that I am particularly excited about is led by our partners at True Impact and is centered around measuring the social impact of a company’s CSR strategy without overburdening nonprofit partners. We know that, over the past three years, there has been a movement toward trust-based philanthropy with a company’s grantees and nonprofit partners while CSR leaders are also feeling intense pressure to prove and improve the return on social investments. Although these two things may seem at odds, there is a way to solve for them through collaboration and by determining actionable metrics and smart data collection methods at the outset. I know by attending this workshop, How to Support Your Nonprofit and NGO Partners While Getting the Data You Need: Impact Measurement in a Trust-Based Philanthropy World, attendees will walk away with new ways of measuring what matters and forgoing what doesn’t.
Come to Conference — it’s for All Changemakers
Early Bird Pricing
Points of Light is committed to making conference as accessible as possible. That’s why we’re offering
for the Points of Light Conference 2023. Reserve your spot today and save an average of $100 by registering before March 31. Pricing starts at just $475 for
for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) nonprofit professionals to attend the 2023 Points of Light Conference. There are two levels of scholarship available: the Transformational Scholarship awards $1,782 and covers registration, hotel and funds toward travel and the Capacity Scholarship awards $1,382 and covers registration and hotel.
This opportunity is e. It is available to BIPOC individuals at nonprofit 501c3 organizations based in the U.S. with annual operating budget less than $1 million, and applicants must be 18 or older. Priority will be given to organizations with a minimum of two years of public financials, and applications are open through March 31. If you have questions about the application or scholarship, please contact
The Points of Light Conference supports nonprofit and national service organizations too. In fact, 75% of our attendees are a part of these types of organizations. This year, AmeriCorps’ CEO Michael Smith is a featured speaker. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a top leader and gain the wisdom and inspiration you need to carry your mission forth. With more than 50 educational workshops, inspirational leadership discussions and opportunities to connect with peers, this conference offers something for every champion of social good.
To Increase Civic Engagement, We Must Improve Health Equity
For more than a decade, the conversation of health care access has happened at both our highest levels of government and in small conversations with friends and family at home. These important conversations drove some change, but the pandemic highlighted the deep inequities in health care globally. There is still much to be done.
Points of Light’s Global Civic Engagement Research found that healthcare was the top issue area people said “my country must address.” It was also in the top five issue areas when people were asked what cause they were most personally interested in, with 48% of people saying healthcare was an important cause to them.
In the U.S., health care legislation has been ongoing for years. In the past year in particular, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly capped the cost of insulin, states have limited female reproductive health access and an aging population faces challenges to Medicare and rising health costs.
We know it takes every person becoming civically engaged to create a thriving society. One reason health equity work is critical is because people must feel their basic needs are met before they’re able to further their civic engagement. Research Derrick Feldman refers to it as THE List: transportation, health, employment. “Health insecurity inhibits our ability to remain active and engaged,” said Feldman in the Philanthropy News Digest.
Last week, at the Lake Nona Health Impact Forum, health care industry leaders, scientists, innovators and advocates gathered to talk about ground breaking technology and treatments. But they also acknowledged that, despite the progress, in the U.S. we have taken three steps forward and one step back. Life expectancy for Americans has declined for the last two years. This fact is just one among many other health challenges that we face that highlight how we must find better treatments and cures and open up access.
If we know health impacts civic engagement, how can civic engagement impact health equity? I was struck by the very first panel at the forum – Global Pacesetters for Change – which featured Chelsea Clinton, Lauren Bush Lauren and venture capitalist Noor Sweid. They spoke about using your voice, your vote and your purchase power to create a more just and equitable health care system.
We see people taking actions every day. This year we released our first Daily Point of Light Award annual report and found the issue areas most addressed by our honorees were health, hunger and well-being. This realization led us to explore how Points of Light’s Civic Circle® can play a role in addressing health equity. Our theory of change is that if we take one issue and combine actions on the Civic Circle®, we’ll accelerate change.
Let’s start with listening and learning. In a recent webinar with Tiffany Benjamin, CEO, Humana Foundation, she shared that listening and learning is critical to get into equity work, and you must dive in to meeting the needs of sub-groups in a population. For example, you can’t just address the health needs of the BIPOC community. The needs of a 6-year-old in an urban low-income community and the health needs of a 65-year-old man in a rural town are extremely different. You need to listen to the specific group you’re looking to support.
After listening and learning, realizing specific needs will lead to focused action, and the Civic Circle provides plenty of opportunities to act. You can use your voice to advocate for long-term change while activating volunteers to address short-term needs.
This hyper focus is critical – but so is sharing the learnings. Hearing from others doing the work allows a larger feedback loop of learning, so we can bring ideas to communities and ideate and iterate on solutions.
This year, at the 2023 Points of Light Conference, we’ll have a focus on health equity and have experts and practitioners share what they’re doing in communities around the world. We’ll have speakers on our main stage, including our Civic Talk, “Perspectives on Health Equity: How Hyper-local and Global Strategies Align,” with experts from KPMG, the Metropolitan Planning Council and West Side United, plus many more who are doing the work.
Convenings like our conference create space to listen, learn and take information back to communities we work in. Improving people’s health and access to health care increases their ability to turn their attention to other challenges, which we can increase the power of people to make our communities stronger, more just and equitable places.
Join us at the 2023 Points of Light Conference to learn more about how health equity can take a center role and advance our long-term social impact, and hear from leading experts in volunteer management, civic engagement and more. It will be a robust three days of learning where we can lead change, together.
