The Appalachia Funders Network 3^rd Annual Gathering

Accelerating the Economic Transition of Central Appalachia

Promising Sectors * Entrepreneurial Supports * Community Capacity

This two-day participatory Gathering brings together grantmakers who are interested in investing in the economic transition of Central Appalachia.

Key objectives of the Gathering:

• Learn about & analyze key issues, opportunities and challenges to deepen our collective understanding around how to advance the economic transition of Central Appalachia.
  
• Build relationships & trust between Network members to foster deeper partnerships and innovative collaboration efforts across the region.
• Strengthen the Network by defining a structure that meets the needs of our membership.

Agenda Overview

Tuesday, March 27 - 6:30pm-9:30pm

Pre-Conference Cultural Learning & Exchange

Exciting Update: Renowned "Storyteller, Gatherer," Paula Larke will emcee this evening's festivities!  Expect a variety of Appalachian musicians, contra dancers, artists and many more!

Our pre-conference event will celebrate Appalachia’s diverse cultural heritage, while inspiring a collective appreciation of the wealth of creativity in this region. This event will ground our Gathering with a deeper understanding of our region’s cultural assets and its relationship to fostering economic development in rural communities. Come early to meet other funders and practitioners in a fun and relaxed setting.

• Pre-conference event fee is an additional $25

• Early Bird Registration from 5pm to 6:15pm at the Historic Boone Tavern

• Cultural Event will include a reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres

 Wednesday, March 28 - 8:30am-5:30pm

Learning & Analysis between Grantmakers & Practitioners

This day will focus on open & honest dialogue between grantmakers and practitioners around our Gathering themes – promising sectors, entrepreneurial supports and community capacity building.

• The morning agenda will start with grounding ourselves in this notion of economic transition. What is it? Why is it important? What role does the Network play in supporting Appalachia’s economic transition?

• Participants will choose among options for a field visit to connect with practitioners who are engaging in economic development work in local communities. 

• Join together for lunch with our keynote speaker and share reflections on our field visits.

• Our two afternoon panel discussions will focus on exploring the entrepreneurial supports and community capacity required to advance promising sectors. These panels will offer a variety of unique perspectives from researchers, practitioners, students and business professionals who all work closely around our discussion topics. Attendees will breakout into small groups to discuss topics more intimately and then return as a whole to offer reflections and critical perspectives. 

• The day’s activities will conclude with a networking reception featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine at the Historic Boone Tavern.

Thursday, March 29 - 8:30am-2:00pm

Strengthening the Network

This day will be dedicated to critical discussions about how to move our work forward as a Network and agree on a common agenda. We will take advantage of having the space and time together to openly reflect on these and other questions:

• How can we best structure and support a funder-driven network to meet the needs of our membership?

• What kind of governance will ensure accountable and timely decisions, and an engaged and supported membership?  

• How can we capture and measure the success of our Network’s activities and our collective impact on Appalachian transition?

**The conference will close with a collective understanding of our work ahead.

Gathering Details

Gathering Location: Historic Boone Tavern - 100 Main Street, Berea, Kentucky 40403

Pre-Conference Cultural Exchange: Appalachian Center at Berea College - 101 Chestnut Street, Berea, Kentucky 40403

Hotel Information: Discounted rooms for Gathering attendees are reserved at the Historic Boone Tavern for $79 per night. Attendees are responsible for their own reservations. Please call 1.859.985.3700 and reserve your room under the “Appalachia Funders Network.” Or, click here to make an online reservation and enter the Group ID: 41573.

Space Is Limited: RSVP as soon as possible.

Gathering Fees: $150 registration fee to defray the costs of the Gathering. Participants will be responsible for their own traveling and lodging expenses. An additional $25 registration fee is required for the pre-conference cultural exchange.

Who Should Attend? The Appalachia Funders Network is open to grantmakers who are interested in investing in the economic transition of Central Appalachia. Please forward this invitation to anyone who meets this criteria.

Resources: For up-to-date information about the Appalachia Funders Network and the 2012 Gathering, please visit www.appalachiafunders.org. You can also click here to join our social networking site!

***By signing up to attend the Appalachia Funders Network's 3rd Annual Gathering, you are giving the Network permission to use your photograph or other likeness with or without your name, and for any lawful purpose related to the mission of the Appalachia Funders Network.