EDWARD A. SMITH DISTINGUISHED

LECTURE SERIES and AWARDS PROGRAM

Click here for the Summary Report of the last scheduled event for this series

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Every year, nonprofit and community leaders come together to participate in a special day of discourse and learning, including a thought-provoking presentation by a cutting-edge leader who will challenge us to see our community and its opportunities in new ways. This year's Distinguished Lecturer, David Cohen, is Co-Director of the Advocacy Institute, Co-Chair of the Advocacy Institute Board and one of its two founders. David pioneered the Institute's work in its international capacity building programs where he facilitates workshop and strategy sessions. His expertise is used to counsel social justice movement groups in the U.S. and abroad to gain support for their public agenda.

Nonprofit organizations can no longer trust that the rightness of their cause will generate enough community or legislative support to make a difference.  In a noisy and chaotic world, it is essential that nonprofit leaders have the capacity to tell their stories in a compelling and effective manner.  This year’s Edward A. Smith Distinguished Lecturer is David Cohen, Co-Founder and Co-Director of The Advocacy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that prepares others in the nonprofit community to effectively advocate for their mission – to effectively communicate in ways that can build public will, inform legislative and community debate, and shape public policy. 

David Cohen is an engaging speaker and nonprofit leader, known nationally and internationally for his skills in preparing nonprofits to tell their stories and shape community thinking.  In addition to making the case for the role of advocacy in nonprofit effectiveness and success, David Cohen will provide information and tools to help nonprofit leaders understand how to legally and effectively engage in an ongoing program of advocacy.  Included in this program will be a discussion of ways to overcome the challenges of mobilizing your board and volunteers, and a set of resource tools that nonprofits can use to inform and organize their own efforts.   We strongly encourage you and your board leaders to join us for this timely and engaging program.  Never has there been a time when nonprofits needed to be more able to tell their stories!

During the noon luncheon of this eighth Day of Learning, we also will recognize five exemplary leaders with the 2004 Edward A. Smith Awards for Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership.  These awards will honor the legacy of Kansas City civic leader, Edward Smith, by recognizing the following leaders from Kansas City and around the nation: Dr. Elbert Cole (Kansas City Nonprofit Executive Leadership); Ms. Mamie Hughes (Kansas City Nonprofit Volunteer Leadership); Mr. Robert West (Kansas City Nonprofit Volunteer Leadership); Ms. Angela Blanchard (Nonprofit Executive Leadership); Mr. Al Ward  (Nonprofit Volunteer Leadership).