This past fall, Center Director, Associate Dean, and Professor of Public Affairs, Steven Rathgeb Smith, began a two-year term as president of ARNOVA, the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action. 

February saw the launch of our inaugural Pacific Northwest Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute.  Envisioned and led by Cory Sbarbaro and former Evans School staff Janna Rolland, this five-day residential program, offered in conjunction with the Cascade Center for Public Service and Leadership, aimed to help our region’s nonprofit executives expand their visionary thinking, capitalize on internal and external forces, and maintain their organizations’ stability and effectiveness. Thanks to the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Medina Foundation, and Social Venture Partners, we were able to offer several scholarships to participants that otherwise would not have been able to attend. Feedback from participants has been outstanding, the course will be offered again in 2008, and we will explore further opportunities for executive education for nonprofit and philanthropic leaders.

We are again co-hosting the annual Washington State Nonprofit Conference, which will be held on Wednesday, April 25 at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Center.   We expect more than 350 nonprofit and community leaders representing a wide variety of organizations and positions from across Washington State.  This year's Keynote address will be given by Ralph Smith, Senior Vice President of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  The Luncheon Plenary will feature Marja Brandon, Founding Head of Seattle Girls' School.  Features include lively 'wake up' morning roundtable discussions, prominent keynote speakers, and stimulating sessions led by respected community leaders. Sessions, designed for leaders with varying levels of experience, will range from hands-on skills to exploration of emerging trends, models and current issues.  Registration information can be found at:  www.npconference.org.