President's Message
By Frances M. Sheehan

September 2008

DVG has hit the jackpot!  When new staff members Christina Edleman and Lisa Stokes proposed a “back to basics” approach to some of our programming this year, they appear to have hit a very positive nerve.  Whether it’s the interesting, experienced speakers, or the varied and relevant workshop topics - or some combination thereof, The Fundamentals of Smart Grantmaking series they’ve put together is getting a fabulous response.  On top of DVG’s usual strong lineup of educational briefings, affinity group meetings and critical dialogues, this new six-part series focuses on best practices and is designed to build the skills and peer network of both grantmaking staff and trustees.  We’re ecstatic that so many are finding the series attractive and encourage you to let new staff and trustees who would benefit from this introduction to the grantmaking process know about the program.  And, as always, please give us your feedback so that we can improve the series in the future.

This new series is just one indication of the talented, experienced, creative staff team DVG’s new Executive Director will inherit.  Nancy Lanham will be with us through the end of October.  Meanwhile, with Kim Flaville of the Connelly Foundation as Chair of the Search Committee, we are moving through the search process deliberately and without hesitation.  We look forward to introducing Nancy’s successor to the membership later this year.

Meanwhile, I hope you will join me for our annual conference, Shifting Tides: Leadership for the Sea Change Ahead, taking place on October 23, 2008. This year, after a wonderful 10-year run at the Gregg Conference Center in Bryn Mawr, we are moving the event to a new location downtown - the Independence Seaport Museum on Penn’s Landing. The theme for our 2008 conference, appropriately enough, is leadership, and we are thrilled to have two dynamic speakers on the agenda: Marianne Hughes, Executive Director of the Interaction Institute for Social Change, and Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., CEO and President of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Our event will conclude with a special reception to celebrate DVG’s 20th anniversary year. Please plan to be with us on October 23rd for what promises to be a stimulating day of idea sharing, networking and celebration.  You can find further details in the Annual Conference section of our website.  Enjoy the fall season and see you at the Museum!