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CalNonprofits Annual Policy Symposium: Action for Uncertain Times

If you’re thinking uncertain times call for caution or inaction, stop! Despite a well-documented drop in donations, predictions of a recession, and a chaotic new election cycle on the horizon, nonprofits across the state are making great strides in effecting meaningful change in their communities.

Join CalNonprofits for their annual Policy Symposium for an inspiring look at some of the most creative advocacy efforts they’ve come across, as well as a dive into their own year-long campaign to improve the way the state contracts with its nonprofit partners. It will feature nonprofit leaders, government representatives who understand and champion nonprofits, and other expert panelists who will discuss innovative and actionable strategies you can use in building a more resilient and equitable future. What’s more, we’ll officially welcome CalNonprofits’ new CEO, offer our farewell to Jan Masaoka, and hear a keynote from the Attorney General office’s new nonprofit lead, Elizabeth Kim.


Program & Schedule

10:00am - 10:30am

Reflections - Jan Masaoka

CalNonprofits CEO Jan Masaoka is leaving after 12 years. What crucial nonprofit trends are we overlooking? What are the most important assets we nonprofits have and how can we leverage them more effectively? Hear outgoing CEO Jan Masaoka offer her last "State of the California Nonprofit Community," always shared in her own inimitable style, and ask her what you've always wanted to ask.

 

KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
Deputy Attorney General Elizabeth Kim

Not everyone is aware who in state government is "in charge" of nonprofits and foundations. The answer: the Charitable Trusts division of the Attorney General's office. And this division has a new leader: Elizabeth Kim, Supervising Deputy Attorney General. We have been fortunate that the California AG's office is a national leader in pursuing policy actions that protect both donors and nonprofits. As Elizabeth steps into this new role, we'll hear about her ambitions for regulatory and other changes, as well as concerns for the future.


10:35am - 11:35am

Superstar Advocacy for Uncertain Times

What does extraordinary, "out-of-the-box" advocacy look like? We've asked five innovative nonprofit leaders to join us, each of whom has found exciting new kinds of impacts to seek and new strategies for achieving them. This hour-long discussion will showcase practical and inspirational examples of organizations that have excelled in advocating for their causes – from the arts, reproductive rights and environmental health, to community organizing and philanthropy.

 

Speakers:

  • Alberto Retana, Community Coalition

  • Michael Green, International Pollutants Elimination Network

  • Julie Baker, California Arts Advocates

  • Jodi Hicks, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

  • Chet Hewitt, Sierra Health Foundation (moderator)


11:40am - 12:40pm

California Nonprofit Equity Initiative: Campaign Update, Debrief, and Strategies for the Future

This session will delve into what transpired this year in Sacramento, what we learned, - from the coalition effort to the other six bills, and offer various perspectives on next steps for our efforts to improve nonprofit-government contracting. We expect to be joined by the legislators who authored and championed three of those bills: Senator Monique Limón (SB 557), Assemblymember Gregg Hart (AB 590), and Assemblymember Luz Rivas (AB 885). Limón and Rivas are also, respectively, the chairs of the Senate and Assembly Select Committees on the Nonprofit Sector.


12:45pm - 1pm

Introducing Incoming CEO Geoff Green + Closing Remarks