One of the highest rated events of the NGen program is the Ambassadors Luncheon.  Here, NGen'ers join established nonprofit and philanthropic leaders (Ambassadors) to share a meal and much more. We've invited two Ambassadors and two NGen’ers to guest blog for us. Here is their take on the tasty experience. Bon Appetite!

By Brian Gallagher, president and CEO, United Way Worldwide
Luncheon Ambassador and Independent Sector Board Member

Whenever a group of young - or "younger"- professionals are in a room together, that’s a room I want to be in. I find the energy, spirit, and fresh perspective they bring to the table to be both inspiring and enlightening for a more "seasoned" professional such as me. I also appreciate the notion that as they grab the reigns on the issues, challenges, and opportunities we’ve all addressed for years, that I may just be able to inspire and inform their journey as well.

For the past 3 years I have been pleased to emcee the NGen Ambassadors Luncheon, where roughly 175 people gather. I estimate that seventy percent are young people age 25 - 40 and the remaining thirty percent are more experienced nonprofit and foundation executives there to offer wisdom and meet the young men and women who will lead our organizations in the years ahead.

The topic discussed at the luncheons revolves around mentoring. I strongly believe in the role established leaders can and must play to enable the next generation to find success. Franklin Roosevelt said it best, "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."

My best memories of the Ambassadors lunches over the years are not so much about what I have said, but what I heard. The moving conversations are lively, smart, and thoughtful. The NGen'ers are consistently impressive, innovative, big thinkers. I was happy to give advice where I could. 

In truth, I suspect ambassadors get as much from the emerging leaders as we give. Meeting the NGen’ers has always been a highlight of the Independent Sector Conference for me. I trust the same will be true for you this year in Chicago.

By Nils Andreassen, managing director, Institute of the North
NGen participant from Anchorage, Alaska

I recently met 300 members of a group called the New Mexico Amigos. Founded many years ago, the group is comprised of New Mexico's leaders in business, community and politics. As an entire group they travel for a week each year to other states and countries to both learn about what other people are doing and to share what's going on in New Mexico. More than anything else, they act as goodwill ambassadors for the state.

I mention this because – in reflecting on the Ambassadors lunch that was hosted by NGen at the 2010 Independent Sector Annual Conference – this is exactly the work that has to be done between generations. Established and emerging non-profit leaders need opportunities to share with and learn from one another while building goodwill. Each has a role as an ambassador. The Ambassadors lunch serves this purpose well in that it identifies established leaders in the independent sector willing and interested in acting as a bridge to new and upcoming young professionals.

I went into last year's Ambassadors Luncheon with few expectations.

1. More than anything else I was hoping that something I said – a question, a witty response – would resonate with someone in a way that forged a new relationship.
2. I also went into it thinking that I should demonstrate to more established leaders that we young professionals had something of value to contribute to the conversation – and that they should listen.

On the first count, I would say that a single contact does not a relationship make.  Relationships grow with practice, patience and persistence. The Ambassadors lunch offers a critical first step. Moving from table to table exposes you to multiple messages and messengers. It’s up to you to gather these, sort them, and follow up.

As to the second, I do believe there is an added value to attending the Ambassadors lunch. Recognizing the quality and quantity of those attending from NGen, we have an opportunity to demonstrate our capacity for leadership as well as our ability, energy and enthusiasm. We can take it a step further by coming with a common message – the need for mentoring on the one hand and the obligation to reverse mentor on the other. Young professionals want to contribute to their future as partners in its development. The Ambassadors lunch should be approached with that in mind.

By Greg Baldwin, president, VolunteerMatch
Luncheon Ambassador
 
In 2006, Tom Tierney of the Bridgespan group warned of an impending leadership deficit in the nonprofit world. The growth of our sector, coupled with the impending retirement of the baby-boomer generation, he observed was conspiring to create a leadership gap over the next decade that could leave the sector 640,000 leaders short of its need.

In response to the challenge, the Independent Sector created one of its most dynamic and far-sighted initiatives The NGen: Moving Nonprofit Leaders from next to Now program to enhance the visibility, leadership capacity and professional networks of emerging leaders under age 40.

Last year I had the pleasure of serving as an Ambassador for the program and was invited to attend a keynote lunch at the annual conference hosted by Brian Gallagher, CEO United Way Worldwide. Breaking with conference lunch-time convention, Brian orchestrated a networking/table-hopping exercise that created an opportunity to meet more than a dozen young leaders.

I don't much remember the food, but the company was bright, energetic and ready to lead. The program is attracting talented young nonprofit and philanthropic leaders from across the country. I'll be back again this year and hope to see you there.

By Vanessa Lovell, project manager, WalMart Foundation
NGen participant from Bentonville, Arkansas

"On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law."

I can still picture myself speaking those words for the first time many years ago in my now very small brownie uniform. My Girl Scout Troop was my life; they were my best friends. The skills and experiences I gained are irreplaceable. The Girls Scouts increased my leadership skills, independence, and critical thinking. Plus, I learned to make the best s’mores EVER!

Last year, as I scanned the list of NGen Ambassadors, I saw one of the Ambassadors was a representative of an organization that I truly admire for helping shape and transform our next generation of women, the Girl Scouts. Needless to say, I thumbed through the list of Ambassadors many times as I waited for the conference to arrive. As I look back at my copy of the list today, it is highlighted and full of notes from my research of the Ambassadors. (A girl scout always comes prepared especially when it comes to learning from today’s leaders.) To sum up my level of anticipation, I was a child waiting in line at Mickey’s Playhouse for a Meet and Greet, barely able to contain my excitement.

Through the NGen program, I'm being given the opportunity to sit next to great leaders who have accomplished so much and have offered to engage with me, let me ask questions and help enhance my knowledge, skills, and abilities as an upcoming and rising leader. They asked for it! I'm a naturally inquisitive person. I like to know how people think and what makes them tick. My biggest fear entering the Ambassadors lunch was that I would take over the conversation--and coming from an introverted person this is extremely abnormal but I always surrender to my curiosity and thirst for knowledge. This is going to be great!

After a morning of sessions at the NGen program of the conference, the group was eager to meet the Ambassadors (and of course the food, let’s not forget we were also hungry). Who wouldn’t be eager to take advantage of an opportunity to pick the brain of such remarkable leaders?

The topic of the lunch focused around mentoring. PERFECT! Who better to talk to about finding mentors in the philanthropic world than these great leaders? The lunch set up was great. After each portion of the meal, we were given the opportunity to switch tables and pick the Ambassador you wished to engage in conversation. The conversation at each of my tables was invaluable and extremely eye opening. All of the NGen'ers were as eager and ready as I was to inquire and solicit information from the Ambassadors. It was great to have such a diverse group which allowed for a great interaction. I can't wait for this year’s lunch; a new set of leaders with information to share with the next generation of leaders.

Nevertheless, as a first time attendee, I wish I had known a few things before I got there:

• Channel your inner Girl Scout (or Boy Scout) and review the Ambassador list before the conference.
• Research the accomplishments of Ambassadors you wish to meet and learn from.
• Step out of your shell. This is your time to gain as much knowledge as you can from accomplished leaders.
• Ask questions. There’s no question too small.
• GET THEIR BUSINESS CARD! You’ll never know when you may need to connect with them and it's always great to build up your network.
• Schedule some time to meet during the conference. Understand they are busy, but many leaders report their favorite part of the IS conference is interacting with the NGen group.
• Follow up after the conference. Send a thank you note. If you are close, plan to visit or lunch.
• If you have a true connection, ask them to mentor you. Don’t be afraid to ask, they may say no, but there isn’t a lot of risk in asking.

Remember, these leaders have been in your shoes. Someone has taught them and they are eager to help you.