These are just three of the 3,000 tweets about our Annual Conference that took place in Atlanta two weeks ago. These messages capture the energy and excitement that the IS team and I shared with over 900 attendees, including 135 terrific folks on scholarship. They came to network with colleagues; strengthen their voice in public policy; and share ideas for solving problems, among other things.

The theme of the opening plenary, “Democracy at a Crossroads,” carried throughout the conference. Speakers and participants alike offered solutions to overcome a political system bogged down by a winner-takes-all approach. Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute talked about creating mandatory voting requirements and re-shaping the public square. Atlantic Philanthropies CEO Gara LaMarche addressed the importance of igniting social movements using “morally resonant language" and NPR’s Vivian Schiller sketched the role of the media in American democracy today.  

Few will forget the indomitable John Lewis, Representative of Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District, who underscored the need to work together. “It doesn’t matter if our forbearers came in different ships,” he said, “we are all in the same boat now.” Darell Hammond of KaBOOM! and winner of our American Express NGen Leadership Award, called for more safe places in our communities for children to play. In the closing plenary, Stephen Heintz, president of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and our new board chair, invoked Peter Drucker, who said, “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence. It is to act with yesterday’s logic.” In his speech, Stephen argued that we must think anew to address the challenges ahead.

In my address, I talked about the stubborn economic recovery, political intransigence, racism, blaming scapegoats – problems that will only become more entrenched unless we as a society act. To make the kind of changes we need, will take nothing less than revolutionary leaders in government and civil society who

• Understand that the status quo is not acceptable;
• Examine their own minds and hearts;
• Set forth a shared vision that brings people together; and
• Help ensure we have the legislative framework and policies in place to engage effectively with government as well as hold it accountable.

What actions can we take to bring about revolutionary change? On the individual level, we can demonstrate the moral imagination required to fashion a more just and humane world. On the organizational level, we can help set the parameters for a decent society and demonstrate the disciplined action to hold people everywhere accountable. And at the sector level, we should make our collective voice more clearly heard by changing the rules governing how our organizations engage with government, some of which have been in place nearly 40 years. I invite you to read more in my speech that is posted on line.

Many of the key elements from our dialogue in Atlanta appeared on the Washington Mall this Saturday during Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.” My impression was that hundreds of thousands of people are yearning for a new kind of dialogue in our public square. Underlying the wit on stage and among the throngs of really funny sign-holders was a call for tolerance and mutual recognition of difference. In his closing speech, Jon Stewart challenged us to find a new way to live together, side by side, that recognizes individual difference while enabling us collectively to solve the great challenges before us. Whether or not you attended, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the rally, Stewart’s proposal, or the broader issue of civility in the comment section below.

Turning back to the conference, two final thoughts come to mind: the arts and the hallway buzz. Anna Deavere Smith kicked off the conference by invoking powerful voices and Liz Lerman offered a joyful capstone with her masterful choreography. Along the way, two young, talented violinists enchanted us with Bach and Beethoven. I even jumped into the act by starting my speech with a skit. Integrating arts into the program reminded us of its power to unite people and inspire them to a higher calling.

The hallway buzz at the conference was also amazing. We set aside a special time called CONNECTIONS for people to network and convene conversations on topics important to them. They enthusiastically took up our invitation. Some rekindled old friendships or fostered new ones; some scheduled future meetings or arranged trainings for staff; however people used this time, the soft murmur of conversation, occasional laugh, and high participation of CONNECTIONS told us how much they appreciated meeting with their colleagues and building their networks.

I will close with another post from Twitter: “Just leaving ATL from #isconf. They are getting better every year. Great job IS team!” I’d like to add my hearty thanks to our staff and volunteers who tried to make every participant’s experience world class; tweeters and bloggers who shared golden nuggets from the conference with those who couldn’t make it to Atlanta; and the participants who brought their passion for making the world a better place -- and their conviction that together we can do so. I invite you to continue our pursuit of better approaches next year in Chicago October 30 through November 1, which will revolve around the theme, “R-Evolutionary Times.” Please jot down your suggestions for topics you’d like to see on the conference agenda here or email us at 2011Conference@independentsector.org. See you in the Windy City!