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The 2010 Public Policy Action Institute took place October 19-20, just prior to the Independent Sector Annual Conference.

More than 140 nonprofit leaders, communications specialists, and policy advocates joined together at Independent Sector's Public Policy Action Institute. Participants came together to discuss winning strategies to strengthen the voice of nonprofits and foundations in shaping public policies for the critical issues facing our community. The Institute generated a lot of energy and momentum, and set an important tone for the nonprofit community's policy agenda for the coming year. As one participant wrote, "enlightening, motivating, great speakers, and timely topics!"

Now in its seventh year, the institute featured rousing discussions and expert presentations on the current political landscape, the key issues facing the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, and the most effective methods for conveying our messages and expertise to lawmakers and regulators. As one participant wrote, these speakers are the type of "insider experts who have the best nuggets of advice."

The institute was an opportunity for participants to network and learn from one another. "It was great to engage attendees and have so much interaction -- too many conferences only feature presenters who talk at participants. Wonderful variety of presenters with great expertise and perspective!" wrote one.

Overall, it was a successful and dynamic institute. Thanks to everyone who came and participated! We hope to see everyone in Chicago next year, for the eighth annual PPAI on October 29 and 30, 2011.

Highlights from the two-day event:

Day One:

The Institute kicked-off with a keynote from Janet Murguía, president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza. She examined the issues that have emerged during the election season and provided an outlook for the 112th Congress and the administration. Jatrice Martel Gaiter from Volunteers of America and Lindsay Coates from InterAction provided their insights in response to Janet’s keynote. The morning finished with an excellent overview of state-level politics and 2011 redistricting from Tim Storey from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The afternoon consisted of three excellent sessions, highlighted by a no-holds-barred discussion, led by IS President and CEO Diana Aviv, on the secret ingredients of successful advocacy. She was joined by Michael Deich from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Bob Holste from The Pew Charitable Trusts, both of whom drew from their vast and varied experiences in and around Capitol Hill and the White House.

Day Two:

Communications consultant Jon Haber began the day by helping us create communication strategies for greater policy impact. The morning's hot topic was a hard-hitting discussion about what is keeping our sector back from fully engaging in advocacy. Discussion leaders Candy Hill from Catholic Charities USA and Luz Vega-Marquis from the Marguerite Casey Foundation challenged foundations to exercise their abilities to fund advocacy, and called on nonprofits to be fearless and advocate on behalf of the people they serve. The institute wrapped up with a discussion of next steps and how our community should prioritize its policy efforts in 2011.

See the full schedule from the 2010 Public Policy Action Institute.