A Letter from Ronna Brown
Dear Members,
Every year for the last decade, the Philanthropy New York staff comes together to work on our annual meeting for members. Organizing this half day conference of panels, PHIL talks and artists takes “the whole village” – staff, board, and members – and it’s an absolute highlight of our year to welcome the collective PNY membership for a time of learning and connection. This year will be different in key ways, and we want to share our plans with you.
While we’re deeply disappointed that we won’t be able to see you in person this year, we are pleased to offer a series of virtual gatherings instead. The signature theme of this year’s meeting is Humanizing Immigration – presented to the membership as a three-part virtual series. The business part of our meeting, where members vote for new board members, will be conducted in a small gathering – most members will participate by proxy.
There is no substitute for the vibrancy, energy and warmth of the member community in person – but we are committed to delivering high-quality and incredibly relevant programming in a new format.
Virtual Series: Humanizing Immigration
Our annual meetings feature an array of thought-provoking content around a timely subject in our sector – and society at large. This year we are offering a series on Humanizing Immigration over three Thursdays in May. Through presentations, performances and panels, we’ll take a close look at a topic that’s vital this election year – especially in the wake of rapidly-evolving federal policy. See the incredible line-up of speakers and register now.
The Formal Business Meeting
Electing board members to lead and steward Philanthropy New York, celebrating those board members rotating off, and having a chance for our chair, and myself, to share tidbits from last year are also key elements of our annual meeting. The board will hold the formal business meeting at the start of their retreat on June 10th. At this meeting, they will elect new PNY board members by voting themselves and counting your proxy votes. The primary contact for each member organization will receive a proxy ballot in early May. We want your voice to be counted, so please fill out and send in your proxy once you receive it – thank you!
All of us at Philanthropy New York will miss seeing you at the meeting this year – it is truly a highlight of the year for us. Please know we are thinking of you. We are living through a difficult time on many levels, and many in our community are grieving loss. I and my colleagues are so proud of the work each member organization is doing in these times and we all look forward to the day we can meet again in person.
Our very best to each of you,
Ronna