Getting Together
Conferences and Committees and Poverty
October 4, 2007
Have you ever heard someone complain about a meeting that goes on and on? I’ve made that complaint myself more than once, but I have to recognize that sometimes it’s my fault that meetings are too long. I talk too much, argue a point too long, or am simply unclear in my opinions.
Then there are the meetings that work especially well, and everyone present is glad they came.
I went to two such meetings last week. I’m anticipating one next week that I hope falls into that category.
APP board member Stephen Black wrote an opinion piece that was published around the state a couple of Sundays ago. He starts the article by describing part of the problem we face in adequately providing necessary resources for Alabama citizens. He then points out that, “No matter how hard state governments work to increase efficiency, improve education, health care, and so on, true progress can only be built on values.”
Of course, APP is working through our Higher Education Partnership to encourage higher values through teaching about poverty. We also want to encourage service learning within course work. And that brings me to the conference we co-sponsored with Impact Alabama and others last week.
In the article, Stephen goes on to describe our conference and its hoped-for effects, to indeed encourage service learning by sharing of ideas and best practices.
We had twenty-two colleges and universities represented for what turned out to be a meeting that did exactly what it was intended to do. At least, I believe we’ll see the effects we planned for.
That’s a meeting worth attending. Here’s a link to an article that reports on the conference.
A New Committee
Well, actually, it’s called a task force, but anyway…
Seth Hammett, House Speaker in the Alabama House of Representatives has formed the group in order “to propose legislation or public policy initiatives to reduce or eliminate poverty.” Here’s a link to an AP story about the new group.
Representative Patricia Todd, who will chair the task force, can be thanked for moving this effort forward. She’s been trying for months to get such a group together. The Speaker made it happen with a stroke of his pen.
The task force will meet for the first time next week in Montgomery. I’m grateful that APP will have a seat at the table, and so I will be there. So will Kimble Forrister, APP board member, representing Alabama Arise.
I go into such occasions with hope. We certainly face a significant amount of inertia in making policy and legislative changes, but this group will – hopefully – move the conversation and the change along.
And One More Meeting to Mention…
Before the conference last week the board of directors of APP met for our quarterly meeting. This is an amazing group of people and I feel privileged to work with them.
Take a look here for a list of these good folks.
We met in Tuscaloosa for almost four hours. That’s a long meeting, certainly, but it was also productive. I was worn out when it was over, but it was a good tired. I’m always encouraged by the board’s commitment, vision, and creativity.
And that makes for a good meeting!
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