NEGEF GRASSROOTS RETREAT for grantees and partners of NEGEF OCTOBER 10-11, 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS @ AMHERST CAMPUS CENTER & HOTEL (AMHERST, MA) ~ meet peers ~ engage ~ learn ~ have fun ~ OVERVIEW                    AGENDA               THE SITE                   WORKSHOPS          SUSTAINABILITY      2007 RETREAT REPORT

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REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN AUGUST 2008

OVERVIEW

This year, NEGEF is bringing the Retreat to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Campus Center.  The  day and a half event is for YOU, leaders of grassroots groups that are building and maintaining healthy, just, safe and environmentally sustainable communities. As members of the NEGEF network, you are invited to convene, share stories, network with other activists like yourselves, share meals of locally produced foods, be energized, sharpen your leadership, community organizing and group building skills, and see the importance of your local work in the context of a collective global future that is democratic and diverse, beautiful and fun.  Come relax, eat well and be recognized and appreciated for your volunteerism, hard work and dedication to the health and wellbeing of your many communities.  

Although the retreat is designed for our grantees and partners, feel free to contact your program officer to learn more about the event!

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AGENDA

NEGEF organizes the Retreat so time spent networking and building skills is balanced with time to rejuvenate and relax.  We believe these are both critical to our mission of energizing and nurturing the grassroots.  The preliminary agenda for the event is:

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THE SITE

The Campus Center & Hotel at the University of Massachusetts @ Amherst is situated in the heart of the Pioneer Valley and in the heart of the five college system.  The Center features comfortable hotel rooms, dining spaces, and workshop spaces.  

There are many transportation options into and out of the area, including the following:

For those interested in sticking around for the full weekend, there are hotel and bed & breakfast options throughout the valley.  Please keep in mind that this weekend is during foliage season - make reservations in advance!

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WORKSHOPS

NEGEF believes that having time to delve deep into one valuable topic is one of the best way to build skills.  Thus we offer three daylong workshops to our retreat participants.  This year's workshops are:

Grassroots Fundraising , led by Andy Robinson (Co-author of Grassroots Grants: An Activist’s Guide to Proposal Writing;

and author of Selling Social Change (Without Selling Out): Earned Income Strategies for Non-Profits)

Rockwood Art of Leadership, led by Jose Acevedo (back by popular demand!) of the Rockwood Leadership Program

Advanced Community Organizing, led by Alyssa Schuren, Executive Director of the Toxics Action Center

Click here to see video footage of last year's workshops!

STAY TUNED,
MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW SOON!

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SUSTAINABILITY

NEGEF takes pride in hosting events as sustainably organized and run as possible.  The Campus Center is providing local food options when possible (check out last year's work to provide local foods!).  Staff is investiaging composting and recycling opportunities.  We will be taking measures to reduce waste at the event. And we will be facilitating carpooling and making alternative transportation suggestions (click here to see our efforts last year!).

2007 RETREAT REPORT

The 2007 NEGEF Grassroots Retreat was held Septermber 28 & 29, 2007.  Over 150 of New England's community activists gathered for 2 days to enjoy, relax, share, listen, talk, reflect, laugh, sing, walk, canoe, eat good local food, visit with old friends and make new ones.  Check out the details and see some videos from the retreat here!

Questions?  Contact us...