Each year at our Forum, Full Circle Fund inspires individuals to become leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area community by showcasing bold models for sustainable social change. The event attracts social innovators, business professionals, politicians and entrepreneurs for an evening of civic engagement and networking.
At the 2007 Forum: You've Got The Power!, we energized the sold out crowd of nearly 600 power players to make a real difference. We challenged our guests to ask themselves: "How can I use my unique talents and experience to improve the community?" "How can I be an innovative leaders and spark others to take action?"
VIP Reception & Action Expo
Over 150 people enjoyed mixing and mingling with speakers, award winners and sponsors during the Forum's VIP Reception on the gorgeous Mayor's Balcony at City Hall.
Mayor Gavin Newsom spoke passionately to the VIPs about the importance of volunteering and community, as well as Full Circle Fund's important role in helping San Francisco build successful civic engagement programs.
"Full Circle Fund is an exemplary organization that encourages young leaders to play a vital role in the narrative for positive social change in communities throughout the Bay Area. I am pleased to commend Full Circle Fund for its stewardship in connection with San Francisco's Project Homeless Connect - which now serves as a national best practice - and for all its philanthropic endeavors that go toward enhancing the quality of life for all our residents."
Hosted organic wine by Paul Dolan Vineyards, hors d'oeuvres by Rose Pistola, and delectable dessert by Kara's Cupcakes set a festive and social mood. Gift bag goodies - donated by Dreamerz Foods, Good Magazine, Green Zebra, Heart of Silicon Valley, Light Organic, Samovar Tea, and Sustainable Industries - made the VIPs feel truly appreciated.
Meanwhile, our other guests enjoyed the Action Expo, a collection of innovative organizations ready to get them involved in the community. It was a chance for each Forum guest to meet dozens of amazing nonprofits at one time, finding out more about their mission, community work and signing up for opportunities to volunteer, serve on Boards and make a difference.
Keynote Speaker
Vice President Al Gore
It was our honor to have Nobel Peace Prize winner Vice President Al Gore as our esteemed 2007 Forum keynote speaker. As the leading advocate for confronting the threat of global warming, Mr. Gore is perhaps the single best model of how to lead communities in effecting critical change.
In his keynote, Mr. Gore inspired our guests to turn on their power as community leaders. Mr. Gore discussed the necessity for a "massive effort" and "a shared committment by leaders" to solve the climate crisis.
"Each one of you is part of a circle and each one of you has the ability, in Robert Kennedy's beautiful metaphor, to send ripples of hope out to all of those that come into contact with what you do in your life... I'm so happy you're bringing that commitment and your unique model of effective change to bear on the environmental crisis."
"There's an old African proverb that says "if you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." We have to go far…quickly."
"Al Gore speaks at Full Circle Fund Forum"
Illustration | Todd Berman
After the appreciative laughter died down, Mr. Gore continued:
"And that’s why the Full Circle Fund approach is so important. To go together, but to do so boldly and with an appropriate sense of urgency. How do we do it? How can we make a circle large enough to contain this [environmental] challenge?"
To solve this crisis, Mr. Gore advocated revolutionary leadership and the need to respond as a species. In addition, speaking directly to the Full Circle Fund members in the room, Mr. Gore proposed one additional solution:
"The kind of commitment that you've demonstrated in joining this organization is exactly the ingredient that is most needed."
Environment Circle Launch
At the Forum, Full Circle Fund officially launched our newest program - the Environment/Energy Circle. The launch is just one part of Full Circle Fund's incredible growth.
The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights is the nascent Environment/Energy Circle's exciting first grant project. Members of Full Circle Fund will work diligently with Ella Baker Center over a year to to build the capacity of the organization's Green Jobs Program. The Environment/Energy Circle will select on additional grant projects later in 2008.
Van Jones of the Ella Baker Center took the stage to stir the passions of Forum guests about the importance of environmental activism and positive community change.
"What we're trying to do at the Ella Baker Center, what we're so proud to be doing in partnership with [Full Circle Fund] now, is to birth a new movement that says: We don't have any throwaway resources. We don't have any throwaway species and we don't have any throwaway children or neighborhoods either. It's all precious...
"You are the people that we have been talking about...there are people now who are investing money and genius and time and technology in doing business the right way. In creating the technologies that will help to clean up and green up the whole world. And your hope and your faith and your determination and your innovation has licensed ours.
"Because what we're saying is - about your dream about creating a green economy -
is that we want to create a green economy along side you. A green economy that's strong enough to lift millions of people out of poverty. We want to create green pathways out of poverty for our young people."
 Read Van Jones' speech transcript
Read Full Circle Fund's press release on the launch of the Environment/Energy Circle
Read the ZDNet News and Time Magazine articles on Ella Baker Center's Green Jobs Program
Award Winners
Exemplary Community Leadership - Richard Goldman
The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation has granted over $500 million to a wide variety of social and environmental causes since its inception. The Goldman Environmental Prize, founded in 1990 and nicknamed the Green Nobel Prize, is the largest award for grassroots environmentalism. Full Circle Fund is proud to honor Mr. Goldman’s innovative approach to philanthropy, based not only on grantmaking but on the continual cultivation of new community leaders.
During his award acceptance speech, Mr. Goldman shared this advice for Full Circle Fund's members:
"As someone who's been in the business of giving away money for many years now, my advice to the members of Full Circle Fund is to find what you feel passionate about and stick with it. Seek creative solutions and do not be afraid to pursue them, as we did with The Goldman Prize eighteen years ago.
"I admire Full Circle Fund's goal of encouraging the next generation of philanthropic leaders - and you are they. I feel comforted in knowing that there is a committed group of young philanthropists preparing to take over the reins from my generation. Your dedication and enthusiasm is evidence that future generations will rise to the challenge, and I'm confident you will succeed."
Read Mr. Goldman's speech transcript
Read the Examiner's 3-minute interview of Richard Goldman
Full Circle Fund Outstanding Member - Melanie Nutter
Melanie Nutter (bio) has brought her tremendous energy, leadership and organizational skills to Full Circle Fund during this
incredible year of our growth. Currently serving as Deputy Director for Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and with over fourteen years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, events management, grassroots organizing and media relations, she
has been the perfect person to help Full Circle Fund determine the feasibility of a new Environment/Energy Circle. Once Full Circle Fund decided to go ahead, Melanie then took command to chair the new team, recruit members, and lead the grantmaking process. We cannot thank Melanie enough for her drive and enthusiasm in leading Full Circle Fund into this exciting new phase.
Education - Ellen Moir, New Teacher Center
As Executive Director of the New Teacher Center (NTC), Ellen Moir has taken the organization's mission well beyond its initial goals around teacher induction and retention to encompass all aspects of professional development for educators. Ellen’s dynamic leadership and a fruitful strategic partnership with
Full Circle Fund have helped NTC develop into the premier educational mentoring program in the country.
"The greatest joy is that [Full Circle Fund's members are] as passionate about new teacher development as we are. And it has really been a phenomenal opportunity to work with the Full Circle Fund team.
"...Let me just say, there's a lot of issues we need to face and education has to be at the heart of that kind of work. Our teachers in America come to school every day and we need to make sure that the poorest kids, no matter where they are, are greeted by someone who's gonna help them, help every child reach his or her dreams. It matters. And we - and you! - can make a difference.
Read Ellen Moir's speech transcript
Read UC Santa Cruz's press release on Ellen Moir's award (New Teacher Center is part of UCSC)
Housing - Chris Block, Charities Housing
He has been a great mobilizer in Silicon Valley, continually bringing together private, public and nonprofit stakeholders to address critical social issues. As Executive Director of Charities Housing, Chris Block most recently partnered with Full Circle Fund to form a high-profile Blue Ribbon Commission, which aims to resolve the issues of homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in Santa Clara County.
Technology - Jacque McCright and Deb Levine, SexInfo
SexInfo is a great example of how partnership between public and private organizations can turn out programs that significantly improve people’s lives. This unique collaboration between the San Francisco Department of Public Health and Isis, Inc. - a company which develops innovative high-tech solutions for sexual health education - leverages the appropriate technology for the target audience to disseminate critical information and thus prevent disease.
Networking Reception
After the close of the speaker program, guests celebrated at our Networking Reception. Guests were treated to the eco-minded spirits 360 Vodka of and a wide variety of sweet and savory treats from
Alive! Raw Vegan Restaurant,
CLIF Bar,
Cold Stone Creamery, Oola Restaurant & Bar, Samovar Tea and
Sushi Groove. At the end of the reception, speakers and staff were driven home by the greened Bauer's Intelligent Transportation.
Going Green
As Full Circle Fund worked to launch our new Environment/Energy Circle, we knew we also had to commit to making our entire organization greener. Thanks to our generous donors, creative partners, and the good intentions of our staff and members, we've been able to implement many changes that cumulatively make a big difference.
Make a donation to Full Circle Fund today to support our continued greening efforts!
Beginning with our largest event, we took many steps to make the 2007 Forum green.
- Deloitte kindly provided carbon neutral credits and also printed on program books on recycled paper.
- Local businesses, many of whom are raising the bar for sustainability, donated their tasty and eco-friendly food, beverages and products.
- CLIF Bar donated a Cool Tag for each guest, a renewable wind energy credit for which the company invests $2 in Native Energy's WindBuilders program, helping the Rosebud Sioux Tribe build the Rosebud St. Francis Wind Farm.
- Biodegradable and reusable supplies as well as recycling and composting services minimize the waste created at the Forum.
- We dramatically reduced the paper used to promote the event by sending electronic invitations and using 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper for the few things we did print.
Beyond the Forum, we are continually improving our business processes. We've become much greener in our purchasing, as shown by large items like a new power-saver color printer and small things like recycled content office supplies. In addition, more than half of our employees bike or take public transit to work each day.
We hope that by sharing our environmental changes we've inspired you to make your work and life green!
Sponsors
Action Partners
Host Committee
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
Mayor Gavin Newsom, City and County of San Francisco
&
Anna Alioto, Hidden Villa
Andrew Beebe, EI Solutions
Kuji Chahal, Millennium Network, Clinton Foundation
Matt Cohler, Facebook
Frank Currie, Davis Polk & Wardwell
Suzanne DiBianca, Salesforce.com Foundation
Shelly Dolev, City and County of San Francisco
Mark Edmunds, Deloitte
Kelly Grimes
Carl Guardino, Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Hala Hijazi, Professionals VIP
Keith Howard, FAQ Productions
Mary Huss, San Francisco Business Times
Judy Kleinberg, INSTEDD
Charles Knowles, Wildlife Conservation Network
Carol Lamont, The San Francisco Foundation
Charles Marsala, former Mayor of Atherton, CA
Amber Nystrom, Tendris
Rae Richman, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
Everett Thompson, TRI Commercial
Nadine Weil, Heart of Green
Geoff Yang, Redpoint Ventures
Thanks
The Forum would not have been possible without the support of many amazing people. Thank you to all our members, staff, hosts, partners, sponsors, donors, speakers, award winners, and vendors.
To name everyone that helped would take another webpage, but in particular the event would not have been possible without the time and commitment of these individuals: Constance Adamoupoulous, Kirstyn Bay, Eva Camp, Joanna Drake Earl, John Ewing, Larry Handerhan, Cameron Jones, Victoria Lavi, Evonne Lum, Tamsen Salvador, Tim Smith, Ulrike Steinback, Leslie Stern, and Tracy Weir.
Photos
If you cannot see the photo slide show above, view the photo set on Flickr.
By attending the Forum, all attendees, vendors, partners and volunteers agreed to have their name, voice, likeness and/or biographical material used in event marketing, including photography, video, transcripts, audio recording in both print, electronic, digital or any other medium by Full Circle Fund, our event partners, or event sponsors.
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