The generosity of our members, Victoria Danzig, Leigh Hartman and Bethel Nathan, in sharing their most personal decisions opened the door for a  warm and comfortable dialogue about legacy planning by women who are stepmothers, women who have chosen not to have children, as well as re-assessments that are prudent as children grow up, grandchildren arrive, etc. etc. Philanthropy planning includes family and community and many of our SDWF members shared that they have included the SDWF in their estates. It shows how much we care!

This is a conversation women usually have with just their husbands and financial advisors. It took on a whole different dimension when we talked with each other.

Thanks to all!

During our annual meeting, we took stock of how we have implemented Decision 2010 initiatives regarding reducing the number of granting categories and providing increased financial flexibility to members who have reached their $10K commitments and then a $20K level.

And then we let our hair down!
We got to know each other better through a speed networking series of encounters!
In short we had a lot of FUN! … When we do that again, do not miss it! 

The Membership Committee, headed this year by Marjorie O’Malley, has planned a great mix of events. Some are designed to recruit and inform prospective members while some are being planned simply to provide opportunities for us to get to know one another in an informal setting.

The first of our Member Connections was held this summer at Catherine Blair’s home in Del Mar. The second was at Berit Durler’s home in Point Loma.

At Berit’s we heard about what goes on behind the scenes at San Diego Mayor Jerry’s Sanders office at City Hall. We will got the inside scoop from one of our founding members and a past San Diego Women’s Foundation president, Julie Dubick. She is Mayor Sanders’ Chief of Staff. On the topic of the oft-discussed football stadium, we heard from Julie about the current state of discussions, and we also heard from one of our new members, Patti Roscoe about some of the history. Patti served on a commission 11 years ago to review Qualcomm stadium’s status.

Our next Member Connection will be in February at Leigh Hartman’s home in the Bird Rock section of La Jolla. Marjorie is planning another really interesting member/speaker. Don’t miss it!

Thank you to our gracious hostesses and to Julie for spending time with all of us.

Everyone learns something about what difference grants from the San Diego Women’s Foundation have made in the community.

This month, the Getting To Know spotlighted Coastkeepers whose beach cleanup program was funded in our environmental grants cycle in 2009.

Thanks to Marjorie O’Malley for her leadership in designing the program, to our director, Tracy Johnson for explaining our operations and to Suzanne LaTour for explaining our grants process.  And, a big THANK YOU to our program associate, Bridget Murphy for ending her very long day with us, greeting everyone with a smile, making sure we had food, drink and a power point presentation!!!!

Matthew Spathas, whose work our Discovery Team reviewed last year, gave our attendees a provocative glimpse of educational environments as they might be to fit the new technological landscape of the next generation. An engaging conversation followed his presentation about how we get from where we are to where we should be so that our children can enjoy the learning process.

Our membership has its own educators including Marlowe Berg, Lenore Ringler, and Jane Signaigo-Cox, among others, who were in attendance. Two of our members brought male guests creating a wonderful co-ed audience. Grant Lichtman accompanied Judith Conner, and Buzz Woolley came with Ann.

This, the first in what we hope will be a series was at the invitation of Peggy Johnson, one of our new members and Qualcomm’s top female executive, the EVP and President of Global Market Development.

Thanks to Teresa Jacques for conceiving the community connection series and to Susan Hennenfent, Kim Kleber, and Koren Lilburn for connecting the San Diego Women’s Foundation to Qualcomm. Thanks also to Marlowe Berg who will be leading this new project going forward.

In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been busy!

Please Talk Back!

The magic of the new media is that it is interactive. Our members receive many emails, invitations to events and a monthly e-news communication. All are designed to educate and inspire you as we engage in significant philanthropy to strengthen our region.

We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions and to answer any questions you might have.

Experts presented a “helicopter view” of current issues. We are grateful to our panelists: Paula Cordeiro, dean of the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences; Bud Mehan, director of the University of California San Diego Center for Research on Educational Equity Assessment and Teaching Excellence; and Susan Wolking, executive director of the Girard Foundation.

In addition, we presented break-out panels that explored creative solutions in traditional environments, charter schools and beyond the classroom.

Thanks to Valerie Jacobs who is chairing our Education Committee for leading the effort, supported by Billie Jo Cardenas, Victoria Danzig, Doris Ellsworth, Elizabeth Eisner, Alexis Lasheras, Liz Meyer, Julie Ruedi, and Erica Ueland.