Final 2014 dave beckwith newsletter

GREAT LAKES CONSORTIUM

for International Training and

Development (GLC) — GLC is a

collaborative effort of the Bowling

Green State University, Lourdes

University, The University of

Toledo, and WSOS Community

Action Commission, Inc - Estab-

lished in 1999 as a program of

WSOS .

Dr. Elizabeth Balint

Project Manager

Viktoriya Maryamova

Program Coordinator

GLC Toledo Office

P.O. Box 352424

Toledo, OH 43635

Phone: 419-973-8007

Email:

[email protected]

Website:

www.GLC-Teachdemocracy2.org

www.gl-consortium.org

Find us on

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of the Educational and Cultural Affairs,

Office of Citizen Exchanges, Professional Fellows Division

The Great Lakes Consortium – through WSOS

Community Action Commission, Inc. as Con-

tract Agent and Manager – received a grant for

a two-way exchange between September 2012

and September 2014 from the U.S. Depart-

ment of State for the “Building Grassroots

Democracy in Minority Communities”. The

overall goal of this exchange is to provide a

professional development opportunity for up-

and-coming and mid-level professionals to

gain knowledge of the U.S. practices in citizen

participation and advocacy, engaging

minorities, and marginalized populations in

civil society and politics, collaborating with

community leaders to inform changes in

legislation that make a difference in minority

communities (incl. Roma, disabled, homeless)

and building grassroots democracy.

In 2013, in 2 delegations a total of 37

European fellows were exposed to diverse

community organizing methods for citizens in

solving problems in their own communities

and gained hands-on experience at both public

and civil society institutions in the U.S. and a

deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture

and people. participated in group seminars,

round-table discussions, site visits, and had

interactions with United States leaders. During

the tailored 3-week internship with mentoring

at national, state or local organizations across

the United States they gained knowledge and

experience as well as adaptable approaches

that they started to implement after their

return. The also were invited to multicultural

events, and participated in volunteer activities

as well. The 6-weeks fellowship program

concluded at the Professional Fellows

Congress in Washington, D.C.

Participants prepared 6-9 months individual

and group Action Plans for follow on

activities. They had various opportunities to

experience the American family life and the

diversity in the U.S. through staying with

American host families during their internship.

They had opportunities to examine the

relationship between civil society and

government and learn U.S. practices on

transparency and accountability.

On this grant in 2013 and 2014 so far in 4

delegations a total of 27 U.S. mentors traveled

for a 21-day reciprocal visit to Europe. They

had an opportunity to share professional

expertise to provide joint workshops with the

alumni and on-site consultation and fieldwork,

and conduct wider outreach programs and gain

a deeper understanding of the societies,

cultures and people of other countries. This

citizen civic exchange contributes to mutual

understanding, creates long-term professional

ties, enhances the collaboration between GLC

and its partners.

The last U.S. mentor David Beckwith, U.S.

Project Advisor on this grant will travel to

Europe between August 18-September 12,

2014. He welcomed and trained every Euro-

pean participants during their visits in NW

Ohio in the Spring or Fall 2013 delegation.

He will work with the European alumni in

providing workshops, assist with consulting

and mentoring. He will also gain cultural ex-

perience in Europe. He will visit Romania and

Hungary and will review all the accomplish-

ments and discuss plans for post-grant activi-

ties with our country directors and alumni, not

only from these countries but also from Slova-

kia who will meet with him in Budapest.

As this grant ends in September 2014, we will

start a new grant on “Sustaining Civic Partici-

pation in Minority Communities in Bulgaria,

Hungary, Romania and Slovakia” and during

his visit during the introductory community

organizing training he will announce this new

program and will have an opportunity to talk

with some interested people who are involved

in minority communities. This will be very

helpful, because his experience can be used

during the selection process later.

This program is a collaboration between GLC

and its overseas partners: CEGA in Bulgaria,

Civil College Foundation in Hungary, CeRe in

Romania and Center for Community Organiz-

ing in Slovakia. Special thanks to these part-

ners and all other U.S. and European partner

organizations who are involved in these ex-

changes.

“Building Grassroots Democracy in Minority Communities”

U.S. Mentor David Beckwith visit in Romania and Hungary August 18 - September 12, 2014

August 2014

Dave Beckwith Executive Director

GLC Advisor

Chicago, Illinois

E-mail:

[email protected]

Dave Beckwith is a Consultant whose

work focuses on organizational

development, strategic planning and

community organizing, working with

social justice non-profits and

philanthropy. Mr. Beckwith is the

Principal of the Great Lakes Institute,

based in Toledo, Ohio. Until January

of 2013 he was the Executive Director

of The Needmor Fund, a national

foundation based in Toledo, Ohio.

Also he is a GLC Advisor on the

Professional Fellows Programs since

2011.

Mr. Beckwith has worked as a

Community Organizer, Trainer and

Consultant to community groups since

1971. He was formerly a Field

Toledo Community Organization.

From January of 1988 until September

of 1994, he worked part time as a

Research Associate at the University of

Toledo's Urban Affairs Center.

Consultant for the Washington, D.C.

based Center for Community Change.

In addition, Mr. Beckwith was the

founding Director of the New England

Training Center for Community

Organizers in Providence, RI; Field

Coordinator for the Governance Task

Force of President Carter's National

Commission on Neighborhoods in

1978; a Training Specialist with the

national Legal Services Corporation in

Washington, D.C.

In 1981 Mr. Beckwith moved to

Toledo as the Director of the East

THANK YOU TO OUR ALUNMNI & PARTNERS IN EUROPE:

for organizing Dave Beckwith activities in Hungary and Romania

for August / September 2014!

Special Thanks to: Nicoleta Chirita, Country Director in Romania

and Mate Varga, Country Director in Hungary on Professional

Fellows Program

The 4th US Mentors Delegation in Europe (May 3 - June 8, 2014)

Dave Beckwith and Peter Ujvagi (Toledo, OH, March 2012)

ITINERARY *

Monday, August 18 6:14PM: Departure from Detroit.

Tuesday, August 19

Budapest, Hungary

12:15PM: Arrival in Budapest;

Orientation, welcome, sightseeing;

Evening: Time for rest.

August 20 – 27, 2014

See separate schedule for visit and

program in Moldova.

Wednesday, August 27

Bucharest, Romania

8:30AM: Arrival in Bucharest;

Check-in to Hotel Trianon for 6 nights;

Afternoon: Program orientation at CeRE

offices with Nicoleta Chirita, Country

Director for Romania; and preparation

for the workshops with Nicoleta, Iustina

and Vlad)

Evening: Dinner, time for rest.

Thursday, August 28

Bucharest, Romania

11:00-4:00PM Mentoring and consulting

meeting with Romanian alumni at the

CeRe.

Friday, August 29

Bucharest, Romania 10:00AM-5:00PM Introductory training

in community organizing at AMP offices

Sharing successful community

organizing stories from Romania by

Professional Fellows alumni, Iustina

Neagu, Vlad Catuna, Raluca Negulescu,

Andreea Buzec, Elena Carbunaru and

others; - Introducing the book “Taking

Action - Changing Life in Minority

Communities” to the participants.

Saturday, August 30

Bucharest, Romania

10:00AM-5:00PM - Workshop on

organizational development at University

of Sociology/

Sunday, August 31

Bucharest/ Busteni, Romania

11:00AM Join to a local initiative group

and participate in their action

Afternoon: travel to Busteni to Iustina

Neagu’s family with other CeRe

organizers for a retreat in the mountains

Monday, September 1

Busteni, Romania

Discussion and planning with CeRe’s

organizers (Nicoleta, Iustina, Vlad,

ionut)

Evening: Travel back to Bucharest

Tuesday, September 2

Bucharest/Budapest 10:00AM: Evaluation of this trip &

discussion on post-grant activities with

Nicoleta Chirita, Country Director for

Romania;

12:00-1:00PM: lunch

1:00-3:00PM: Reviewing the accomp-

lishment on grant in Romania;

Discussion topics: How we can improve

the experience for future professional

fellows, engage American mentors in

collaboration, and motivate more

minority communities to get involved;

Discussion on post-grant activities in

Romania;

6:30PM: Departure from Bucharest

airport

7:20PM: Arrival at Ferihegy airport in

Budapest; Check-in in the hotel;

Evening: Dinner, free time.

Wednesday, September 3

Budapest, Hungary

Program Orientation with Mate Varga,

Country Director for Hungary;

Consultation with organizers and leaders

of the Civil College Foundation “Local

Power – Local Sources” program; 20

organizations /communities are involved

in program;

Discussion topics: - How community

organizing methods are used currently in

this program in Hungary? - What

additional training and mentoring is

needed both in urban and rural

communities?

Afternoon: Consultation on development

of a new Hungarian language curriculum

with potential community organizing

trainers and alumni


Thursday September 4

Budapest, Hungary

Workshop preparation

Free time.

Friday, September 5

Budapest, Hungary Community Organizing Learning Circle:

- Advanced community organizing

training on coalition building and good

fundraising;

- Alumni involvement in Citizen

Participation Week especially in

minority communities;

- Introducing the book “Taking Action -

C h a n g in g L i f e i n Min o r i t y


Saturday September 6

Budapest, Hungary - Day long Introductory training in

community organizing;

- Sharing successful community

organizing stories from Hungary by

Professional Fellows alumni;

- Introducing the book “Taking Action -

C h a n g in g L i f e i n Min o r i t y


Sunday September 7

Budapest, Hungary

For Bill O’Brien (Harriet Tubman

Center, Detroit): Arrival to Budapest;

Sightseeing and cultural visits;

Check-in to hotel for 5 nights;

Afternoon: Program assessment and

workshop planning with Bill O’Brien;


Monday September 8

Budapest, Hungary Train the trainer workshop;

Meeting with: Slovakian alumni and

Chuck Hirt, Project Advisor who are

visiting in Budapest;

Reviewing the accomplishment on grant

in Slovakia;


experience for future professional




* Itinerary as of August 18, 2014 — subject to change without further notice


ITINERARY *


Discussion: Post-grant activities in

Slovakia.

Tuesday September 9

Budapest, Hungary Train the trainer workshop continues;

Workshop on peer counseling;

Meeting with: Hungarian alumni


in Bulgaria;







Hungary

Wednesday September 10

Budapest, Hungary

- Workshop on peer counseling

continues; Discussing experience on

grassroots fundraising in Central and

Eastern Europe and peer counseling in

small groups;

Evening: Cultural programs and dinner.

Thursday, September 11

Budapest, Hungary - Meeting with Mate Varga & Program

evaluation of this visit in Hungary;


in Hungary;







Hungary.

Evening: Farewell dinner.

Friday, September 12

Travel day

6:10AM: Departure from Budapest and

return to the United States.

* Itinerary as of August 18, 2014 — subject to change without further notice

Fall 2012 Fall 2013

Spring 2012 Spring 2013

David Beckwith with Professional Fellows during their time in the United States

Final 2014 dave beckwith newsletter

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