Bay Path breakfast focuses on social sector convergence

Date: 5/10/2010

LONGMEADOW "Conver-gence: How Five Trends Will Reshape the Social Sector" is the focus of the upcoming Hot Topics in Philanthropy Breakfast hosted by Bay Path College. Non-profit professionals are invited to this free event, which will examine a recently published study by La Piana Consulting, a national firm dedicated to strengthening non-profits and foundations.

The breakfast is scheduled for June 1 from 7:30 to 10 a.m. in the Blake Student Commons on the Longmeadow campus, 588 Longmeadow St.

From generational and other demographic shifts to the rise and impact of social media, these key trends are driving the future of the non-profit sector. La Piana Consulting examined these developments as part of its research initiative NonprofitNext, funded by the James Irvine Foundation. Written by Alex Hildebrand, David La Piana, Melissa Mendes Campos and Heather Gowdy, the convergence report describes the growing importance of networks as a means for effecting change and the role of volunteerism and civic engagement in society, among other movements, and the impact they have on the non-profit industry.

To view the report in its entirety, visit the La Piana Consulting Web site at www.lapiana.org/downloads/Convergence_Report_2009.pdf.

The first to bring La Piana Consulting's convergence report to the region, Bay Path will welcome report co-author and senior associate with La Piana Consulting, Heather Gowdy, MBA, as the keynote speaker. Gowdy will present the findings on the recently published report, which examines the five movements that will reshape the social sector. A panel discussion will follow her address.

The breakfast is free, but registration is necessary. To register, visit www.baypath.edu or call 800-782-7284 ext. 1056.