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The 2010 agenda will be posted soon. Until then, here's a look at what we covered in 2009.

Pre-Conference Workshop

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

12:00 p.m.
Pre-Conference Registration

1:00 p.m.
Fundamentals of Designing and Administering a Corporate Contributions Program

This is an orientation for corporate contributions professionals new to the field, or for those wanting a new view of the basics. Our goal is to explore the philosophy and process of planning a program that has clearly definied guidelines and is smoothly administered and strategic. It will also give attendees an overview of corporate philanthropy, including program size, scope, emphasis and what role it plays in corporate America.

This interactive session will include discussions on:

• Developing a strategy for corporate community involvement and choosing your program's emphasis
• Aligning stakeholders, including senior leadership
• Meeting the needs of both headquarters and field offices (including abroad)
• Building in measurement systems
• Legal issues related to creating and operating corporate foundations

The discussion will focus on mission and strategy and how to move from strategy to implementation. A handbook to get started will be distributed. The basics of regulatory and legislative issues will be reviewed.

Kori Reed
Executive Director
ConAgra Foods Foundation

David Shevlin
Senior Counsel, Exempt Organizations Group
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP

Lynn Stekas
Senior Consultant, Corporate Social Engagement
Changing Our World

Carolyn C. Cavicchio
Senior Research Associate, Global Corporate Citizenship
The Conference Board

*Please note, this session requires a separate registration to attend.*

Thursday, July 16, 2009

8:00 a.m.             
Registration and Continental Breakfast 

8:30 a.m.
Welcome                    

8:45 a.m.
Opening Keynote:  

Challenges Facing Corporate America

There is a unique convergence of external pressures that will influence how companies invest in our communities. Among others, dramatic changes in the economic and political environment will test our commitments and obligations. These challenges may also present opportunities to more strategically invest in philanthropy and our communities. Hear how one company is doing this and why it's a business imperative.

Andrew Kerin
Executive Vice President
ARAMARK Corporation
Group President
Global Food, Hospitality and Facility Services

9:30 a.m.
General Session

From Business Case to Business Value

To effectively compete in today's market, corporations must rewrite their social playbooks. What are companies doing to generate greater business value? This session will explore the latest trends in and links among corporate community involvement, social innovation and philanthropy.

Jason Saul
Lecturer of Social Enterprise
Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management
CEO
Mission Measurement LLC

10:30 a.m.
Break

11:00 a.m.
Concurrent Session

A.   Determining a Measurement System 

As philanthropic programs are designed there is always the question of how to determine if the program is really achieving the goals approved by all the stakeholders. Attendees will see how these companies determined the overall goal for their giving program and then how they decided what and how to measure against its objectives

Alisia A. Rudd
Senior Manager, CR Strategy and Environmental Programs
Altria Client Services

Katie Fessler
Manager, Corporate Contributions
Altria

Pranav Kothar
Managing Director
MissionMeasurement

B.   Value-Added Grantmaking: Increasing the Impact with Limited Funds

In today's economic climate, funders must stretch their dollars. This panel will provide participants with creative ideas on ways to increase the social and business impact of the grants they make with little to no additional resources. Learn how corporate giving programs have made deeper connections and built partnerships with grantees and internal and external stakeholders by leveraging existing resources, reallocating grant budgets, convening grantees for shared learning, making smart use of employee volunteers and streamlining internal processes.

Jennifer Jones
Director, Community Relations
Ameriprise Financial

Bobbi Silten
Chief Foundation Officer
Gap Foundation

Tom Knowlton,  Moderator 
Vice President
TCC Group

C.   Building Successful Partnerships for Community Impact

Through this case study of a company's community signature program, learn how the company went from supporting many non-profit organizations with limited community impact to a strategic community involvement program. See what the business and social case is. including how the company capitalizes on employee expertise and enables successful public/private partnerships that address multiple community needs. The panel will also discuss partnership development, management, communications and employee engagement.  Find out what the partners have learned and are still learning along with their top 10 tips for creating a successful community program with measurable local impact.

Rick Martella
Vice President Corporate Affairs
ARAMARK

Bev Dribin
Vice President Community Relations
ARAMARK

Erin Vaughan
Vice President External Affairs Chicago
ARAMARK

Clarence Wood
President and CEO
Jane Addams Hull House Association

                  
12:30 p.m.
Luncheon Address

Staying True to Our Mission

Corporate philanthropy used to seem easy. Consumers were generous with their dollars. They were spending relatively freely, which resulted in solid bottom lines for many companies. Consumers also said that they were somewhat price insensitive if they felt that the company was doing "good." The economic free fall has certainly changed everyone's perceptions. How do those with a "social mission" attached to their job manage both a societal and business obligation - or do they remain the same thing?

Nancy Mahon
Senior Vice President; MAC Cosmetics
Executive Director; MAC AIDS Fund

2:00 p.m.
Concurrent Session

D.   International Giving

In an increasingly global environment, many companies are evaluating the need for expanding their philanthropic programs outside the home country. The grantmakers are challenged by different cultural sensitivities, communication methodologies and evaluation metrics. Also, given the current economic climate, the reasons for giving have changed. Hear how companies are deciding to manage their international program to maximize their philanthropic operations at home and abroad.

Denise Simpson
Director of Donor Advised Giving
CAFAmerica

Nicole Robinson
Senior Manager of Focused Giving
Kraft Foods Global Inc.

E.   Volunteering

With the Obama administration encouraging service, volunteering is getting more attention than ever before. Hear how these two companies are using volunteer programs to meet multiple objectives, including business development, reputation management and employee recruitment and engagement. They will share their methodology for increasing effectiveness, communication strategies and long term involvement.

Gary Ross
Director, Community Relations
CDW Corporation

Richard Turner
Manager, Corporate Contributions
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas

Robin Berkson
Senior Vice President, Membership and External Relations
Donors Forum

F.   Selecting an Education Focus

Education initiatives receive a significant share of corporate philanthropy's resources. Selecting the right target for investment can be a difficult process because of the demands of various stakeholders. It can also be a challenge to make the business case for a program that is not seen as immediately critical for the business. Hear how these panelists make the case for education initiatives.

Marie Groark
Senior Program Officer
Gates Foundation

David Katz
Director, Corporate Social Responsibility
Viacom

Mary Wright, Moderator
Program Director
The Conference Board

3:15 p.m.
Networking and Coffee Break

3:45 p.m.
General Session  

Mastering the Communication Maze

As the economy changes, many companies adjust their giving strategies and how they communicate these changes internally and externally. How can corporate community involvement professionals make the message work for them? Hear from these practitioners about the messages and methods that will support your efforts to be as transparent, positive and successful as possible when communicating to a multitude of audiences.

Chris Deri
Executive Vice President, Corporate and Public Affairs
Edelman

Paul Gerrard
Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Thought Leadership
Humana

5:00 p.m.
Networking Reception and Vendor Fair

6:45 p.m.
Dinner Conversations

Join with fellow conference attendees and speakers for an evening of great dining and discussion.  (Please note: dinner is at participant's expense.)

Friday, July 17, 2009

7:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast/ Breakfast Roundatables

Join your fellow practitioners for an informal discussion around pre-selected issues or create your own!

A. In-Kind Giving
B. Disaster Preparedness
C. Returning Veteran Programs
D. Generational Issues    

8:00 a.m.
General Session             

Collaboration as a Key to Maximizing Success

As companies continue to look for ways to maximize returns on their investments, finding corporate partners is often an advantageous way to bring additional resources to the table. Hear how this collaboration got started and how it is governed, measured and celebrated.

Rigoberto Giron
Director, Emergency and Humanitarian Assistance
CARE USA

James Coughlan
Vice President, Project Management
UPS

Dale Herzog
Solutions Manager, Logistics Engineering
UPS

Wendy Hawkins
Executive Director
Intel Foundation

Shelley Stern
Community Outreach Director
Microsoft Corporation

Don Greene, Moderator
President
Tandem Consulting       
Program Director
The Conference Board

9:00 a.m.
Concurrent Session  

G.   Maximizing the Effectiveness of Your Program Websites

The success of your company's philanthropic program may be heavily reliant upon the strength of the website supporting the program. And your program's website is only as strong as the strategy behind it. Learn how one company developed and launched a successful website by outlining desired outcomes and goals; creating the look and feel of the site; engaging the IT, HR and Marketing departments; and executing a well-planned rollout.  

Jennifer Grisamore
Project Manager, Community Affairs
Discover Financial

Nita Kirby
Director of Client Relations
JK Group

H.   Lobbying for Good

In their efforts to be socially responsible, most companies fail to wield their most powerful tool: political advocacy. Yet a few corporations are increasingly leveraging their government contacts for the causes of social good. Hear how the panelists are using an effective form of CSR to address social issues while developing important relationships with policymakers in the process.

Paurvi Bhatt
Senior Director, HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care
Levi Strauss & Co.

Crayton W. Webb
Director, Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility
Mary Kay

Kyle Peterson
Managing Director
FSG Social Impact Advisors

10:15 a.m.
Networking Coffee Break

10:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions  

I.   Philanthropy as an Engagement Tool

In the current economy, many companies find their philanthropy to be one part of their employee engagement/motivational tool kit. It is also being used as part of a strategy to keep the business relevant to the community. Hear how these companies have altered some of their giving and other programs to help morale both inside and outside of the company.

Karmen Lemke
Manager, Community Relations and Contributions
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation 

Shelley Stern
Community Outreach Director
Central Region Microsoft

J.     "Green" Community Involvement

From the Obama administration to the covers of mainstream magazines, "green" is the theme. Can a company have a "green" community program involvement portfolio without having an overall sustainability strategy? How can companies incorporate community involvement programs in their sustainability agenda? What are the components of an effective green giving or volunteerism program? How can employees be engaged in sustainability initiatives? How can companies effectively communicate green initiatives without being charged with "greenwashing?" Get answers to these common questions during this session.

Lora Phillips
Senior Manager, Global Employee Engagement, Legal & Public Affairs
Symantec Corporation 

Linda Gornitsky, Ph.D.
President
LBG Associates

Carolyn Cavicchio
Senior Research Associate, Global Corporate Citizenship
The Conference Board

11:45 a.m.
Closing Session  

The Regulatory and Legislative Landscape

Whenever there is a change in the Oval Office, there is a ripple effect throughout the government because of the changes in the political climate. This panel will explore the various proposals emerging on both the national and state level that could affect the way non-profits and those who fund them manage their affairs.

Luis Maldonado
Director of Public Policy
Council on Foundations

Greg Wilson
Director, Issues Management and Stakeholder Relations
Altria

Amina Dickerson
Senior Director, Global Community Involvement
Kraft Foods

Eileen Sweeney
Director
Motorola Foundation

Richard Turner
Manager, Corporate Contributions
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas

Rikki D. Amos, Moderator
Associate Director
Public Affairs Council

12:30 p.m.
Adjourn