Community Engagement Series
Harwood Summit
September 18th and 19th, 2007

Goal:  By 2010, to have 100 public innovators convening and facilitating 2,500 individuals in community work, increasing civic engagement, building community groups, and providing hands-on solutions to Central Texas issues. 

Event Co-Sponsors:  St. David’s Community Health Foundation, United Way Capital Area, AARO, Envision Central Texas, Sustainability Indicators Project, CAN, Leadership Austin, Asian Chamber of Commerce

Purpose of the Summit: The United Way and St. David’s Community Health Foundation, working in partnership with numerous Central Texas organizations and community service agencies, present the Harwood Summit on September 18 and 19, 2007. As the platform for a community-wide launch for a long-term campaign to engage greater numbers of citizens in community efforts, the Summit will bring together 500 public innovators, thought leaders, and potential volunteers from various segments of the Central Texas community to hear from nationally recognized thought leader Richard Harwood, founder of the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation. 

The Summit will begin with an evening reception for invited guests, followed the next day with a two-hour luncheon at which 50 local leaders are being asked to fill a table with nine other leaders, advocates, or committed citizens. Copies of Harwood’s book "Hope Unraveled" will be presented to all attendees. At the luncheon, Richard Harwood will discuss his work and his platform for implementing an effective civic engagement campaign, and participants will be invited to apply to become public innovators. The public innovators class will be named in October and will go on to a training program beginning in February that will enable them to become more fully involved community leaders.

This two-day event is being held for the express purpose of understanding and committing to long-term efforts that will engage community leaders and citizens around the vision identified through the Community Agenda Project and challenge our community to increase civic involvement.

Public Innovators Application Instructions: Applications for the public innovators training will be accepted through September. Applicants also have the option to submit a copy of their resume (no longer than 2 pages). Please e-mail completed application and resume (optional) to: info@unitedwaycapitalarea.org.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please click here to download the application.