Join the EPIP Seattle Steering Committee!

EPIP Seattle is looking for new talented young professionals to join the Steering Committee and lead our local chapter's activities in 2012.

The Seattle EPIP Chapter Steering Committee oversees and coordinates the Chapters’ activities with the goal of strengthening the next generation of grantmakers to advance social justice philanthropy. The Steering Committee is currently led by two Co-Chairs and four general Steering Committee Members. Each chair has an opportunity to engage volunteers from EPIP’s local community of members and peers to support the chapter with activities and tasks.

Depending on the time of the year and the specific roles of members, time commitments will range from five hours of service in a typical month to ten hours in months when we are hosting a local event. The Steering Committee has one monthly standing meeting. On the first Tuesday of each month, we meet in person from 12:00-1:00pm. On the second Thursday of the month, we have a monthly happy hour event from 5:00-7:00pm. Meeting times and dates are subject to change based on the availability of a majority of Steering Committee members.

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider joining the committee:

• Take a leadership role in Seattle by building and nurturing a space for learning and networking amongst our peers in philanthropy
• Leadership development opportunities locally and through EPIP National include access to professional development funds and to a national network of professionals
• Shape the local programming agenda of our chapter
• Engage in and learn about potential service on EPIPs National Governing Board
• Build your resume and make new connections to emerging and established philanthropic leaders throughout the region

Current EPIP Steering Committee Members include:

Dorothy Longbrake, The Longbrake Family Foundation

Laura Mapp, Henry M. Jackson Foundation (co-chair)

Zeke Spier, Social Justice Fund NW

Sarah Studer, Independent Consultant (co-chair)

Katrin Wilde, The Channel Foundation

Holly Wolfe, The Russell Family Foundation

For more information, please email Laura Mapp at mapp@hmjackson.org or Sarah at sarahstuder@gmail.com to discuss!

Join a Board of Directors = leadership development!

Another great way to stay involved in the nonprofit sector is to join the Board of Directors of a local nonprofit. It's a great way to develop and use your leadership skills, learn about finances, event planning and fundraising, and how to make decisions.

There are a couple of programs in Seattle that can help you identify your skills and can help match them with an organization!

YMCA Get Engaged Program

United Way Project LEAD (and other Board resources)

Have you received any useful trainings that helped you become a Board member, or a better Board member? Let us know!

Seattle EPIP Asks: What's Your Advice for Emerging Leaders?

Participants at EPIP Seattle's first Philanthropology(c) workshop asked our panelists what their advice was for emerging leaders in the field. Here's what they had to say!

• Get involved in a nonprofit organization and help them to write grants. It helps keep you critical of your own process, while you're going through theirs.
  
• Always look for ways to get people involved in your organization.
  
• Take every chance to raise your own profile and keep up with educational opportunities.
  
• Choose your battles wisely.
  
• Keep in mind the power differentials in philanthropy. Both grantseekers and grantmakers are nervous!
• Go beyond the role of a Program Officer. "Lead from the back"- think about other ways that we can be helpful, try to open gates for other people. What resources do you have (beyond funding) that you can offer people?