Leadership Summit 2008
2008 MAJOR DONOR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT OVERVIEW
For Federal Club Council, Equality Circle
and Building Equality members
April 3-6, 2008
The 7th annual HRC Major Donor Leadership Summit held this past April 3-6 in Washington, D.C. brought 100 Federal Club Council donors, Equality Circle members and Capital Campaign contributors from across the country to discuss HRC’s legislative and electoral strategies to achieve equality with congressional leaders, prominent journalists and senior HRC staff members. Weekend highlights included the opening Capitol Hill reception where donors met with Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.). Pollster Diane Feldman, strategist Steve Elmendorf, political consultant Mike Berman and Tobias Wolff, Chair of Sen. Obama’s National LGBT Policy Committee critiqued the primary season and upcoming federal election cycle for donors. Journalists Andrea Koppel formerly of CNN, out Pulitzer Prize winning Washington Post editorial writer Jonathan Capehart and ABC News’ Rick Klein opined about electoral politics from their insider perspectives. Two award winning documentaries were screened: Out Late by Beatrice Alda and Jennifer Brooke and Melissa Regan’s updated No Dumb Questions. The Friday night dinner at the National Museum of Women in the Arts featured prominent theologian Susan Thistlethwaite. Former Clinton press secretary and author Dee Dee Myers addressed participants during the Saturday night dinner at the historic Willard Hotel. Updates on HRC Foundation programming filled out the weekend.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2008
Summit participants attended a cocktail reception at the United States Capitol Building in the Speaker’s Dining Room. Rep. Barney Frank (D- Mass.) spoke to reception attendees about hates crimes and passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the tangled process of getting such bills through committee and to the House floor. For a full list of Mr. Frank’s ideas on GLBT issues, follow this link. Congressman Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) also attended the opening reception.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2008
Political Update:
During Friday morning’s opening session participants received a full report on HRC’s political work. National Field Director Marty Rouse and Political Action Committee Director Mike Mings explained in detail HRC’s political strategy for the 2008 federal election cycle. They discussed:
- HRC’s PAC, the largest GLBT-specific PAC in the country;
- HRC’s endorsement criteria;
- Clinton, Obama and McCain’s positions on GLBT issues;
- HRC’s Senate endorsements; and,
- Priority House seats to watch, among other topics.
You can download a copy of the Rouse-Mings PowerPoint presentation here.
HRC Political Director Allison Herwitt led a discussion with Chief of Staff Cathy Hurwit for Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Il.) and Steve Elmendorf, President of Elmendorf Strategies. In the lively exchange, Elmendorf talked about the inside mechanics of how Congress takes on challenging issues such as hate crimes, ENDA and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” legislation. Elmendorf explained the series of complicated education sessions needed to sway members and move reluctant Congressmen and women to the yes column. Hurwit also followed the education theme, as a staff member who helps count votes for upcoming legislation; she talked about the constant need to keep members informed.
Out Late:
Film directors Jennifer Brooke and Beatrice Alda screened their documentary Out Late. The film explores the reasons for not just coming out later in life—after the age of 55. Additional information about the film is available through Forever Films.
The Current Political Landscape:
Diane Feldman, president of the Feldman Group, a leading Democratic polling firm, outlined the issues that will drive federal elections this fall. Feldman noted that the economy, the Iraq War and health care will drive the political discussions for voters nation-wide. With regard to GLBT issues, Feldman opined that fewer Americans are opposed to same-sex marriage and the vast majority of Americans feel that the GLBT community should enjoy the same employment protections as all others. She ended her remarks by discussing a few of the critical congressional and senate seats in play for the fall elections.
Cherry Blossoms and Dinner:
After a leisurely afternoon yacht cruise on the Potomac River to enjoy the peak of the Cherry Blossoms, participants dined at the historic National Museum of Women in the Arts— the only museum dedicated exclusively to celebrating women’s achievements in the visual, performing, and literary arts. Dr. Susan Thistethwaite, a founding member of HRC’s Religion Council and President of the Chicago Theological Seminary, delivered a rousing speech on the interconnectedness between religious dialogue and civil rights.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008
Media Panel:
Noted journalists Andrea Koppel (formerly of CNN), Washington Post editorial writer Jonathan Capehart and ABC News reporter Rick Klein took participants behind the scene of America’s newsrooms. In a frank discussion, they discussed the difficulty of reporting on a political campaign and the long hours that cause mistakes in reporting. Koppel pointed out that at CNN many young, inexperienced writers guide the words of on-air anchors. Capehart talked about the disarray of most political campaigns. Each offered their perspective on the Obama and Clinton campaigns. HRC Foundation Board member and political strategist Hilary Rosen moderated the session.
2008 Presidential Candidate Discussion:
Mike Berman, President of the Duberstein Group, a Clinton campaign insider and Tobias Wolff, Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania and Chair of Sen. Obama’s National LGBT Policy Committee dissected each campaigns strengths and weakness in a lively exchange with participants. Berman offered detailed information (available for download here) about delegate counts, possible Electoral College results and an analysis of general election match ups. Wolff offered an insiders view of the Obama campaign and the Senator’s positions on GLBT issues.
HRC Foundation Update:
Family Project Director Ellen Kahn and Workplace Project Director Daryl Herrschaft updated Summit participants on two new programs:
- Welcoming Schools
The Family Project is currently piloting a new, comprehensive resource, the Welcoming Schools Guide, aimed at helping elementary schools become supportive and affirming of GLBT families. Currently 15 elementary schools, including public and independent schools, are participating in the pilot phase during which we are building the foundation for establishing best practices and ensuring successful outcomes. The Welcoming Schools is the first kindergarten through fifth grade resource of its kind that proactively addresses family diversity, gender stereotyping and name-calling in a way that is inclusive of GLBT issues. The Guide also helps teachers who have requested assistance in addressing anti-gay name-calling and bullying that is increasing among younger students. It offers a wide range of resources for school administrators and educators who have asked for advice on how to support students who are on a unique gender path. The basic premise of the guide is that schools should be inclusive – all students should feel that they belong.
Ellen Kahn’s PowerPoint presentation is available here.
- Workplace Climate Project
With a two-year $500,000 grant from the PepsiCo Foundation, the Workplace Project is researching and developing The GLBT Diversity Toolkit for Corporate America. The primary goal of the project is to move corporate America beyond policies that protect GLBT employees to behaviors and actions that create inclusive and safe communities.
The Project is based a series of research questions including:
- How do GLBT workers define workplace climate?
- What is the effect of GLBT experiences of workplace climate?
- How can we develop resources that address corporate climate for GLBT workers?
- How can we get Human Resources/Diversity Professionals/Manager buy-in to the toolkits?
The Workplace Project is creating a comprehensive, relevant and accessible guide for professionals in corporate America dedicated to making their workplace climate and culture affirming for their GLBT employees.
Daryl Herrschaft’s PowerPoint presentation is available here.
No Dumb Questions:
Director Melissa Regan screened her documentary No Dumb Questions for Summit participants. The film, about three sisters whose Uncle Bill becomes their Aunt Barbara, received an award from the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, has been discussed on the Oprah Winfrey Show and broadcast on HBO, PBS, and Logo, and is in national educational distribution. An update to the film is underway and Summit participants viewed updated footage that addresses questions the sisters’ posed six years after Uncle Bill’s transition to Aunt Barbara.
Closing Dinner:
This year’s closing dinner was held at the historic Willard Hotel. During the opening reception we were joined by author and former Clinton White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers. She offered her perceptions on the primary races between Senators Clinton and Obama and discussed her recently published book, Why Women Should Rule the World (Harper Collins, 2008). After her remarks, Myers graciously signed copies of her book. Student participants in the Historically Black College and University Program spoke about their experiences as GLBT students on conservative campuses and the leadership skills the program has taught them.
The weekend was rounded out by a closing brunch at the Artists Inn Residence Bed and Breakfast/Gallery.
Photos from Past Leadership Summits
(click to see high-resolution version)
Former NBA star John Amaechi signs his autograph.
Newsweek columnist Eleanor Clift speaks.
Dinner at the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum.
Waiting for dinner at the Hillwood Museum and Gardens.
Joe Solmonese speaks to Leadership Summit attendees.
What People are Saying about Past Leadership Summits
"When I think of that weekend, I realize how much it allowed me to fully understand the various levels of outreach that HRC does - and all in one sitting. For all essential purposes, it is the "touchable 360 degree view" of HRC. This weekend demystified the mystique of HRC, and in turn allowed me to be a more effective and vocal advocate for the organization. I walked away more committed to HRC than I have ever been."
-Catherine Burgess, Major Donor, Massachusetts
"This is SO hard to answer. EVERYTHING we did was fun or valuable in it its own way. The movie was poignant [For the Bible Tells Me So]. The panel discussion was amazing, as was Amy Walter's speech [formerly of the Cook Political Report]. The timing of the summit could not have been better with the Hate Crimes bill activity going on. I have met so many people who are out there doing things for us through HRC!"
-Brian Batchelor, Major Donor, Texas
"The Leadership Summit is a great place to meet people from around the country who are passionate about GLBT rights and committed to the work of HRC. The chance to get to know fellow HRC supporters, dialogue with elected and community leaders, and enjoy the nation’s capital at a lovely time of year make it a "must-do" for Federal Club Council and Equality Circle members."
-Rebecca Tillet, Major Donor, New York