2018 WELCOME GUIDE
B Greater Milwaukee Foundation
CONVERSATIONS ARE CATALYSTS We all have a stake in our community s future, so we each should have a say in how that future looks. To achieve the high quality of life everyone deserves, we need to act on the best ideas from diverse perspectives. We have to bridge differences to find common purpose. We must learn from one another and work together so our region and everyone in it reaches their full potential. When we invite others to our table, we create a space for mutual understanding and partnership. On the Table MKE takes that concept to scale. Intentional and inclusive community conversation gives our region new opportunity to build on the strength of our growing diversity, to remove the barriers to access and power that hold back many of our neighbors, and to take the steps necessary for greater Milwaukee to be an equitable home for people of any race, status or identity. What starts with a spark can grow to a movement if we commit our abilities and energy. We have everything to gain. onthetablemke.org #onthetablemke 1
WHAT IS ON THE TABLE MKE? On the Table MKE was introduced by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in 2017 as a forum for building relationships, generating ideas through respectful dialogue and putting those ideas in motion for the benefit of the community. Although it takes place on a single day, On the Table MKE is much more than a single event. It consists of hundreds of small, independently organized gatherings where people share a meal and talk about topics that matter in their lives and communities. Anyone can host a table as an individual or through a group/organization and bring others together for collective impact. As convener for the initiative, the Foundation provides the registration infrastructure, support materials and guidance to make each experience as successful as possible, in addition to sharing knowledge and outcomes that surface through the community s effort. Community ideas help inform the Foundation s philanthropy. 2 Greater Milwaukee Foundation
onthetablemke.org #onthetablemke 3
Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018 Any time. Any place. Any topic. Register today at onthetablemke.org 4 Greater Milwaukee Foundation
BUILDING A CULTURE OF COLLABORATION In its remarkable first year, On the Table MKE engaged more than 5,400 people across 73 ZIP codes in meaningful conversation to ignite action. Through the community s feedback, the Foundation learned that people in our region want more opportunities to connect, greater collaboration and further action on leading issues like education, racial equity and inclusion. The Foundation s report Voices from the Community examines the scope of participation, topics addressed and lessons learned from On the Table MKE in 2017. In the months following On the Table MKE, many participating groups have continued to meet, mobilize and implement their ideas for strengthening and improving greater Milwaukee. We will continue to share the stories of their inspiring and growing bodies of work. Reports, stories of impact and other resources are all available at onthetablemke.org. onthetablemke.org #onthetablemke 5
HOW TO GET INVOLVED By volunteering to host a table conversation on Oct. 9, 2018, you make On the Table MKE happen. You ll be the organizer of your gathering, leading a unique discussion of how we can commit individually and together to making our communities more vibrant and connected. The details of your event are up to you. You choose who to invite to your table. You set the topic(s) of discussion, the time of day, the location and the nature of the meal so that it works best for your small group and what you hope to accomplish. TABLE TIP Follow these basic steps: Register to host Visit onthetablemke.org and follow the instructions for registering as a host. You will be asked for your name and contact information, as well as preliminary information about your event and guests. Registering ensures you receive the latest communications and information you can use in planning and conducting your mealtime conversation. You can host as an individual community member or on behalf of an organization with which you are affiliated. Organizations have the option of registering to host multiple tables. Whether you are an individual host or coordinating activities for a neighborhood group, congregation, nonprofit, municipality, local business or corporation, school or university, there is no fee to register. Choose a time From early morning to late night and all hours in between, hosts can plan their tables for any time of day on Oct. 9, 2018. Allow enough time for introductions, quality discussion and development of next steps or action plans. Many hosts say 90 minutes works well. 6 Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Choose a location Assembling in your home or back yard is a great way to engage neighbors or friends. You may also consider a restaurant, a coffee shop, a library, place of business, a place of worship, a community center, a school, a park any gathering space that meets your needs. Be creative but also convenient for you and your guests. Get permission when required. Plan your meal Sharing a meal is at the heart of On the Table MKE because it represents a common value and tradition. The hospitality of breaking bread invites respectful interaction and an open mind to new ideas and diverse opinions. As host, plan a meal that is the best fit for your circumstances and guests. You may opt for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Coffee, dessert or midnight snack. Potluck or catered. Dine-in or carryout. Fast food or fine dining. Brown bag or picnic. However you define meal, it s the fellowship that matters.
Deeper dive: New in 2018, the Foundation will be providing an additional set of resources to aid in fruitful conversation. Later in the year, hosts will receive access to a facilitation kit that includes discussion guides specific to racial equity and to education two major topics that permeated last year s tables as well as broad conversation prompts and guidelines, ideas for converting talk to action, and post-event instructions. Consider your discussion What issues matter most to you? Where do you see the greatest opportunity for collaboration? How can our community reach its greatest potential? There are limitless avenues for discussion. Last year, On the Table MKE conversations covered more than 150 different topics, and all had merit. As host, you can form your table around a predetermined topic, or you can leave it open for the group to explore that day. It s perfectly fine to not know your topic when registering, but give it some advance thought because it may influence who you think should be present at your table. For many inaugural year participants, the conversations never stopped. You continued to meet or acted on your ideas to strengthen the community. In 2018, your On the Table MKE conversation can serve as a touchpoint to evaluate progress, plan next steps, include new voices or Invite your guests Connecting people to one another is the centerpiece of On the Table MKE. You determine your guest list, which may include neighbors, colleagues, peers, classmates, parish members, friends or family. Extend invitations to people whose perspective will add value to your conversation. Think about who needs to be at your table for your discussion to have the most meaning. Who s missing? Consider reaching beyond your network to build new relationships and insight. You can achieve greater diversity at your table by: Contacting a local nonprofit that relates to your interests and asking for introductions to people who may want to join your conversation Leveraging degrees of separation: Directly invite one person and ask them to invite someone you don t know and so on prepare for something new. 8 Greater Milwaukee Foundation
TABLE TIP Use a free online service like Eventbrite to invite guests to your gathering. Be sure to include onthetablemke@ greatermilwaukeefoundation.org on your guest list to keep us aware of your plans. Co-hosting with a local organization, business or congregation to connect with people different than you Connecting with another host and agreeing to an exchange of participants Opening seats at your table to the community at-large Through your invitation, be sure to relay the Oct. 9 date and the specific details of your event, including time, place, purpose and meal arrangements. Make your guests aware of the information available at onthetablemke.org. Pick a number Additional paths to participation On the Table MKE is open to everyone in the region, and there is more than one way to connect. If you are interested in participating, but leading a table isn t an option for you, consider: Finding a partner and making plans to host as a team Reaching out to others you know are hosting and ask to join their table Joining a table or event that offers individual registration and participation, such as the large-scale meet-up we hold in partnership with NEWaukee Smaller tables work better. Six to 10 people is ideal and helps ensure everyone has the opportunity to be heard. If you want to host a larger gathering, consider using multiple tables. Assign a captain to each table and allow time for each table to report out to the larger group. onthetablemke.org #onthetablemke 9
I M IN! (NOW WHAT?) You will receive periodic updates from the Foundation, primarily through On the Table MKE email communications. Look for success stories from hosts and participants, testimonials, examples of ongoing action, ideas and tools for your gathering, opportunities to connect and more. As the event nears, you will be notified that your facilitation kit and other table materials will be available for pickup. Spread the word As the energy behind this massive event builds, help us make it as inclusive and widespread as possible. Your enthusiasm for collaboration and community engagement will help bring others to the table. Here are some ways you can highlight your involvement in On the Table MKE that may inspire participation and increase the potential for positive change. Post about your effort on social media using the hashtag #onthetablemke Join and contribute to our dedicated On the Table MKE Facebook group Share information about your event or goals in your church bulletin, company newsletter or neighborhood flyer Encourage others in your network to host their own tables Tell people to visit onthetablemke.org Email us at onthetablemke@greatermilwaukeefoundation.org so we can use the Foundation s communications channels to share and amplify your story TABLE TIP Use the graphics and logos available on the Resources and Media pages of the On the Table MKE website to make your communications and posts stand out. 10 Greater Milwaukee Foundation
accelerating ideas. New this year! The Foundation wants to invest in you. Is your table ready to take action? The Foundation will be offering a specialized small grants program open to On the Table MKE participants in 2018 to help get your ideas off the ground. We ll release details about our Ideas to Action Grants later this year. onthetablemke.org #onthetablemke 11
ABOUT THE GREATER MILWAUKEE The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is the region s largest community foundation and was among the first established in the world. For more than a century, the Foundation has inspired philanthropy by connecting generous people to community needs that align with their interests. The Foundation was founded on the premise that generosity can unlock an individual s potential and strengthen the community as a whole for everyone who lives here. Our vision for a dynamic region is rooted in the idea that our community is greater when all people have the opportunity for economic, social and civic participation. We work side by side with those who are committed to ensuring greater Milwaukee is a vibrant, economically thriving region that comprises welcoming and inclusive communities providing opportunity, prosperity and a high quality of life for all. The Foundation serves Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties, and our donors support a wide range of causes locally and around the world. Since being established in 1915, the Foundation has awarded more than $717 million in grants including a historic $95 million in 2017 supporting a wide variety of nonprofits and initiatives that are forging a brighter future for the people of greater Milwaukee. We recognize that our region has serious challenges. Entrenched disparities threaten to further segregate our communities physically, socially and economically. As a community foundation, we can play an important role in bringing people together to bridge those divides. Our community s needs compel us to convene people, generate ideas and catalyze investment to accelerate progress toward an equitable region. There are no instant solutions, but we know for certain that as a community, we are GREATER TOGETHER. To learn more, visit greatermilwaukeefoundation.org. 12 Greater Milwaukee Foundation
FOUNDATION connect with us. SOCIALLY Twitter: @GrMKEFdn Facebook: facebook.com/greatermilwaukeefoundation & On the Table MKE Facebook Group Instagram: @grmkefdn Youtube: youtube.com/grmkefdn LinkedIn: Greater Milwaukee Foundation company page Hashtag: #onthetablemke DIRECTLY Email: onthetablemke@greatermilwaukeefoundation.org Phone: 414.376.8253 Web: onthetablemke.org onthetablemke.org #onthetablemke 13
onthetablemke.org #onthetablemke