Exploring Innovation: A Conference on Community Development Finance

Posted by on April 04, 2011

Our 2011 Exploring Innovation is just two months away and we would like to extend a personal invitation to the members of the community development banking listserv.  We know that some of the top innovators in the financial industry are members and we would be honored to have you join us at this exciting event and contribute your voice to the conversations. The conference is presented by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis in partnership with the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta,  Dallas and Minneapolis.  This year the conference was so full of information we are starting a day early.  Don’t miss out on the pre-conference workshops and reading circles on May 9th.  You’ll discover the constructs of class, sectors and political persuasions, and delve into systems thinking and social dynamics.

Workshops and presenters include:
Bridges Out of Poverty
Philip DeVol, author/co-author of Bridges Out of Poverty

Understanding Change
Timothy Hower with the Social System Design Lab, Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis

Reading Supper Circles
Relax with a good book before the conference and then join the one of three authors at the conference for dinner and discussion.

Bridges to Sustainable Communities: A Systemwide, Cradle-to-Grave Aproach to Ending Poverty in America Philip DeVol

The Housing Policy Revolution: Networks and Neighborhoods David Erickson
Striving to Save: Creating policies for financial security of low-income families Margaret Sherrard Sherraden

Keynote speakers will include:

·        Elizabeth A. Duke, a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

·        Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva, the world’s first peer-to-peer microlending service; and

·        AC Wharton Jr., mayor of the city of Memphis, Tenn.

Day one of Exploring Innovation: A Conference on Community Development Finance tackles four emerging issues in community development with conference breakout tracks to include:

·        Retail Products and Services
·        The Green Economy
·        Investments and Equity
·        Financing Comprehensive Community Development

For those who like to mix it up or feel the need for a little inspiration, then Ten9Eight is the choice for you.  To get a taste of what you’ll see…visit the movie website at http://ten9eight.com/.

And it wouldn’t be an Exploring Innovation event without some dynamic attendee interaction.  This year’s conference ramps it up with two opportunities to share and exchange ideas and solutions with Glitches, Fixes and Niches: Fresh Approaches to Community Development and a Closing Plenary comprised of a lively town hall-style session with facilitated discussion centered on today’s critical issues in community development finance. Don’t miss being a part of shaping an agenda of action to make a sustainable impact.

Who Should Attend

·        Bank CEOs and CRA officers
·        Philanthropic leaders
·        Government leaders and community economic developers
·        Leaders of nonprofits and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
·        Students

Register Today! http://2011.exploringinnovation.org