Philosophy

An important component of SVPP's mission is partner education. Many of us are new to philanthropy and while it may seem easy to give money away, doing it thoughtfully takes more work. And if you want to see where your money is going that is even more challenging.

Several times a year we gather to hear experts speak on a wide variety of topics affecting children and families in our communities. These Partner Meetings are generally held in the evening from 6 to 8 pm. All partners as well as community leaders, investees and individuals interested in learning more about SVPP are encouraged to attend. In the past year our speakers have included Dr. Larry Wallack, Dean of the College of Urban & Public Affairs from Portland State University, Governor Kitzhaber, Commissioners Erik Sten and Sam Adams. Ideas for speakers and events are encouraged.

We also have smaller group discussions called Partner Conversations which may not be directly related to SVPP's mission. These are led by a local expert and cover topics of general interest such as socially responsible investing, global warming, sustainable food production etc. These, too, are generally held in the evenings from 6 to 8 pm. Partners, guests, and interested community members are invited.

In addition to our efforts to become well-informed about philanthropy and our community, we have a few strictly social gatherings annually. Each summer we have an informal dinner at a partner's house or a local establishment. We also have an annual holiday gathering in December.

Our most important yearly event is the Annual Partner Meeting held in May. The newly elected members of the Board of Directors are announced, and investees are recognized. A State-of-the Organization summary is given and a keynote speaker concludes the program. These are typically held at a local club, business or community facility, and are also evening events.