Alliance for National Renewal (ANR) 1444 Market Street, Suite 300 ANR is a national initiative of the National Civic League and involves more than 180 community building organizations working to address the serious issues facing American and its communities. The Partners of ANR represent tens of millions of members from organizations, institutions, and communities and individuals from the public, private and nonprofit sector who work together toward a shared vision of improving communities. Its mission is to serve as a catalyst for inspiring diverse people to work collaboratively in revitalizing their communities and society. The online network provides a broad selection of organizations that can be contacted to find out about community renewal activities and programs. The Aspen Institute133 New Hampshire Avenue N.W., Suite 1070 The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit educational institution dedicated to enhancing the quality of leadership through informed dialogue. It works with participants of diverse viewpoints and backgrounds from business, labor, government, the professions, the arts, and the nonprofit sector to relate timeless ideas and values to the foremost challenges facing society, organizations, and individuals. The institute has publications, seminar programs, and policy programs. Civics Practices Network (CPN)Center for Human Resources CPN is a pluralistic and nonpartisan network of civic educators and practitioners who share the commitment of telling the stories of civic innovation, share practical wisdom, and exchange the most effective tools available. Through the online network, successful case studies are provided of community problem solving, along with other programs, tools and services. Danforth Foundation231 South Bemiston Ave., Suite 1080 Established in 1927, the Danforth Foundation is a national philanthropic organization, dedicated to enhancing the humane dimension of life. Activities of the foundation traditionally have emphasized improving the quality of teaching and learning. Its challenges include improving children's readiness for school; assisting schools in working effectively with families, youth-serving agencies, and other community organizations; and developing leadership and policy-making skills among professional and lay persons working with schools. The Harwood Group4915 St. Elmo Avenue, Suite 402 Founded in 1988, the Harwood Group's purpose is to help organizations figure out public challenges and how to take effective action. The Harwood Group works with coalitions, public institutions, the media, foundations, and corporations seeking to take a fresh approach and seeking to understand and act on the challenges before them and society. For almost all clients, this organization works on an a flat-fee project basis. Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL)1001 Connecticut Avenue N.W., Suite 310 IEL is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to improve educational opportunities and results for children and youth by developing and supporting leaders who work together. IEL works with leaders and emerging leaders of education, human and health service agencies at all governmental levels, nonprofits, corporations and private foundations. The institute also works in collaboration with Public Agenda to provide community services. The Kettering Foundation200 Commons Road The Kettering Foundation is a nonprofit operating foundation that conducts research in order to learn how citizens can make democracy work better and provides publications that focus on what it has learned through its research. The National Issues Forums (NIF) is under the auspices of the foundation. The online network provides a research file that contains over 2,500 abstracts, written over the past 15 years. Some of the subjects include public administration, community organizing, educational reform, leadership, and democratic and participatory theory. Education Commission of the States (ECS)707 17th Street, Suite 2700 ECS, a nonprofit, nationwide compact of states and territories, was formed to help governors, state legislators, state education officials, and others develop policies to improve the quality of education and meet the needs of all children. It does not serve as a special interest group, but brings together people with diverse perspectives and different roles from the local, district, state, and federal levels, to work with and learn from one another. ECS has developed a low-cost, in-depth listening method known as "Community Conversations about Educational Issues." Many publications are available on educational issues. National Civic League (NCL)1445 Market Street, Suite 300 The NCL advocates a new civic agenda to create communities that work for everyone and promotes the principles of collaborative problem solving and consensus-based decision-making. It provides technical assistance, publishes research and awards program. Some of its programs are the Alliance for National Renewal, Civic Assistance Program, and Healthy Communities program. National Institute for Dispute Resolution1726 M Street N.W., Suite 500 The National Institute for Dispute Resolution is a nonprofit corporation that receives funding from a growing number of supporters who understand the value of collaborative decision making and alternative means of resolving disputes. It provides technical assistance and coaching; educational programs and consulting; demonstration projects; and publications. Through the Associates Program's subscriptions, it provides practitioners with access to the Institute's collection of resources. The National Association for Mediation of Education (NAME) merged and became the Conflict Resolution Education Network (CREnet), a clearinghouse for information resources, technical assistance, training in the field of conflict resolution, and education. An online network offers a resource guide with a regional list of programs and practitioners in conflict resolution, and an online calendar provides a list of conferences and training events. Pew Partnership for Civic Change145-C Ednam Drive The Partnership for Civic Change is a special national initiative of the Pew Charitable Trust. It focuses on issues and opportunities facing small cities (population- 50,000 to 150,000) including the exploration of ways to strengthen civic collaborations. A new initiative, the Pew Civic Entrepreneur Initiative, will be working with ten larger communities to have their civic leaders play a greater role in decision making in their communities and is intended to broaden and strengthen existing community leadership. The Program for Community Problem Solving915 15th Street N.W., Suite 601 The Program for Community Problem Solving is a division of the National Civic League that assists communities to use collaborative approaches for long-range planning, service delivery, conflict resolution, program implementation, and problem solving. It also works with federal and state agencies, foundations, and others whose projects have direct bearing on community-level collaborative decision-making. The program's goal is to help communities empower themselves and develop a civic culture that nurtures and supports inclusive collaborative decision-making. Recommended ReadingGross, S. (1996, April). Creating a learner's Bill of Rights: Vermont's town meeting approach. Educational Leadership, 53 (7), 50-53. Jefferson Center. (1998). Citizens Jury on Orono Public Schools. Minneapolis, MN: Author. McPhee, Rob. (1995, December/1996, January). Orchestrating community involvement. Educational Leadership, 53 (4), 71-74. Ruenzel, D. (1997, Spring). Crucial conversations: Study circles help students talk constructively about race. Teaching Tolerance, 6 (1), 19-23. Tyack, David. (1997, February). Civic education: What roles for citizens? Educational Leadership, 54 (5), 22-24. Wagner, T. (1995, December/1996, January). Seeking common ground: Goal setting with all constituencies. Educational Leadership, 54 (4), 40-44. Wagner, T. (1997, February). The new village commons: Improving schools together. Educational Leadership, 54 (5), 25-28
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