An Overview of Our Vision and Plans for the Next Two Years
April-September, 2008: Fundraising and Research
During this period, we will work to fundraise and establish a solid base of support for the project. Both of us will meet with prospective funders and work to establish partnerships with publishers, college and university faculty and student groups, community groups, and organizations promoting civic engagement. Our secondary focus will be on continuing to conduct interviews and writing the next two chapters of the book with Billy Starr, Founder of the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, and Liz Titus Putnam, Founder of Student Conservation Association. Read the rest of this entry »
Project concept formed through conversations with each other and Matt’s mentors, Bob and Alice Evans (founders of Plowshares Institute).
Developed preliminary goal: to capture and disseminate the wisdom and experience that Bob and Alice had acquired over their careers.
Quickly expanded our mission to include a diverse selection of accomplished changemakers whose stories could inspire and equip a new generation of social leaders.
Began researching the extent of our generation’s social involvement, and studying and talking to members of our “target audience” to define the challenge and opportunity. Read the rest of this entry »
In the fall of 1972, Bob and Alice Evans (founders of Plowshares Institute) moved to Uganda with their three young children for a teaching sojourn in “The Pearl of Africa.” The excerpt that follows begins their story of nurturing a fledgling resistance movement under Amin’s oppressive regime-and the struggles and surprises they encountered along the way.
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Sunrise was elusive that Friday morning in late September, held at bay by a driving rain. Droplets pelted the roof and sent a reverberating echo through the building, like a barrage of bullets bouncing off the scalloped clay tile. In the kitchen, Cabanesa was already at work returning last night’s dishes to their proper places, sorting a pile of laundry, and brewing a pot of Kenyan coffee that wafted a rich aroma through the open rafters into the bedroom where Alice tried hopelessly to sleep. While the rain had scared away the sun, it hadn’t deterred the mosquitoes. Their buzzing accompanied Bob’s steady snoring, and the cacophony of sounds filled the emptiness of the room. Alice remained restless but still, and hoped that her husband who lay beside her was at peace and dreaming about better places. Read the rest of this entry »
Duke ran a short article today in The Chronicle about The Purpose Project. There are a few errors (Plowshares Institute definitely isn’t “reaching a standstill”) but otherwise it’s a nice feature. Click here to read the full article.
Co-Directors Matthew Bennett and Michelle Cote on “Alive With Clive” aired March 5th, 2007. If you weren’t able to watch it live, a shortened version is available below.
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