PromiseNet.2008 Conference

PromiseNet.2008 Conference Information
PromiseNet Conference Radisson Plaza Hotel Kalamazoo, Michigan June 25-27, 2008	Register here Breakout sessions Speakers Travel & hotel information
Join us for the inaugural meeting of PromiseNet, a network of communities engaged in education-based economic renewal along the lines of the Kalamazoo Promise. Come hear what people like yourselves are doing to strengthen their community's economic vitality by investing in education. The deadline to register is Friday, May 23. Availability is limited. Agenda Wednesday, June 25th, 6-8 PM Welcome reception at Cityscape Event Center, a special events facility located on Kalamazoo’s downtown mall, a short walk from the Radisson Plaza Hotel. The locally owned Millennium Restaurant Group, which operates four area restaurants, will cater the event. Thursday, June 26th 7:30-8:30 AM -- Continental breakfast, Exhibition Hall 8:30-10:00 AM -- Opening Session, Glens 1 and 2 Welcome Introduction of Promise-type programs: The speaker will address the interrelationships between educational attainment, economic development, and community alignment. Overview of Promise-type programs in Denver, El Dorado, Kalamazoo, and Pittsburgh. Attendees will be able to participate in three breakout sessions over the course of the day (click here for breakout session descriptions). Please indicate your preferences on the registration form from among the following options:
Getting Started Community Alignment Economic Development Funding	Program Administration Research/Evaluation Scholarship Structure Student Support
10:30-11:45 AM -- Breakout Session 1 12:00-1:00 PM -- Lunch, Exhibition Hall 1:15-2:30 PM -- Breakout Session 2 2:45-4:00 PM -- Breakout Session 3 4:15 PM -- Wrap-up, Glens 1 and 2 5:30-7:30 PM -- Reception at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 South Park Street Friday, June 27th 7:30-9:00 AM -- Continental breakfast and PromiseNet Planning, Exhibition Hall 9:15-10:45 AM -- A Deeper Look (four concurrent sessions in Glens 1 and 2, Glens 3, Prairie 6, and Stone Theater) An opportunity to investigate more deeply some of the issues that emerged during the previous day’s breakout sessions. 11:00-11:30 AM -- Closing Session, Glens 1 and 2 Address by Timothy and Bernadette Marquez, founders of the Denver Scholarship Foundation. Post-conference activities 1:30-3:30 PM -- Open informational session on the Kalamazoo Promise, Glens 1 and 2 Conference goals To bring together and chart the evolution of those communities that are putting education at the heart of their economic development efforts To begin a conversation and process of engagement among communities with similar goals To address both conceptual issues and operational ideas in the design of Promise-type programs. To share processes, results, mistakes, and lessons To generate “promising practices” as well as areas needing further inquiry To consider the utility of additional networking activities to facilitate reciprocal learning, support, encouragement, and cooperative activities among communities with Promise-type programs A “Promise-type program” can be defined as a city or community where people are working together to provide or facilitate financial resources and support services to a substantial percentage of K-12 students to encourage high school graduation, college success, and community economic vitality. This is, of necessity, a holistic approach that goes beyond scholarships to include student support mechanisms and community engagement, as well as place-based economic development. Cost The cost to attend the conference (including meals and reception) is $100. Breakout sessions \| Registration \| Speakers \| Travel and hotel information W.E. Upjohn Institute \| Research on the Kalamazoo Promise Questions may be directed to PromiseNet@upjohninstitute.org. Photos courtesy of Kalamazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau.