providence – creating possibility and a destiny through foresight and timely preparation, and,

Providence - a place, a possibility, a portal, a protagonist and practitioner for local and global insight, foresight, thinking, networking and change.

Providence & Beyond embraces the need to create a new conventional wisdom, for unconventional times.

It focuses on critical topics that are shaping communities–locally, regionally and globally – and unfolds timely strategy ‘in action’ where,

as its logo suggests, insight, thinking, networking and activation are simultaneous acts of a whole process. It achieves this through convening and stimulating collaboration within diverse groups of people drawn from local communities from around the world – in

action-based learning café’s, online media and global learning networks. Each year it adopts a focus and unfolds a well-informed and innovative platform for strategic change – known as the charter. Providence & Beyond also provokes public dialogue and acts as a

catalyst for shifting and uplifting public perception.

“Providence and Beyond is a roadway for the future for visionaries and realists. All of us need to be there.”

Natalie Carter
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

"The first thing I realized upon seeing the group gathered for Providence & Beyond was 'This is going to be Powerful'. With the energy of the people collected, things will happen. I am very excited about the opportunity of being part of this group and what we will accomplish." Margaux Morisseau
NeighborWorks® Blackstone River Valley

“My experience is that Providence & Beyond is an effective catalyst that brings a diverse group of engaged action-oriented people together to align creatively and act toward an exciting positive future for Providence, the region and beyond”. “The ideas that come from this process have wide applications in all urban areas and should be seeded throughout the world”.

Peter Smith
Boston Society of Architects

"Providence and Beyond has provided me with a great opportunity to meet and then learn about how innovative thinkers and doers are making this world a more interesting and sustainable place. This experience also provides me with a chance to discuss ideas and perspectives with other leaders. I have been able to talk with people I would have never met, even though we are working on similar issues, just from different angles. These new relationships and ideas have strengthened my work projects to make them more inspiring and diverse." "Providence and Beyond is fun and an event in which I look forward to becoming more involved."

Jennifer McCann
University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center
Rhode Island Sea Grant

"Providence and Beyond inspires me to expand my thinking by exposing me to new ideas both similar and different to my own and I appreciate the privilege to be able to add my perspective to the dialog. Participating in Providence and Beyond, hearing from speakers who are taking risks, charting new ground and thinking big, challenges me to transfer some of these ideas into my own work, and to ask the question how I can best contribute to Providence's sustainable future."

Ina Anderson
Prarie Avenue Neighborhood Revitalization  

See here for more testimonials:
 

For more information on our 2008 program download here

SOON: Online directory of member passions, capabilities, interests and projects posted and available online. Click here for profile categories to complete. Download a profile template in word to get started.

Upcoming meeting dates:

• Thursday, March 20 8:30 - 11:00 am
• Friday, April 11, 8:30 - 11:00 am
• 
• Friday, May 9, 8:30 - 11:00 am with visiting practitioner Ken Payne Reinvention of RI government in the spirit of Santayana..."those that fail to head the lessons of history are condemned to repeat the past" Since February 2008 Ken has published an editorial on Politics. Download all 5 articles: On Politics


• Friday, June 13, 8:30 - 11:00 am with visiting practitioner Jim Capraro...Relational community building/applying the theory of the asset-based planning creator. Jim is a disciple of John McNight, the originator of the asset-based planning and community development. Jim's mantra is changing the world one community at a time. For more information please go to http://www.CapraroConsulting.com/services.htm 
  

See Focus on 2008 for more information about the program Providence & Beyond operates only with the cash it collects from memberships, sponsors who sponsor talks and volunteers. Our 2008 fee is:
=$495 per person for regular membership. OR
=$425 if you register 2 or more people from same organization or company or if you need the fee break There is an option to pay over four installments, please call to set this up by invoice only. We have a limited number of memberships available so please join today.

Many ways to join:
Pay online: join via paypal ... Or
Call today: 401-351-7110 and we will invoice you Or
Mail a check to: New Commons
56 Pine Street, Providence RI, 02903

Our summit Retrospective was held on December 6, 2007. Read about us in the Providence Business News:

And go to our page to learn more about what we uncovered at the Retrospect and what Providence & Beyond in 2008 is headed: http://www.provbe.newcommons.com/page/116084/

To view our slide and audio show from the December 06, 2007 event, please CLICK HERE

For more about the process and unfolding of the year visit our wiki in which Charter Members were encouraged to form informal subject networks based on their areas of interest. Check out the progress on our wiki: http://provbeyond.wik.is/