Collaborative policy-making, where representatives of different interests work together to develop public policy together, are very common these days. "Meaningful participation" helps stakeholders distinguish the real thing from token or phony processes where decisions have already been made. This easy to read guide helps facilitators, activists and ordinary citizens learn what constitutes real collaboration. The book includes chapters on process design, communications, problem-solving, uses of power, science and risk, and when collaboration may not be in your best interest. "Meaningful participation" is an excellent primer for activists new to collaborative policy-making and for facilitators who do not often work in the public arena. Seasoned activists and facilitators will also benefit from the opportunity to reflect on their practice.
For Gayle, nonprofits are a promise to our communities, a societal commitment to create a better life full of hope, beauty, peace and equal opportunity for all. Thus, each nonprofit has an obligation to deliver on its commitment. To do that, nonprofits need to be wise stewards of all of their resources, including their programs, their funding, their environment and the human beings whose lives they touch.
Gayle brings over 30 years of experience to her work with nonprofits - from her personal activism for peace, disarmament, environmental, human and civil rights, to her professional work as a consultant and former director of development and senior nonprofit manager. She is one of fewer than 100 individuals in the US who hold the advanced fundraising credential, ACFRE, issued by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Gayle learned her craft as Director of Development and Communications at PLAN USA, as Deputy Director/Director of Development and Marketing at Save The Bay, and as Director of Development at CityYear RI.
Gayle holds an M.S. in organization and management from Antioch University New England and is an in-demand trainer and provocative writer on nonprofit management and fundraising. She teaches graduate-level courses as an adjunct at Brown University and Simmons College.
Gayle's current volunteer work includes serving on the Board of Directors of Blackstone Academy Charter School and WaterFire Providence and on the Advisory Council for Latino Dollars for Scholars and the Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art.
