On the last Wednesday of every month in both the fall and winter semesters, the School of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration and the Johnson Center for Philanthropy partner to present the Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Series, which takes place at the Johnson Center on Front Street in Grand Rapids.

Created in 2009 by Salvatore Alaimo, an assistant professor in the school of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration, the Lunch and Learn Series’ main purpose is to exemplify the Johnson Center’s nonprofit leadership resources. The event is free, because often nonprofits’ limited budgets prohibits attendance to such things. But the goal is to inform, not make profit.

“If we simply called it a Lunch and Learn series it might imply that lunch is provided, so we added the words to call it the Brown Bag Lunch and Learn series, so people knew to bring their lunch,” Alaimo said. “We also scheduled it over the lunch hour to minimize the burden of busy nonprofit practitioners, faculty and students.”

The series strives to inform students, staff and faculty on a variety of topics related to the nonprofit sector and to philanthropy. The series was started off with the documentary “The Gift of All: a Community of Givers,” a story about Grand Rapids’ philanthropy endeavors. There were 45 people in attendance to this first lunch, which afterward
discussed the topic and also networked with some of the philanthropists in the film.

The topic of each lunch changes regarding what is timely and relevant. Previously, the lunch has had presentations that focus on varying issues: the current and future state of evaluation in the nonprofit sector, Google for nonprofits, Michigan’s nonprofit employment, a look inside healthcare: its changing dynamic, volunteering in America and West Michigan and more. Attendance ranges from 25 to 35 people.

All presenters are volunteers, and on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Richard Jelier, associate professor of public administration and interim director of the School of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration, will make the presentation for this month’s meeting. His topic is ‘Leadership in sustainability: the critical role of nonprofit organizations in West Michigan.’

As sustainability is becoming a more common term among Americans, especially the younger generation, it is important for all to understand what it is and how it can be practiced.

This presentation will highlight the leadership of local nonprofits in standing behind the sustainability movement and promoting a sustainable region for the future. This movement is led primarily by the private sector, is endorsed highly by the city of Grand Rapids, and is continuing to be embraced by nonprofit organizations and individuals
as well.

This lunch will not focus on non-profit’s own sustainability practices, but rather how they can play a part in a sustainable society as a whole. Get in on the ground floor or the sustainability movement within nonprofits. Students, faculty, and practitioners can all benefit from the knowledge that will be attained at the Brown Bag and Lunch series.

For more information, contact Alaimo or Pat Nanzer. Presentations are free to participants. Registration can be accessed at events.johnsoncenter.org

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