Our 10th Anniversary event marked my seventh day working for the Nonprofit Roundtable. My first week was filled with last-minute communications chaos, and the event proved to be equally as demanding.

Frankly, the event is almost a complete blur. But a week later, as I step back, a few moments stand out.

I remember Ben Jealous, CEO of NAACP, telling us how immigration and gay marriage groups flanked NAACP as they stood together for equality. I remember our President, Chuck Bean, getting a standing ovation for his work over the past ten years- leading our sector to greater visibility, strength, and influence. I remember Paul Lee showing us graphs proving 13 year-old girls ruled the world.

But the image that I just can't get out of my head is the tables full of name tags at 7AM before anyone had arrived. Tables and tables of nametags.

As I stood there in the quiet, looking over the tags, I saw the names of people and organizations I had only read about in newspapers. Organizations that redefine what it is to do good. Individuals who stand up to defeat inequality or to erase poverty. This was a table of nonprofit heroes- and they were going to be here together.

The irony of the moment struck me- these people were all at one table.

Coincidentally, this may have been the first time I understood exactly what my organization does.

Over the course of the event, the nametags were picked up and attached to lapels and jackets. The audience of over 250 people filled the room, and we began our program a few minutes after 9AM.

The event was a great success. We've been hearing rave reviews and we're extremely proud of the work we've done. However, without that table of names, without our members coming to the table, it would never have happened.

Thank you for coming to the table. It's great to have you.

For other summaries of the event, take a look at the posts below

Catalogue for Philanthropy- "Roundtable Summit"

CEDC- "Nonprofit Roundtable 10th Anniversary: Stronger Together"

CSS Philanthropy 360- "Special Report from the 'Stronger Together Anniversary Celebration'"

CEDC- "Mario Morino: Making the Leap"