The Philadelphia Foundation with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will again engage residents and inspire solutions to strengthen communities in the Greater Philadelphia region by hosting open dialogues on issues that matter. This year’s On the Table Philly marks the second time that the region will participate in a full day dedicated to elevating civic conversations, fostering new relationships and creating unifying experiences.
The Philadelphia Foundation is one of 10 community foundations across the U.S. participating in On the Table, a national initiative funded by Knight Foundation following a successful pilot in 2017. On the Table replicates an annual civic engagement initiative of the same name developed by The Chicago Community Trust in 2014.
On the Table Philly: Thursday, November 8, 2018
On the Table Philly will once again seek to connect individuals and communities of diverse perspectives and backgrounds in a series of mealtime discussions. On Nov. 8, 2018, area residents along with their families, neighbors, colleagues and friends, old and new, are invited to pull up a chair, share a meal and discuss the ways in which we – as individuals and collectively – can work to make our communities stronger, safer and more dynamic.
On the Table will bring groups of 8 to 12 people together at homes, workplaces, community organizations, restaurants, libraries, recreation centers and places of worship. Registration for those wishing to host a table is now open at onthetablephl.org. Information for those who are not hosting is available through social media at facebook.com/OnTheTablePhilly and on Instagram and Twitter @OnTheTablePHL using #LetsTalkPhilly.
“Face-to-face discussions remain critical to forging the strong bonds that make communities strong. Joining around our aspirations is more powerful than isolating ourselves around our differences,” said Pedro A. Ramos, President & CEO of The Philadelphia Foundation. “Every one of us has the power to make our communities great. At the end of the day, we all live in the communities we create.”
“On the Table allows a unique opportunity for Philadelphia residents of all backgrounds to come together, discuss the issues important to them and build consensus on how to solve problems,” said Patrick Morgan, Knight Foundation program director for Philadelphia. “In its second year we look forward to seeing its impact grow, so that we might share more lessons with communities across the country.”
Philadelphia Planning
Planning for the 2018 Philadelphia initiative has brought together a wide-ranging Steering Committee committed to creating a meaningful event.
Besides Ramos and Morgan, 2018 Steering Committee members include Michael Days, V.P. of Diversity and Inclusion for Philadelphia Media Network; Mike DiBerardinis, Managing Director, City of Philadelphia; Shaun Elliott, President and CEO of Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA; Bill Golderer, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey; Anuj Gupta, General Manager, Reading Terminal Market; Sharmain Matlock-Turner, President and CEO, Urban Affairs Coalition; Doug Oliver, Vice President, Communications, PECO; Siobhan Reardon, President and Director, Free Library of Philadelphia; Frances Sheehan, President, The Foundation for Delaware County; Rick Sauer, Executive Director, Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations and Rob Wonderling, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.
To learn more, sign up to host an On the Table Philly 2018 conversation or get involved, register by going to www.onthetablephl.org or email at onthetable@philafound.org. Join the On the Table Philly conversation on social media using #LetsTalkPhilly.