Newsletters? Videos? Facebook? X? Videos? Communicating your organization’s story is an ever-evolving process that involves skills, hard work and a team that, itself, communicates well with one another. By focusing on general concepts, members of the ClassACT HR73 Communications Committee

Henrietta W. Lodge, Rick Brotman, and Dick Friedman will present an overview of their efforts to connect with the intended audience, articulate the organization’s goals and promote its various activities. Opportunity for questions, answers, and discussion will follow the presentation.

A BIT OF BACKGROUND:

ClassACT HR73 offers pro bono assistance to nonprofits called Bridge Partners, which are either founded or run by classmates, as well as supporting classmates who are involved in organizations that want to change the world.

In order to help our Bridge Partners to further their objectives, we are offering assistance in a variety of skills related to the success of non-profits via the Bridge Toolbox Series. These webinars are recorded and archived on our website for public use.

The ClassACT HR73 Board and the Benazir Bhutto Leadership Program Steering Committee invite you to join us in person for a social gathering introducing this year’s Benazir Bhutto Leadership Program Fellow, Waheed Ahmad of Afghanistan. This reception will begin with social time, wine, beer, soft drinks and delicious food, followed by a conversation between Waheed and ClassACT HR73 Board Member Leigh Hafrey, and classmate and former Ambassador, Peter Galbraith. Come learn more about Waheed, his perspective on Afghanistan, and his hopes for the future More information about Waheed, Leigh, and Peter below. We will plan time for questions from those attending. This is a great opportunity to meet our wonderful fellow and to share time together in a relaxed and beautiful setting.

Please join us.

Waheed Ahmad holds over a decade of experience at the intersection of national security, governance, and development. He notably served as a senior National Security staff of the Afghanistan Democratic Government (2001-2021). During his tenure, he was responsible for strategy and implementation of security sector reforms, and for developing the 2020 Afghanistan National Threat Assessment among other projects.

Originally from Baghlan, Afghanistan, Waheed’s passion for public service began during his adolescence. In the early days of the Afghanistan democracy, he led many civic activities in his hometown, including the establishment of a library and sponsoring a radio station for women voices.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Balkh University in Mazar, Afghanistan and later pursued a Master of Public Administration degree from State University of New York- Binghamton as a Fulbright Scholar. He has worked at every level of the Afghanistan Democratic Government, from sub-national conflict resolution and community engagement with the Ministry of the Interior to empowering sub-national elected bodies and local councils with the Independent Directorate of Local Governance. In his past roles, he worked closely with the United Nations Development Program, the United States and NATO mission in Afghanistan, and the World Bank, as well as other relevant stakeholders.

Waheed has also written many articles on Afghanistan’s security and political challenges that have been published in international news outlets, including a chapter on Afghanistan’s implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He has received several awards, including a top honor from the President of Afghanistan for his public service. He is fluent in English, Farsi, Pashto, and Urdu.

Waheed fled Afghanistan after the Taliban forcibly took power during the U.S. withdrawal from the country in 2021. Once in the U.S., he served as Resident Practitioner at the Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (I-GMAP) at Binghamton University, focusing on human rights issues in Afghanistan. He is now a Mason Fellow pursuing his MC/MPA at the Harvard Kennedy School.

As a follow-up to our September Forum on “Environment on the Ballot in 2024 and Beyond,” please join us for a special edition of Learn at Lunch in which we come together to process the outcome of the national, state, and local elections, how they intersect with our environmental concerns, biodiversity conservation, and what the path forward looks like for climate justice. Everyone is welcome to bring their thoughts, hopes, and ideas to this session -- this is a space for meaningful and respectful conversation by everyone. Put it on your calendar. We look forward to your participation and insights.

Note: After this session, Learn at Lunch will resume with classmate presentations in Spring 2025.

The Wings of Hope Global Cooperative (501c3) seeks to provide resources to promote good health, education and economic growth that will empower people in need. This Webinar will introduce participants to the role of this nonprofit in empowering people in Kenya, Ghana, Guinea, Myanmar and Pakistan. Focus will be given to the specific projects associated with the health care needs of the Maasai people in Kenya. Wings of Hope President David Weeks HR’73 will be joined by Transparentdonation.com Founder Krish Bhatia, a Babson student presently studying in England, and Kikanae Punyua, Osiligi (Hope) Foundation Founder and Maasai Projects Manager in Kenya. This intergenerational and intercultural presentation of humanitarian projects demonstrates effective ways to use one’s talents to address global needs.

ClassACT Tenth Anniversary Party

December 4th, 7:00 - 8:30pm ET on Zoom

10 years, 26 Forums, 15 Bridges, 7 BBLP Fellows, and scores of newsletters, calls to action, webinars and learn at lunches later, the ClassACT HR73 community has changed the world. Whether you are a regular volunteer, bridge sponsor, webinar/ forum attendee or are just beginning to know us, you are a part of ClassACT and we have done this TOGETHER. Now, as we move into our organization’s next decade, it’s time to celebrate US!

Please join us for a Zoom cocktail party featuring our ClassACT community of classmates.  

Beginning with the whole group gathering for toasts, you will then have an opportunity to rotate through (or stay in) breakout rooms for lively conversation based on common interests. These will include sports, entertainment, literature, and fine dining to start, but the discussions can lead wherever you want them to go. The party will end by gathering again as a whole group for final comments and toasts.

Mark your calendars for December 4th and tell us you are coming by registering here.

Classmates Ken Bartels '73 and Nick Sakellariadis '73 will share information on how to successfully fundraise for your organization.

A BIT OF BACKGROUND:

ClassACT HR73 offers pro bono assistance to nonprofits called Bridge Partners, which are either founded or run by classmates, as well as supporting classmates who are involved in organizations that want to change the world. 

In order to help our Bridge Partners to further their objectives, we are offering assistance in a variety of skills related to the success of non-profits via the Bridge Toolbox Series. These webinars are recorded and archived on our website for public use. 

The webinars include other topics such as:

• Setting up a 501(c)(3)
• Grant writing
• The ins and outs of nonprofit organizational fundraising
• Tips on leveraging communications to keep all stakeholders up to date
• How to develop a meaningful communications strategy for your organization
• How to use social media to your advantage

Loneliness, social isolation and lack of social engagement are serious public health problems. People seek happiness, a sense of community with others, and a life that matters. Many life transitions such as becoming a caregiver or retiring can make it difficult to see how one matters, to find happiness, or to avoid losing connections with others. Research suggests that tools exist to help people recognize the degree of their loneliness as well as how to address it by promoting healthy relationships and friendships and joining in activities that strengthen a sense of fulfillment.

To provide perspectives on developing strategies to stay engaged throughout adulthood, ClassACT HR73 will present a forum on Aging, Loneliness, and Isolation. The distinguished panel will include Dr. Laura Carstensen, Professor of Psychology and the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy Director at the Stanford Center on Longevity; Dr. Robert J. Waldinger ’73, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of the best-selling The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness; and Dr. Prentiss Taylor ’73, a pulmonologist who is the Regional Center Medical Director at Advocate Health Care. Dr. Vivian Lewis ’73, Professor Emerita and former Vice Provost at the University of Rochester Medical Center, will moderate the discussion.

Please join us for this forum that will focus on moving from the pain of loneliness, a problem that reaches across generations, to feelings of fulfillment and greater satisfaction in life. Save the December 11 date!