GREAT LAKES CONSORTIUM
for International Training and
Development (GLC) — GLC is a
collaborative effort of the Bowling
Green State University, Lourdes
University, The University of
Toledo, and WSOS Community
Action Commission, Inc - Estab-
lished in 1999 as a program of
WSOS .
Dr. Elizabeth Balint
Project Manager
Viktoriya Maryamova
Program Coordinator
GLC Toledo Office
P.O. Box 352424
Toledo, OH 43635
Phone: 419-973-8007
Email:
Website:
www.GLC-Teachdemocracy2.org
www.gl-consortium.org
Find us on
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of the Educational and Cultural Affairs,
Office of Citizen Exchanges, Professional Fellows Division
The Great Lakes Consortium – through WSOS
Community Action Commission, Inc. as Con-
tract Agent and Manager – received a grant for
a two-way exchange between September 2012
and September 2014 from the U.S. Depart-
ment of State for the “Building Grassroots
Democracy in Minority Communities”. The
overall goal of this exchange is to provide a
professional development opportunity for up-
and-coming and mid-level professionals to
gain knowledge of the U.S. practices in citizen
participation and advocacy, engaging
minorities, and marginalized populations in
civil society and politics, collaborating with
community leaders to inform changes in
legislation that make a difference in minority
communities (incl. Roma, disabled, homeless)
and building grassroots democracy.
In 2013, in 2 delegations a total of 37
European fellows were exposed to diverse
community organizing methods for citizens in
solving problems in their own communities
and gained hands-on experience at both public
and civil society institutions in the U.S. and a
deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture
and people. participated in group seminars,
round-table discussions, site visits, and had
interactions with United States leaders. During
the tailored 3-week internship with mentoring
at national, state or local organizations across
the United States they gained knowledge and
experience as well as adaptable approaches
that they started to implement after their
return. The also were invited to multicultural
events, and participated in volunteer activities
as well. The 6-weeks fellowship program
concluded at the Professional Fellows
Congress in Washington, D.C.
Participants prepared 6-9 months individual
and group Action Plans for follow on
activities. They had various opportunities to
experience the American family life and the
diversity in the U.S. through staying with
American host families during their internship.
They had opportunities to examine the
relationship between civil society and
government and learn U.S. practices on
transparency and accountability.
On this grant in 2013 and 2014 so far in 4
delegations a total of 27 U.S. mentors traveled
for a 21-day reciprocal visit to Europe. They
had an opportunity to share professional
expertise to provide joint workshops with the
alumni and on-site consultation and fieldwork,
and conduct wider outreach programs and gain
a deeper understanding of the societies,
cultures and people of other countries. This
citizen civic exchange contributes to mutual
understanding, creates long-term professional
ties, enhances the collaboration between GLC
and its partners.
The last U.S. mentor David Beckwith, U.S.
Project Advisor on this grant will travel to
Europe between August 18-September 12,
2014. He welcomed and trained every Euro-
pean participants during their visits in NW
Ohio in the Spring or Fall 2013 delegation.
He will work with the European alumni in
providing workshops, assist with consulting
and mentoring. He will also gain cultural ex-
perience in Europe. He will visit Romania and
Hungary and will review all the accomplish-
ments and discuss plans for post-grant activi-
ties with our country directors and alumni, not
only from these countries but also from Slova-
kia who will meet with him in Budapest.
As this grant ends in September 2014, we will
start a new grant on “Sustaining Civic Partici-
pation in Minority Communities in Bulgaria,
Hungary, Romania and Slovakia” and during
his visit during the introductory community
organizing training he will announce this new
program and will have an opportunity to talk
with some interested people who are involved
in minority communities. This will be very
helpful, because his experience can be used
during the selection process later.
This program is a collaboration between GLC
and its overseas partners: CEGA in Bulgaria,
Civil College Foundation in Hungary, CeRe in
Romania and Center for Community Organiz-
ing in Slovakia. Special thanks to these part-
ners and all other U.S. and European partner
organizations who are involved in these ex-
changes.
“Building Grassroots Democracy in Minority Communities”
U.S. Mentor David Beckwith visit in Romania and Hungary August 18 - September 12, 2014
August 2014
Dave Beckwith Executive Director
GLC Advisor
Chicago, Illinois
E-mail:
Dave Beckwith is a Consultant whose
work focuses on organizational
development, strategic planning and
community organizing, working with
social justice non-profits and
philanthropy. Mr. Beckwith is the
Principal of the Great Lakes Institute,
based in Toledo, Ohio. Until January
of 2013 he was the Executive Director
of The Needmor Fund, a national
foundation based in Toledo, Ohio.
Also he is a GLC Advisor on the
Professional Fellows Programs since
2011.
Mr. Beckwith has worked as a
Community Organizer, Trainer and
Consultant to community groups since
1971. He was formerly a Field
Toledo Community Organization.
From January of 1988 until September
of 1994, he worked part time as a
Research Associate at the University of
Toledo's Urban Affairs Center.
Consultant for the Washington, D.C.
based Center for Community Change.
In addition, Mr. Beckwith was the
founding Director of the New England
Training Center for Community
Organizers in Providence, RI; Field
Coordinator for the Governance Task
Force of President Carter's National
Commission on Neighborhoods in
1978; a Training Specialist with the
national Legal Services Corporation in
Washington, D.C.
In 1981 Mr. Beckwith moved to
Toledo as the Director of the East
THANK YOU TO OUR ALUNMNI & PARTNERS IN EUROPE:
for organizing Dave Beckwith activities in Hungary and Romania
for August / September 2014!
Special Thanks to: Nicoleta Chirita, Country Director in Romania
and Mate Varga, Country Director in Hungary on Professional
Fellows Program
The 4th US Mentors Delegation in Europe (May 3 - June 8, 2014) Page 2
Dave Beckwith and Peter Ujvagi (Toledo, OH, March 2012)
ITINERARY *
Monday, August 18 6:14PM: Departure from Detroit.
Tuesday, August 19
Budapest, Hungary
12:15PM: Arrival in Budapest;
Orientation, welcome, sightseeing;
Evening: Time for rest.
August 20 – 27, 2014
See separate schedule for visit and
program in Moldova.
Wednesday, August 27
Bucharest, Romania
8:30AM: Arrival in Bucharest;
Check-in to Hotel Trianon for 6 nights;
Afternoon: Program orientation at CeRE
offices with Nicoleta Chirita, Country
Director for Romania; and preparation
for the workshops with Nicoleta, Iustina
and Vlad)
Evening: Dinner, time for rest.
Thursday, August 28
Bucharest, Romania
11:00-4:00PM Mentoring and consulting
meeting with Romanian alumni at the
CeRe.
Friday, August 29
Bucharest, Romania 10:00AM-5:00PM Introductory training
in community organizing at AMP offices
Sharing successful community
organizing stories from Romania by
Professional Fellows alumni, Iustina
Neagu, Vlad Catuna, Raluca Negulescu,
Andreea Buzec, Elena Carbunaru and
others; - Introducing the book “Taking
Action - Changing Life in Minority
Communities” to the participants.
Saturday, August 30
Bucharest, Romania
10:00AM-5:00PM - Workshop on
organizational development at University
of Sociology/
Sunday, August 31
Bucharest/ Busteni, Romania
11:00AM Join to a local initiative group
and participate in their action
Afternoon: travel to Busteni to Iustina
Neagu’s family with other CeRe
organizers for a retreat in the mountains
Monday, September 1
Busteni, Romania
Discussion and planning with CeRe’s
organizers (Nicoleta, Iustina, Vlad,
ionut)
Evening: Travel back to Bucharest
Tuesday, September 2
Bucharest/Budapest 10:00AM: Evaluation of this trip &
discussion on post-grant activities with
Nicoleta Chirita, Country Director for
Romania;
12:00-1:00PM: lunch
1:00-3:00PM: Reviewing the accomp-
lishment on grant in Romania;
Discussion topics: How we can improve
the experience for future professional
fellows, engage American mentors in
collaboration, and motivate more
minority communities to get involved;
Discussion on post-grant activities in
Romania;
6:30PM: Departure from Bucharest
airport
7:20PM: Arrival at Ferihegy airport in
Budapest; Check-in in the hotel;
Evening: Dinner, free time.
Wednesday, September 3
Budapest, Hungary
Program Orientation with Mate Varga,
Country Director for Hungary;
Consultation with organizers and leaders
of the Civil College Foundation “Local
Power – Local Sources” program; 20
organizations /communities are involved
in program;
Discussion topics: - How community
organizing methods are used currently in
this program in Hungary? - What
additional training and mentoring is
needed both in urban and rural
communities?
Afternoon: Consultation on development
of a new Hungarian language curriculum
with potential community organizing
trainers and alumni
Evening: Dinner, time for rest.
Thursday September 4
Budapest, Hungary
Workshop preparation
Free time.
Friday, September 5
Budapest, Hungary Community Organizing Learning Circle:
- Advanced community organizing
training on coalition building and good
fundraising;
- Alumni involvement in Citizen
Participation Week especially in
minority communities;
- Introducing the book “Taking Action -
C h a n g in g L i f e i n Min o r i t y
Communities” to the participants.
Saturday September 6
Budapest, Hungary - Day long Introductory training in
community organizing;
- Sharing successful community
organizing stories from Hungary by
Professional Fellows alumni;
- Introducing the book “Taking Action -
C h a n g in g L i f e i n Min o r i t y
Communities” to the participants.
Sunday September 7
Budapest, Hungary
For Bill O’Brien (Harriet Tubman
Center, Detroit): Arrival to Budapest;
Sightseeing and cultural visits;
Check-in to hotel for 5 nights;
Afternoon: Program assessment and
workshop planning with Bill O’Brien;
Evening: Dinner, time for rest.
Monday September 8
Budapest, Hungary Train the trainer workshop;
Meeting with: Slovakian alumni and
Chuck Hirt, Project Advisor who are
visiting in Budapest;
Reviewing the accomplishment on grant
in Slovakia;
Discussion topics: How we can improve
experience for future professional
fellows, engage American mentors in
collaboration, and motivate more
Page 3 “Building Grassroots Democracy in Minority Communities”
* Itinerary as of August 18, 2014 — subject to change without further notice
Page 4 “Building Grassroots Democracy in Minority Communities”
ITINERARY *
minority communities to get involved;
Discussion: Post-grant activities in
Slovakia.
Tuesday September 9
Budapest, Hungary Train the trainer workshop continues;
Workshop on peer counseling;
Meeting with: Hungarian alumni
Reviewing the accomplishment on grant
in Bulgaria;
Discussion topics: How we can improve
the experience for future professional
fellows, engage American mentors in
collaboration, and motivate more
minority communities to get involved;
Discussion: Post-grant activities in
Hungary
Wednesday September 10
Budapest, Hungary
- Workshop on peer counseling
continues; Discussing experience on
grassroots fundraising in Central and
Eastern Europe and peer counseling in
small groups;
Evening: Cultural programs and dinner.
Thursday, September 11
Budapest, Hungary - Meeting with Mate Varga & Program
evaluation of this visit in Hungary;
Reviewing the accomplishment on grant
in Hungary;
Discussion topics: How we can improve
the experience for future professional
fellows, engage American mentors in
collaboration, and motivate more
minority communities to get involved;
Discussion: Post-grant activities in
Hungary.
Evening: Farewell dinner.
Friday, September 12
Travel day
6:10AM: Departure from Budapest and
return to the United States.
* Itinerary as of August 18, 2014 — subject to change without further notice
Fall 2012 Fall 2013
Spring 2012 Spring 2013
David Beckwith with Professional Fellows during their time in the United States