Power of Good

goodnews F FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ATTENDED THE Elevate conference in Montgomery on Aug. 28, I hope the experience was uplifting. It's dangerously optimistic to call an inaugural event "the first annual," but I hope there will be another Elevate in 2014. at's because Alabama Power believes Elevate – and those who we hope benefited from it – are too important to the state's future not to continue it. Our goal with the Elevate movement, and with the new Power of Good newsletter, is to connect nonprofit groups that are focused on bringing permanent, positive change to Alabama. We believe that by building stronger relationships and working together, we can make Alabama an even better place. By sharing wisdom, by pooling our knowledge and resources, by finding out what works and what needs work, together we can elevate Alabama. In this first issue, we are revisiting our first Elevate conference especially for those of you who were unable to attend, but also because attendees had to choose between breakout sessions, and some of you were unable to stay for dinner. We have stories about our dinner speakers, our four breakout sessions, our Charitable Giving grants and more. Also, we are featuring one of our grantees with which we have had a longstanding relationship, the YWCA Central Alabama, and longtime CEO Suzanne Durham, who recently announced her retirement. e YWCA is a great example of a nonprofit that has focused on innovation and collaboration and is making a difference in its community. You may recall that when I announced the Elevate Prizes at the end of the conference, I mentioned the prizes are "to reward nonprofits that carry out their mission in a way that honors the spirit of today's gathering, by focusing on collaboration and innovation and getting results." We have worked out details for those prizes, which you can read about in this issue. In just a few months, you will be able to apply for an Elevate Prize at www.PowerofGood.com. I also want to mention the postElevate survey that many of you completed. e responses were overwhelmingly positive, which is gratifying to us because they validate what we wanted to accomplish with PHOTO BY BILL SNOW the the conference. "Extremely effective in terms of networking opportunities and informational workshops," one respondent wrote. "Also, restful and beautiful environment. ank you so much!" We are studying all the survey responses to figure out ways to make next year's Elevate conference even better, but also how to put some of your suggestions into action. I am pleased so many of you attended this year's Elevate conference and found it to be helpful and a good use of your time. I am pleased as well at the energy, excitement and momentum that many of us feel. In the next year, let us find the best ways to work together to innovate, collaborate and elevate our communities and state. John O. Hudson III Vice President, Public Relations and Charitable Giving; President, Alabama Power Foundation; Executive Director, Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund PowerofGood.com | Fall 2013 1

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