Stephen G. Cary Memorial Lecture 2014: Prophets and Nonprofits – Tending Quaker Seeds in Secular Soil

Bill Graustein writes concerning his presentation, “I try to make a practice of listening to and drawing out stories from people in many different communities within the city where I live. I’ve come to understand these stories as vocal ministry and come to hear prophetic voices within them. These voices challenge the status quo, both within and without the Society of Friends, yet they reveal common yearnings that may illuminate a path forward for vital engagement of Friends with the secular world.”

After 25 years as a geologist Bill Graustein left scientific research to devote his time to work in the nonprofit sector. In1993 he led the reorganization of his family’s foundation, the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. From 2001 to 2011 he chaired the board of Public Allies, a national organization that advances diverse young adults in leadership.

Bill, a convinced Friend, has been a member of New Haven Friends Meeting for nearly 40 years. In 2002 he created, and still leads, a workshop series, the “Community Leadership Program” for civic and nonprofit leaders in his hometown of New Haven, Connecticut. The question “Can what I have learned from Friends’ practice be transplanted to a secular setting?” helped guide the development of the program.

In 2011 he and Niyonu Spann founded “Co-Creating Effective and Inclusive Organizations” to support New Haven community movements and nonprofit organizations.

Bill also served on the board the National Center for Family Philanthropy; chaired the Public Information Committee of the American Geophysical Union and is author of scientific publications that few people will ever read. Last year, he got the odometer of his bicycle up to 24,901 miles, the circumference of the earth. He tries to think globally and pedal locally.

Travel directions to Pendle Hill.