Leader visits SPEA, gives speech about advocacy organizations

The School of Public and Environmental Affairs will host the leader of the nation's largest nonprofit advocacy organization at 10 a.m. today in the school atrium. Diana Aviv, president and CEO of Independent Sector, will visit the University to present a speech based on public affairs.\n"It is a good experience for the students of SPEA as well as all students at the University to hear a woman of such high stature speak of public affairs," faculty member Cassandra Howard said. \nAviv will start the program, entitled "Public Policy Challenges the Independent Sector," speaking about her job working with the Independent Sector helping 700 nonprofit organizations and philanthropy programs. She will spend 30 to 40 minutes speaking about the Independent Sector Advocacy Program, and leave the remainder of the program open for questions.\n"There are several topics she may choose to speak about while she is here, like homeland security, ethical guidelines for nonprofits or reduction in inheritance," said Kirsten Gronbjerg, a professor of public affairs. "She won't have time to speak about all these issues, but the topic will be about the Independent Sector."\nAviv arrived in Bloomington Tuesday night to meet with faculty, Dean of Students Richard McKaig and community members involved with nonprofit organizations. After presenting her speech this morning, she will depart for Indianapolis where she will give another speech on the same topic the following morning.\n"(SPEA Professor) Leslie Lenkowsky knew Diana would be in Indianapolis and asked her to come to the university to present a speech the night before going there," IU spokesman George Vlahakis said. "It's a good opportunity to have her here to speak to us."\nGronbjerg said the speech will be a positive experience for students who attend.\n"Nonprofit is very important to society and deeply related by public policy," she said. "It will be great for the students to hear her speech."\nHoward said she anticipates a good crowd for the event. \n"Since the program is open to the public, we hope for a good turnout of students and faculty to hear her speak on such an important topic for society."\n-- Contact staff writer Nellie Summerfield at nsummerf@indiana.edu.