Bi-Partisan Working Group Dinners

The American Dream is too important to be addressed exclusively in a partisan political way. Hope Street Group believes that there is substantial common ground across the political spectrum if given a chance to work in a collaborative environment. Through this process, we demonstrate that each sector – business, government, and philanthropy – has complementary roles to play in achieving progress.

How are Bi-Partisan Working Group Dinners effective?

Hope Street Group is more than a think tank. Participants are not only encouraged to invigorate the debate, but also to turn words into action. Through this forum, we build problem-solving muscle and a broad, action-oriented platform that cuts through the politics and helps a variety of leaders to actually find common ground. Over the course of the evening, conveners strategize innovative solutions for economic opportunity policy and then are asked to help innovative policies gain momentum by contributing to research, granting, and communications efforts.

CONFIRMED MEMBERS/PARTICIPANTS

Donna Brazile – DNC Member, President, Brazile and Associates
Ray Chambers – Chairman, Amelior Foundation; Chairman, Malaria No More
Roger Ferguson – President, Swiss ReAmerica Holding Corp.
Michael Gerson – Senior Fellow Council of Foreign Relations, former White House Deputy Policy Advisor
Alan Golston – President, US Programs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Sen. Lindsey Graham – (R, South Carolina)
Rep. Kay Granger – (R-Texas), former Mayor of Fort Worth
Ken Mehlman – former Chairman, Republican National Committee
Janet Murguia – President, National Council of La Raza
Bill Novelli – CEO, AARP
Gov. Tim Pawlenty – (R, Minnesota), Chairman of National Governors Association
John Podesta – President, Center for American Progress
Sen. Debbie Stabenow – (D-Michigan)
Andy Stern – President, Service Employees International Union

PROGRESS UPDATES

June 17, 2008 - First healthcare dinner to set agenda and framework for future dinners. Agenda | Leader Profiles | Briefing Paper

April 14, 2008 – K-12 Policy Recommendations presented to advisors of Senators Clinton, McCain, and Obama as part of the Opportunity Economics Colloquium.

February 25, 2008 – Hope Street Group releases the K-12 Policy Recommendations of the Bi-Partisan Working Group in "Closing our Educational Achievement Gaps: Fostering Innovation in K-12 Education."

February 6, 2008 – Fourth dinner included group discussion and final review of Bi-partisan Working Group recommended K-12 policy, to be released as a Hope Street Group policy paper.

January 28, 2008 – Third dinner continued the conversation about education reform and the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind.

October 15, 2007 – Second dinner held, where the discussion focused on K-12 education and the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. The dinner focused on educational reform across three areas:

• Achieving globally-competitive and consistent nationwide standards
• Radically upgrading the human capital pipeline to attract and retaining better teachers and principals
• Supportive accountability—obtaining reliable data to highlight real gaps and gains

Links: Agenda | Leader Profiles | Briefing Paper

July 17, 2007 – First dinner was held at BLT Steaks Private Dining Room. The agenda was to collaborate on the purpose and road map for future dinners.