AUDIO RECORDINGS & SLIDES


Opening Plenary - Demographics in Rural America

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During the next few decades, rural communities will experience significant demographic shifts in their populations. Dr. Robert Groves, director of the U.S. Census Bureau, and Mil Duncan, research director, AGree, will discuss these trends and provide you with some of the future scenarios rural communities will encounter due to their changing populations. Learn the best way to prepare for the future, and participate in a dialogue with the speakers and other audience members.

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Keeping the Transfer of Wealth at Home in Rural America

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In an era of severe budget cuts and government gridlock, rural communities face significant financial challenges. At the same time, studies have found many rural communities harbor tremendous wealth. Hear from rural leaders who are not only sustaining this wealth but using it to improve their communities.

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A Conversation with Henry Bloch and Tom Bloch

Originally from the Kansas City area, the Bloch family has been instrumental in the success of many of the region's major initiatives. In 1955 Henry and his brother Richard founded H&R Block, which today is the largest commercial tax preparation firm in the world. Tom, Henry's son, followed in his father's footsteps, serving as the company's CEO before resigning in 1995 to become a math teacher and the co-founder of University Academy, an urban college preparatory charter school. Tom's book, Many Happy Returns, explores the essential aspirations and indispensable philosophies of Henry Bloch and provides fresh insights into the importance of social entrepreneurship and strategic philanthropy in today's society.

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Closing Plenary - Defining Philanthropy's Role in Society

Public policy's impact in rural communities has been significant for many decades. However, with a government that is both broke and broken, rural communities should expect significant changes in how public policy will shape rural economies and services. Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, discusses government's future role in rural America and how philanthropy can best define its role in this changing environment.

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