Liaisons: strengthening the bonds of our community

“Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.”

(Albert Camus)

Pangea’s giving circle model allows its members to have direct involvement in every aspect of the relationship with our partners. We understand that financial support in a vacuum is not enough. That is why we constantly ask ourselves about other ways to support and share our knowledge and skills to help our partners thrive. This is a two-way path full of reflection and lessons that could not work without clear communication between partners and members. A pivotal figure to establish this sought trusting and open communication is the liaison.

The origins of liaisons in Pangea Giving.

The need to formalize the liaison role became evident during a period of growth and expansion of Pangea’s work. With the incorporation of a new region of work, Southeast Asia, Pangea members decided to create a pod for each area to act as a grant committee. Each pod would have a coordinator, the Pod Chair. But would this person have to keep up with multiple application processes? In the words of Allan Paulson, Pangea Giving co-founder,

“… it became clear that the Pod chair could not keep track of everything that went on in the grant process. One of our ideas early on was to have a two-stage application process. First, we would review the applications received for “questions and understanding.” Then, we would ask the applicants to respond and revise if necessary, offering our assistance in this process. So, the question was, who would assist them? At that point, we realized it would be helpful to have a single point of contact for each of our partners, and we called that person the liaison. This was around 2009-2010. I remember explaining to people that the job of the liaison is to help the partner understand Pangea and help Pangea understand the partner.”

Since then, liaisons have worked as a bridge to foster direct collaboration and communication between Pangea members and grant recipients. They represent Pangea’s values and interests to our partners. Moreover, as the primary contact, liaisons work hard to build nurturing and trusting relationships. They support and guide our grantees through the different stages of our grantmaking process, always respecting their pace and priorities.

Liaisons additionally have served as our partner’s ambassadors. They are an essential source of information to our members and pods. They keep us aware of our grantees’ situation and enrich our understanding of the context of the global south. And their experiences and lessons cross-pollinate across all our work.

This year thirteen Pangea members have stepped up to volunteer as liaisons. We are deeply grateful to them for their enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to strengthening our global community.

Maryann Ness -Child Empowerment Program (CEP)

Allan Paulson -Playmakers Theatre

Mary Ayres and Merrill Black -Ufanisi Women’s Group -UWG

Janet Pearson -Women in Sustainable Enterprise -WISE

Mary Williamson -Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association-CIYA

Cathy Roth -Women Peace Makers-WPM)

Emily Ho and Paul Silver -Partners in Myanmar

Audrey Shiffman -Asoc. Comunidad La Esperanza

Susan Sola -Asoc. por una Inclusión Social de las Mujeres en su Entorno, A.C. (MUSOR)

Diane Logan -Comunidad Intercultural Educativa Taa’ Pi’t

Betsy Hale -Unión de Organizaciones de la Sierra Juarez, A.C. – UNOSJO