Demos @ 5

Dear Friend,

On September 27, Demos celebrated our 5th Anniversary and I wanted to share a brief report with our friends who were not able to join us.

The event itself was really wonderful. Just about 250 friends and colleagues joined us at the fascinating Henry Luce Center at the New-York Historical Society. The crowd was high energy and from a wide variety of backgrounds, including scholars, activists and advocates, journalists, donors, elected officials and organizational leaders of all kinds. They filled the space with a buzz of conversation and reunion, and watched the premier of a short film on Demos' values and mission.

The program featured remarks by Demos' leadership, including Board Chair Stephen Heintz, me, Board officers Ernest Tollerson and Linda Tarr-Whelan. In addition, Bill Moyers, always a remarkable and passionate speaker on the challenges of our times, talked eloquently about the threats to basic democratic values posed by the reigning culture in Washington -- and articulated the role that Demos, and each of us as residents of this country, must play in restoring those values to the center of the public square.

Lastly, the event was an important milestone in the organization's development. Just a few years ago, Demos was a group of individuals discussing the need for an institution to help thoughtfully and effectively promote the values of a vibrant, inclusive democracy and an economy that works for all in the public debate. Five years later, we have built an institution with a strong track record: Demos has a significant body of research and a firm policy agenda, a set of programs and core values, two widely-read e-zines, a Demos Forum that has sponsored over 110 public events, a committed board and a talented and diverse staff. A real platform has been built, and our commitment, expressed vigorously and with enthusiasm at the event last month, is to use that platform to make a real difference in our national debate and direction.

For those of you who are already part of the extended Demos family, thank you so much for your help. If you are just becoming acquainted with our work, we invite you in and look forward to working together for the next five years and beyond.