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Roundtable Annual Conference 2007
Agenda
8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. | Registration |
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. | Continental Breakfast |
9:00 a.m.-9:15 a.m. |
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr. Richard Nathan, Co-Director, Rockefeller Institute of Government
| 9:15 a.m. -10:45 a.m. | Acts of Law
It's been a year of considerable legal activity on issues affecting faith-based and community initiatives, highlighted by the Supreme Court's June decision in Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation. That decision held that taxpayers may not mount legal challenges against the federal government over support to religious organizations unless Congress has specifically authorized the programs that provide the money, and the ruling has numerous and complex implications for government partnerships with religious groups. In addition, the courts this year have been the stage for arguments over government chaplaincies, legislative earmarks to religious groups, and the use of tax money to renovate religious structures, along with a variety of other issues.
Keeping up with this constantly shifting legal environment for faith-based social services can be daunting. In their annual State of the Law presentation, the Roundtable’s highly respected legal experts will give a thorough update on the year's most significant legal events affecting government partnerships with religious charities. As close observers of the federal Faith-Based and Community Initiative for the past six years, Professors Ira C. Lupu and Robert W. Tuttle are able to provide context for the latest developments and offer insights into what to watch for next.
- Ira "Chip" Lupu, Professor, George Washington University Law School and Co-Director of Legal Research for the Roundtable
- Robert Tuttle, Professor, George Washington University Law School and Co-Director of Legal Research for the Roundtable
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10:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Acts of Service
Government officials, religious leaders, researchers and journalists often point to the social service work of congregations and faith-based organizations. Yet while it seems to be common knowledge that congregations offer services ranging from food pantries to marriage counseling, there are gaps in the hard evidence showing which congregations are doing what.
With the help of well-known political scientist John Green, the Roundtable has completed a survey that seeks to fill in some of these gaps in understanding. Congregations around the country were asked about their social service work and their interest or readiness to compete for government funds. Green will report on the survey findings, which will include new information on the types of congregations and religious traditions that are providing various services.
- John Green, Professor, University at Akron and Senior Fellow, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
| 12:30 p.m. | Conference Concludes |
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