In celebration of ROI's 5th anniversary, the ROI team led by Lynn Schusterman has decided to change things up a little this year: The 2010 ROI Summit will be a gathering for current members of the ROI Community.  In other words, if you have participated in a past ROI Summit or Regional Gathering, or were a Charlie Award recipient, you are eligible to apply for participation in this special 5th anniversary ROI Summit.

Why are we doing this?

As the program turns five years old, we are trying to strengthen our ROI Community, which has expanded every year. Expansion is good, as it widens the network. But what ROI 2010 will provide is an opportunity to go deeper as it grows wider - enabling us to work together with you on a strategy that will make ROI more responsive to the diverse needs of its member through program offerings like gatherings, grants, networking and professional development.

What's the timeline?

An e-mail inviting members of the ROI Community to apply for this summer’s Summit (taking place near Tel Aviv from July 4-8, 2010)  will be sent out next week.  Application links and other information will be posted via Twitter, Facebook and the ROI website: ROICommunity.org, so stay tuned.

Who are the ideal participants for ROI 2010?

We are seeking to include those of you who are interested in taking a lead role in the future development of the ROI Community - this includes those of you who are spearheading innovative projects, seasoned professionals, community leaders, consultants and project mentors, as well as those of you who are uniquely positioned to contribute in your own way to building a revitalized ROI Community.

We know that this will disappoint many prospective new ROIers, but we feel that to strengthen the network, it's time to focus this year's energies on enhancing ROI’s offerings to better support the advancement of your careers, projects and visions for the Jewish world.

Below are a list of questions you may have and some answers for prospective applicants, as well as for those who are not yet members of the community. If there's anything we've left out, do let us know: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE

How many people are you taking?

The goal for this year isn't a specific number of people like it's been in the past. Not limiting it to a specific number enables people from past years to interact with each other in a new way. We have always aimed for a balanced geographical breakdown for our ROI Summit participants, structuring it so we had 1/3 North Americans, 1/3 Israelis and 1/3 from the rest of the world. Our goal this year is to have participants represent not only people from different countries, but different cohorts of ROIers and realms of experience, so they can cross-pollinate ideas and strengthen connections in equal measure.

I qualify, since I've been to a past ROI Summit or Regional Gathering (or participated in the Charlies program) and want to apply for this year's summit. What are my chances of getting in?

The selection committee will take into account a broad set of criteria before selecting participants. But because the goal of the ROI Summit is to reinforce the network, the committee will likely choose people who have been active members of the network in the past, have successfully leveraged the connections they've made through ROI to help their projects advance, have managed to make significant progress with their project or innovative efforts, and who show promise of making a significant impact on their Jewish communities.

What contributions are you expecting from me, before, during and after the Summit?

By applying to and coming to the Summit, you are recommitting to both your project/initiative as well as to the ROI network and what it can provide. During the application process, we'll ask you to update your biography, which will replace your current profile on the ROICommunity.org website. Once applicants are accepted, we will encourage you to connect with each other in advance of your arrival at the Summit.

At the Summit, you will be expected to participate in each day from beginning to end, and to offer your expertise and connections to the members of the international ROI network. There will be opportunities for you to lead and learn from professional and peer-led workshops, and your enthusiasm will be essential to the Summit’s success.

Following the Summit, we'll also be relying on participants and their networks to help us broaden our reach by organizing local and regional events, contributing content to the website, and mobilizing the network - all aimed at promoting your projects and skills as well as the ROI Community.

Financially, there will definitely be a minimal fee for participation, like there was last year. Considering it includes the entire ROI experience - including flights (if you are not based in Israel), accommodations and participation at the Summit - it will be a bargain. It is likely to be around $300 USD or 300 NIS for those based in Israel.

How do we know you're not going to choose the most famous or news-prominent alumni instead of people who might be just as qualified but a little more quiet about their work?

We know that certain alumni are more outspoken than others, but that doesn't mean that there aren't others equally deserving - that's why we're leaving it up to applicants, to show us what they've been up to even if the press hasn't caught on yet. Being celebrated by the Jewish press is wonderful, and we're proud of our alumni who have achieved this. But this summer's summit is not about fame achieved - it's about the use of the network, the impact of the innovation, and the future ripples it can have on the network and on the Jewish world.

When and where is the 2010 ROI Summit happening?
Dates: July 4-8, 2010
Location: Kfar Maccabiah, Ramat Gan

When will we find out who has been accepted to the ROI Summit?

Our timeline aims to notify you by the beginning of April.

Who will staff the 2010 ROI Summit?

In addition to the professional staff of the Center for Leadership Initiatives (CLI), we are currently considering ways to engage this summer's participants in various staffing roles.  Since the Summit will be a gathering of past ROI participants, we will count on you to offer your leadership skills in realizing the vision for ROI 2010.  Furthermore, we intend to bring in several external trainers and mentors who will offer professional development and advice to attendees.

FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ELIGIBLE

Why are you doing this? I've never been to an ROI Summit, and wanted to apply or re-apply this year.  I'm disappointed.

We regret the inconvenience to those of you who were looking forward to the open applications process for this summer's Summit. We are also grateful for your interest in this program and in the ROI network. While ROI 2010 will only be open to people who have previously participated in an ROI Summit or Regional Gathering, we intend to re-open admission into ROI in the future.

In the meantime, please stay in touch with us - follow us on Twitter, become a fan of our FB page, comment on our blog, and use our online database of members and list of opportunities, which have always been open to everyone, regardless of your ROI status.

As we approach our-five year milestone, we have taken this decision in order to focus our efforts on reorganizing the structure of the ROI Community and its offerings so that we may become more relevant and valuable to you and your networks in the future.

Next year, I'll be too old to apply. This was my only chance to come.

We have always had age limits for the ROI Summit and will likely have them again next time there's a general open application process. But the age restriction may shift a year or two in either direction. We do believe that Jewish innovation knows no age restrictions, and we are committed to finding ways for all of you to participate in the conversation.

Any additional questions? Feel free to send them our way: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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