Touchstones Discussion Project Inc.

“Howard zeiderman stefanie takacs president exec dir. Spouse”

“The touchstones' board's financial review committee was provided with drafts of the 990 during its preparation period. Once a final version was ready, the 990 was provided electronically for the entire touchstones' board to review and given time to reply with questions, comments, or requests for changes. After that review period the final 990 was signed and filed.”

“The executive director routinely provides monthly summary reports to the board outlining key program activities, financial contracts, and other current and prospective business arrangements. Engagement with board members other than for routine board business or the business conducted in the course and sequence of his employment by touchstones president, howard zeiderman, would be reported in those summaries.”

“Performance of the executive director is evaluated based on data and information relayed throughout the year in the form of monthly summaries, fundraising and communications plans and deliverables, financial reports, and general oversight of management policies and practices. The annual evaluation also includes a review and discussion of the executive director's performance by at least the board officers, if not the entire board, during the year-end board meeting. The board's findings and conclusions are shared with the executive director at the end of an executive session. Because the organization's co-founder and president is a voting member of the board and does not carry primary responsibility for touchstones' operations or management, his performance is not formally evaluated except in terms of annual compensation relative to current job responsibilities in executive program development and implementation.”

“Printed copies of touchstone's governing documents, financial statements, and/or conflict of interest policy are available upon receipt of written request.”

“Touchstones builds critical thinking, communication and leadership skills through respectful and engaged discussion-based programs within the united states and internationally, including programs in schools, prisons,senior centers, and with executive groups.”

“Central to the touchstones method, to tailor lessons to their students' needs, to measure student progress over time, and to continue their own development as discussion leaders and classroom managers. In-class coaching provides additional and tailored guidance to support continued development in instructional and leadership capacities. Students in touchstones programming in grades 1 through 12 engage in touchstones discussions one hour per week. They develop the skills essential for success in the emerging global and dynamic 21st century world by learning systematically to question, listen, and cooperate through respectful discussion. In touchstones, they share exploration of texts and issues central to civil society and examine their roles as citizens. They evaluate their own work, self-correct unproductive behaviors, and set goals collectively for improved discussion outcomes. These essential skills transfer to many dimensions of academic settings and extend outside of school. Academically rigorous yet accessible to all, touchstones' school programs, after-school programs, and workforce development programs help students of all academic abilities and backgrounds become active collaborators in their own learning. Touchstones materials are used in programs for advanced learners, esl and ell students, international baccalaureate, advanced placement, avid elective and critical reading, students with special needs, and in inclusive classrooms. Touchstones school programs are in more than 39 countries and have been translated into arabic, burmese, french, haitian kreyl, and spanish. More than two million students of all ages have used touchstones programs since the organization was founded in 1984. Colleges & universities - post-secondary students learn to examine, formulate, and articulate their ideas through reading, speaking, and listening in touchstones' collaborative seminars. They tackle challenging issues and academic concepts and learn to work independently and in teams. College students in touchstones programs overcome the passivity that generally characterizes pre-college learning. They learn to evaluate and refine their own work and skills and take initiative in developing themselves as reflective and life-long learners and leaders in their communities. Touchstones curricula strengthen a range of essential skills that students in post-secondary programs must possess for success in rigorous academic environments and the workplace. Touchstones programming is used in u.s. College bridge programs, ell and esl courses, first-year experience courses, freshman orientation programs, teacher education courses, and honors leadership seminars.”

“In haiti. Civic leadership & community engagement - touchstones programs for civic leaders afford participants the opportunity to reflect on their values, skills, and commitment to leadership in their communities. Through group exploration of leadership and the role of civic engagement in healthy communities, program participants examine their assumptions, opinions, and ideas. In so doing, they become more aware of barriers to authentic collaboration among their peers and between groups of populations. Participants work together to address problems, outline solutions, and leverage their passion toward more effective and inclusive engagement. Correctional facilities - through touchstones programs in correctional institutions, juvenile and adult detention centers, and jails, incarcerated participants reflect on their values and choices and take greater responsibility for their actions. Touchstones is actively used to strengthen socio-behavioral in a number of correctional centers in maryland, virginia, and california. Touchstones discussions afford prisoners the opportunity to experience efficacy in their own thinking and empower them through self-respect and respect for others. In touchstones, participants learn essential socio-behavioral, cognitive, and meta- cognitive skills, which they employ to improve their lives in prison and to achieve and sustain productive lives after release. Each year, touchstones donates hundreds of staff hours to run programs with the incarcerated and their families in maryland prisons, the majority of whom are from minority households living below poverty level. Seniors groups - touchstones discussions provide a welcoming and friendly environment in which senior citizens stay intellectually and socially active. As a touchstones group, seniors explore new ideas and perspectives as presented by their peers. They develop community and friendships within the program and stay connected to the world. Drawing from their own experiences, the seniors participate in lively and enriching discussions that continue well after the sessions end, providing access to continued, meaningful, and authentic engagement with others.”