Little known before to students of American History, the largest slave revolt in our country (in 1811) was inspired by the Haitian Revolution of 1803. Hear Daniel Rasmussen, author of the bestseller, American Uprising: The Untold Story of America’s Largest Slave Revolt.

Preeminent human rights attorney from Port-au-Prince, Mario Joseph, discussed the current state of human rights in Haiti at a forum sponsored by the Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation on October 28. The Haitian earthquake did not kill over 200,000 in the “deadly collapse of neighborhoods,” claimed Joseph, but rather the “failure of the rule of law” did.

On November 8 view the exquisite hand-sewn linens from the Artisanat of Haiti Projects, Inc. in Fond des Blancs at a cocktail reception at the Hampshire House in Boston. Each year, Fond des Blancs linens become treasured holiday gifts. The event will unveil a new line of high-end fashion accessories designed by Haitian fashion designer Prajje.

Has it only been two weeks since the Opportunity Collaboration ended in Ixtapa, Mexico? Curious about what the buzz is all about? On November 30 help New England International Donors members recapture the flavor and energy of the convening as they share their “take-aways” and outcomes over Mexican food from Oaxaca and Veracruz!

Billy Shore, Founder and CEO of Share Our Strength, always inspires me with his ability to change and grow — himself and his organization. After nearly twenty years of harnessing corporate and community will and compassion to raise money to support food pantries and anti-hunger programs across America,

I had the pleasure of traveling last week to the Opportunity Collaboration in Ixtapa, Mexico with Haitian-born Jean-Patrick Lucien, computer engineer and insatiable social entrepreneur from Massachusetts.

On November 16 at the John F. Kennedy Library I will join several speakers, all sharing our stories and insights, into what shapes everyday people into “Passionaries,”* people driven to pursue a mission — even a calling — and spark passionate commitment among others.

In 2009 Christopher and Anne Ellinger, founders of Bolder Giving — a donor education project that inspires greater giving by offering tools, sharing stories and building a community of donors — gave me a Workbook they had lovingly prepared to help individuals explore the outer limits of their generosity.

Starting in September scores of skilled construction volunteers from the U.S. — electricians and electrical linemen, tile-layers, carpenters, plumbers, and jacks-of-all trades — have been serving week-long rotations to build the new National Teaching Hospital in Mirebalais, Haiti. Simultaneously, the volunteers are working alongside Haitian construction workers to teach them advanced skills.

On October 13 human rights activists for Haiti and representatives from 40 countries met in Geneva to make recommendations to Haiti to improve its human rights record. The role of Haitian civil society organizations in relating to the UN was also discussed.

On October 26, 2011 / 2pm-4pm / 2456 Rayburn Congressional Office Building, Washington, DC, Keenan Austin, Senior Advisor to Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, along with Congresswomen Yvette Clark and Maxine Waters, will host a briefing with human rights advocates and Haitian grassroots activists about current concerns facing Haiti.

When Tory Dietel Hopps, one of the most strategic and sophisticated philanthropic advisors I know, says, “Dance!” she means it! She dances in Cowboy Boots. She dances in flip flops. She’s even been known to jettison a shoe or two while dancing at the Opportunity Collaboration, an intense and lively annual retreat held in Ixtapa, Mexico

Please join me in Boston’s Seaport District on November 2, along with financial and philanthropic advisors from private firms and non-profit organizations, as I share my passion for international philanthropy. I will discuss with leading experts in global philanthropy the tension between empirical evaluation and donor passion in shaping international giving.

Human Rights in Haiti. October 27, 2011, 5:30-7:00 p.m. The Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington Street, 10th Floor Boston, MA The Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation invites you to a special conversation with renowned human rights lawyer, Mario Joseph, Managing Attorney at Bureau des Avocats Internationaux, Port-au-Prince.

Pragmatic. Pointed. Always provocative. Jonathan Lewis, Founder of the Opportunity Collaboration in Ixtapa, Mexico welcomed 300 international delegates to a marathon, “roll-up-your-sleeves” convening to cross-pollinate ideas and forge partnerships to end poverty globally. “Because we know multi-disciplinary solutions to poverty are needed,” stated Jonathan,

Last night I wanted to turn away. For starters I was under-dressed. ( I had never seen the invitation.) Second, after a little wine my heart was woefully unguarded. The elegant dinner and animated chatter suddenly shifted to images of shrunken babies and women who had been raped while walking 30 days through

Ravaged by a 14-year civil conflict fueled by despotic President Charles Taylor, the country of Liberia began to crawl out of its abyss in 2006 when President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected to the Presidency. Since then, according to government reports: the economy has grown by 7% between 2006-2009; …“has attracted 16 billion USD

Haiti: After the Earthquake by Paul Farmer Dinner and Book Discussion Tuesday, October 4, 2011 from 6:00 – 9:00, Private residence in Cambridge, MA (near Harvard Square) RSVP: Join New England International Donors (NEID) for its eleventh dinner and book discussion in an intimate private setting. Bringing together donors, grantmakers, social investors

The Creole Choir of Cuba, Oct. 1, 8 p.m. Somerville Theater Somerville, MA. Tickets: $28. 617-876-4275. www.worldmusic.org The Haitian Diaspora resides not just in the U.S., Canada and France — but in Cuba — and in typical Cuban fashion celebrate their musical heritage.

On Octo­ber 13, 2011 representatives of the Gov­ern­ment of Haiti will appear in Geneva before 47 mem­ber nations of the UN to attest to Haiti’s adherence — or lack of adherence — to universal human rights standards. Some ask, why invest in a UN-mandated review of the state of human rights in Haiti.