Please note that we have updated our 2025 Annual Gathering Schedule very recently for greater clarity about the content and timing of each section. Please see the updated schedule here:
Prout Alliance Annual Gathering Schedule 2025.pdf
(Revised October 7 2025)
This year we are grateful to have keynote speaker Jorge Gonçalves speaking on "Creating and Expanding Cooperative Ecosystems." Jorge holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Technical University of Berlin, a Master's in Development Economics, and a Bachelor's from Nova University Lisbon. He has been a consultant of PorVir (www.porvir.pt) across various sectors since 2015 and is involved in research and projects related to circular economy, rural development, and renewable energy impact studies in Latin America and the Caribbean.
He is a founding member and former president of the Minga Integral Cooperative, organizes courses on cooperative creation, and coordinates the Network of Integral Cooperatives. Since 2022, he has been a researcher at the University of Coimbra and an advisor for projects on sustainable and social entrepreneurship.
The Prout Alliance Annual Gathering is a unique opportunity for Proutists from across North America to come together for renewal, reflect on the year's achievements, and strategize for greater impact in the year ahead. Each day of the gathering will offer a distinct focus.
Friday, October 10: We begin our gathering Friday evening with an opening program designed to welcome everyone, introduce participants, and set our collective intentions for the weekend. This relaxed launch session includes time for informal networking and getting oriented together before diving into our substantive work.
Saturday, October 11: Our day begins with a keynote presentation from Jorge Gonçalves speaking on "Creating and Expanding Cooperative Ecosystems", followed by three collaborative sessions focusing on the future of our organizational work: Education (education committee), Community Connections & Partnerships (outreach committee), and Membership Growth & Engagement (membership committee). These will be full-group discussions where all participants contribute to strategic planning for each area. The day concludes with a community cultural program at Firestorm Bookstore in Asheville, open to both our members and the broader public.
Sunday, October 12: This day centers on new initiatives emerging from our membership. We'll hear presentations of strategic proposals developed by members, followed by hands-on sessions where participants can join preliminary working groups, engage in planning discussions, and directly support the initiatives that inspire them. These member-driven projects will have Prout Alliance components while maintaining their own independent momentum. We'll conclude with election results and recognition of our community's contributions.
Zoom information will be sent upon registration & in reminder announcements sent October 8th & 9th. The Prout Research Institute is pictured below.