Chair's Book Club

FOR MEMBERS Chair's Book Club

What We’re Reading:

Big Bets

by Rajiv Shah


 

How to participate:

The Chair’s Book Club is open to all Philanthropy Southeast members! You choose how to engage – read the book, join a discussion group, or attend events. Take part in one activity or join us for all!

 

1) Read the book.


2) Join a discussion and share your thoughts.

We’ve started a private group on Goodreads so members can discuss the book with each other, ask questions, and share their thoughts on topics and themes from the work. New to Goodreads? Visit Goodreads online to get started and create an account. To join the discussion, go to our Chair’s Book Club page on Goodreads.

Zoom – offers a free Basic Plan with a 40-minute time limit on video conferences with three or more participants. The free plan includes most features and can accommodate up to 100 participants in a meeting.
Skype – the Meet Now option lets you start a chat or meeting without having to sign up for an account or download the app to your desktop. Users will need to download the Skype app to use the service on their phone. Allows for up to 50 people with no time limit.
FaceTime – if everyone in your group is on Apple devices, you can start a Group FaceTime from the FaceTime app or from a group conversation in the Messages app and add up to 32 people. See this link for more information and instructions.
Google Meet – formerly Hangouts Meet, this tool is available to all Google users. Hosts and participants must have a Google account.
Slack – provides a free option for small groups to create an online discussion forum with messaging. Video conferencing is available for 1:1 calls, but not groups. Best for ongoing or asynchronous discussions between group calls.
 

3) Attend upcoming programs.
 

As a Chair’s Book Club participant, you’ll have the opportunity to read Big Bets while sharing the experience with other Philanthropy Southeast members through events addressing the topics in the book, as well as online discussions.

Stay tuned for upcoming dates!

 

 

About the Book:

Rajiv J. Shah is no stranger to pulling off the impossible, from helping vaccinate 900 million children at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to a high-pressure race against the clock to stop the spread of Ebola. His secret? A big bets philosophy—the idea that seeking to solve problems rather than make incremental improvements can attract the unlikely partners with the power and know-how to achieve transformational change. Part career sweeping memoir, part inspirational playbook, Big Bets offers a master class in decision-making, leadership, and changing the world one bet at a time.

Shah animates his strategic insights with vivid behind-the-scenes stories, memorable conversations with household names that helped shape his approach to creating change, and his own personal growth as an Indian-American from an immigrant family looking for a way to belong. He distills his battle-tested strategies for creating change, arguing that big bets have a surprising advantage over cautious ones: a bold vision can attract support, collaborations, and fresh ideas from key players who might otherwise be resistant. Throughout the book, Shah traces his unlikely path to the Rockefeller Foundation across a changing world and through some of the most ambitious, dramatic global efforts to create a better world.

 

More about the book:

  • Big Bets | The Rockefeller Foundation 
    The Rockefeller Foundation website features information on the book, interviews with the author, and background on the Foundation's own 'big bet' initiatives.

     
  • Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens | Simon & Schuster
    The publisher’s site offers information on the book, links to purchase copies, and background information on the author.

About the Author:

Dr. Rajiv J. Shah serves as president of the Rockefeller Foundation, a global institution with a mission to promote the well-being of humanity around the world. With a century-long track record of leveraging science, technology, and innovation, The Foundation is pioneering new ways to enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. Dr. Shah is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and the Wharton School. He has received several honorary degrees, the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award, and the US Global Leadership Award. He is married to Shivam Mallick Shah, and they have three children.







Current Selection

Big BetsI Never Thought of It That Way - Resources coming soon!

 

Past Selections

 · I Never Thought of It That Way - Discussion Guide & Additional Resources

 · Poverty, by America Discussion Guide & Additional Resources

 · How the Word is Passed: Discussion Guide & Additional Resources

 · Unicorns Unite: Discussion Guide & Additional Resources

 · Lost Children Archive: Discussion Questions
 · Lost Children Archive: Discussion Guide

 · The Sum of Us: Discussion Questions
 · The Sum of Us: Discussion Guide

 · The Hate U Give: Discussion Questions
 · The Hate U Give: Discussion Guide

 · The Color of Law: Discussion Questions
 · The Color of Law: Discussion Guide & Additional Resources

 · The Sun Does Shine: Discussion Questions
 · The Sun Does Shine: Discussion Guide & Additional Resources


View our webinars from Past Selections in our Archived Programs.

If you have questions about the Chair's Book Club, please contact Stephen Sherman, Senior Director of Engagement & Learning, at stephen@philanthropysoutheast.org or (404) 524-0911.

 


Connecting with Philanthropy Southeast:
The Philanthropy Southeast staff works remotely – the best way to reach us is by email or by calling (404) 524-0911.

Hours:
Monday-Thursday from 9:00am–6:00pm (ET)

On Fridays, staff work on a flexible schedule. Members can reach our team via email or by calling (404) 524-0911 between 9:00am and 6:00pm (ET). We will respond to all urgent and time-sensitive matters promptly.

Mailing address:
100 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2080
Atlanta, GA 30303

Mission: Philanthropy Southeast strengthens Southern philanthropy, welcoming our members to listen, learn and collaborate on ideas and actions to help build an equitable, prosperous South.