You just landed the big invite to that (conference / meeting / working group / brain trust) that’s been your dream.
(Woohoo!!)
The big day arrives. You go. You engage in important and meaningful conversation. You really connect with people. You feel like you’re really part of something important.
(Woohoo!!)
And then what?
We celebrate the fact that we got in. We feel exhilarated by the experience of being there. But what comes of it all is the result of how we engage with our new community the other 364 days of the year.
The test is: the conference / meeting / working group / brain trust invites you to the next meeting. Before jumping back in, ask yourself, “How have I engaged with the group since the last meeting?” If the answer is “not at all” are you willing to pull the plug and not go back again?
Absolutely spot on. Social change conferences are rarely for learning. The internet, colleagues and training programs cover that base. Conferences should be for coalition-building and building allies. For myself, I decline meetings if I don’t have the time to respectfully follow-up with the people I meet. I am there to work on behalf of the people who can’t afford to attend. Thanks, Sasha.
Or are you willing and ready to engage? Leap.