LOOKING BACK ON YEAR ONE: Collab with longstanding industry teacher

I am thankful to a longstanding industry teacher who was open to collaborating with me last year.  We haven't made it real yet (honestly, it's a matter of funding), but we created the ELEVATE concept. 

Originally, he asked for help creating a female-only cohort that would take his pre-existing course in VOLT (the national NECA education system).   Because the program already existed and two of the three segments already had access, it felt like a simple job for a salesperson.

So I thought... how can this become a true collaboration?  I feel the MEP industry (mechanical, anyway) was missing an owner-to-owner support network for the women contractors and that is who I wanted to support. I helped the national MCAA create Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) and it is a popular initiative but is needed to make all women of industry, not just the ones who own the companies, feel a sense of belonging.  My fascination with peer groups (I tried Vistage and C12) showed me that owners liked commiserating and found courage at times from others' stories.  I wanted to pepper in experiential concepts (Richard's curriculum, for example, included a visit to a small town to hear from a mayor on how he helped his town recover from a natural disaster. I love the concept and would shift to a high-ranking woman at Amtrack who manages crisis and can meet us at Union Station in Chicago).  

First, I suggested adding regular peer lunches that include pop-up experts to help participants with their issues (the format women who run associations uses) or facilitate discussion on hot topics/innovations.  I also wanted to see a capstone project: brainstorm industry issues, determine potential ways to improve the landscape, coach for the pitch, and connect each woman with the right audience to make the presentation (knowing who it was for is half the battle!).  Perhaps we can reach out to the woman who organizes TedX Wrigleyville to help...  

Next, I started local with my quest to build up a list of women who run MEPs.  While doing it, I found one-off sponsors so I could gather the contacts for a nice lunch, get new contacts, and hear about their current issues.  Last year, a supporter connected a philanthropist to these efforts so we do them every 2-4 months. Now, I have a list that's long enough to create 1-2 cohorts locally (depends on whether we go with a traditional peer group size (12) or the size of a VOLT cohort (24)). 

Anyway, we tried early on to gain funding from the national MEP associations: MCAA/NECA/SMACNA... but it didn't track.  

Today, I see that the gatherings are building momentum for the concept of helping the women gain more connections, spark meaningful industry conversations, and hopefully one day provide the funding to go beyond lunch.  

Thanks for any ideas you have!

To write or not to write... that is the question

I was raised a writer, but now I hesitate.  I worry about what others will think? Am I making someone feel bad? Will someone figure out what organization I'm talking about? What if they figure out what person in that organization?

So I haven't been writing as much as I could, or should to help my association community.

And I need to find ways to get over it.

Do I just draft something and not share it until it's combed over by me, reviewed by someone from the organization or ??

I remember a long time ago putting my heart and soul into an article that was really good but also a little dangerous to share... and having my key source tell me he didn't feel comfortable being named... and as I was submitting that he wanted his comments pulled entirely.

Ugh!

Year-End

What a wild year!

I am very thankful to exit this year's roller coaster as the 2021 edition offered my my most intense ride yet. I actually felt the highs and lows this time around. I noticed the new colleagues I met in the line ride beforehand and felt overwhelming grateful to the ones who were with me longer and grabbed my hand when the ride got rough. Thank you. I feel bad that I am not that mindful every year. Having a gaggle of kids with a ten year age span keeps you from getting into much of anything, let alone having "all the feels"--you can't let your mind wander off too much as you'll miss driving their friend home from the police station at 2:30 am when their mom can't get them or a hug from one when another sibling rips all her clothes off the hangers you just spent a couple hours hanging up because they went over the imaginary line that divides their closet space. Yes, if you lay around in this place you will get a Westie dog on your head and a kiddie toe in your eye.

I love the network that supports me and I wouldn't have made it through the year without the creativity, compassion and capacity the group provided. Those lows were depressing; I felt them in my gut and see that bump up on the sizing chart physically, too. Finding my first gray hair this year didn't help either! BUT. THE. HIGHS... they lifted me off the seat a few times and after over a year of feeling so disconnected I felt more "me" again. The lows made each high more three dimensional. I could see and taste and hear and BE in those moments. I started my own company... something I dreamed about for a long time. I took care of five clients. FIVE! I also got to refer another to a friend who was just getting started. I spent time to figure out what was important to me... and where the noise was coming from. I needed a nudge to take myself and my dreams off pause. I don't think I would've moved forward without the lows. Not yet. Over time, you become more curmudgeonly (is that a word?). Ultimately, my annual income was similar to that I was comfortable with in a traditional gig and for that I am very, VERY thankful.  But I know it's about the hustle and I have to start over again at the end of my current role! For now, there's a fork in the role... I opened myself up to a gig that would convert me to an employee again only because it is on point with some of the work I want to do. I am otherwise open to other interim executive director gigs, traditional consulting, and training and development building. My secondary area needs more research (creating an exposure pipeline for the next gen in association management). I'm pushing that one gray hair aside and chalking this year up as a win.

Not sure what 2022 will hold, but bring it on!

Enjoy the final days of the season!  Whoo hoo 2022!

Name changing: Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet?

 A rose by any other name would smell as sweet... but would it get the attention of GenNext?

Coming out of a pandemic is a great time to review your organization's synergies and name... does it truly reflect not only who you are but who you want to be?

Before the pandemic, the trend seemed to be shortening a group's name.  Sometimes the name would become the acronym of the old name.  You'd have to learn more in the "About us" or "History" section of a group's website to appreciate where it came from. Or, maybe talk to one of the seasoned members. Sometimes, it's done to forget the past. I can think of a group that evolved its name not only to merge with another group but in hopes of helping the public forget a lawsuit it once filed.  

One easy way to snag some spotlight and heightened relevance is to update your name.  Before the pandemic started, a leader of an association elevated the need to rethink the name.  The launch is supposed to happen in October.  

In Q1, I helped this group to facilitate a discussion with its staff leads around the world.  How exciting to see the orchestration happen!  The group has been very intentional about the evolution, trying to rally as many of its longstanding leaders on board as possible.  The bottom line is that the name change could allow more people to feel the group's relevance on its face alone. It also encourages those who shift from directly engaging in the industry to something peripheral to stay engaged and keep contributing from their new posts to keep the group relevant.  

Looking back, people will remember that part. But there was a lot of work that the staff had to do to make it all come together.  If they do it right, it will look graceful.  Know that for any of this to work, there has to be hours spent honoring the history that got the group where it is.  Your attachment to your organization's name, however, cannot be the same as the one you'd have for your child.  It has to resonate with the "parents" of the group in the future. 

Mary

This is Mary. She has been Tay's "handler" for as long as Tay can remember. She is the reason why I was able to work FT+ these past 6 years. It's crushing that it's time to move to the next phase of our story because it means not having Mary in our lives almost every day.

Mary is my kids' third grandma. Every single one of them feels that way.  We are so blessed that she was willing to be here for all of us all of these years! 

Although Tay was the focus, Kinzie has the best bond with her.  

 She may not have popped into Mary's pic for her birthday IRL but she was always quietly listening to what she said. 

Anyway, the best part about Mary is that she is open to adventure.  

When we moved to Elmhurst, we were two weeks in as a party of seven.  Taylor's big siblings were all daycare kids but the places I liked were full and we didn't know what the other kids would need in the transition.  Thankfully, Kevin's cousin Sarah nannied that first year.  When the next school year started, she announced that she would go back to school as well.  We had until Monday to get a new person in place! 

We didn't know where to start.  So Kevin went to the bathroom (to talk to the two women the cleaning company sent over).  Kevin asked if either of them had experience as a nanny?  No, but the other woman said Mary could do it.  Mary said she would be open to it and she had kids and grandkids of her own.  Kevin hired her on the spot!    I remember Mary calling me to ask if my husband talked to me? Because she was starting on Monday.  Oh yes, Mary came into our lives just like that!

Best connection ever.  Thanks Mary! #ittakesavillage #thirdgrandma #family

Summer Lovin'

The last weeks of August were amazing on so many levels... they reminded me that connecting with and reflecting on the familiar can really recharge you.  Bring on the Fall!

1. I reconnected with my mom and sister.  

2. I started a familiar interim position!

3. I brought a couple of pandemic connections full circle.

_____________________________

1. I reconnected with my mom and sister.  

My mom died 6 years ago, my sister 5, thanks to the BRCA gene. I did my best to keep busy (job change, move out of the city, kid activities, etc.) so I didn't lose it. Last week, I reminisced with people who knew them well and heard some really great clips about their interactions. It was a nice way to have the wave of remembrance hit.

This is Rick and Mary Jo. Growing up, I spent at least a night a week at their house or with them at ours. Their son was one of my best friends.  Rick and Mary Jo still live on the NW side of Chicago (we moved when I was 13) and getting to have dinner with them was really amazing.   Mary Jo's laugh, her way of talking... I just felt like my mom was right there with us.  Thank goodness for Facebook connections (Mary Jo and I connected there years ago) and retirement volunteer gigs (we realized recently that Rick helps our town's park district) that allowed us to reconnect in person! 

This is Mary.  She's my mom's favorite cousin's kid. I adored Mary growing up but personality-wise she matched best with my sister Michelle.  They were the life of any party, graduated from the same out-of-town college (Iowa) and successfully landed careers on a coast. Later in life, they bonded to manage the family BRCA gene.  This week, an article about Mary's medical journey came out and I ran into her at an event, where she was talking about the good times she had with Michelle.  I am thankful she moved back to the community her mom convinced my husband and I to move to. Now our kids go to school together. 

2. I started a familiar interim position!

After 8 months of roller coaster riding to get my consulting grip, I got a short-term spot on a comfy couch.  I spent the first 15 years of my career with the American Bar Association.  I'm serving another national association as Interim Vice President of Professional Membership Groups. I have a lot to think through to help the organization from this vantage point, but being in an environment that matches the one I "grew up" in is so welcome right now! The other cool thing is that there are a few people I know  and respect from the ABA and volunteer roles I've had that "live" here. I know they'll give me an inside scoop if I need it.  Your network will always matter!

3. I brought a couple of pandemic connections full circle.

This is Chris and Melissa.  They both run Association Management Companies (AMCs), a type of business I learned a lot about during the pandemic. One recruiter told me the association world was headed into the "golden age of AMCs," as the pandemic will have smart associations with standalone staff reexamine their expenses and streamline their staffing dollars.  Stars in my eyes, I went on a mission to learn more.  

My first stop was Melissa. She was already part of my peer group (created with people I met at my last pre-pandemic, in-person career event in Mar. 2020). She actually went to OU (my alma mater) and studied journalism (me too!) so we had a strong base out of the gate.  Her business has roots in festivals (Ribfest!) so it never offered just AMC services, which is neat.  She's been expanding options and I know it's just a matter of time before they all catch on!  

Through a series of online networking efforts (LinkedIn is AMAZING all career long!), I also connected with Chris.  After one meet up, I wanted to find a way to work with her (she reminds me of my mother-in-law, one of my fave people!). Her business follows a traditional AMC model and focuses on serving local chapters of national associations.  Thanks to her, I appreciate that these businesses must run lean to survive commoditization, so there are little resources to spend on things like innovation (I am good at finding efficiencies but need to balance doing that work with an innovation sandbox...).

Anyway, Chris joined the peer group and connected with Melissa.  They have so much to commiserate on!  During the end of August we met at the midpoint (Oakbrook).  Chris's office is 45 min south and Melissa's 45 min north with me in the middle.   Neither will give up their office and I need time to think through that piece.  When things open up again, who knows? The 3 of us may become the backbone of a bombshell joint venture that will blow up the traditional association setup.

#onlytimewilltell #connectionsconnections #networksmatter 

Deep Thoughts from Deep Water Aerobics

 

Meet Kathy.  She instructs the Deep Water Aerobics class in the summer at my park district.  Her class is the opener for the diving well weekday mornings.  It is one of the experiences that I put on my joy list (I don't mind getting my hair wet!). It offers a "surban" connection with nature (We watch the sun blaze its path, butterflies find the milkweed, a bunny family try to get out of the gated area, dogwalkers) before our neighborhood fully awakens.   It also rallies our capacity for the day (thanks to Kathy and her equally upbeat music selections, pool toy play, and creatively titled movements).  And the cherry on top for me is still the major rule break (you don't have to immediately head to the sidewall after jumping in).    

Raised a rule follower (Catholic school) and a pool rat (my dad was a lifeguard and so was I, even ran pools for a management company as a teen), being able to stay in the diving well for an hour is still exciting.  It has me thinking about the way the organizations I support can better serve their stakeholders.   Here, Kathy helped the park district engage those from the area who wouldn't have otherwise used the pool (swim lessons/lap swim/public swim)... and she did it in a way that elevated their sense of community (a class) without disrupting the park's regular schedule (offered outside of normal business hours).  For one local association I served, we similarly upped the ante by adding a member feature that allowed members to use our office space for their own gatherings when we didn't have something calendared.  It became an attractive service and helped build awareness to our offerings among individuals who only came to our space for a member's meeting. 

How can your organizations rethink their resources and better connect with constituents in a meaningful way?